Tomb of Annihilation | Endure the Death Curse

Creating your character

All published 5E races, classes, sub-classes are available in this campaign. (No Third Party content will be available to ensure a smooth process for new players.) Character creation will take place during a dedicated Session Zero. This session is designed specifically for scoping the campaign, developing characters, weaving them into the group structure, and tying them to the central themes of the adventure before actual gameplay begins. About this Campaign: We will be making use of the newly released 2024 rules. All content is available via Third Party Content via DNDBeyond. Only exclusion is the following: Humblewood, Lord of the Rings, Obojima. Tomb of Annihilation is a very thematic, rich, and large sandbox adventure involving exotic cities, jungle treks, ancient ruins, and the immediate threat of a worldwide death curse. It is fundamentally a story about death and the lengths individuals go to avoid it. Your characters should be built as "cooperative explorers who seek to explore the jungles of Chult and end the death curse". You should consider the three vectors for character creation: 1. Who the character is. 2. How they fit the theme of the adventure. 3. How they are bonded with the other members of the group. Key Themes to Consider Before finalising your character, keep the core themes of the peninsula of Chult in mind: • The Death Curse: This curse is plaguing all of Toril and is preventing resurrections while eating the lives of the resurrected. The curse compels the adventure, which is described as a "ticking clock" where time is of the essence. • Jungle and Ruins: The jungles of Chult are largely unexplored and very dangerous, riddled with ancient ruins and an undead plague. • Port Nyanzaru: The mercantile city of Port Nyanzaru serves as the bastion of civilisation on the northern edge of the jungle. • Factions: Various factions, including the Order of the Gauntlet and the Flaming Fist, seek to make their mark in the jungle. Starting Level and Ability Scores • Starting Level: All players will start at Level 1. • Ability Scores: Please use the Standard Array method for determining your character's six ability scores: (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8). These scores must be assigned to your abilities as you choose.

Preparing for the session

What you will need to prepare: ✅ A Mic ✅ Discord ✅ DNDBeyond Account (I will share a link to the campaign/oneshot in which all my content will unlock for you.) ✅ Fill in the Supplied Google Forms ✅ Create your character within DNDBeyond ✅ This Campaign is beginner friendly - Don't know anything? Don't worry! I'll guide you through a wonderful game of D&D.

What Calvin brings to the table

Tools & Resources: D&D Beyond: We'll use D&D Beyond for character creation and reference during the game. This makes it easy for everyone to track their stats, abilities, and spells. D&D Beyond Maps: Immerse yourselves in the adventure with dynamic maps on D&D Beyond Maps, complete with fog of war and interactive elements & initiative tracker. ABOVE VTT: Immerse yourselves in the adventure with dynamic maps on the Above VTT free Chrome Extension, complete with fog of war, line of sight and interactive elements & initiative tracker. FOUNDRY VTT: Immerse yourselves in the adventure with dynamic maps on the Foundry VTT or App, complete with fog of war, line of sight and interactive elements & initiative tracker all within one platform. Discord: We'll connect and communicate on Discord, sharing voice and text chat to keep the game flowing smoothly. Legendkeeper: Behind the scenes, I'll be using Legendkeeper to weave a rich tapestry of lore, track our progress, and build captivating maps for the world we explore together. Custom Content: I'll be creating plenty of my own content to bring the world to life, from unique NPCs and monsters to immersive descriptions and intriguing plot hooks & creative hand outs. My GM Style: Immersive Storytelling: I love to create a vivid and engaging narrative, using descriptive language, character voices, and ambient music to set the scene and draw you into the world. Tactical Combat: Expect exciting and challenging combat encounters, where strategy and teamwork are key to victory. Rule of Cool: While I respect the rules, I also believe in the power of the Rule of Cool. If you come up with a creative and awesome idea, I'll do my best to make it work within the game's framework. Collaborative Storytelling & Passion: As one of my players mentioned, I'm passionate about collaborative storytelling. My primary concern is for everyone to contribute to and enjoy an awesome story together. Lore Focused: I delve deep into the lore, crafting a world rich in history, secrets, and interconnected narratives. Overall, my games are a blend of: Immersion: I aim to create a world that feels real and alive, with rich details and memorable characters. Challenge: Expect to face tough choices, overcome obstacles, and test your skills in combat and roleplaying. Fun: Above all, I want everyone to have fun and enjoy the collaborative storytelling experience. What to Bring: Your Character: A fully created character on D&D Beyond, ready for adventure! Enthusiasm: Come ready to explore, roleplay, and have a great time! Open Mind: Be prepared for the unexpected and embrace the collaborative storytelling experience. I'm excited to embark on this journey with you!

Homebrew rules

Campaign Overview: Chult This campaign is a deadly race against time set in a dangerous, uncharted jungle. The Campaign's Focus: The adventure centers on a Death Curse that is spreading across the world. The curse prevents anyone from being raised from the dead and causes those who have been previously resurrected to slowly waste away. Your goal is to travel to the jungle peninsula of Chult, find the source of the curse, and destroy it. • The Setting: The campaign begins in the sweltering jungle of Chult. The only safe haven is the city of Port Nyanzaru, ruled by powerful Merchant Princes. The rest of the peninsula is a deadly wilderness filled with ancient ruins, undead, and competing factions. • Your Role: Characters must be cooperative explorers who are actively seeking to end the Death Curse. You will start at level 1 and should create a character that fits the jungle theme and has a clear motivation for being part of the group. • Survival & Dangers: Chult is a "meat grinder" with high stakes. • Permanent Death: If a character dies, they generally stay dead. • Deadly Elements: You must boil or purify all water before drinking and consume at least two gallons daily to avoid dehydration. Heavy armor and clothing are dangerous due to the heat and can make dehydration worse. • Diseases: The jungle is full of diseases that can be a major threat. Dark Fantasy Rules This campaign uses a grittier ruleset to make survival more challenging and death more impactful. Alternative Rest System: • Quick Rest (1 hour): Lets you spend Hit Dice to regain HP. • Short Rest (8 hours): Recovers half your spent Hit Dice, reduces one level of Exhaustion, and allows you to spend Hit Dice to heal. • Long Rest (32 hours): Must be taken in a safe location (like a city). It fully restores your HP, Hit Dice, and ability scores, and removes all Exhaustion. • Grievous Wounds: When you drop to 0 HP, you can choose to stay at 1 HP. If you do, you gain a Grievous Wound from a special table, which can have lasting effects. These wounds can be treated and removed after a Long Rest. • Permanent Wounds: These are long-term injuries that cannot be healed by normal means. They require the Regenerate spell to remove. New Conditions: • Bleeding: You cannot regain HP except through spending Hit Dice or completing a Long Rest. • Dazed: You cannot maintain concentration. House Rules • A Blessing from Bhaal: Players who provide a recap of the previous session at the start of a new session or submit notes in the Journal Channel by the Friday before the next session will receive a free reroll token. This token can be used once per session on any check, save, or attack roll, as well as on damage, healing, or Hit Die rolls (When Leveling up). This benefit is limited to one token per player per session.

How Calvin creates a safe table

Safety Tools & Session 0: Lines and Veils: I'll share a link to a Lines and Veils document before Session 0, where you can anonymously list any topics or themes you'd prefer to avoid or approach with caution. Session 0: We'll dedicate time to discuss everyone's expectations, comfort levels, and playstyles. We'll also establish shared boundaries, review the Lines and Veils, and address any questions or concerns. Aftercare: If a session touches on sensitive topics or triggers any discomfort, I'll check in with everyone afterward to ensure they're okay. I'm also open to debriefing or discussing any issues outside of the game. X, N, & O's: We'll use a combination of digital and verbal cues for X, N, & O's, depending on what's most comfortable for the group. Gameplay Details: Character-Driven: I love to see characters grow and evolve, so expect plenty of opportunities for roleplaying and personal development. Player Agency: Your choices matter! The story will adapt and change based on your decisions, creating a unique and collaborative experience. Worldbuilding: I'll provide a rich and detailed setting to explore, filled with intriguing lore and hidden secrets. Getting to Know You: Before we begin our adventure, I'd like to get to know you a little better. Please take a few minutes to fill out a Google Form before our session. I'm curious about what you enjoy in games, what inspires you, and any specific boundaries or preferences you have. This helps me create a safe and enjoyable experience tailored to your interests. For example, I'm personally terrified of spiders, so I won't be including them in the game unless everyone is comfortable with it.