Fantasy High: D&D in 80s World (Play-by-post)

Creating your character

🎭 Character Creation • Level: Start at Level 1 • Ruleset: Use the 2024 Player’s Handbook • Ability Scores: Standard Array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) • Sources: Use D&D Beyond or a physical copy of the 2024 PHB • Starting Gear: Take equipment granted by your class and background • Races & Classes: 2024 Players Handbook • Backstory: Focus on your characters ties to the school and who their family and friends are. • Connections: Optional ties to other PCs or NPCs are welcome — think cliques, crushes, rivals, or shared secrets

Preparing for the session

🧑‍💻 Preparation Before Session Zero, players should: • Create a free D&D Beyond account • Create a free Discord account • Build a level 1 character using the 2024 PHB in D&D Beyond • Join the campaign Discord for onboarding, Character creation, and vibe check-ins • Game will be played over Discord using Avrae bot for dice rolls.

What Kenny brings to the table

What You Can Expect From Me as GM • Immersive Storytelling: This world feels alive, your choices shape the story. Expect mystery, emotion, and moments that feel like growing up with magic. • Creative Player Agency: I embrace the Rule of Cool — if it fits the vibe and makes narrative sense, we’ll make it work. Rules are enforced fairly to keep things fun and balanced. • Character-Focused Drama: Combat is strategic when it counts, but the spotlight is on relationships, secrets, and emotional stakes. Teamwork and clever choices matter just as much as dice rolls. • Visual Resources: I provide scene illustrations and reference images to help you picture the world. • Character Voices & Roleplay: NPCs have distinct personalities, voices, and motivations. Players are encouraged to lean into their character’s quirks, arcs, and social dynamics. • Setting-Specific Reflavoring: Gear, backgrounds, and spells are adapted to fit the urban fantasy high school setting. A dagger might be a switchblade, a bard’s instrument could be a synth keyboard.

Homebrew rules

House Rules & Play Style • Health Potions as Bonus Action: Drinking a healing potion takes a bonus action, keeping combat fast-paced and tactical. • Rule of Cool: Creative, in-world solutions are encouraged. If it fits the vibe and makes narrative sense, we’ll make it work. • Reflavored Mechanics: Expect classic D&D mechanics with a retro twist. A dagger might be a switchblade, a bard’s instrument could be a synth keyboard, and your spellbook might look suspiciously like a Trapper Keeper. • Social Dynamics Matter: Reputation, rumors, and relationships shape how NPCs treat you. Cliques, crushes, rivalries, and locker-side drama are all part of the game. • Pacing & Asynchronous Play: This is a play-by-post game. Clear actions and narrative-rich posts are preferred over rapid dice rolls. We prioritize momentum, immersion, and collaborative storytelling.

How Kenny creates a safe table

Session 0 Before play begins, we’ll have a Session 0 where we: • Discuss character concepts, backstories. • Set campaign expectations and tone. • Review house rules, homebrew mechanics, and posting style. • Establish boundaries using the Lines & Veils system — anything you want avoided entirely (Line) or handled off-screen or lightly (Veil). • Clarify your use of the X/N/O system for scene comfort.