Save the World from Elemental Evil! | Dungeon Crawl for LVL 2-8

Creating your character

I kindly ask that players not use AI as part of the games I run. This includes AI-generated images, using AI to help write backstories, using AI to make character sheet choices, etc. CHARACTER SHEET GUIDELINES: -Level 2 characters via DnDBeyond.com (DDB) using the 2024 rules. -No homebrew, legacy/noncore, partnered content or anything that's not in the official D&D sourcebooks. However, just ask me if there’s something in one of those categories that you’re excited about and I’m happy to consider allowing it. -Use standard array or point buy to set ability scores. -Optional Class Features are allowed. -Add starting equipment to your inventory. -Please choose a picture to represent your character and send it to me. You can send me the picture directly via discord (AceTheGM) or send me a link to the picture via SPG. -Message me if you need help or have any questions! CHARACTER BACKSTORY GUIDELINES: -This campaign is relatively light on roleplay and will not involve character backstories super heavily since it focuses largely on an external story. However, I still love to weave in as much backstory as possible to make your character feel like a part of the world and integral to the story. So I ask that everyone complete the backstory template that I will provide. -Your character must have both the motivation and ability to work collaboratively with the other player characters. -Your character must be heroic enough to want to save the world when presented with the opportunity. They must also generally not be evil. -Your character will start the campaign on a mission from someone important. The mission is to investigate the disappearance of an important delegation from a neighboring kingdom. The person that gave your character the mission could be a leader of a political faction, a personal benefactor, or some other figure that is important to your character. ADDITIONAL INFO: Players will create character sheets on DDB. You’ll need to make an account on DDB first, if you don’t already have one. It’s free to make an account and there are various methods to do so. Here is a link to sign up for an account: https://www.dndbeyond.com/create-account After you sign up for the campaign on SPG, you will see a link to my DDB Campaign under the "Prep Materials" section of the adventure. If you make a character in my campaign (using said link), you will have access to all the official D&D 5e Sourcebook material when choosing your character options. If you make a character on DDB, but not in my campaign, you will only have access to the most basic character options that are free on DDB. Players are encouraged to make character sheets on their own and just send them to me for review. However, for any new/beginner players, I like to schedule an extra one-on-one meeting prior to the game. We can use this meeting to review their character sheet together and/or talk through the process of making one.

Preparing for the session

Prior to the game, each player should have the following: -A completed character sheet (level 2) in my DnDBeyond campaign. -A computer. -Functional headphones, a microphone, and a camera all connected to your computer and ready to use. -The Zoom app downloaded and ready to use on their computer. -A reliable internet connection. -A discord account with access to my discord server. -An idea for how to introduce/describe your character to the other players. -A picture to represent your character. -A completed character backstory, following the template I provide. Prior to the game, please send me: -Your character backstory (via google doc, ideally). -Your character's pronouns. -A picture to represent your character. You can send me a link to a picture via SPG or you can DM me on Discord. My discord username is: acethegm If you have the option, I recommend using an external microphone (such as from a pair of headphones) rather than the built-in microphone on your computer/laptop because the audio quality is usually much better, which makes it easier for everyone to communicate. For ongoing campaigns like this, I request all players join my discord server for consistent and organized communication. I have several discord channels on my server dedicated to communicating about this specific campaign. There is an “essential info” channel with a zoom link for us to connect via video call. There should also be a zoom link and a link to my DDB campaign in the prep materials section of this adventure, which you will be able to see once you sign up for the campaign.

What Ace the GM brings to the table

For the game, I will provide: -Use of my DnDBeyond campaign with access to all the official 5e sourcebooks (with the exception of any recent publications). -A pro Zoom license for convenient and consistent video call quality. -A robust world and story to take part in. -A play style driven by character choices, collaborative storytelling, and improv comedy. -Detailed, custom-made maps (where applicable), shared via Zoom’s screen sharing. -Voice acting of various unique characters. -Background music and ambience to set the mood. -Years of experience as a professional Game Master. -An inclusive and welcoming attitude 😀

Homebrew rules

Below is a link to a google doc which outlines the key homebrew rules that I use: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A6QNXLi-Sj_brOUF7lui9gx_ZAEz6kJEv71omn5NOGo/edit?usp=sharing

How Ace the GM creates a safe table

When we meet first via video chat for our session 0, we will start by reviewing the functionality of all safety tools, getting to know each other a little bit, discussing house rules and preferences, and then if we have time transition into a practice session. I will explain the open door policy, when we will take breaks, the X/N/O system, and the process for post-session debriefs (including stars and wishes). For the X/N/O cards, I ask that everyone hold up their arms or hands on camera as the X/N/O symbols. If that does not work for anyone, we can easily find another method. Debriefs will happen at the end of each session. They usually take about 15 minutes so please allow for this extra time in each session. We will review what happened in the session and evaluate the session as a whole via the stars and wishes methodology.