Dungeon of the Mad Mage 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🧠☮️ & Beginner Friendly

Creating your character

Creating your character for this adventure should feel exciting, collaborative, and stress-free. I keep the process simple and supportive, whether you're brand new to D&D or a seasoned hero with a dozen character sheets behind you. You’ll never be rushed or judged—this is your chance to bring a new adventurer to life, and I’m here to help every step of the way. Character creation happens before Session 1, and I’ll guide you through it personally if you’d like. If you already know exactly what you want to play, feel free to build your character on your own ahead of time. If you’re unsure where to start, if you want help shaping a backstory, or if you just want to brainstorm ideas together, you’re welcome to reach out. I’m more than happy to walk you through the process, offer suggestions, or answer any questions you have. You’ll be starting at Level 5, ready to take your first steps into Waterdeep and eventually into the depths of Undermountain. This gives the group plenty of room to grow together as the story unfolds. For ability scores, you can choose between Standard Array or Point Buy—whichever method feels best for you. No rolling for stats; this helps keep everyone on equal footing and avoids the frustration of unlucky rolls holding back your vision of your character. For character creation, you may use the 2024 Player’s Handbook as your core resource. In addition, Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, Volo’s Guide to Monsters, and Xanathar’s Guide to Everything are fully allowed for extra flavor, subclasses, expanded spells, and creative character options. If there’s something specific you want to try from these books, just let me know—we’ll make sure it fits the tone of the game and the needs of the group. Homebrew races, classes, or unevaluated third-party material aren’t used for this campaign, but we can absolutely work together to reflavor or tweak official options so your character feels unique and personal. Characters will be created digitally through whatever platform we’re using for play—whether that’s D&D Beyond, Foundry, Roll20, or another tool. If you prefer to keep a physical sheet on the side, that’s perfectly fine too. I’ll provide any setup links, starting equipment guidelines, and campaign notes you need, and I’ll help you get everything imported smoothly into the platform so you’re ready for Session 1. Above all, I want your character to feel fun, playable, and meaningful to you. Whether you're dreaming of a stalwart knight, a cunning rogue, a brilliant wizard, or something completely unexpected, we’ll make it happen together. Build someone who excites you, inspires you, or just makes you smile—this is your adventure, and your character should reflect the kind of story you want to experience. Thank you for watching! Let’s make a hero you’re proud to bring into Waterdeep… and brave enough to descend into the Mad Mage’s domain.

Preparing for the session

Preparing for this campaign should be simple, comfortable, and hassle-free. My goal is to make sure every player—newcomer or veteran—can sit down, log in, and jump straight into the adventure without stress. Below is everything you’ll need to get ready before the first session. If anything feels confusing or you need help setting something up, just reach out. I’m always happy to walk you through it. 1. Make sure you have reliable internet access. Because we play online, a stable connection is the key to keeping the game smooth. You don’t need blazing-fast speeds—just enough to stay connected to voice chat and the virtual tabletop. If you’re unsure, feel free to test things with me ahead of time. 2. Join the campaign Discord server. Discord is where we handle all communication between sessions: announcements, scheduling, character questions, memes, and everything in between. You’ll get the invite link after signing up. Please log in before Session 1, check your notifications, and take a moment to introduce yourself if you’d like. Make sure your microphone is working and test your input settings so we can hear you clearly once the adventure begins. 3. Create or log into your Foundry VTT account. We will be playing the entire campaign using Foundry Virtual Tabletop, which allows for immersive maps, tokens, lighting, dice, soundscapes, and all the tools needed for a cinematic game night. I’ll send you the direct server link before the first session. There are no purchases required on your end—everything you need to play is already set up. You’ll just log in using a username and password I provide or that you choose. If you’ve never used Foundry before, don’t worry; I’ll guide you through the basics. 4. Make sure your device can run Foundry. Most modern computers and laptops are perfectly capable of handling the game. If you can run a browser and Discord simultaneously, you’re probably good. Tablets might work, but I strongly recommend a computer for the best experience. If you’re concerned about your hardware, let me know and we’ll test the connection together. 5. Have a working microphone and earbuds/headphones. Clear audio makes the experience smoother for everyone. A fancy setup isn’t required—a simple headset or built-in laptop mic is totally fine. Headphones help prevent echo and keep the sound crisp so everyone can hear the action. 6. Review character creation guidelines. Before the first session, make sure you’ve read the character creation notes and built your character using the allowed books (2024 PHB, Tasha’s, Xanathar’s, Volo’s). You’re welcome to chat with me on Discord if you want help or feedback. 7. Bring your excitement and curiosity. More than anything, preparation is about having the right mindset: come ready to explore, roleplay, laugh, and build stories together. This is a friendly, supportive table, open to all ages and experience levels. The more energy and imagination you bring, the richer the adventure becomes.

What Shannon Russell brings to the table

1. Immersive Storytelling I provide rich narrative descriptions, from the bustle of Phandalin’s streets to the eerie silence of an abandoned mine. Expect details that help you feel like you’re really there—the sights, sounds, and even smells of the frontier. I’ll guide the story while giving you freedom to explore, make choices, and shape the world. 2. Character-Driven Roleplay I encourage player agency and reward creative solutions. Your characters’ backstories, motivations, and personalities will matter—NPCs will remember your actions, allies may become rivals, and your choices can have consequences. Roleplay is central, and I aim to make it meaningful without slowing down the adventure. 3. GM Tools and Atmosphere To enhance the experience, I use: Ambient music and sound effects to set the mood for exploration, tension, or combat. Tokens, maps, and visuals on Foundry VTT to make combat and navigation clear. Props or handouts digitally for notes, letters, or clues. If it helps, I also use voices or accents for NPCs selectively. Not good ones mind you. LoL 4. Combat Style Combat is tactical but fluid. I track initiative, conditions, and movement carefully to keep encounters fair and challenging. I emphasize interesting choices over repetitive dice-rolling, and I reward creativity. I lean toward the Rule of Cool, letting clever or cinematic actions succeed when they make sense narratively. I also respect Rules as Written where consistency matters, so mechanics remain fair and predictable. Expect a mix of intense combat encounters and lighter, exploratory moments. Not every fight will be about dealing maximum damage—sometimes survival, strategy, or roleplay will be more important. 5. Player Support I provide: Guidance on character creation and backstory integration Clarification of rules and mechanics as needed Encouragement for creative solutions and teamwork A safe, respectful table where everyone can contribute I also keep notes on your character arcs and ongoing story threads, ensuring your personal story develops alongside the main plot. 6. Session Experience Sessions will balance exploration, roleplay, and combat with a focus on pacing and excitement. I aim to create a collaborative story: the adventure exists, but the players drive it forward. Surprises and challenges will be frequent, but fair—expect tension, mystery, and occasional humor. Ultimately, you can expect a story-rich, player-driven experience where your choices matter, combat is engaging but not overwhelming, and the world of Phandalin comes alive with sights, sounds, and stakes. My goal is for every session to be memorable, cinematic, and fun, giving you heroic moments, clever problem-solving, and plenty of chances to shine. Character voices, ambient music, tactical combat, and storytelling will all combine to make this classic adventure feel alive and exciting, with plenty

How Shannon Russell creates a safe table

Player safety and comfort matter just as much as the adventure itself. A good game happens when everyone feels relaxed, respected, and free to enjoy themselves. I keep the table open, supportive, and flexible, making sure every player—no matter their age or experience level—feels welcome from the very start. Here’s how I handle safety throughout the entire campaign. We begin with a full Session Zero, where we talk about expectations, tone, character concepts, party dynamics, and anything players want to avoid or focus on. This is our chance to get on the same page and make sure the style of the game matches what everyone is looking for. I’ll walk through how Foundry works, go over house rules (if any), assist with character creation, and give everyone space to ask questions. Session Zero sets the foundation for trust and comfort, and nothing is rushed—you’ll always have time to speak up. At the table, I follow an Open Door policy. That means players are always free to step away—for any reason—at any time. Whether you need a drink, a moment to deal with real life, or simply need to breathe, there is never pressure to stay glued to the screen. If you need to leave the game for the night, that’s fine too. Life happens, and your wellbeing comes first. We also take regular breaks during each session. Long sessions can be fun, but they’re more enjoyable when everyone has a chance to stretch, rest their eyes, grab a snack, or just reset. Breaks help keep the group energized and prevent anyone from feeling overwhelmed. I always announce them ahead of time unless someone needs a pause sooner. Regarding content boundaries, I keep things simple and player-driven. I do not require Lines and Veils documents or X/N/O cards by default unless a player specifically wants them. Instead, I check in verbally, encourage open communication, and make it clear that players can message me privately anytime—before, during, or after a session—if something makes them uncomfortable. I maintain a friendly tone, listen carefully, and make adjustments right away if needed. The goal is to create a fun and safe environment without drowning players in paperwork. Aftercare is part of my style as well. At the end of every session, I take a few minutes to check in with the group—lighthearted debriefs, highlights of the night, and a quick “How’s everyone feeling?” moment. If any scenes were intense or emotional, we take an extra moment to cool down, laugh together, and make sure everyone logs off feeling good. You’re also welcome to message me after the session if something stays on your mind or if you want to talk things through. In short, this table is built on communication, kindness, and mutual respect. You’ll never be judged for asking questions, needing breaks, adjusting boundaries, or speaking up about your comfort. When players feel safe, they play boldly, roleplay with confidence, and enjoy the adventure more fully. That’s exactly the kind of game I aim to run every week