Fallen Flame:(Mini-campaign about PTSD - LVL 3->5)

Creating your character

Character creation should happen before the first session begins. This will allow us to jump straight into the immersive narrative of Act I, "The Fall of a Hero," without using valuable session time on mechanics. It also gives players time to thoughtfully consider their character's background and how it might tie into the game's themes of trauma and internal struggle. Starting Level: Players will create their characters at Level 3. This provides them with access to their subclasses and a foundational set of abilities, ensuring they feel capable and distinct from the outset while still allowing for significant growth throughout the campaign. How Stats Will Be Decided: We will use the Standard Array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) for determining your character's ability scores. This method ensures a balanced party and allows players to strategically assign their scores to best fit their character concept without the extreme highs or lows that can come from rolling. Where Characters Will Be Created: All characters should be created on D&D Beyond (dndbeyond.com). This platform offers a streamlined process for character creation, easy access to rules and resources, and allows for quick adjustments if needed. It also makes it simple for me, as the DM, to review character sheets and ensure compatibility with the campaign. Specific Books/Content: Players are free to use content from any official D&D 5th Edition or 2024 sourcebook available on D&D Beyond. There are no specific restrictions on races, classes, or subclasses, as long as they are from official D&D 5e or 2024 content. However, given the dark and psychological themes of "Fallen Flame," players are encouraged to consider character concepts that can explore these elements, perhaps with existing personal struggles or connections to themes of loss, fear, or redemption in their backstory. This isn't a hard requirement, but it will enrich your personal narrative within the game. Provides more for me to play with for story! Background: This game focuses and uses trauma to tell a story. If you want to deepen your connection to the story, feel free to make your character have some trauma, hurt, or some kind of unpleasant experience.

Preparing for the session

✅ Create a D&D 5e/2024 character at Level 3 ✅ Build your character on D&D Beyond ✅ Think about: Why was your character would have accepted the mission. ✅ Bring your dice, your creativity, and your best battle cry! 🌟 New to D&D or a veteran? All are welcome! Whether you're an eager squire or a seasoned slayer, there’s an adventure waiting for you. 🎶 Expect character voices, immersive soundtracks, custom missions, and a DM who prioritizes fun, flexibility, and unforgettable stories every session.

What TChurch72 brings to the table

When it comes to rules, I follow the "Rule of Cool" philosophy. While I respect the framework of D&D 5e, storytelling always comes first. If something epic, creative, or cinematic fits the story—even if it bends the rules a little—I’ll usually find a way to make it happen. I love seeing players get imaginative, and I actively encourage strong roleplay and bold ideas. I bring a lot of immersion to the table: you can expect a wide range of voices, accents, background music, and occasional sound effects to make the world feel alive. My games are all about the players—your choices shape the story, and I’m happy to adapt and go off-script whenever it makes the narrative richer. I also love working with player backstories, weaving them into the larger world and building moments that feel personal and meaningful for your characters. For maps and visuals, I use Owlbear Rodeo—a simple, free-to-use Virtual Tabletop (VTT). Players are welcome to upload their own tokens if they like. Dice rolls can happen directly through Owlbear or through Avrae on Discord. I'm very familiar with Avrae and am happy to help new users set it up. I'll also send players a full Google Doc with my house rules and session guidelines once they join, so everyone knows what to expect!

Homebrew rules

Hero Rolls: Once per game, players are allowed to break all rules, and let the fate of their actions fall upon the dice gods of chaos...High risk for high reward. Rule of Cool/Story: Storyline and roleplay will always win over game mechanics. Truly be a hero, do whatever you can imagine. The only limit is what you can create.

How TChurch72 creates a safe table

I’m a former first responder, and I take mental health and player safety seriously. My experiences have shaped the way I approach storytelling — you’ll find that my games often lean into darker settings and heavier themes, sometimes laced with a bit of dark humor. I fully recognize that everyone has different limits when it comes to what they’re comfortable with. Players are always encouraged to reach out to me privately if something makes them uneasy at any point. I also use an open "X" system during games — if anyone types "X" in chat, it’s an immediate pause. We'll stop, check in, and adjust whatever is needed to make sure the game stays a safe and enjoyable space for everyone. I also believe in debriefing after sessions when needed. Sometimes heavy moments happen, and it’s important to give players space to talk, decompress, or just breathe. At the end of the day, we’re here to tell epic stories together—and to make sure everyone feels respected and heard while we do.