Dungeons of Drakkenheim : Streets of Mutation and Madness

Creating your character

We’ll create characters before Session 1, so we can jump right into the adventure during our first game. Build your character wherever you’re most comfortable—on paper, a builder app, or using the Roll20 character tool, which I can help you with anytime. Characters begin at Level 1, using the D&D 5e (2014) ruleset. You may use any officially published 5e content from Wizards of the Coast. Homebrew is welcome, but please send it to me for approval so we can make sure it fits the tone and balance of Drakkenheim. For ability scores, choose one of the following: Standard Array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) Point Buy Rolling for stats using Roll20’s roller (4d6 drop lowest, rolled in-session or publicly in chat) Your character can come from anywhere, but Drakkenheim’s factions love recruiting new talent. You don’t need to pick one right away, but here are some suggested groups your character might be interested in: The Hooded Lanterns – disciplined soldiers seeking to reclaim the city. The Amethyst Academy – mages studying the arcane fallout of the meteor. The Queen’s Men – rogues, rebels, and criminals with street-level influence. The Silver Order – holy warriors determined to purge corruption. The Falling Fire – zealots inspired by the comet’s divine mystery. You can decide your faction later, after you get a feel for the world—but thinking about who your character might lean toward can help shape their goals and personality.

Preparing for the session

1. Create or Log Into Your Roll20 Account We’ll be using Roll20 as our virtual tabletop. Make sure you have a free Roll20 account. Once you’re invited to the game, join the campaign page. You can build your character using Roll20’s built-in character tool (optional but helpful). 2. Join the Game’s Communication Channel If we’re using Discord, please: Create or log into your Discord account. Join the campaign’s server (link provided separately). This will be where we handle voice chat, scheduling, announcements, and out-of-game questions. 3. Review Character Creation Rules Make sure you’re familiar with the basics: Level: 1 System: D&D 5e (2014 rules) Allowed content: Any official 5e book, homebrew allowed with approval Ability scores: Standard Array, Point Buy, or Roll20 rolling (4d6 drop lowest) 4. Prepare a Character Concept Before our first session, think about: Your character’s class, race, and background A simple backstory idea Any faction your character may be interested in (optional) No need to write a novel—just a few ideas is perfect. 5. Test Your Tech To avoid slowdowns during our first session: Check your microphone and audio settings Ensure your internet connection is stable Log into Roll20 at least once to make sure everything loads correctly 6. Bring Your Questions If you’re new to D&D or Drakkenheim, don’t worry! Bring any questions to me beforehand or during Session 0—I’m happy to help.

What Nick brings to the table

My goal is to create a game world that feels alive, immersive, and deeply reactive to your choices. I bring NPCs to life through character voices, acting, and expressive roleplay, and I encourage players to dive in with whatever level of roleplay feels comfortable—whether that’s speaking in-character, describing actions, or easing into it over time. While Drakkenheim explores dark themes—corruption, horror, moral ambiguity—my top priority is that every player has fun and feels safe at the table. We’ll keep the tone atmospheric, but never at the expense of player comfort or enjoyment. Communication is always open, and it’s easy to adjust if something isn’t landing for you. I aim to make the world feel real and responsive. Your decisions matter: factions react, the city changes, and your story grows from the choices you make. You’ll have genuine agency to influence the fate of Drakkenheim, forge alliances, challenge threats, and leave a mark on the world. Combat will be tactical and engaging without dragging on—focused on tension, smart choices, and cinematic moments. I use the Rule of Cool when appropriate, rewarding creativity and bold ideas, but we’ll ground things in the Rules as Written enough to keep the game fair and consistent. Above all, expect a collaborative experience where you help shape the narrative. This is your story as much as the world’s—and I’m here to make sure it’s unforgettable.

Homebrew rules

✨ Potion Use Drinking a potion is a bonus action if you choose to roll the healing. Drinking a potion as an action gives you maximum healing for that potion. Feeding a potion to another character is always an action. This rewards quick use in emergencies while giving you a reason to slow down and maximize healing when you have the chance. 💥 Critical Hits (“Crunchy Crits”) We can include enhanced or “crunchy” critical hits—such as adding max damage + rolled damage—but only if the whole group wants them. Not everyone enjoys swingy damage, so we’ll discuss it in Session 0 and pick a version everyone is happy with.

How Nick creates a safe table

Safety, Comfort, and Player Well-Being Your safety, comfort, and enjoyment are my top priorities. Drakkenheim can explore dark and unsettling themes, but nothing in the game is more important than the people at the table. We’ll always adjust the story to keep everyone safe and having fun. 🛡 Session Zero – Setting Boundaries Together During Session Zero, we’ll openly discuss: Personal sensitivities, phobias, or triggers Topics that may be allowed but kept off-screen Topics that cannot be referenced at all Comfort with horror themes like body horror, trypophobia, eye-related imagery, etc. Anything that might be a problem for you will be removed from the campaign—no questions asked. ⚔️ Player vs. Player (PvP) PvP only happens with full consent from everyone involved. No one will ever be forced into harmful or uncomfortable character conflict. ⏸ X, N, & O Safety Tools We use the X, N, & O system, which can be used: Digitally through chat As a private message Or spoken aloud in voice chat Use them anytime: X = Hard stop; we pause and adjust N = Not now; redirect the scene O = I’m okay, even if the scene feels intense 💬 Aftercare & Debriefing If a scene runs intense, emotional, or dark, we’ll take a moment afterward: To check in To decompress To make sure everyone leaves the session feeling good If anything lingers after the session, you can always message me privately. Your experience matters just as much as your character’s story.