Descent into the living dungeon

Creating your character

Character Creation Guidelines We’ll handle character creation in a flexible way so everyone can choose the pace that suits them best. Players who want to create their characters together can do so during Session 0, while those who prefer to build their characters calmly on their own time are welcome to do so as well. If you choose the second option, please make sure to send me your completed character sheet before the first session so I can review it and ensure everything is in order. Ability Score Generation For ability scores, we’ll use one unified method for the entire group. You may choose between: Standard Roll: 4d6, dropping the lowest result. Point Buy System. Once the group agrees on which method to use, everyone must follow the same system to keep things fair. Starting Level and Rules Characters will begin at Level 1. We’ll be using the 2024 Player’s Handbook rules, along with any official supplements or sourcebooks for 5th Edition that we currently have access to. Feel free to personalize your character as much as you like—backgrounds, classes, spells, equipment choices, and any features available within the official ruleset are all on the table. If you have any questions during the process or need help building your character, I’ll be available to assist you.

Preparing for the session

To participate in the campaign, players only need a few simple tools: Discord If you don’t already have it, please download and install Discord, and create an account. We’ll be using it for voice chat, coordination, and general communication. Roll20 Account You’ll also need to create a Roll20 account if you don’t have one yet, as all maps, tokens, and encounters will be handled through the platform. I will set up a dedicated Discord server specifically for the party. This will help us keep everything organized and give everyone a direct space to talk, share updates, coordinate availability, and receive announcements about upcoming sessions. Once the server is ready, I’ll send out the invite link so everyone can join before our first session. If you need help with installation or setting up your accounts, feel free to ask.

What Lucas Zvala brings to the table

As your Dungeon Master, I like to bring the world to life through character voices whenever possible—always within reason and without straining my voice. I also make use of ambient music and sound to help set the tone of each scene, whether it’s exploration, tension, or combat. While I aim to create fun and challenging encounters, combat itself isn’t my strongest focus. My main strengths lie in worldbuilding, atmosphere, and roleplay. I encourage players to interact with the world, think creatively, and express their characters in meaningful or entertaining ways. I also tend to follow the Rule of Cool: if a player suggests something that fits the moment, enhances the story, and doesn’t break the game, I’m generally open to it. If you give me a good in-character reason or a clever idea, I may allow actions that wouldn’t normally be possible—or grant advantage or disadvantage—even if the rules don’t explicitly call for it. Overall, the goal is to create an engaging, collaborative experience where creativity and immersion matter just as much as the dice.

Homebrew rules

Drinking a potion as a bonus action One of my key house rules is that not every natural 20 is an automatic success, and not every natural 1 is a catastrophic failure. While these results are always meaningful, their impact depends on the situation. Outside of combat—or in certain ability checks and saving throws—context matters. If a task is simply beyond what a character could realistically achieve, a natural 20 represents the best possible outcome, but not necessarily a guaranteed success. It will always produce a positive result, just not a miracle. Likewise, if a situation is too easy or trivial for a character, a natural 1 won’t suddenly turn it into a disaster. Instead, it will result in a negative or imperfect outcome, but not a total failure that breaks logic or the narrative. This approach helps keep the world grounded and consistent, while still giving those rolls the tension and excitement they deserve.

How Lucas Zvala creates a safe table

To ensure that all players feel safe, respected, and comfortable during our games, I follow several safety practices. During Session 0, we will not only discuss expectations for the adventure, but also explore the nature of the world you’ll be playing in. This includes topics such as whether certain species experience racism or social prejudice, whether sensitive themes might appear, and what kinds of situations could potentially trigger discomfort or past trauma. If any element of the setting or narrative is problematic for a player, and it is not essential to the world or story, I will gladly adjust or remove it. If the element is central to the tone—such as in a grimdark or darker-themed setting—we will have an open conversation to find a compromise that preserves the atmosphere while keeping all players safe and respected. Additionally, after each session, I will check in with players individually and privately. This gives everyone a space to offer feedback, express concerns, or mention anything that may have made them uncomfortable—whether it’s a theme, a situation, or behavior from another player. Everything shared in these conversations will remain strictly confidential. My goal is to maintain a collaborative, welcoming environment where everyone can enjoy the game without fear of being hurt, dismissed, or disrespected.