When Pudding Goes Bad | Lvl 1 5e One-Shot | Just Dessert

Creating your character

Characters start at Level 1 and may advance to Level 2 during play if time allows. Character Creation: - Stats: Standard Array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) or Point Buy (27 points) - HP: Max at Level 1 - Allowed Sources: Player's Handbook 2024 and all official WotC sourcebooks (I share content via D&D Beyond) - Restrictions: None—any character works! This is a job for hired help, not specialized heroes - Pre-Generated Characters Available: Yes! I have holiday-themed pregens ready (helpful townsfolk, aspiring adventurers looking for work). Just ask when you book. Character Deadline: Please have your character created on D&D Beyond 24 hours before the session, or arrive 15 minutes early for character creation help.

Preparing for the session

What You'll Need: - Working microphone (Discord voice required) - Chrome browser (for Foundry VTT) - Free D&D Beyond account (for character creation) - Free Discord account (for voice chat) Optional but Encouraged: - Webcam (helps build holiday cheer at the table!) - Sense of humor and willingness to embrace chaos What I'll Send You Upon Booking: - Discord Server Invite: The Flagon & Fumble Tavern (Link upon signup) - Select the "One-Shots" role when you join - D&D Beyond Campaign Link: Access to all my shared sourcebooks for character creation - Foundry VTT Link: Sent 30 minutes before session start (runs in your browser—no download needed) No Experience? Absolutely Perfect. This adventure is specifically designed as a first-time D&D experience. You'll learn skill checks, combat, and roleplay organically through increasingly ridiculous situations.

What Christopher brings to the table

Strengths: 💪🏻 Decades of experience playing and running D&D games 💪🏻 Reliable long-term games. My other campaign has been running since 2020 and I think I've cancelled maybe 3 sessions on my part. 💪🏻 Flexibility and communication. I work hard to be responsive to players' wants and needs so we all have a great time and tell an epic story. 💪🏻 Tactical combat: I understand the rules well, but don't let them fence in player (or my own!) creativity. 💪🏻 Storytelling: I follow the rules but sometimes Rule of Cool is how myths and legends are made. Technical Notes: ⚙️ I tend to run a highly automated Foundry game to speed combat. I can adjust the dials on this if you desire. 🤖 I record our sessions and use an AI to summarize and create session notes. 🎨 I often use AI to create art and other assets for the game. I will point this out if this is important to you. 🖥️ You will have access to my private Discord Server with dedicated campaign channels and open channels to chat with other players in your group 🖥️ As mentioned, we'll use Foundry and tokens to simulate the table experience. 📚 All sourcebooks will be shared via dndbeyond.com 🎶 I will use music and visuals to enhance the ambience.

Homebrew rules

I run Rules as Written (2024 PHB) with a few tweaks to keep the game moving and reward creative play. Combat Adjustments - Potion as Bonus Action: Drinking a potion yourself is a Bonus Action. Administering a potion to someone else (including unconscious allies) remains an Action. - Flanking (Optional Advantage): If two allies are on opposite sides of an enemy, melee attacks against that enemy have Advantage. Enemies can flank you too. Environmental Interactions - Describe to Succeed: If you describe a creative solution to an environmental hazard and it makes sense, I'll let you attempt it—even if there's no explicit rule. We'll figure out the roll together. - Falling with Style: If you fall and have some way to mitigate it (Feather Fall, grabbing a ledge, etc.), I'll give you a chance to react before you hit the ground. Narrative Touches - Rule of Cool: If your idea is dramatically appropriate and makes the table cheer, I'll find a way to let you try it. The dice still decide, but the DC might be friendlier. - Death Saves Are Private: I roll your death saves behind the screen. You don't know if your ally is stable or one roll from gone. This keeps tension high without changing the mechanics. What I Don't Use - No critical fumbles (rolling a 1 just misses; your sword doesn't fly across the room) - No encumbrance tracking for this one-shot (assume you packed smart) - No spell component tracking for common components (if it doesn't have a GP cost, you have it) Questions? If you have a specific build or ability you're unsure about, ask in Discord before the session. I'd rather clarify ahead of time than pause the game to look something up.

How Christopher creates a safe table

Your safety and comfort are my top priorities! **Safety Tools We'll Use:** ✅ **Session 0 Discussion:** Before we start, we'll discuss boundaries, comfort levels, and what everyone wants from the game. ✅ **X/N/O Cards:** I use digital safety cards where you can signal: - X = Stop this immediately - N = I'm not comfortable, let's change direction - O = This is awesome, more of this please! ✅ **Open Door Policy:** You can step away from the game at any time, no questions asked. Need a break? Just say so! ✅ **Regular Breaks:** We'll take a 10-minute break every 90 minutes to stretch and refresh. **Inclusive Table:** All players are welcome at my table regardless of experience level, background, identity, or playstyle.