![Dragonbane | Secret of the Dragon Emperor [Beginner friendly]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fspg-images.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com%2Fc3ad6e55-d725-45cf-8230-9a5c718e085e&w=3840&q=75)
Dragonbane | Secret of the Dragon Emperor [Beginner friendly]
In the Misty Vale, many seek out shards of an ancient statuette that is the key to the Dragon Emperor's tomb and a weapon of unimaginable power.
$25.00
/ Session
Details
Bi-weekly / Friday - 8:00 PM UTC
Session Duration / 3–3.5 hours
0 / 7 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
[ 50% off your 1st session! ] “I know, I know—the dragon-knights fell, the demons waited, and now there’s a legendary sword locked in a tomb that needs a shattered statuette to open it. Lucky for me, I’ve got every intention of claiming it.” 🌟Beginner-Friendly Campaign | No experience required. 🐉The Misty Vale For centuries the fallen Empire of the Dragon Emperor lay buried beneath the Misty Vale’s haze. Now, fragments of his shattered statuette have begun to surface—hidden in ruined temples, guarded by zealots, or lost in haunted strongholds. That statuette is the key to the Emperor’s tomb… and to the Sword of Um-Durman, a weapon of unimaginable power. That sword could turn the tide for good, become a curse in the wrong hands, or simply be the greatest prize ever found—in short, everything changes if you claim it. Will you chase coin, fight to save the Vale, or dare to wield the legendary blade yourself? ⚔️ What You’ll Experience at the Table -11 modular, interconnected adventure sites set across swamps, crumbling strongholds, haunted woods and the fog-bound Misty Vale. -Risk-rich, cinematic combat where pushing your luck can earn glory or strain your body and mind. -A world of beastfolk, unsettled settlers and desperate factions, each with hidden agendas and shifting loyalties. -Meaningful choices that carry forward—every path toward the Sword of Um-Durman shapes a different legend for your character. ⚙️ SYSTEM OVERVIEW Dragonbane is Free League Publishing’s modern revival of classic fantasy adventure—fast, perilous, and built on risk and reward. It uses a roll-under d20 system where calm precision brings success and failure invites chaos. Players can push a failed roll for another chance, but doing so risks gaining a Condition—Angry, Scared, Dazed, or Exhausted—testing both resolve and stamina. The result is tense, cinematic play rooted in exploration, danger, and tough choices—where cursed ruins hide ancient power, alliances are fragile, and every victory comes at a cost.
Game style
Hexcrawl / Exploration
Sandbox / Open World
Puzzle / Mystery Focused
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(18)
3 years on StartPlaying
36 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Teacher, Knows the Rules
Average response time: 2 hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
Greetings and Salutations! Thank you for taking the time to view my profile. SOCIAL LINKS : https://bio.link/fatherj I am FatherJ from the Northeast United States. I really enjoy RPGs from Free League Publishing and the Year Zero Engine. I would love to run one of their games for you! Eastern Time Zone EST: UTC−05:00 standard [ EDT: UTC−04:00 daylight savings] I have been playing many different Table Top Role-Playing Games (TTRPGs) for 15 years, 13 years as GM. I have run hundreds of sessions in over a dozen different science fiction and fantasy RPG systems for an equally wide variety of people in person, at gaming clubs, at gaming stores and online. I have been running online games since 2023. I have 5 children and 4 cats. My day job is in the Information Technology field. My main goal is to have fun games where my players can feel comfortable and become invested in. Nothing makes me feel happier in RPGs than listening to my players enthusiastically recount the tales we have created together. My focus is to share my love for Free League games (Year Zero Engine) by providing people the opportunity to play these wonderful games online. Real life situations had caused a gap in my gaming, but I was inspired by running into Free League Publishing games to get back into TTRPGs two years ago. I have come to StartPlaying looking to run some serious and/or seriously fun sessions. I want to see what I can add to this community! My story telling style is light and flows easy. I do not let the mechanics detract from the experience, but use them to enhance the story you want to be told! I love GMing online. The amount of tools available to online play really enhance the game, in my opinion. I know Foundry VTT pretty well, and I would be more than happy to help teach new and seasoned players alike how good online play can be. Beginner and LGBT+ Friendly. I have taught new systems to new players. I enjoy the experience. We were all new players, or new to a system, at one time.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Seven pre‑generated heroes will be provided. Players also will have Character creation option that will take place before the first session, either during a short dedicated session/meeting via online, or coordination via Discord or email. We'll be using the core rules from the Dragonbane rulebook, following the options presented in the core classes and kin (optional kin from Bestiary are permissable as well). Please avoid third-party or homebrew material unless approved in advance—Dragonbane Core is all you’ll need. If you're new to the system, I’m happy to help guide you through character creation step by step!
What to expect
Preparing for the session
◆ To play, you'll need a computer (not a phone/tablet) capable of running Foundry VTT, a free Discord account, headphones, a decent mic (headset mics are okay but standalone mics are preferred), a stable internet connection (1mbps+), and a quiet environment. ◆ A webcam is optional but highly recommended. ◆ A good attitude, respect for others, and focus are essential. Join my Discord server after booking, prepare your mic and space, and if you're new, feel free to review the Foundry tutorial [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0jfRtmuwxU ] and the YZE rules [ https://freeleaguepublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/YZE-Standard-Reference-Document.pdf ]. Join my Discord server, FreeVerse Studio: https://discord.gg/Y3cRVPRZSd I’m happy to assist new or returning players with rules and setup!
What FatherJ brings to the table
◆ Foundry Virtual Table Top (VTT) [Free for players] with premium modules/assets. Foundry is web based and has everything we need to run the game - the game system, character sheets, Interesting battlemaps, music, and sound effects are provided as well. Also some additional add on modules to enhance the system and user experience (like virtual dice). It is free for the players to connect and use. ◆ Discord server [Free for players] is used for voice with dedicated channels for group chat (online & offline) (a Discord account is necessary). ◆ VDO ninja for any webcam/video conferencing [Free for players]. It is web based. ◆ Themed PC tokens: A large library of awesome tokens, maps, artwork, music, and characters. Full Details and links will provided once you have signed up for a session. In each session, I will be prepared and excited to get started. I will do my best to ensure that all of my players are given chances at the spotlight and are encouraged to work together as a team. I will always be willing to listen as problems arise, and I am happy to problem solve issues if they occur.
Homebrew rules
Initially there will be no homebrew. Dragonbane has numerous 3rd party content available, any homebrew additions or inclusions into the campaign would be fully discussed and approved by all players and GM.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Headphones
Platforms used
Safety
How FatherJ creates a safe table
Overall tone of game aims for a PG-13 rating, sometimes drifting to R based on fantasy rpg violence/situations. All players are encouraged to speak up if the tone drifts beyond their comfort zone. Safety and respectful enjoyment come first. A consent form is requested to be filled out prior to the session to understand boundaries and any particular triggering items (lines and veils). There is open door policy that you may step away from the session at any time without explanation. If possible, leave a quick “BRB” in chat and let us know when you return. You may also DM the Game Master (GM) directly at any time. Mid-point 10 min break Debriefing & Stars/Wishes
Content warnings
Safety tools used