The Sword Coast: Dragon Queen's Scorn

Creating your character

Create a Level 1 character, choosing how they are equipped (by class/background etc), and then advance them a level at a time, adding traits and options. This campaign starts at level 3, thus you may equip the normal equipment in addition to a Common magic item. Some examples of items that might be useful to you include, but are not limited to: Moon-Touched Sword, Sylvan Talon, Silvered Weapon, Walloping Ammunition, Cast-Off Armor, Clockwork Amulet, and so on. My rule of thumb when creating a character is PHB+3. You may use the contents of the PHB and up to 3 other books to create your character. For example: - Player's Handbook, - Grim Hollow: Player's Guide - Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerun - Crooked Moon: Part One

Preparing for the session

In order to Start Playing this Game all you need is a Discord account and access to a computer with functional Internet! Past this, if you enjoy the convenience of DnDbeyond having an account will enable you to take advantage of the quality of life tools available on that website. Once you have joined the game you will receive the necessary links to join the Discord server, DnDbeyond campaign, and the Owlbear Rodeo VTT. You do not need to make an account in order to take advantage of that platform.

What Jesse brings to the table

Battle maps Each combat, generic and unique, will have its own battle map Tokens Creatures, Spell Effects, PC's, NPC's, and so on will have a relevant token prepped in advance, or by the following session if something comes up in play that was not anticipated in advance. Voices In a game where I have the opportunity to act as the world and the creatures you interact with, it would be my delight and privilege to do my best attempt to embody each creature you might interact with. There really are few things better than attempting to speak to a player as a goose. Tactical Combat In my experience, the best combat has been one that doesn't leave the narrative framing at the door and also gives room for creative problem solving to circumnavigate threats. Whether general or unique encounters each combat will have a handful of solutions to overcoming it beyond the binary of reducing or being reduced to 0, and an overall goal that if accomplished will resolve the encounter. I will clearly frame the goal of each encounter to the best of my ability to ensure there is no confusion and be generous with information so that players can be tactical and make informed decisions. Rules as Written ... with exceptions Having a general framework of actions, reactions and other traits that act consistently will allow players to make the most effective informed decisions in tactical scenarios. But this is a game of imaginative play, and if the rules as written don't necessarily reflect or support an idea I will be open to fleshing out an idea in play to support that. Collaborative Worldbuilding In our games of imaginative play I find the best storytelling in the medium stems from working together to create the narrative. Watching our idea's grow and take on a life of their own is one of the many subtle joys of playing TTRPG's and using these moments to empower your idea's would be my pleasure.

Homebrew rules

General Rules of Thumb If you are ever not sure, ask! If you believe that I have made a mistake let me know at the end of the session and I can check over my ruling for future reference. If I have made a ruling that I believe is against the Rules as Written (RaW) I will do my best to say so and explain why in that moment. Narrative Rules A Critical Success, otherwise known as a 'Natural 20' during a narrative scene is not a guaranteed success and will still need to clear the set Difficulty Class. Combat Rules Potions may be consumed as a bonus action. A Critical Hit, or 'Natural 20', on an attack roll allows the player to roll double the amount of dice for that attack. As an example, Berevor the Brave attacks with his Great sword, +1 and the dice roll for the attack is a 20 on the die. Ordinarily he would roll 2d6 and then add his strength modifier, however in this case he rolls 4d6 and then adds his strength modifier.

How Jesse creates a safe table

A link to a Lines and Veils document is included in the preparation materials so that each player can mark down the items that they feel necessary to ensure they have an overall positive game experience. Before we begin playing each player is afforded the opportunity to have a Session Zero where any concerns can be raised, heard, and addressed. TTRPG's can be a very sedentary activity and for games that go up to 3 hours or longer, I like to schedule a short 10-15 minute siesta so that players can get up, move around and attend to any needs (biological or otherwise). Furthermore, at no point should a player feel obligated to stay put throughout a moment that they feel discomfort or stress, and I am always happy to have an Open Door policy so that players can step out and in as and how they need to. No one singular ingredient makes the proverbial TTRPG cake, and if a scene is triggering or not working out in play having an over the table moment to appreciate that this isn't working and re-framing the events to better suit the overarching collaborative narrative is perfectly acceptable.