Menace of the Death Curse | A Tomb of Annihilation Adventure

Creating your character

Characters will come into the game at the same level as the current party. Use the 2024 or 2014 rules to build your character in D&D Beyond; I will share out core books and some of the supplements. I'll provide a few premade characters as well. We have a Discord server for you to build character ideas ahead of time. Other rules: Point buy or standard array for stats. Use either 2024 or 2014 rules to build your character but please keep everything under the same ruleset (i.e. don't pick a 2014 species and a 2024 background). For 2014, core books + Tasha's, Xanathar's and Sword Coast allowed. For 2024, core books plus any legacy subclasses or races that don't have an equivalent.

Preparing for the session

We will use D&D Beyond for character sheets and Roll20 for our maps and chat. There's a browser extension that let's you roll from D&D Beyond directly to Roll20, but I'll allow you to use the Roll20 dice manually or even your own physical dice. You will need a free Roll20 account and free D&D Beyond account. Also a microphone/speaker is required. Camera is optional but highly recommended! We will use Discord for voice, video and out-of-game updates. I have a background in IT so feel free to ask me any technical questions in advance.

What Shawn (t0rp0r) brings to the table

Players will enjoy a customized story, though based in a module, giving them as much freedom as they want. I want everyone at the table to have fun. This is not just monsters jumping out of the jungle (although that sometimes happens). I add things on to customize the experience for everyone; as well as accents of questionable authenticity. I'm flexible with the story as long as everyone is on board. If you all agree to give up the quest and open up your own hammock shop, we'll work together to make that into an adventure! The Hammock District can be quite competitive, after all. I like challenging the characters during combat with savvy monster tactics. I stick closer to Rules As Intended where possible, and keep things fair and consistent. I enjoy a Rule of Cool moment such as a halfling climbing onto an ally's back to fire their bow into combat; but a goblin might try the same thing later on. I will share resources from my D&D Beyond account.

Homebrew rules

We will use 2024 rules with a couple of exceptions. Primary changes are that I use 2014 versions of Surprise and Counterspell. (Surprise - during 1st round any surprised participants don't get any actions or reactions) (Counterspell - the interrupted spell has no effect if its level is less than or equal to the level of the spell slot you used). Hide - no DC is set on the initial chance to hide. *Not a home rule, but this specific campaign blocks any resurrection/revivify spell from working while the Death Curse is in effect, and loss to your maximum hit points is permanent. Speak with dead works normally, though.

How Shawn (t0rp0r) creates a safe table

Prior to the game you will anonymously fill out a sheet based on the Monte Cook consent checklist, to develop "lines and veils" (i.e. hard or soft limits) for topics any players don't want to see in a game or want hidden "off stage." We will use X cards within Roll20 (i.e. you can raise your hand if something in the game is uncomfortable).