Storm Kings Thunder/ Vecna: Eve of Ruin

Creating your character

Character creation happens before Session Zero, not during play. Once you join the campaign, you’ll receive links and tools to build your character on D&D Beyond, plus a private channel where we can workshop your concept, backstory, and mechanics. The goal is simple: create a character you love who fits naturally into an epic, escalating story. Starting Level: Characters begin at Level 1 and advance quickly as the campaign scales from local threats to giant war and multiversal danger. Early decisions matter, but you’ll have plenty of room to grow, adapt, and develop your story as your character evolves. Ability Scores: Stats are generated using a controlled roll system through the Avrae bot in Discord. You’ll roll two full stat arrays and may choose either result. If both arrays feel weak or don’t fit your concept, you may use Point Buy instead. This method keeps the excitement of rolling while ensuring fairness across the party. Hit points are maximum at Level 1, and average after that, unless you want to roll HP publicly in Discord. Allowed Sources: All official 5e books are allowed, including 2024 revised materials. Third-party content and unapproved homebrew aren’t used, but flavor adjustments and creative concepts are welcome. If you want something thematic—giant ancestry, prophetic dreams, mysterious patrons—we can build it within official rules. Party Composition: You don’t need to form a perfectly balanced group—play the character you’re excited about. Martials, casters, diplomats, misfits, academics, holy warriors, and wandering troublemakers all have a place here. What matters is that your character has a reason to join the party and stay involved. Big personalities are welcome, but teamwork is essential. Backstory Guidelines: Aim for 1–3 paragraphs. Focus on your character’s motivations, fears, goals, and one or two important relationships. Save the rest for discoveries in play. If you’d like deeper ties to the world—giant politics, faction intrigue, or Vecna’s growing influence—I’ll help weave those threads into the campaign. Character Logistics: All characters are hosted on D&D Beyond, and digital dice are required for combat, checks, and saves. Out-of-combat flavor rolls can be done physically if you prefer. You’ll receive onboarding notes and optional prompts to help tie your character into the campaign’s opening moments. New players are welcome, and I’m happy to guide anyone through the process step-by-step. By the end of Session Zero, the party will know the setting, understand the stakes, and share a narrative reason to begin their journey together—ready to face giants, unravel mysteries, and stand against forces that threaten the very fabric of reality.

Preparing for the session

Preparing for this campaign is simple, and most steps take only a few minutes. Below is everything you’ll need to do before Session Zero so we can hit the ground running. 1. Join the Discord Server All game communication—scheduling, announcements, character creation, dice rolling, and voice chat—happens in Discord. After booking, you’ll receive an invite link. • Make sure your mic is working • Enable Push-to-Talk or Noise Suppression • Familiarize yourself with the #character-creation and #bot-commands channels 2. Create or Log Into D&D Beyond We use D&D Beyond for character sheets, leveling, and rules references. You’ll receive a campaign link where you can create your character directly using unlocked content. • Make sure you can access the shared compendium • Turn on Digital Dice (combat rolls must be digital) 3. Install/Enable Avrae Bot on Your Account Avrae handles: • Rolling your two stat arrays • Optional HP rolls • Skill checks and attacks in Discord You don’t need to install anything—just link your D&D Beyond account when prompted and use the bot in the designated channel. 4. Read the Character Creation Guidelines Before building your character, review: • Allowed books (all official 5e content) • Ability score method (two rolled arrays or Point Buy) • Starting level (1) • Backstory limits (1–3 paragraphs) If you want help shaping your character’s story, motivations, or lore connections, reach out—I love collaborating. 5. Check Your Tech Setup To keep sessions smooth and cinematic, please ensure: • A stable internet connection • A working mic with minimal background noise • Headphones (strongly preferred to avoid echo) • Discord audio settings tested before game time No additional software—no Roll20, Foundry, or VTT—is required unless announced later. This campaign primarily uses Discord + D&D Beyond for a streamlined experience. 6. Review the Campaign Expectations Before Session Zero, make sure you read: • Table rules • Safety tools • Scheduling expectations • Dice rules (digital required for combat) • Tone and playstyle of the campaign These will help you understand the world, the stakes, and the type of story we’re building together. 7. Come Ready to Collaborate Session Zero will finalize: • Character hooks • Party connections • Why you’re beginning the story together • Themes and boundaries • Advancement/leveling expectations Bring your ideas, questions, and excitement. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or brand-new to D&D, I’ll help you prepare everything you need for a fantastic campaign.

What Michael brings to the table

What I Provide as Your Game Master When you join my table, you’re stepping into a fully supported, cinematic D&D experience designed to make you feel like the hero of an epic fantasy novel. I bring organization, atmosphere, narrative depth, and clear communication so you can focus on playing the character you love. Here’s what you can expect from me every session: Immersive Storytelling & Character-Driven Play I tailor the campaign to the players, not just the plot. Your character’s choices, fears, goals, and relationships matter. I weave backstory threads into the main narrative and shape encounters around your party’s strengths and decisions. You will never feel railroaded, but you’ll always have direction. I use distinct NPC voices, personality-driven dialogue, and strong emotional beats to bring the world to life. Expect giants with thunderous gravitas, scheming villains with presence, and allies whose stories evolve alongside yours. Atmosphere: Music, Soundscapes, and Visual Aids I use ambient music, sound effects, and thematic playlists to set the tone—tense drums in combat, howling winds in frozen peaks, eerie whispers in cursed ruins. I also provide: • High-quality illustrations of NPCs, locations, and key scenes • Custom handouts and visual aids • Roll20 maps if tactical clarity is needed This campaign is built to feel cinematic and vivid, even through Discord. Engaging Combat & Meaningful Challenges Combat is dynamic, tactical, and fast. I prioritize clarity, fairness, and tension—big boss moments feel big. Expect: • Legendary foes with intelligent tactics • Environmental effects to make fights memorable • Clear positioning and communication • Encounters scaled to test—but not punish—the party I follow Rules as Written as a foundation but embrace the Rule of Cool when it enhances story, character moments, or sheer cinematic fun—especially in a campaign as epic as Storm King’s Thunder + Vecna: Eve of Ruin. Player Support, Tools, and Organization You’ll receive: • Access to a fully shared D&D Beyond compendium • Help building or refining your character • Private channels for backstory, downtime, and questions • Automated tools (Avrae) for streamlined play • Clear scheduling, recap posts, and communication New players receive guidance at every step. Veteran players get deep lore, complex choices, and layered storytelling. A Welcoming, Respectful Table My table is a safe, inclusive space. We use safety tools, open communication, and session expectations to ensure every player feels comfortable. Spotlight is shared, themes are discussed, and no one is overshadowed. What You Get in Every Session • A GM who is prepared, communicative, and invested • A world that reacts to your decisions • High-quality narration and NPC performance • Collaborative storytelling • Big emotional moments and even bigger battles • A campaign designed to be memorable long after it ends

Homebrew rules

Homebrew Rules To keep the game fast, fair, and cinematic, I use a handful of simple homebrew rules. These are designed to enhance player agency, streamline combat, and support heroic moments without breaking balance. Potion Use All potions can be consumed as a Bonus Action. Administering a potion to another creature still takes an Action. This keeps combat flowing and makes potions feel worth carrying. Critical Hits Critical hits deal double the total damage dice before adding modifiers. This makes crits exciting and impactful, especially for martials, without slowing down the math. Ability Scores (Creation Rule) Stats are generated using my controlled rolling system: • Roll two full arrays in Discord using Avrae • Choose the one you prefer • If both are bad, use Point Buy This ensures fairness while preserving the fun of rolling. Hit Points • Max HP at Level 1 • Average HP each level unless you choose to roll publicly in Discord Digital Dice Rules All combat rolls, checks, and saves must use digital dice (D&D Beyond or Avrae). Out-of-combat flavor rolls may be physical. This keeps logs readable and prevents roll discrepancies. Death Saves & Dropping to 0 HP I use standard 5e death rules but with two enhancements: If a monster chooses not to finish you, that's intentional. Enemies have motives, not mindless bloodlust. Cinematic consequences may apply after multiple near-death experiences (scars, visions, omen dreams), always with player consent. Rule of Cool I follow Rules as Written as the baseline—but when a player proposes something bold, cinematic, or incredibly fun, I often allow it with a fair roll. Creativity is rewarded as long as it respects the fiction and doesn’t overshadow other players. Rest Mechanics Long rests require a safe or secured area—not just a random hallway. In dangerous zones, you may need watches, barricades, magic, or negotiation. Homebrew Magic Items & Story Boons You may earn unique items, boons, or story-driven upgrades tied to your character arc. These are balanced to the campaign but designed to feel meaningful and personal. Table Conduct Rules • Spotlight sharing • Respect at all times • No PvP unless mutually agreed and narratively appropriate • Actions against other PCs require consent Why These Rules Exist Every homebrew rule serves one of three purposes: Speed up gameplay Enhance cinematic storytelling Ensure players feel powerful and supported You’ll always know what is allowed, why it exists, and how it affects the game.

How Michael creates a safe table

Player Safety & Comfort Your comfort and emotional safety are my top priority. D&D is collaborative storytelling, and everyone at the table deserves to feel respected, supported, and welcome. I use clear communication, boundaries, and ongoing check-ins to ensure that every session feels safe and enjoyable for everyone involved. Session Zero: Building a Healthy Table Together Before the campaign begins, we hold a complete Session Zero to align expectations and ensure everyone starts on the same page. We will: • Review boundaries, themes, and content expectations • Discuss lines, veils, and player comfort levels • Clarify table rules, dice expectations, and scheduling • Establish character connections and party dynamics • Set the tone for respectful, collaborative play Nothing begins until the group feels confident and comfortable with the story we’re telling. Lines, Veils, & Private Content Preferences Before Session Zero, you’ll receive a private link to my Lines & Veils document. • Lines — Content that will never appear • Veils — Content that may exist but will be glossed over or fade-to-black • Wants — Themes or tones you do enjoy and want more of You may submit this form privately, with no need to justify anything. Your boundaries are respected fully and immediately. In-Game Safety: Private Messaging & Clear Communication Instead of X/N/O cards, my table uses direct, real-time communication: • You may DM me at any time during the session if something becomes uncomfortable, triggering, or needs to shift. • You may also speak up in voice if comfortable, and I will pause immediately. • If I notice hesitation or discomfort, I will check in discreetly. This keeps the flow natural while ensuring safety is always active. Respectful Table Culture My games are inclusive and supportive. The table follows: • Zero tolerance for harassment, hate, or exclusion • No PvP without explicit player consent • Spotlight sharing and respect for everyone’s time • Emotional safety as a group responsibility • Differentiation between character conflict (allowed) and player conflict (not allowed) Everyone should feel empowered to express concerns, boundaries, or preferences without fear of judgment. Aftercare & Ongoing Check-Ins Each session ends with a short decompression check-in: • What did you enjoy? • Anything feel heavy or unexpected? • Anything you want changed moving forward? Players can also message me privately after the session if something lingers emotionally or needs revisiting. I respond with empathy, clarity, and confidentiality. You Always Have a Voice At any point—before, during, or after play—you can message me to adjust tone, content, pacing, or encounter intensity. You never need to apologize. Your comfort matters more than any scene or plot beat.