The Classic - Temple of Elemental Evil

Creating your character

Only use things in the 2024 PHB. No splats, no Unearthed, just that book. Level 1 characters. Use point buy. Bring a few ideas to session zero, and we'll figure out who is playing what then.

Preparing for the session

Players will need Roll 20 and Discord, and DnD Beyond/Beyond 20 are recommended.

What Kelly Pohl brings to the table

Players can expect a balance of RaW and RoC depending on the drama of the moment. Maps will be clearly crafted, but players are welcome to add reasonable elements to the scene if it would be awesome. Character voice acting is appreciated (from players and DM). Ambient music will not be present.

Homebrew rules

"Yours or Mine" - When you roll for healing, if you don't like the roll, you can ask me to roll it. You must keep the new result. "Get a move on" - Short Rest Hit Dice are all rolled at once, the controlling player deciding how many Hit Dice to roll before rolling. Skill Challenge - In a situation where failure could be costly, the PCs will be given a short list (2-3) skills which can be rolled, as well as the DC for the check, and lastly a threshold of successes and failures that determine if the party gets through the scenario without loss. e.g., The party encounters a mob of unruly people who stand between them and their goals - it's a protest against the local magistrate. The PCs aren't considered hostile and have no reason to attack. To disperse the crowd, players can roll Persuasion, History or Stealth at DC 13, needing 5 successes before 3 failures. Each PC must make the check once before anyone else can attempt a further attempt. Failure means they have to give something up (some money or loot) to get past.

How Kelly Pohl creates a safe table

If a player is overwhelmed or uncomfortable with a moment in the game, it is up to them to speak up - via direct message if needed. Their involvement in the scene will then be negotiated - maybe a fade to black (for violence or intimacy), maybe the player logs out for the night and the DM continues to play the character, or in extreme cases we will need to have a conversation about the direction of the campaign and whether the player(s) want to go with something else or exit the campaign. To help this, it is the responsibility of each player to inform the DM of any potential triggers that would cause this to occur ASAP, hopefully long before they come up. In session zero or when the player joins would be best, but also if something happens in the interim