TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS: Ancient Secrets

Creating your character

CHARACTER CREATION STARTING LEVEL: 5th Your characters are experienced adventurers drawn to Valorhold's legendary tournament—skilled enough to compete but with room to grow into true heroes by campaign's end (Level 10). CREATION METHOD: Option 1: Pre-Generated Characters (Recommended for New Players) I provide a selection of tournament-ready characters with: Optimized builds for arena combat Backstories that hook into the narrative Clear role definitions (tank, damage, support, etc.) Ready to play immediately Option 2: Custom Characters (Standard) Stats: Standard Array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) or Point Buy Books Allowed: Player's Handbook, Xanathar's Guide, Tasha's Cauldron, Fizban's (no Strixhaven/setting-specific content) Races/Classes: All official options welcome; we'll work together to fit your concept into Valorhold's world Starting Equipment: Standard for level 5 OR 5,000 gold to purchase equipment WHEN: Character creation happens before Session 1 (during free Session 0 or via Discord/email collaboration). Session 1 begins with your team arriving at Valorhold's gates—we don't spend game time on builds. REQUIREMENTS: Characters must have a reason to enter the tournament (glory, gold, redemption, etc.) Must be willing to work as a team—lone wolves don't survive long No evil alignments (this is a heroic campaign despite dark themes) Backstories should include at least one personal connection or goal beyond "I want money" SESSION ZERO (Free, 1 hour): We'll meet before the campaign to: Finalize characters and ensure party balance Establish relationships between PCs (do you know each other already?) Discuss comfort levels and boundaries (safety tools) Preview Valorhold and answer world-building questions Ensure everyone's excited and prepared TOOLS: We'll use D&D Beyond (free accounts work fine) or physical character sheets—your preference. Questions? Message me anytime during the character creation process. I'm here to help you build a character you'll love playing for 5 sessions.

Preparing for the session

PLAYER PREPARATION REQUIRED BEFORE FIRST SESSION: 1. Roll20 (Virtual Tabletop) Create a free account at roll20.net Game invite link sent after booking Test your connection before Session 0 Works best on computer/laptop (tablets okay, phones not ideal) 2. Discord (Voice Communication) Free Discord account required Campaign server invite sent within 24 hours of booking Test the microphone before Session 0 (camera optional but encouraged) Headset recommended to prevent echo 3. D&D Beyond (Character Sheet) Free account at dndbeyond.com Character must be completed before Session 1 (finalized during Session 0) Physical sheets are also acceptable if you prefer 4. Dice Physical dice OR Roll20's built-in dice roller Having your own set adds to the experience 5. Session 0 Attendance (Mandatory) Free 1-hour session scheduled after all players book Finalize characters, establish party relationships, set expectations Schedule all 5 main sessions together RECOMMENDED: Notebook for tracking mysteries and clues Basic D&D 5e rules familiarity (I'll teach as we go) Stable internet (5+ Mbps recommended) Quiet gaming space for 3.5-4.5 hour sessions

What Stigler brings to the table

WHAT YOU'LL EXPERIENCE MY GM STYLE: Cinematic Storytelling Meets Tactical Depth I combine 18 years of psychology study with professional videography experience to create immersive sessions where your choices matter and combat challenges with your tactics. NARRATIVE IMMERSION: Cinematic descriptions engaging all senses—feel the arena's heat, hear the crowd's roar Distinct NPC personalities—rivals, allies, and villains feel like real people with motivations Professional pacing—efficient scenes that respect your time Psychological depth—NPCs react realistically based on their backgrounds and goals TACTICAL COMBAT: Intelligent enemies using terrain, teamwork, and strategy Varied encounters—arena hazards, environmental effects, diverse enemy abilities Balanced challenge—victory requires smart tactics, not luck Clear descriptions—you understand the tactical situation and why strategies work PLAYER AGENCY: Multiple solutions—investigation, combat, negotiation, or creative thinking Meaningful choices—your decisions determine Valorhold's fate and which ending you reach No railroading—structured story, you determine how it unfolds Spotlight moments—every character gets their heroic scenes MATERIALS PROVIDED: Roll20 game with maps, tokens, and handouts Digital references (brackets, NPC rosters, city maps) Session recaps after each game Discord server for questions (optional) RULES: 80% RAW, 20% Rule of Cool Core mechanics work as designed Creative tactics are rewarded when sensible "Can I try this?" usually gets "Yes, here's the DC" Balance maintained—no game-breaking COMBAT STYLE: Level-appropriate difficulty Enemies retreat when outmatched Death is possible but rare with smart play Important battles use detailed Roll20 maps Clear danger telegraphing ROLEPLAY: Character moments are valued equally with combat No required voices—describe actions naturally Humor welcome, tone stays balanced Mature themes handled seriously Safety tools in Session 0 WHAT I EXPECT: Engagement (attention on the game) Teamwork (share spotlight) Know your abilities Respect for all players Commit to all 5 sessions MY PROMISE: Professional sessions with a complete story, fair gameplay, and responsive GMing. No abandoned campaigns, no cliffhangers—just an unforgettable experience from tournament registration to final confrontation. This is your story. I'm here to make it epic.

Homebrew rules

HOMEBREW RULES Minimal homebrew—mostly Rules as Written with these adjustments: Potion Use: Drinking a potion is a bonus action Administering to another creature is still an action Critical Hits: Maximum damage on dice + roll again (no disappointing crits) Example: Crit with 1d8+3 weapon = 8+1d8+3 damage Flanking: Not used (too easy to abuse, undermines tactical positioning) Advantage earned through class features, spells, or creative tactics Rule of Cool: Creative tactics are rewarded with an advantage or reduced DCs when narratively appropriate Won't break game balance or overshadow other players Arena-Specific: Environmental hazards are clearly described before combat Enemies use the same terrain rules as players (fair battlefield)

How Stigler creates a safe table

SAFETY & COMFORT AT MY TABLE SESSION 0 SAFETY DISCUSSION (Mandatory): Before Session 1, we'll establish boundaries and safety tools: Content warnings discussed upfront: This campaign includes violence, blood sacrifice themes, body horror elements, and dark conspiracy. We'll discuss comfort levels with each. Lines & Veils established: Lines = hard no's we never cross. Veils = topics we acknowledge but fade to black. Individual boundaries respected: Private messages welcome if you're uncomfortable sharing publicly. Tone calibration: We'll align on how graphic combat descriptions should be and where humor fits. SAFETY TOOLS DURING SESSIONS: X-Card System (Digital): Type "X" in Roll20 chat or Discord at ANY time to pause/rewind a scene No questions asked, no explanation required We either adjust the scene or skip it entirely Can be used for any reason—discomfort, triggering content, or just "this isn't fun." Open Door Policy: Need a break? Just say so—we pause immediately Feeling overwhelmed? Step away, no judgment Session pacing issues? Speak up anytime Check-Ins: I'll periodically ask, "Everyone good?" especially before intense scenes Quick emoji reactions in Discord (👍/👎) for silent check-ins CONTENT I AVOID: Even with player consent, I will not include: Sexual violence or assault (any form) Harm to children or animals (graphic) Slavery or torture (graphic descriptions) Real-world hate speech or bigotry Player-vs-player betrayal without full table consent Mature themes in this campaign (violence, sacrifice, conspiracy) are handled seriously and cinematically, never gratuitously. AFTER-SESSION SUPPORT: Debriefs available: Want to discuss an intense scene privately? Message me anytime Session recaps include tone notes: Helps process what happened Discord open for venting/processing: Safe space between sessions Adjustment welcomed: "That was too much." Feedback shapes future sessions RESPECTFUL TABLE CULTURE: Zero tolerance for: Harassment, bigotry, inappropriate behavior toward other players Expected behavior: Respect pronouns, listen when others speak, share the spotlight Conflict resolution: Issues addressed privately and promptly Player agency respected: Your character's choices are yours—I never force actions MY COMMITMENT: Your comfort and safety come before any story beat. If something isn't working, we change it. This is a game—it should be challenging and emotional, but never harmful. If you have specific concerns or triggers, please message me privately before Session 0. All information kept confidential.