Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk l Beginner-Friendly

Creating your character

Character creation will take place before the first session. Session 1 will focus on introductions, world context, and beginning play rather than building characters from scratch. If you need help finalizing anything, we can do quick adjustments together before we start. Starting Level All characters will begin at Level 1. This allows the party to grow into their roles naturally and gives everyone time to learn how their characters function in play. 📊 Ability Scores Ability scores will be determined using one of the following methods, chosen for the whole group to keep things fair: • Standard Array • Point Buy • Rolled Stats (4d6, drop the lowest; rolled once and assigned as desired) 📝 Character Creation Characters should be created using D&D Beyond or a fillable character sheet (digital or paper is fine). Please make sure your sheet is complete and shared with the DM before Session 1. 📚 Allowed Sources You may use character options from the following books: • Player’s Handbook • Xanathar’s Guide to Everything • Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything Anything outside these sources (homebrew, Unearthed Arcana, or other official books) must be approved by the DM in advance. 🎭 Character Concept Expectations Characters should: • Be willing to cooperate with the party • Fit the tone and setting of the campaign • Have a reason to engage with the world and its conflicts If you’re unsure whether a concept fits, ask first — we can adjust it togethe

Preparing for the session

🛠️ Pre-Game Setup Checklist Before you can participate in the game, please complete the following steps: 1️⃣ Join the Discord Server You will receive an invite link to the campaign Discord. This server will be used for: • Announcements and scheduling • Voice chat during sessions • Rules clarifications and between-session discussion Please make sure your Discord name is recognizable to the DM. 2️⃣ Create / Log Into Required Accounts Please ensure you have active accounts on the following platforms: • Discord (required) • AboveVTT (invite link will be provided) • D&D Beyond (recommended for character creation and sharing) 3️⃣ Set Up the Virtual Tabletop (AboveVTT) Accept the invite to the campaign VTT and test that you can: • Load the game page • Move your token • Roll dice No purchases are required unless stated otherwise. 4️⃣ Prepare Your Audio Setup • A working microphone is required 🎙️ • Headphones are strongly recommended to prevent feedback No additional software downloads are required unless the DM announces otherwise. 5️⃣ Create Your Character Build your character using the Character Creation Guidelines provided by the DM. Your sheet should be: • Complete (stats, equipment, and features) • Uploaded or shared with the DM Characters must be approved before Session 1. 6️⃣ Submit Your Character for Review Share your character sheet link or file with the DM and wait for confirmation that your character is approved. Minor adjustments may be requested if needed. 7️⃣ Read Campaign Expectations Please review the campaign’s tone, themes, and table rules, including: • Attendance expectations • Behavior and PvP rules • Content boundaries and safety tools (if applicable) 8️⃣ Test Your Setup Before the first session: • Test your microphone in Discord • Ensure your internet connection is stable • Log into AboveVTT at least once

What King Magnate brings to the table

🎲 What to Expect From Me as Your GM As your GM, I run the game with an emphasis on fun, immersion, and storytelling, while keeping mechanics clear and fair. 🎭 Storytelling & Roleplay I aim to make NPCs memorable by using different voices, mannerisms, and personalities for key characters. Player roleplay is encouraged, but feel free to stay in-character or out-of-character depending on your comfort level. The world will react to your choices, and your actions can have lasting consequences. 🌌 Atmosphere I often use ambient music, sound effects, and visual aids to enhance immersion. Maps, tokens, and visual cues are commonly used during encounters, especially in combat and exploration scenes. ⚔️ Combat Combat is designed to be tactical and engaging, with room for creative strategies. I may include environmental hazards, positioning challenges, and initiative surprises to keep fights dynamic. My goal is to balance challenge with fun, avoiding combat that feels overly lethal or unnecessarily drawn out. 📜 Rules Philosophy I generally lean toward the Rule of Cool—if an idea is exciting and plausible, I may allow it even if it bends the rules slightly. At the same time, I use Rules as Written (RAW) when fairness and consistency are important, especially during combat. Expect a balanced approach where creativity is rewarded but the game remains structured. 🤝 Player Expectations • Stay engaged and help keep the game moving • Collaborate with the party—teamwork matters • Friendly rivalry is fine, but party cohesion is important • Be flexible and ready for surprises—the world is alive and reactive 🧭 Session Style Sessions usually include a mix of roleplay, exploration, and combat. Some sessions may focus more on story and intrigue, while others may be combat-heavy and tactical. 💬 GM Transparency I’ll clearly explain expectations, house rules, and mechanics. If something feels confusing or unfair, you’re always welcome to ask for clarification.

How King Magnate creates a safe table

Your fun and comfort come first. Here’s how we handle safety at the table: 1. Breaks You can step away at any time. No questions asked—just let the group know if you need a quick break. 2. Open Doors You’re free to leave or rejoin the session at any time. Your spot in the story is safe—you won’t be penalized. 3. Lines & Veils You’ll fill out a Lines & Veils form before Session 1: Lines = things that won’t happen Veils = things that happen off-screen These help me keep content safe for everyone. 4. X / N / O Signals Quick way to communicate boundaries during play: X = stop immediately N = skip this for me O = okay to continue Can be sent via Discord, VTT 5. Stars & Wishes After sessions, we do a quick check-in: Stars = what you liked Wishes = what you’d like to change Helps the game improve while keeping it fun for everyone.