The Waiting Lantern | The Inn in the middle of chaos
The Waiting Lantern is compromised. Uncover what’s really happening and decide the fate of the refuge holding the region together.
$18.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Monday - 12:30 AM UTC
Session Duration / 2.5–3 hours
0 / 7 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
You find yourself at the Waiting Lantern, a tavern that has always offered you opportunity and respite. Adventurers, traveling merchants, and mercenaries all pass through its doors. For years, the Lantern has served as neutral ground in the region, a place where tensions cooled instead of ignited. That balance has shifted. Deals are falling apart, tempers are rising, and the tension the Lantern once held at bay is coming to the surface. Slowly, this unrest spreads into Faerûn, and if Faerûn falls into chaos, the Forgotten Realms will not be far behind. One of the Lantern’s three owners has vanished. With their disappearance, the protection that once guarded the refuge is gone. The Lantern still stands, but cracks are forming. Factions, gangs, and rulers press closer. Trust within has broken. What begins inside these walls will not stay contained, and ignoring it is no longer an option for the peace of the realm. What happens next is not predetermined. You are not bound to a single mission or outcome. You may try to save the Waiting Lantern, uncover what is destroying it, abandon it to its fate, or take control through force or leverage. The world will not protect the status quo. If the Lantern falls, the region changes. NPCs remember what you do. Factions respond. Consequences carry forward with no reset. This is a character-driven D&D 5e campaign built around meaningful choice and lasting impact. Expect a strong emphasis on roleplay and decision-making, with roughly a 70/30 split between roleplay and combat. Violence is never mandatory, but it is always an option. You decide when conflicts are avoided, redirected, or embraced. When combat happens, it is dangerous and consequential. Choosing not to fight can be just as risky as drawing steel. The world is meticulously built, with factions, locations, and NPCs already in motion, but how those forces collide depends on your choices. Alliances shift, access changes, and people remember what you protect, exploit, or destroy. This is a living setting that responds honestly to player action, where decisions can reshape or dismantle major pillars of the world and those outcomes persist. This is designed to start as a six-month ongoing campaign beginning at level three, with the option to continue beyond that arc if the group chooses. It is built for players who want continuity and depth. New players are fully welcome and supported, with rules explained as we play. Experienced players will find challenge and opportunity in how their ambitions collide with the world around them. A free Session Zero aligns expectations and establishes character connections, with smooth onboarding available for players who join after the campaign begins. If you want a game where your character truly matters, where choices change the world instead of bouncing off it, the Waiting Lantern is already burning. It will not wait forever.
Game style
Realm Building
Roleplay Heavy
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Sandbox / Open World
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(7)
2 years on StartPlaying
17 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Inclusive, Teacher
About me
I build stories with players, not just stories for them. My games are built on support and trust, where characters matter, choices carry weight, and hesitant players can grow into confident ones. The result is a table where players feel safe to invest and excited to return. I run character-driven, roleplay-forward campaigns where player decisions guide the story. Combat is used when it adds tension or meaning, but it never overshadows the narrative. The focus is on stories that unfold through play without forcing outcomes. At my tables, players are encouraged to engage at their own pace. Whether you’re brand new, returning after time away, or looking for deeper roleplay, I offer clear guidance while preserving player agency. Curiosity is rewarded, mistakes create opportunity, and meaningful character moments are allowed to develop organically. I’m especially attentive to shared spotlight, making sure quieter players get chances to shine while experienced players still feel challenged and surprised. I bring 19 years of tabletop RPG experience to the table, with the last 5 years spent actively GMing roleplay-forward campaigns. I primarily run Dungeons & Dragons 5e, using it as a flexible framework to support character growth, meaningful choices, and collaborative storytelling. I approach each campaign with intention and preparation, respecting both the story we’re building and the time players commit to it. I value clear communication and shared expectations so the game can unfold smoothly and confidently, and I remain responsive to feedback as the story evolves. If you’re looking for a game where you’re supported, your character matters, and your choices genuinely shape the story, I’d be glad to build that table with you. I care deeply about the experience my players have, and I bring that care to every session we play together.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Characters begin at level 3. Character creation is handled collaboratively, with a focus on helping players feel comfortable and excited about their characters. A free Session Zero will take place before play begins, where we will talk through character ideas, party dynamics, and expectations together. You are welcome to bring your own character concept, or we can build one from scratch during Session Zero. Brand-new players are fully supported, and I am happy to help with class selection, character ideas, and learning the rules as we go. Pre-generated characters are available for anyone who wants to jump in quickly or feels unsure where to start. Ability scores will be determined using point buy to keep characters balanced and easy to understand. Characters should be built using official D&D 5e sourcebooks. If you are interested in optional rules, uncommon options, or third-party material, let me know and we can discuss if those options work for our game. Characters will be created and maintained on Roll20, which allows easy access during play and gives me flexibility to support customization and in-game changes as the story evolves. You do not need an extensive backstory. A few clear motivations or connections are more than enough, and your character’s story will naturally grow through play. This is not an optimization-focused game. The goal is to create characters who can engage with the world, make meaningful choices, and be shaped by the consequences of those choices. Build a character you are excited to explore.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Before the game begins, there are only a few simple steps to prepare. You will need a free Discord account for voice chat and a free Roll20 account for character sheets, maps, and visuals. I will provide invites and help you get set up if needed. No additional software or downloads are required beyond a web browser and a stable internet connection. If you are new to online play or Roll20, don’t worry. We will go over everything you need during Session Zero, and I am happy to help troubleshoot or answer questions ahead of time. You do not need to prepare rules knowledge in advance. Showing up ready to play and engage with the story is enough.
What KevTyler GM brings to the table
I provide a prepared, character-driven game with a strong focus on immersion, player agency, and meaningful consequences. The world is actively supported through Roll20, with detailed locations, evolving environments, and visual context that helps scenes feel present and lived-in rather than abstract. You can expect clear rulings, consistent world logic, and a table that values roleplay, problem-solving, and player choice over optimization. I use descriptive narration, distinct NPC personalities, and environmental detail to help you feel like you are truly there, without overwhelming the pace of play. Combat is handled seriously and carries real weight. Fights are dangerous, enemies act with intent, and choices made before and during combat matter. Character death is possible, most often as a result of risky decisions, poor positioning, or escalating conflicts, though circumstances can sometimes turn unexpectedly. Violence is always a choice, and avoiding or de-escalating a fight can be just as important as winning one. I generally follow the rules as written and intended, but flexibility comes from player creativity. Clever plans, smart roleplay, and inventive problem-solving are always rewarded, even when they take the story in unexpected directions. Most importantly, I bring preparation, attention, and care to each session. My goal is to create a table where players feel supported enough to take risks, confident enough to make hard choices, and engaged enough to see how those choices shape the world around them.
Homebrew rules
This game primarily uses standard D&D 5e rules as written. At this time, there are no major homebrew rule changes in place. Any optional rules or table adjustments will be discussed clearly during Session Zero and agreed upon as a group before being used.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How KevTyler GM creates a safe table
Will review Lines and Veils individually with players or at Session 0. As the game progresses, I will directly address any concerns that might arise to ensure players feel both comfortable and safe during the games.
Content warnings
Safety tools used