Classic 5 Adventure Party, Adventures in Faerun

Creating your character

1. Character Sources & Restrictions Sources: Official 5e content only (2014 & 2024 Core Rulebooks + D&D Beyond). No Homebrew. Race & Lineage: Core: Humans, Dwarves, Halflings, Half-Orcs, Half-Elves, and Gnomes are encouraged. Regional: Genasi, Tieflings, and Aasimar are permitted based on the setting. Lore Restrictions: In "High Lore/Gritty" games, certain races (e.g., pureblood Elves) may be restricted or banned to fit the narrative history. Check the campaign primer before selecting. Backgrounds: 2014 Backgrounds: You receive a free Feat at Level 1. 2024 Backgrounds: You receive the Feat assigned to the background. Custom: Customizing background skills/tools is allowed (and encouraged). 2. The Numbers (Stats & Leveling) Progression: Milestone Leveling (Story-based). Hit Points (HP): At level up, Roll the die. If you roll lower than the average, take the average. We play heroes, not victims of bad math. Alignment & Behavior: Alignment is descriptive, not prescriptive. The "Chaos Veto": I reserve the right to override "Chaotic" actions if they are disruptive to the table. "It’s what my character would do" is not a valid excuse for ruining another player's fun. Disruptions will be discussed privately post-game; no arguments at the table. If Character Design is disruptive or creates PvP, the character will be asked for a redesign. *NO overly Horny Bards or Clepto Rogues) 3. Combat Mechanics Initiative: Surprise: Determined by Passive Perception/Stealth. Tactical Swap: Before the first round of combat begins, players may swap initiative positions with one another to coordinate tactics. Order: Standard descending order. Critical Hits (Nat 20): Attacks: Roll all damage dice twice + Modifier OR take average on all rolled dice + Modifier (Player choice). Skill/Saves: A Nat 20 is not an auto-success. Critical Fails (Nat 1): Attacks: Auto-miss no punishment Skill/Saves: A Nat 1 is not an auto-fail. Inspiration: Stacking: Inspiration stacks. Earning: Awarded at story milestones/chapter ends, and at DM discretion for exceptional roleplay or creative problem solving. 4. Economy & Gear Starting Gold: (Class Starting Gold Dice × 5) + Class/Background Equipment. Example: Ranger (5d4) -> 5 Dice -> 5 × 5 = 25 Gold. Tool Proficiency Bonus: You start with one free set of every tool you are proficient with. Starting Magic Items: Lvl 1-4: 1 Common Item. Lvl 5-9: 1 Common, 1 Uncommon. Lvl 10-14: 1 Common, 1 Uncommon, 1 Rare. Encumbrance: Rules determined by the "Realism" setting selected in the Intake Form. 5. Life, Death, & Potions Potions: Drinking a potion is an Action (Use Item). Regeneration: Short Rest: Roll Hit Dice. Long Rest: Full heal Death & Resurrection: Revivify and Resurrection are available.

Preparing for the session

Step 1: Onboarding Enter the campaign Discord channel to review and complete the required player documents. https://discord.com/channels/1452138044412006422/1452141476988584016 Once submitted, direct message me for access to the session-specific chat, where you will find the Setting & Campaign Dossier. This dossier contains the Narrative Anchors and regional history necessary to ground your character in the world. Step 2: Technical Requirements D&D Beyond: All characters must be built here for map integration and mechanical tracking. Discord: Audio and a dedicated microphone are required for roleplay and tactical coordination. Required Viewing: Watch and understand the three linked videos before Session 1. Combat Explained https://youtu.be/7tnrATiclg4?si=uV8koGVtsv0itdn6 Abilities and Skills https://youtu.be/qHndVi7JXLI?si=oTkb1TWNcKzRBVKB Factions of Waterdeep and Faerun https://youtu.be/DuTYxKLkO8g?si=c44wWiykmrCo25XX Step 3: Lore & Immersion Faerûn is a world of deep, documented history. While I encourage you to explore lore independently, we will actively use Backgrounds and Races to provide "Autopass" information—knowledge your character simply knows because of who they are. Understanding basic 5e mechanics and regional lore is beneficial for a continuous and immersive narrative experience.

What Kali brings to the table

D&D Beyond & Tools: We will use D&D Beyond for character management and Discord for audio. I share a vast library of 5e materials to help build your hero. 1. High-Fidelity Lore & Epic Canon My storytelling is rooted in the vast, epic history of the Forgotten Realms. I specialize in enhancing modern modules by integrating dense, high-fidelity lore from 3.5e sourcebooks (such as Lost Empires of Faerûn and Races of Faerûn) and official novels. Whether you are facing a scheming genie in Calimshan or tracing an ancient curse in the Moonshae Isles, expect a world where every location reflects the deep narrative history of the setting. 2. Sociological NPCs & Cultural Depth Characters in Faerûn are not cardboard cutouts; they are products of their environment and culture. I utilize an "Anthropologist's Lens" to portray NPCs with distinct cultural motivations, regional naming conventions, and social pressures. Every inhabitant—from a corrupt politician in Baldur’s Gate to a desert merchant—possesses a specific Temperament and unique Gossip that reflects the local economic and political climate. 3. Tactical Combat & Behavioral Realism Combat is an epic, meaningful experience featuring "Smart" enemies and high-stakes environments. I treat all creatures as living entities with biological needs and tactical logic. Foes will not mindlessly fight to the death; they possess a sense of Morale, meaning they may parley, negotiate, or flee based on their sociological profile and the tide of battle. 4. Gritty Survival & "The Heroic Curve" While we are building an epic tale, the world remains grounded through Logistical Realism. We will utilize survival mechanics—tracking regional weather hazards, managing encumbrance, and adjudicating the physical toll of travel through the wilderness. 5. Atmosphere & Sensory Immersion I prioritize "Theater of the Mind" by providing vivid, sensory-rich descriptions of Faerûn’s diverse biomes. From the brine-soaked docks of the Trackless Sea to the frozen winds of Icewind Dale, I utilize specific architectural and geographical terminology to ensure the setting feels three-dimensional and lived-in. Also, I situationally provide ambient music or sounds when appropriate to the setting or scene.

Homebrew rules

For a deep dive into how I handle game mechanics, environmental realism, and tactical combat, please check out the comprehensive guides and character-building documents in my Discord. This channel serves as your primary hub for understanding my specific table protocols and how we bring the world of Faerûn to life together. You can find all the details and join our community here: https://discord.com/channels/1452138044412006422/1452141476988584016 🎲✨

How Kali creates a safe table

Hello! To ensure everyone has an epic and comfortable experience, I use a specific safety workflow designed for our one-shot sessions. 🌟 The Safety Workflow (Soft Session 0). Because we want to get straight to the story, we use an accelerated protocol to protect both the narrative and the players. Before we play, please complete the RPG Consent Checklist in our Discord and review the Campaign Dossier to ensure your character aligns with the group's boundaries. We will spend the first 15 minutes of our session as a "Soft Session 0" to finalize our red and yellow lines and ensure the group is synchronized for adventure! 🤝 Hard Reds (Never Present) I maintain a safe environment by excluding certain content entirely. There is a hard red on sexual content (we strictly "fade to black" for any romance) and graphic harm (no descriptive child abuse or torture will ever be present). 🚫 My DMs are always open, and we use active pivoting—if a scene becomes uncomfortable, just let me know, and we will pause and pivot the story immediately, no questions asked. 🛡️ GM Style: High-Fidelity & Grounded Roleplay You can expect an atmosphere of Epic High-Fantasy Realism. The world of Faerûn feels tangible here, with NPCs grounded in their own social and economic realities. I use my voice acting and improv training to provide Candid & Character-Driven Performances, speaking with regional voices and authentic expressions that serve the world-building. ⚔️ Even combat is treated with this "truth." I utilize Sociological Combat, meaning monsters have biological needs and tactical intelligence—they might fight, but they also might flee or parley based on their morale. We’ll wrap up every session with Pulse Checks and Stars & Wishes to discuss what we loved and ensure everyone is leaving the table feeling great! ✨