Phandelver & Below | Beginner Adventure | 2024 Rules | LVL 1-12

Creating your character

Here’s how we’ll handle character creation: • Where to Build: Characters will be created on D&D Beyond after you join the campaign link. You’ll have full access to all of my shared content, including material from the 2024 Player’s Handbook and other official WOTC sources. • Starting Level: We'll begin at Level 1. • Ability Scores: Choose one of the following: - Standard Array - Point Buy - Manual Roll (we’ll roll together in Discord or Foundry to keep it fair and fun) • Allowed Sources: Only official WOTC content—no homebrew species or third-party books without approval. • Need help building your character? I’m happy to walk you through it during Session 0 or help you brainstorm a concept beforehand. Whether you're new to D&D or just want to talk through options, I've got you covered.

Preparing for the session

To join the adventure, you'll need: • A Discord account • A D&D Beyond account • A computer with a microphone and a stable internet connection Once you’ve booked your seat, you’ll receive: • An invite to the D&D Beyond campaign, where you can create your character and access shared content • An invite to the Discord server, where you'll meet your fellow adventurers and get familiar with announcements, scheduling, and text channels • A link to the Foundry VTT, which we’ll use for maps, combat, and exploration (received via discord) • A link to optional background music you can play during sessions for added immersion (received via discord) New to Foundry? No worries—I’ll walk you through how it works so you feel confident using the virtual tabletop during play. No need to memorize the rules—we’ll cover everything you need in Session 0, and I’m happy to help with character building or rules questions at any time. Grab your gear, pick your path, and get ready for adventure!

What Chaz brings to the table

What I Bring to the Table Whether you’re here to dive into deep storytelling or enjoy dynamic, tactical combat, I’ve got you covered with a full suite of tools and immersive features to bring our campaign to life: 🧙 Shared D&D Beyond Access • 2024 Player’s Handbook Content: Explore the latest species, subclasses, feats, and spells from the updated ruleset. • Full Shared Library: Gain access to my D&D Beyond content, giving you more freedom to build the character you really want. 🎭 Immersive Storytelling & Roleplay • Narrative-Driven Play: This is a story-rich campaign where your character’s choices shape the world. Expect layered foreshadowing, evolving NPCs, and personal backstory integration that pays off over time. • Character-Centric Plot Hooks: Your backstory matters. We'll weave your character into the narrative so their goals and history have a real impact on the unfolding story. • NPCs with a Voice: Select NPCs will feature AI-assisted voiceovers for added immersion and flavor in key scenes. ⚔️ Tactical Combat, Cinematic Flair • Strategic Battles: I design encounters to challenge your tactics and teamwork—smart positioning, clever spells, and fast thinking are rewarded. • Rule of Cool Friendly: I lean into dramatic, cinematic moments. If a wild idea fits the scene and amps up the fun, I'm here for it—even if we fudge the rules a little. 🖼️ Visual & Technical Tools • Custom Maps & Tokens: Every dungeon, town, and battlefield will be supported with detailed maps and tailored tokens to keep the world vivid and clear. • Foundry VTT: A powerful virtual tabletop for smooth, engaging gameplay with dynamic lighting, effects, and combat tracking. • AI Imagery & Art: Expect occasional visual aids to enrich the world—character portraits, locations, and key scenes may feature custom imagery. 🎧 Session Atmosphere • Discord for Voice & Community: We'll use Discord for voice chat, and group coordination. • Ambient Music & Soundscapes: Optional background ambiance to set the mood—whether we’re in a cozy tavern or creeping through an ancient ruin. Gameplay Details & Content Warnings This campaign includes mature themes such as: • Violence & Gore • Body Horror/Mutations • Occult & Psychological Elements All content boundaries will be discussed in Session 0, and we’ll use a consent checklist to ensure a respectful, comfortable space for everyone. You’ll always have the tools and agency to flag content you don’t want in the game.

Homebrew rules

1. Crunchy Crits “When the dice explode, so should the damage.” When you score a critical hit on a weapon or spell attack (rolling a natural 20), you deal: • Maximum damage on all damage dice plus • An additional roll of the normal damage dice plus • Your modifier Example: If a longsword normally deals 1d8 + 3 and you crit: • Max damage: 8 • Roll an additional 1d8 • Add your modifier (+3)
= Total: 8 + [roll] + 3 This applies to both players and the DM, every crit hits hard, no matter who lands it. 2. Last Lunge “You’re just out of reach. Fight for it.” If your movement ends 5 feet short of a creature you intend to target (with an attack, grapple, spell, etc.), you may attempt a final burst of momentum, a desperate leap, a wild slide, a lurching swing, to close the gap. Mechanics: • As a free action, roll a DC 13 Acrobatics or Athletics check (your choice). • On success, you may move 1 additional 5-foot space toward your intended target. • On failure, you remain where you are, close, but out of range. Restrictions: • You must be exactly 5 feet out of range for the intended target.
(For example: a melee attacker must be one square from base contact; a spellcaster must be just 5 feet shy of spell range.) • You must be targeting a creature. This cannot be used just to reach a location or object. • This does not stack with Dash or movement boosts. It represents a final push beyond your limits. • This rule applies to both players and NPCs, unless the DM rules otherwise. 3. Flickers of Life “Every dying breath tells a story. Let yours matter.” When your character is unconscious and making Death Saving Throws, you're encouraged to share a memory, thought, or dream, a glimpse into what flickers in their mind as they hover between life and death. This is a chance to reveal something meaningful about your character, to participate in the story even while down, and to show what your character is fighting to come back for. This could be: • A reason to live they’ve never said out loud • A truth they haven’t admitted, even to themselves • A memory that hurts to remember, but they’d never trade • The real reason they fight, finally surfacing • Or something of the like, as long as it matters Death Saves Effects: • Evocative, heartfelt, or meaningful memory?
 You may gain advantage on the death saving throw. • Dismissive or lazy effort? 
The DM may impose disadvantage. • No memory shared?
 Roll normally, fate decides alone.

How Chaz creates a safe table

Safety & Comfort at the Table I prioritize the well-being and comfort of every player at the table. Phandelver and Below can include intense themes—so to ensure a safe, welcoming, and fun experience for everyone, we’ll be using the following safety tools: - Open-Door Policy: Your mental and emotional health comes first. If you ever need to step away from the game—whether for a moment, a session, or longer—you're always welcome to do so. Just let me know (privately or publicly), and we’ll work together to accommodate whatever you need. - Consent Checklist: Before joining the game, you’ll receive a brief consent form where you can set your boundaries, note any triggers, and let me know what themes you’re excited—or not excited—to explore. This helps shape a respectful, customized experience for everyone. - Session 0 (Pre-Game Chat): Before your first session, we’ll connect on Discord for a casual Session 0 via chat. We’ll go over your character, choose an adventure hook that ties into your backstory, clarify expectations, and address any questions you have. It’s a great way to ease in and make sure everything’s ready to go. - Breaks: We’ll take breaks as needed—typically a 5-minute pause halfway through, or anytime someone needs one. Life happens, and that’s totally okay. By joining this game, you're stepping into a collaborative story built on trust, imagination, and mutual respect. If you ever have concerns, ideas, or just want to talk, my door is always open. Let’s tell an amazing story—together.