Oaths of the Delian Order: A DRAW STEEL Introductory Adventure
Goblins have snatched a blacksmith's daughter! Race to the ancient Delian Tomb to save her before a dark ritual begins.
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SYSTEM
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LANGUAGE
EXPERIENCE
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$5.00
/ Session
Details
Once / Tuesday - 12:30 AM UTC
Feb 17
Session Duration / 3–4 hours
0 / 5 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
**The Call to Heroism** In the quiet village of Broadhurst, a shadow has fallen over the Silver Forest. The Jagged Edge goblins have broken a long-standing peace, raiding local farms and kidnapping Bess, the blacksmith’s young daughter. The village elders are desperate, and the local Reeve is looking for anyone brave enough to follow the tracks into the woods. You aren't just a common traveler; you are a hero of the first echelon, and the fate of this village rests in your hands. **A Tactical and Cinematic Challenge** This session is a "Lean-Forward" experience focused on tactical, cinematic, and heroic fantasy. As we explore the Silver Forest and the ancient sanctum of the Delian Order, you will experience the "Draw Steel" difference: a system where your hero always feels powerful, and positioning on the grid matters just as much as the roll of the dice. From a tense parley with goblin scouts to a final stand in a room filled with ancient riddles and undead guardians, every choice you make will shape the story. **Learning Together** This game is specifically for **new players** and those curious about the MCDM roleplaying game. I am also new to this specific system, so this is a collaborative learning environment where patience is the primary rule. We will be using **Discord** for voice and **Foundry VTT** for our tactical maps and character sheets. You don’t need to know the rules to join—we will go over the basics of Power Rolls and Heroic Resources as we play. **The Setting and Theme** The adventure takes place in the world of Orden, a land of ancient saints and remote gods. We begin at the Boar and Bristle Inn before venturing into the overgrown Silver Forest. Deep within the woods lies the Delian Tomb—a place built to honor the "Knights Noble" who once protected these lands. To save Bess, you must not only survive the goblins but also honor the memory of the knights who came before you. I will provide a variety of pre-generated heroes to choose from so we can dive straight into the action!
Game style
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Combat Heavy
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(23)
3 years on StartPlaying
219 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Sets the Mood, Knows the Rules
About me
I've been a passionate D&D player since 1980, when I first discovered the game at the age of 8 through the treasured time spent playing with my father. My love for the game grew, and I began my journey as a DM at the age of 16. With over three decades of experience, I've come to appreciate the unique magic that unfolds when players take the reins and "write" their own adventures within the rich tapestry of the game world. As a DM, I strive to create an open, humorous atmosphere where players feel encouraged to explore, roleplay, and shape the story. I believe that the beauty of D&D lies in the non-linear nature of the narrative, and I take great joy in watching players craft their own paths. While I tend to focus more on roleplaying (around 70%) compared to combat (30%), I'm always happy to adapt to the preferences of my players. At my table, you'll find a welcoming environment where discussion and metagaming are not just tolerated but encouraged. I believe that open communication is key to creating a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. I do have a few house rules to keep things exciting, such as allowing Champion Fighters to crit on an 18 instead of a 19. However, I always make sure that the DM has the final say to maintain a smooth game flow. Ultimately, my goal is for players to walk away from my games with positive emotions and a desire to continue their D&D journey. I want them to feel that the time spent at my table was a worthy investment in their entertainment and a source of fond memories. If you're looking for a DM who is passionate, adaptable, and dedicated to creating an engaging and fun experience, I'd be honored to have you join one of my games
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Pre-generated Heroes Only: To make this as easy as possible for new players, we will be using official pre-generated characters. This allows us to jump straight into the story without spending hours on math or character builders. When to Choose: As you sign up, and join Discord Starting Level: All heroes are 1st Level (First Echelon). You are already powerful enough to take on a goblin hoard, but the mechanics remain simple enough to learn as we go. Ready in Foundry: I have already pre-loaded these heroes into Foundry VTT with all their stats, "Power Rolls," and "Heroic Abilities" ready to go. You just need to claim your sheet and you're ready to fight! Available Options: Dwarf Fury (Berserker): A powerhouse of physical might who builds Ferocity when taking or dealing damage. They excel at melee combat, using abilities like Brutal Slam to hurl enemies across the battlefield. Orc Conduit (Life and Sun): A divine leader who channels Piety to support the party. They can heal allies with Healing Grace and strike foes with Blessed Light, which grants extra surges to their teammates. High Elf Tactician (Vanguard): A battlefield commander who uses Focus to coordinate the team. They can "Mark" enemies to give allies an edge on attacks and use maneuvers like Now! to grant their friends extra strikes. Human Censor (Paragon): A holy warrior dedicated to justice who gains Wrath by judging the unrighteous. They can use Judgment to damage enemies who act in their presence and protect allies with abilities like The Gods Punish and Defend. Human Null (Metakinetic): A psionic tank who uses Discipline to manipulate kinetic energy. They can create a Null Field to dampen enemy powers and move with incredible speed using Inertial Step. Human Talent (Telepath): A master of the mind who uses Clarity to control the battlefield. They can hurl foes with Kinetic Grip, communicate telepathically, and even reflect ranged attacks back at enemies. Polder Elementalist (Fire): A destructive mage who builds Essence to unleash devastating flames. They can hurl balls of fire, teleport across the field, and even create a Wall of Fire to control enemy movement. Polder Shadow (College of Black Ash): A stealthy assassin who uses Insight and teleportation to strike from the dark. They gain advantages when attacking isolated targets and can vanish into plumes of smoke when in danger. Wode Elf Troubadour (Virtuoso): A magical performer who gains Drama as the battle intensifies. They use "Routines" to buff their allies' speed and can blast enemies backward with Power Chords.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
To ensure a smooth start to our DRAW STEEL learning session, please follow these steps to prepare before we begin: Discord Account: You will need a Discord account for voice communication and out-of-character chat during the game. Join the Discord Server: Once you sign up, you will receive a link to our dedicated Discord server. Please join this server at least 30 minutes before the start time to test your audio settings. Foundry VTT Access: We will be using Foundry VTT for our tactical maps and character sheets. You do not need to buy or download Foundry; I will provide a web link in Discord that allows you to join the game directly through your browser. No Rulebook Purchase Required: Since this is a "Learn to Play" session, you do not need to buy the core rulebooks. I will provide a Rules Reference sheet and explain all the mechanics, such as Power Rolls and Heroic Resources, as we play. Pre-generated Heroes: You do not need to create a character beforehand. I have pre-loaded a variety of heroes into Foundry, including the Orc Conduit, Dwarf Fury, and Human Talent. We will spend the first few minutes of the session introducing these characters so you can pick your favorite. Hardware: Please use a headset or a dedicated microphone and headphones to prevent audio feedback and background noise during the session. Patience: As noted in the description, this is a collaborative learning environment. Bring your questions and a bit of patience as we all learn the nuances of this new system together!
What Gabe brings to the table
In this session, I will provide everything you need to dive into the world of DRAW STEEL without any prior preparation. Here is what you can expect at my table: Pre-generated Heroes: I will provide a full roster of diverse 1st-level heroes, including the Orc Conduit, Dwarf Fury, and Human Talent, all pre-loaded into Foundry VTT. Rules References: I will provide a streamlined rules reference sheet so you don't have to memorize the core book; we will learn mechanics like Power Rolls and Heroic Resources together as they come up. Foundry VTT & Discord: I will provide a stable Foundry VTT environment with high-quality maps of the Delian Tomb and a Discord server for clear voice communication and ambient background tracks to set the mood. A Collaborative Learning Environment: My GM style for this one-shot is focused on patience and discovery. Since I am also learning this new system, we will embrace a "Rules as Intended" approach, focusing on the cinematic and heroic "feel" of the game while we navigate the mechanics. Heroic Stakes: You can expect a narrative where your characters are the primary focus. Whether you are solving the Riddle of the Four Knights or facing off against the Jagged Edge goblins, I prioritize making your hero feel powerful and significant to the story.
Homebrew rules
Rules as... What?: I am so new to DRAW STEEL that if I tried to homebrew a rule, I’d probably accidentally break the space-time continuum. We are sticking strictly to the book while I still have my training wheels on. The "Wait, Let Me Check" Clause: Since we are all learning together, the official "Homebrew" rule is that we will occasionally pause for 30 seconds to stare intensely at a PDF and say "Oh, so that's how that works." Director's Grace: My only real house rule is that we prioritize "Heroic" moments over "Correct" moments. If we get a rule wrong but it resulted in something epic, we’ll just learn the right way for the next turn and keep the awesome story beat!
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Gabe creates a safe table
Safety is a priority, especially when we are all diving into a new system together. Since this is a one-shot, we will integrate our safety discussion into the first few minutes of the session to ensure everyone is on the same page before the dice start rolling. Discord X-Cards: We will use Discord for our X-Card system. If at any point a scene or topic becomes uncomfortable, you can "X-Card" it by sending a message to the group or a private DM to me. We will immediately pause the action, edit the content, or skip forward—no explanation required. Open Communication: My Discord DMs are always open before, during, and after the session. If you need to "opt-out" of a specific interaction or need a break, you are always welcome to speak up or message me privately. Check-ins and Aftercare: At the end of the session, we will have a brief "Stars and Wishes" period. This is a chance to highlight what you enjoyed (Stars) and what you’d like to see more of or change in the future (Wishes), ensuring everyone leaves the table feeling good about the experience.
Content warnings
Safety tools used