Beneath the Black Rose (ONE-SHOT LV6 5e 2014)

Creating your character

Starting Level: 6 Classes & Subclasses: Any option available on D&D Beyond. Once you join, you’ll get a campaign link that unlocks all of my spells, subclasses, classes, species, and more. Starting Gold: Standard starting equipment + 50 gp Process: Characters should be made on D&D Beyond before Session

Preparing for the session

Preparation Before Session, please make sure you have the following ready: D&D Beyond Account: You’ll receive a campaign link that gives you access to all unlocked content (classes, subclasses, spells, species, etc.). Character Creation: Begin exploring your character concept before Session0, but don’t finalize until the end of Session 0. We’ll finish building sheets together and tie them into the story. If you are in a one shot, please disregard the first half of this, you can start and finish your character, then please send me a link to look it over before game. Discord Account: All campaign communication (announcements, scheduling, in-game chat) will run through Discord. AboveVTT / VTT Setup: Install the AboveVTT browser extension so you can link your D&D Beyond sheet directly into our virtual tabletop. ** I can help you with this if you need assistance. Tech Requirements: -A working mic and stable internet connection are required. -A quiet room is ideal. I understand life happens and outside sounds exist, but please try to limit distractions. -A webcam isn’t required, but it’s preferred—it helps with flow, prevents players from talking over one another, and allows us to share expressions and reactions. Player Prep -Player Goal ( Campaign only): Think about one personal goal your character wants to achieve. It should matter deeply to them, but not overshadow the entire campaign. Not sure what works? Ask me and we’ll brainstorm together. -Personal NPC ( Campaign only): Create one NPC tied to your character (family member, friend, rival, nemesis, etc.). They must be mortal. I’ll use them in the world to deepen your story.

What Freydis brings to the table

As your Storyteller, I aim to create a game that is immersive, story-driven, and full of memorable moments. Here’s what you can expect at my table: Immersive Storytelling: I weave rich lore, descriptive environments, and narrative hooks so that your characters feel like they truly belong in the world. I encourage roleplay and character-driven choices, and I’ll use your backstories, personal goals, and NPC ties to bring the game to life. ** Some of this may only apply to Campaign games. Character Voices & Atmosphere: I use character voices and mannerisms for NPCs to help distinguish them and make roleplay engaging. Combat Style: Expect combat that is tactical and dangerous, but also cinematic. I value smart player choices and creative solutions. If you think outside the box and describe something exciting, I lean into the Rule of Cool when it makes sense, but I keep the core rules in place for fairness and consistency. Player Focus: Every player deserves spotlight time. I make sure each character has chances to shine, whether through combat, exploration, or roleplay. If you bring personal goals or NPCs, I’ll weave them into the campaign so your character feels central to the story. Organization & Tools: You’ll have access to all of my unlocked content on D&D Beyond, streamlined play through AboveVTT, and a dedicated Discord server for scheduling and chat. WE even have weekly polls to help you learn your character. Above all, I provide a table where collaboration and fun come first. The story is ours to build together, and I’m here to make sure it’s epic, challenging, and unforgettable.

Homebrew rules

Critical Hits On a natural 20 attack roll, calculate the maximum possible damage of the attack, then roll as normal and add the result to that maximum. Example: A 1st-level Eldritch Blast deals 1d10 damage. The maximum roll is 10. If you roll a 6, add it to the max: 10 + 6 = 16 force damage. For attacks or spells that require a saving throw, if the target rolls a natural 1, you inflict maximum damage for that action. These rules help keep critical moments feeling truly critical. Flanking You gain advantage when you and an ally are positioned on exact opposite sides of a target, and both of you are in melee range of that enemy. Assisting Skill Checks To assist another character on a skill check, you must be proficient in that skill. If you are not proficient, you’ll need to explain how your character could realistically contribute despite their lack of training. Grappling (5.5 Rule) When you attempt to grapple, the target makes a Strength or Dexterity saving throw (their choice). DC: 8 + your Strength modifier + your proficiency bonus Requirements: You must have a free hand, and the target cannot be more than one size larger than you. On a failed save, the target is Grappled. Potions Potions work differently depending on how you use them: Drinking a Potion (Action): You may use your action to drink a potion and automatically receive the maximum possible healing or effect (no dice roll). Example: A Potion of Healing (2d4+2) restores 10 HP when drunk as an action. Drinking a Potion (Bonus Action): You may drink a potion as a bonus action, but you must roll the dice for its effect. Example: A Potion of Healing (2d4+2) would be rolled normally. Administering a Potion to Another (Action): Giving or feeding a potion to another creature always requires your action. The recipient must roll for the result. Handing Off a Potion (Free Object Interaction): You may hand a potion to another creature as part of your free object interaction on your turn. This system is designed to make potions useful in clutch moments without slowing combat, while still keeping bonus action use a riskier gamble. Intimidation Barbarians may use Strength instead of Charisma when making Intimidation checks. Social Skill Checks Roleplay your social interactions as best you can. Once the roleplay is complete, I’ll ask for a roll. If you really lean into the roleplay, I may grant advantage on the check. Currency To simplify bookkeeping, all transactions use gold pieces (GP) only. Every item or treasure will have a GP value attached. Instead of writing down “3 paintings and a bag of jewels,” simply add the total GP value to your character sheet. If you want to keep a specific item for roleplay or flavor, you may—but its value will be deducted from the total. This reduces long shopping episodes and assumes most bartering happens off-screen.

How Freydis creates a safe table

Player comfort and safety are top priorities at my table. D&D is meant to be fun and collaborative, and I want to make sure everyone feels respected and supported while we play. Open Door Policy: My door is always open. If something is bothering you—before, during, or after a session—you can message me privately, and we’ll work together to address it. Lines & Veils: Before we begin, I provide an anonymous Lines & Veils document for players to fill out. This helps define clear boundaries around sensitive content. The results are collected and shared with the group during Session 0 so we all know the table’s comfort zones. X/N/O Safety Tools: During sessions, we use a simple hand-sign system to quickly communicate comfort levels without breaking immersion: X = Thumbs Down: Stop the scene immediately. We pause, breathe, and adjust. Players can step away if needed. N = Sideways Thumb: We’re close to a boundary. I’ll fade the scene out and shift scenes. O = Thumbs Up: Everything is fine—keep going as is. Aftercare: At the end of heavier sessions, I’ll check in with the group to make sure everyone is feeling good. If difficult themes arise, we’ll debrief and reset before the next game. Together, these tools create a respectful and supportive space where we can explore dangerous jungles, curses, and tombs in-game—while knowing everyone at the table is safe and comfortable out of game.