Brand New Heroes: A Tier 1 Campaign for Beginners
A missing gem, rising tensions, and a climb through ancient mines. A simple mission becomes the first step in a much larger story.
$8.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Tuesday - 11:00 PM UTC
Mar 10 / Session 3
Session Duration / 3–4 hours
Campaign Length / 5–12 Sessions
2 / 5 Seats Filled
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Schedule
Meet your party members
2/5
About the adventure
This campaign is designed especially for brand new players who want to learn Dungeons & Dragons in a relaxed, welcoming environment. No experience is needed, and you don’t need to know the rules ahead of time. We’ll learn as we go, and questions are always encouraged. If you’ve been curious about D&D but weren’t sure where to start, this table is built for you. Our story begins in the Windward Mountains, where a stolen relic has put two cultures on the brink of conflict. You are new adventurers taking your first real job: climb into an abandoned mine, recover the missing gem, and try to keep the peace. What starts as a simple mission quickly grows into a larger story shaped by your decisions, alliances, and discoveries. This campaign will take characters from level 1 through level 5, with room to continue beyond if the group wishes. The game is roleplay-forward and story-driven, with a balance of exploration, problem-solving, and combat. Players who enjoy talking to characters, uncovering mysteries, and making meaningful choices will feel right at home. Violence is always an option in D&D, but it’s rarely the only solution, and the world will react to how you handle situations. My style as a GM is patient, supportive, and beginner-focused. I’ll guide you through character creation, explain rules as they come up, and make sure everyone has a chance to shine. This table is meant to be a comfortable place to learn, try things, and grow into your character without pressure to “play perfectly.” If you’re looking for your first D&D campaign, a friendly group, and a story where your choices truly matter, this is a great place to begin your adventure.
Game style
Roleplay Heavy
West Marches
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(2)
5 years on StartPlaying
4 games hosted
Highly rated for: Inclusive, Teacher, Storytelling
Average response time: 6 hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
I started running D&D as a kid in 1984 with a battered boxed set from a rummage sale, my brothers, and a couple of neighbors. I kept playing through the Satanic Panic years (sometimes underground), and I’m still doing what I love—helping the dice tell stories. I’ve played and run a wide range of systems, including D&D, Star Frontiers, and Boot Hill. By day, I’m a high school teacher (History, Geography, Government, and French), and by night I’m a published novelist—so clear communication, strong atmosphere, distinct characters, and meaningful choices are at the center of every game I run. I often say there are two kinds of tables: those that play a game with a story attached, and those that tell a story with a game attached. I run the latter. My style is story-forward and roleplay-focused, with room for tactics, humor, and heroics—but always with character at the center. I aim for tables where everyone shares the spotlight, which is why I cap my games at 4–5 players. My tables are inclusive, respectful, and welcoming. I’m also beginner-friendly. If you’re looking for immersive stories, shared spotlight, and a GM who treats your character as part of the narrative—not just a stat block—I’d love to have you at my table.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Character creation will take place before the first session, and no prior experience is needed. This game is designed for beginners, and I’m happy to guide you through the process. I offer an optional (and free) one-on-one session with each player to help build their character, talk through ideas, and make sure everything is ready for Session 1. If you’re new to D&D or unsure where to start, this is the easiest way to get comfortable before we begin. If you prefer to create your character on your own, please do so on D&D Beyond before the first session. You may use either the Standard Array or the Point Buy method to determine your ability scores. All characters will begin at Level 1. To keep things simple and balanced for new players, please build your character using options from the 2024 Player’s Handbook. If there’s something from another official source you’re interested in, just check with me first and I’ll be happy to take a look. If you’re not sure what to choose, that’s completely fine. I can suggest character ideas, help you pick a class, or walk you through the whole process. The goal is to create a character you’re excited to play, not to worry about making the “perfect” build.
The party currently consists of an elf ranger, an elf sorcerer, and a fairy druid.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
You will need to open free accounts on D&D Beyond and on Discord if you haven't already. I can walk you through this if needed. We will be using D&D Beyond to create and track characters, as well as using their MAPS virtual tabletop. We will be using Discord for voice/video chat (video is optional). I will walk you through the steps of joining my campaign.
What Scott brings to the table
As your GM, I focus on creating a welcoming, beginner-friendly experience where you can learn the game at your own pace and feel comfortable asking questions. I’ll guide you through the rules as they come up, help you understand what your character can do, and make sure everyone has a chance to be involved in the story. You don’t need to memorize anything ahead of time — I’ll handle the structure and help keep things moving. My games are story-driven and roleplay-forward, with a mix of exploration, problem-solving, and combat. I enjoy using character voices, descriptions, and a bit of ambient atmosphere to help bring the world to life, but the goal is always to keep things fun and approachable rather than overwhelming. Combat will be meaningful and easy to follow, especially for new players, and I’ll make sure everyone understands what’s happening and what their options are. I generally follow the rules, but I care more about a smooth and enjoyable experience than strict technical perfection. If something creative and exciting makes sense in the moment, I’m happy to allow it. At the same time, I keep the game fair and consistent so everyone feels like they understand how things work. Most importantly, this is a supportive table. Players are encouraged to try things, make mistakes, and learn as they go. You don’t have to know the “right” way to play — you just have to show up ready to take part in the adventure.
Homebrew rules
Since this is serving as an introduction to D&D, we will generally stick to the rules as written. Any departures/exceptions we do make in-game will be explained as such as needed.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Scott creates a safe table
Session 0 material will be handled before the first session. Each player will be provided with a link to my lines and veils document. All players will be informed of lines and veils present for the session. Should lines be crossed, the game will be paused and the breech will be discussed. Should there be anything that any player needs to discuss or debrief after the session, I will keep an open door policy. I will make players aware of this before the session and remind them at session's close.
Content warnings
Safety tools used