Blood Wars & Bitter Ends: The BG3 Origins Campaign

Creating your character

If you have a character already created or you are confident in your ability, feel free to create a lvl 1 character in DndBeyond before the session! Use any official D&D book to develop your race and class, and if you're unsure what to do for stats, Standard Array is great! (8, 10, 12, 13, 14, and 15 in whichever stats you choose) If you're new and want to create a character, reach out on the Discord, in StartPlaying messenger or via email and I'd be happy to book an hour long pre session for free to help create a character!

Preparing for the session

Please create accounts on DndBeyond, Roll20 and Discord. Discord channel invites and Roll20 game links will be available once you purchase a seat at the table.

What Drew brings to the table

What I Provide A Cinematic Experience: I use curated Ambient Music and Soundscapes (including tracks you might recognize from the BG3 score!) to set the mood, whether you’re in a smoky tavern in the Lower City or on the blood-soaked plains of Avernus. Immersive Narrative: I utilize Character Voices, trying my best to match the familiar ones, as well as evocative descriptions to bring the world to life. When you speak with a familiar BG3 companion or bargain with a Devil, it will feel like a fully-realized encounter. Visual Integration: You’ll have access to high-quality Digital Maps and tokens. We will use Roll20, a virtual table top (VTT), and I ensure it’s set up for ease of use so you can focus on the story, not the software. My GM Style The Rule of Cool: While I know the rules of D&D 5e inside and out, I will always prioritize a creative, awesome moment over a strict "math" limitation. If you want to use the environment to crush a cultist—just like throwing a grease bottle in the video game—I’m going to help you make it happen. Tactical but Flowing Combat: I love the tactical depth of D&D, but I keep combat fast-paced and narrative. Expect "Environment Hazards" and dynamic objectives beyond just "hit the goblin until it dies." Player-Driven Storytelling: Just like the branching paths of the video game, your choices matter. I don’t "railroad"; if you decide to make a deal with a devil instead of fighting them, the entire trajectory of the campaign will change. Safe & Inclusive Space: I use safety tools (like the X-card and Lines/Veils) to ensure that while the themes are dark and hellish, everyone at the table feels comfortable and respected.

Homebrew rules

I believe every critical hit should do a lot of damage, and there's nothing worse than rolling low on your extra Crit damage dice. That's why I use this homebrewed Crit Damage rule that I learned from a fellow DM! Critical Hits do max damage plus an additional damage dice! That means if your weapon does 1D8+4, max damage is the damage you'd do if you rolled an 8, so 12! Plus an additional hit dice which in this case is a D8! So roll a D8, add 12 to the roll, and that's your Crit damage! With Crits on spells, to avoid clerics one-shotting my bosses with 4d6 max damage Guiding Bolt at level 1 - you get a max on just one of the dice. So for guiding bolt you get one auto 6, and roll the other three D6. Same can be said about sneak attack damage and other multi dice weapon attacks.

How Drew creates a safe table

While we are diving into the darker corners of Baldur’s Gate and the First Layer of Hell, my primary goal is to ensure everyone at the table feels safe, respected, and comfortable. D&D works best when the players feel secure enough to take risks! Lines and Veils: Before the sessions, I will provide a digital Lines and Veils document. This allows everyone to anonymously (or openly) list topics that are completely off-limits (Lines) or things that should stay "off-screen" or be handled with caution (Veils). Digital Safety Tools (X, N, & O): We utilize a digital X-Card system through Roll 20. At any point in the game you can signal an X (stop the scene), N (caution/rephrase), or O (I’m good/keep going, no questions asked. Open Communication & Aftercare: At the end of our sessions, I hold a brief aftercare session. You can share what you loved, and share how you are feeling about some of the darker subject matter from the campaign. Inclusive Environment: My table is strictly LGBTQ+ friendly and inclusive. Any form of harassment or bigotry—in-game or out—will result in an immediate removal from the session.