The Red Hand of Doom — A 5E Campaign of War and Resistance

Creating your character

CHARACTER CREATION Character creation happens before the campaign begins, with support available as needed. We’ll connect on Discord, discuss your concept, and make sure your character fits both the setting and the group. Final details can be adjusted during the first session if needed. All officially published D&D 5e material is allowed. Homebrew and third-party content are not used. Ability scores are generated using Point Buy. Standard starting equipment from your class and background is used. Characters will begin at level 3. Characters should have a meaningful tie to the Elsir Vale. You are not random adventurers passing through. The region matters to you in some way, whether through family, service, loyalty, unfinished business, or personal ambition. I’m happy to help you develop this connection if you’re unsure where to start. Each character should define one ally in the Vale and one rival or strained relationship. These connections will appear in play and help ground the campaign in personal stakes. Your character should also have a clear motivation and one meaningful secret. These do not need to be dramatic or complicated, but they should matter if revealed. This is a war-focused campaign. Characters can be heroic, pragmatic, flawed, or conflicted, but they must be willing to work with the group and engage with the world. Joke characters or lone-wolf concepts will not fit the tone. If you are new to D&D, help is available throughout the process. We can build your character together and make sure you feel confident before the first session.

Preparing for the session

PLAYER PREPARATION Before the first session, players should complete the following steps. Create a free account on The Forge, which is used to host the Foundry VTT game. Have an active Discord account for voice chat and table communication. Access to D&D Beyond is optional but supported if you prefer to manage your character there. Players should use a reasonably modern computer capable of running Foundry VTT with animated maps, along with a stable internet connection and a working microphone. A webcam is optional but preferred. An updated web browser such as Chrome or Firefox is recommended. The game will be run in Foundry via The Forge, and no purchase of Foundry is required. An invite link will be provided before the first session. Players are encouraged to log in ahead of time to confirm that everything loads correctly. Voice chat will be handled through Discord during sessions. An invite to the campaign server will be provided before play begins. Push-to-talk is recommended but optional. Characters should be created using the provided character creation guidelines and submitted for review before the first session. Be ready to briefly introduce your character and their tie to the Elsir Vale. The campaign begins with the party already working together in a loose, professional capacity. A shared backstory is not required, but characters should reasonably know and trust one another. The campaign does not begin with strangers meeting for the first time. If technical issues come up before play begins, assistance is available to help get things set up.

What David Amodeo (Actual Play Entertainment) brings to the table

WHAT I PROVIDE AS A GM I run a prepared, structured campaign with clear direction and meaningful player agency. Sessions are planned in advance, encounters have purpose, and pacing is intentional so the story builds without rushing important moments. Combat is tactical and engaging. Enemies use terrain, positioning, and coordination, and fights reward teamwork and smart decisions. I run rules as written whenever possible so players can rely on consistency, and I make clear, fair rulings when needed to keep the game moving. The focus is clarity and trust at the table. I use Foundry VTT with high-quality animated maps, dynamic lighting, and premium assets to support both tactical play and atmosphere. Visuals are there to enhance understanding and immersion, not overwhelm it. Roleplay is grounded in distinct NPC personalities and consistent characterization. I use voices when it fits naturally, but clarity always comes first. Political tension, dialogue, and personal relationships influence events in ways that feel connected to your actions. Music and ambient sound are used thoughtfully to support tone, especially during combat or high-pressure scenes. My style emphasizes consequence without hostility. Player choices matter, success feels earned, and setbacks move the story forward rather than shutting it down. The challenge comes from the world and its logic, not from me trying to defeat the party. At the table, I value focus, engagement, and mutual respect. In return, you can expect a consistent, immersive campaign that delivers challenge, fairness, and memorable moments.

How David Amodeo (Actual Play Entertainment) creates a safe table

SAFETY & TABLE CULTURE Player comfort matters at this table. This is a war-focused campaign that may include heavy themes, but the goal is for everyone to feel safe engaging with the story. This table is open to anyone who shows up in good faith and treats others with respect. Harassment, bullying, or consistently disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. You don’t have to agree with everyone, but you do need to play cooperatively. An open-door policy is always in effect. You can step away, pause, or raise concerns at any time without needing to explain yourself. During the first session, we’ll review tone, boundaries, and safety tools so expectations are clear from the start. At the end of each session, we use a brief Stars and Wishes check-in. It’s a simple way to highlight what worked well and share anything you’d like to see more or less of moving forward. I also pay attention to spotlight balance. Everyone should have room to contribute, make decisions, and be involved in the action. The aim is a serious but supportive environment where players can take risks in character and trust that the game is being run with fairness, care, and respect.