Dragon Academy

Creating your character

If you have not created a character before or are new to the game: Feel free to contact me when you join, or I'll contact you when I can, and I'll guide you in creating a character step by step. By request, I can also give you pre-made characters that you can choose from, or modify them to better suit you as a player. If most players are new, a free session zero will be scheduled before we start playing. If you have played and created characters before: Create a standard level 1 character using 4d6 (drop lowest) for stats, any class from an official source is welcome, any race is welcome as long as it comes from an online source, if it's too OP or too lackluster, we can adjust it, but mostly everything is welcome. I will also share a backstory template with prompt questions and basic information about the game world (in-world common knowledge) so you can give your character a flavor that matches the game and the story you want to live. Writing more backstory than what the sample questions will provide is welcome but not necessary, and if it is vastly long I won't be able to read it, but feel free to keep it to yourself and play by it (within reason for a level 1 character, i.e. anything like "my character has slain thousands of dragons" will be considered lies by others)

Preparing for the session

Have a Discord account ready, headphones and microphone, and a stable internet connection. I will share the Discord server through which we will play, there will be channels where you can message me or other players, ask questions, keep your character sheets, notes (if you don't mind them being public), quick-reference spells or skills, and roll virtual dice if needed. For battles and most dungeons we will use Tabletop Simulator on Steam, so have a Steam account ready, and purchase the game if you can. If you can't use Tabletop Simulator for any reason, we would ask a different player if they can share their screen in Discord (much appreciated!), if not, I can share screen captures of the battlefield or dungeon as it progresses through Discord, just understand that fully being in Tabletop Simulator works better for immersion, but it's not strictly necessary to start playing.

What Xerosolar brings to the table

I will bring new mechanics for animal companions, the chance to tame your own custom dragon just as you like it; tactical combat that requires movement and smart spell/attack usage; a friendly and welcoming environment where everyone is safe and is free to share what they're comfortable with and what they're not; an engaging and atmospheric soundtrack for every occasion; freedom for the players to choose their own adventure; and a vast, broken world that is in trouble and needs their help.

Homebrew rules

(Any homebrew rule can be discussed, if nobody likes it we can remove it) Critical hit damage: If a die would be doubled, one deals max damage and the other is rolled instead (2d6 becomes 6+1d6) No inspiration: moments of brilliance or great play will be rewarded with secret complications for the enemies instead, making the players' lives easier. Slots for carry weight: Every item of roughly 5 pounds takes 1 slot; characters have 3 slots for every STR score point (not modifier) i.e. 30 slots for 10 STR. I'll say "click" when a trap is triggered so players can react before the trap takes effect. Healing potions heal max if used as an action, roll to know heal amount if using it as a bonus action. Improvise as a bonus action (+ Dip weapons, from Baldur's Gate 3) Coyote time: When a character jumps or is pushed into a pit, they start falling when their turn ends, so players have a chance to react and do something about it. Body part targeting for large enemies: Taking body parts to 0 HP somehow affects the enemy, removing one of their skills or hampering their movement. Bloodied: At half HP, some enemies might change how they fight, or acquire new actions. Spell rules-lite: Players can change how spells work if it doesn't break the game. Can ignore casting time if it's not action, bonus action, or reaction, except for high-level game-changing spells, or tense situations. Can ignore material costs unless it's an important ritual or game-changing spell. Spell fusion: Two spells from different players can be used at the same time, if they make sense they can combine for a different or enhanced effect, especially with synergizing elements, or stacking heal+restoration spells. "And here's what you don't see": Players POV will be out momentarily to show things happening somewhere else, mostly to react to players actions or big events.

How Xerosolar creates a safe table

Before starting we will make a Lines and Veils list together and it will be shared and pinned in the Discord. We will have one or a few short breaks in the middle of a session, and everyone is free to leave at any point (just mute and deafen your device to know you're not present). The X, N, and O cards will be present in Tabletop Simulator, or you can just type the single letter ("X", "N" or "O") in either the Discord or Tabletop Simulator chat so I can know if we're getting to a topic we shouldn't get to.