Tyranny of the Dragons Season 1: Scales of Tyranny
A cult hunts forbidden dragon masks… shadows stir, secrets await—will you uncover the truth before tyranny reigns?
Free
Details
Weekly / Thursday - 11:00 PM UTC
Session Duration / 2–5 hours
Campaign Length / 2–6 Sessions
6 / 7 Seats Filled
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Schedule
Meet your party members
6/7
About the adventure
This campaign is set in the Sword Coast, a region filled with bustling cities, haunted ruins, and dangerous wilds. You’ll travel across kingdoms—through burning villages, shadowed forests, and ancient strongholds—pursuing the cult as their plan unfolds. Each location is alive with choices, allies, and enemies that respond to your actions. This is Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, but with a cinematic twist. Expect a balance of: 🎭 Roleplay – Every NPC has a voice, a motive, and secrets. Choices matter, and the world reacts to you. ⚔️ Tactical Combat – Battles are built for both veterans and newcomers. Expect set-piece encounters against cult fanatics, mercenaries, and dragons themselves. 🗝️ Exploration & Mystery – Clues hide in forgotten ruins, stolen tomes, and whispered legends. Unraveling the cult’s plan is as important as stopping their blades. We’ll play on Foundry VTT with Original/Custom maps, tokens, and immersive visuals created through original maps and Dungeondraft—bringing each scene to life like you’ve stepped into an illustrated storybook. This is not a by-the-book run of Hoard of the Dragon Queen. Over 4 years of hosting, I’ve rebuilt and expanded the Tyranny of Dragons storyline into something new: A living world that reacts to your choices. A reimagined villain arc where the Cult serves a hidden agenda beyond Tiamat’s chains. Custom bosses and encounters that feel fresh even to veteran players. Season structure: Masks of Tyranny is Season 1 of a larger saga. For those who continue, Season 2 (The Five Sins of Tiamat) raises the stakes even higher. This means whether you’re a brand-new adventurer rolling dice for the first time, or a seasoned veteran who’s seen every official module, you’ll find something here to surprise and challenge you. 🆕 New Players: Don’t worry if you’ve never touched D&D before. I’ll guide you through the rules, help you build your character, and make sure you always feel part of the story. 🎲 Veterans: If you crave something familiar yet unpredictable—classic modules rebuilt with fresh twists, cinematic villains, and higher stakes—you’ll feel right at home. Masks of Tyranny is a campaign of mystery, danger, and discovery. You’ll chase shadows, confront dragons, and uncover forgotten truths that could change the Realms forever. The cult is already moving, the masks are being claimed, and the clock is ticking. Will you rise against tyranny—or be consumed by it?
Game style
Combat Heavy
Realm Building
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Theater of the Mind
Meet the Game Master
4.4
(7)
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Creativity, Rule of Cool, Storytelling
About me
Hi there! Names Ivan, and I have been a GM for 4 years of experience. I am a military veteran and I host Dungeons and Dragons campaigns for many players all across the world during my time in service with soldiers who also enjoy Dungeons and Dragons and want to make time to play. Quick warning that my DMing is descriptive as well other profanity you will hear and experience. If this is isn't your cup of tea, I won't blame you for finding another DM to host. I know not everyone will be please, but I will host to give the best experience I can. I been using the FoundryVTT server to host multiple sessions, who I team up with TheForgeVTT to have players to enter the server and enjoy the adventures. For new players, you need to sign up TheForgeVTT in order the server invite will work. Don't worry it is free to sign up to play. I have enjoy creating homebrew on campaigns, items, backstory etc. to bring the players to enjoy of their characters being involved and mentioned during sessions. I also like to homebrew original campaigns. My most successful Homebrew Campaign I run is Tyranny of Dragons. I alter the chapters, locations, enemies and plots, but still retain the original plot of the story and have players enjoying the alternate story line. I also do original campaigns, leaving the homebrews off the shelves for players who wants to keep it original. I do Discord to make text and/or call for the group when we do Session zero before we begin the campaign. Content Warnings and Safety for players to be comfortable to play. Just let me know and I will keep it in note to keep this a safe environment. I will do my best to answer questions for new players or vet players if anything involves the session. So... ready to go on an adventure?
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
-Starting Level for Season 1 will be Level 1. I am allowing multiple ruling (Rick and Morty, Critical Role, etc.). I will be adding Homebrew to keep things interesting as well write a backstory that will give me ideas to bring that story into the campaign that will aligned. I care for the character to come to life that will bring character development. -Characters created in DND Beyond so you can send me the Character Sheet Link and I'll import it into the FoundryVTT.
⚖ Table Expectations Respect fellow players Be ready at session start Stay engaged Communicate absences 📌 Participation Policy – 3 Strike Rule To keep the campaign active and fair: Strike 1: No-show without notice Strike 2: Repeated absence or inactivity Strike 3: Removal from the campaign Seats are limited. If a player attends once and disappears without communication, their seat may be opened for committed players waiting to join. Life happens — communication prevents strikes. 🐲 What You Are Signing Up For You will face: Dragons before you are ready Cult generals with real strategy Moral choices that test your resolve Loss Triumph that feels earned If you are looking for a challenging, cinematic, character-driven campaign where actions matter and danger is real — you are in the right place. Faerûn is on the brink. Let’s see if you survive Season 1.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Sign up to the https://forge-vtt.com/ as a player. It is free for players and only I as the GM pays for the Foundry VTT server. Once payment is paid I will send you the invitation to the Discord Chat and DND Beyond Campaign (Optional, let me know), then the Foundry VTT Invitation. (Type name of the player and character and I will add it to the sign in). To make sure we start smoothly, please complete the following before game time: Join the Group Chat We’ll use Discord for voice and group communication. You’ll receive a link after booking. Please test your microphone ahead of time. Create Your Character Use D&D Beyond to build your character (Level 1 unless noted otherwise). Send me the shareable link at least 24 hours before the session so I can upload your sheet into Foundry. Access the Virtual Table We’ll play on Foundry VTT. You don’t need to purchase anything—just a modern browser (Chrome or Firefox recommended). Test your connection before the session to avoid delays. Have Dice Ready Foundry has a built-in dice roller, but you’re welcome to roll physical dice at home if you prefer. Bring Your Adventurer’s Spirit Whether you’re new or a veteran, come ready to roleplay, roll dice, and have fun. I will host Discord for us to chat. Foundry VTT to see the tokens, map and the events. -You are required for a Discord account, The Forge account, and DND Beyond.
What Ivan brings to the table
-I am practicing voice acting, using VoiceMod to bring the NPC to life. -Allow Rule of Cool. -Inspirations are no not an additional dice roll. Instead they are a reroll if failed checks, saves, etc. You can hold up to four, and no. I don't allow Inspiration donations to other players. They are strictly your inspirations to use. -Nemesis Systems if the players have caused an action for an NPC who will now see them as sworn enemies and return in the later sessions. -
Homebrew rules
Critical Rolls That Matter A Natural 20 isn’t just extra damage. It’s a moment that tips the balance of the battle. Players describe their strike, and I weave an aftermath effect—a debuff on the enemy, a shift in morale, or a permanent mark on the story. A Natural 1 creates lasting consequences. It might be a mistake the enemy remembers, a comedic blunder that becomes table legend, or a scar that shapes your character’s story. At my table, crits always matter—good or bad. Personal Side Quests Every character’s backstory matters. I create homebrew side quests tied directly to your history, flaws, and goals. These quests align with the main campaign, giving your character development weight and weaving your personal journey into the party’s epic saga.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Headphones
Platforms used
Safety
How Ivan creates a safe table
In session 0 I will welcome them to the chat and have the players introduce ourselves. Get to know a bit of about ourselves. I will assist the players who need help or having trouble logging in the FoundryVTT. Help with the DND character creation as well answer questions that they are curious to know before we begin the session. I will do snack/bathroom/smoke breaks after every 45 min of sessions. Limited to 10 minutes. After the session ends, I will ask for review of what they like and keep it for future sessions. Then I will ask if there is any improvements I need to make so I can I practice on it and prepare it on the next session.
Content warnings
Safety tools used