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Learn to Play D&D - Legends of the Triboar Trail
A beginner D&D campaign where your choices shape the frontier.
$35.00
/ Session
Details
7 players following this game
Weekly / Sunday - 6:00 PM UTC
Oct 11 / Session 8
Session Duration / 3–3.5 hours
Campaign Length / 15+ Sessions
3 / 6 Seats Filled
Top Game Master
One of StartPlaying's top-rated GMs, a player favorite and highly recommended.
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Schedule
Meet your party members
3/6
About the adventure
A shadow passes overhead. High above the Sword Mountains, a white dragon circles. Frost creeps along the Triboar Trail. Wagons stand abandoned, their wheels frozen in place. Travelers and monsters alike lie buried beneath the snow. Meanwhile, the frontier town of Phandalin grows uneasy. The orcs press closer from the mountains. Trade caravans vanish. Supplies run thin. There is no army coming. No famous heroes. Just miners, merchants, farmers... and whoever chooses to stand up. Who will stand between the frontier and the coming storm? 🎲 Never played D&D before? You're my favorite kind of player to run for! You don't need to know the rules. You don't need to study. If you can describe what your character tries to do, you can play. I explain the rules gradually, in plain language, when they matter. Most players start here with zero experience and immediately feel confident exploring, roleplaying, and making decisions within a single session. 🧭 Your choices shape what happens This is a player-driven adventure. You decide which quest to take next, who to trust, and how to approach or solve problems. Ignored threats may grow worse. Every good deed is remembered. The region opens up based on what the party chooses to do. 🌿 A relaxed and welcoming table There's no pressure to perform or use voices and there's never a "right" answer. I handle the mechanics so you can focus on ideas, roleplay, and creative problem solving. I'll give advice or offer suggestions as needed, otherwise tell me what you want to do (or attempt) and I'll walk you through it. Everyone gets time in the spotlight. Quieter players get invited in and no one player dominates the story. ⚔️ A game that keeps moving There is always space for exploration, roleplay, and clever plans but I keep the session going so we're always moving forward. 🎭 A fully supported digital table We play using Foundry VTT with: - illustrated battle maps - music and ambient sound - dynamic combat visuals - artwork and handouts - distinct NPCs Everything is designed to help with immersion and ease of play. 🛠 Before the adventure begins Every campaign starts with a dedicated Session 0 (about 3 hours). This session ensures everyone feels comfortable before the story begins. During Session 0 we will: - learn the basics of D&D in plain language - create characters together - discuss tone and expectations - set safety tools (Lines & Veils, X-Card, Open Door) - walk through Foundry step by step - create connections between the characters Joining after the campaign has started? No problem. I offer one-on-one onboarding so you can enter the game confidently. We can always make edits later, and I'm always available between sessions for questions. ⭐ What players have said “SO helpful in learning D&D.” “I felt comfortable enough to actually roleplay.” “I’ve tried other beginner games, but this one actually teaches you.”
Game style
Dungeon Crawl
Hexcrawl / Exploration
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Sandbox / Open World
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(28)
1 year on StartPlaying
115 games hosted
Highly rated for: Beginner Friendly, Inclusive, Creativity
About me
Hi, I’m Ryan (he/him), the GM behind Tafelavontuur. I specialize in teaching Dungeons & Dragons to new players. My goal is simple: help people feel comfortable, confident, and excited to play. At my table players learn the game naturally as situations arise. Questions are encouraged, and no one is expected to memorize rules ahead of time. The focus stays on creativity, teamwork, and enjoying the adventure. My games are player-driven and flexible. I enjoy rewarding clever ideas, creative problem solving, and character moments that make the world feel alive. Safety and inclusion are also important to me. I use clear safety tools, establish expectations early, and check in with players when needed so the table stays respectful and welcoming. Whether you’re brand new to tabletop RPGs or simply looking for a relaxed and supportive GM, you can expect a game that is welcoming, well-paced, and focused on shared enjoyment. If you’re curious about D&D but a little nervous to try it, you’re exactly the kind of player I love running games for.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
All you need to bring is curiosity and imagination. Think about characters you enjoy from books, anime, games, or mythology. Maybe someone who commands magic like Gandalf or Frieren, moves through the shadows like Ezio Auditore or Batman, or someone who is always charing into danger. We’ll use those ideas as inspiration and build something unique for you. You don’t need to know the rules or the options ahead of time. I guide the process step by step so your character fits the world, works well with the party, and feels exciting for you to play. By the end, you’ll have a character that feels like your own hero in the story.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
We play online using two simple tools. 🎙 Discord is used for voice chat during the session. You’ll need a microphone and a free Discord account. Discord can run directly in your browser or through the optional web/phone app. Please make sure you have a quiet place to play where you won't be interrupted. 🗺 Foundry (virtual tabletop) is used for maps, character sheets, and dice rolling. The game is hosted through Sqyre (website/hosting service) so you can join directly from your browser without installing anything. Chrome is recommended, and settings can be tweaked for weaker PCs or laptops. Mobile is not recommended, but a perspective can be streamed so you never miss out on the fun. I'm always available to help make sure everything works so you can join the game without technical stress. Reach out if you have any questions!
What Ryan - Tafelavontuur brings to the table
I specialize in helping new players learn Dungeons & Dragons in a relaxed, supportive environment. Rules are explained in plain language as they come up, so no one feels overwhelmed or left behind. Questions are always welcome, and mistakes are treated as part of learning. My tables focus on collaboration, curiosity, and creativity. Players are encouraged to experiment, try bold ideas, and discover what makes the game fun for them. My ethos is that every table is playing its own version of D&D, so I try to run the best game I can for each group based on their style and tastes. Some like more plot, some like more loot, but everyone wants to feel like their choices matter.
Homebrew rules
The 2024/5.5e rules already allow characters to adjust certain abilities as they grow. At my table we take that flexibility a little further. If you discover that an ability, spell, or feature isn’t as fun as you hoped, we can adjust it. You’re never locked into the choices you made on day one. As you learn the game and discover what you enjoy, your character can evolve with you. I'll make judgements or rulings that I think will make the game more fun, whether that means it helps serve the narrative or gets crunchy mechanics out of the way or just rewards creative problem solving. But I always let you know what the "rules say" so that you know what to expect when you go to another table. There's no point in only learning "my" version of D&D.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Ryan - Tafelavontuur creates a safe table
This table is designed to be welcoming, respectful, and comfortable for everyone. Most players here are trying D&D for the first time. Others come from different backgrounds, identities, and levels of experience. Everyone deserves to feel safe participating in the game. To support that, I use clear safety practices. Session 0 gives us a chance to talk about expectations, comfort levels, and any accessibility needs. We establish table guidelines and introduce safety tools such as Lines & Veils, the X-Card, and Open Door policies. Throughout the campaign I check in regularly and keep communication open so players can speak up if something doesn’t feel right. When expectations are clear and everyone feels respected, it becomes much easier to relax and enjoy the story together.
Content warnings
Safety tools used