The Outside Is Approaching

Creating your character

Character creation for this campaign will take place before and during Session 0. Before our first session, players should begin developing their characters by brainstorming backgrounds, choosing races and classes, and rolling stats. You do not need to finalize every detail ahead of time, but coming in with a solid concept will help the process move smoothly. Session 0 will focus on finalizing mechanics, aligning backstories, and weaving connections between party members. It will also include light roleplay and an introduction to the world’s tone and setting. Any race and class is allowed other than Humans, as they do not exist in Isteria. Starting Level: 3 Ability Scores: Roll 4d6, reroll 1s, and drop the lowest die from each set. Bonus Feat: Each character gains one feat at Level 1, in addition to their normal features. Feats from the Player’s Handbook or official 5e sources are welcome. Starting Magic Item: Each character begins with one Common or Uncommon magic item of their choice. This item should tie meaningfully into your backstory: a gift from a mentor, a relic from your homeland, or a recovered artifact from the ruins. All official 5e books are allowed, and homebrew materials may be discussed in advance.

Preparing for the session

1. Join the Discord Server This will be our central hub for communication, announcements, scheduling, roleplay chats, and session coordination. → https://discord.gg/cvweZKjRXW Once joined, make sure to: Read the #read-first channel Introduce yourself in the appropriate channel. Set your nickname to your character’s name (once finalized). Turn on notifications for game updates. 2. Create a Roll20 Account We’ll be using Roll20 for virtual tabletop gameplay, maps, combat, and dice rolling. → Go to https://roll20.net and make a free account. → Once your account is ready, join the campaign by using the link provided to you upon joining. 3. Attend Session 0 This is required before the campaign officially begins. We’ll: Finalize character sheets and backstories. Talk tone, expectations, safety tools, and house rules.

What Lazaro brings to the table

As your GM, I focus on creating an immersive, story-driven experience where player choices genuinely matter and the world reacts in believable ways. Sessions are thoughtfully prepared, but flexible, allowing the narrative to grow naturally from character decisions rather than forcing the party down a fixed path. Your backstories, goals, and relationships will shape the direction of the campaign, and the story will adapt to what you care about. While I am not big on character voices, I lean heavily into atmosphere and presentation. I use curated ambient music and soundscapes to set tone, build tension, and support emotional moments, and I provide custom battlemaps designed to make combat and exploration feel grounded and cinematic. My strength as a GM lies in description, pacing, and scene framing, helping players visualize the world clearly even without dramatic voice acting. Combat is purposeful and engaging, blending tactical elements with narrative stakes. Fights are designed to feel important, not random, and often connect directly to the story or character arcs. I favor the Rule of Cool when it encourages creativity or memorable moments, while still using the rules as a stable foundation so the game feels fair and consistent. Smart planning, teamwork, and creative solutions are always encouraged. Above all, I strive to run a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative table. Expectations are clear, communication is open, and player comfort comes first. Whether you are brand new to D&D or a long-time player, you can expect a GM who is invested, adaptable, and focused on crafting a shared story that feels meaningful from the very first session.

Homebrew rules

Death Saves All death saving throws will be rolled privately by the DM. Results will be sent directly to the dying player, keeping other players unaware of the outcome unless the character dies or is stabilized. This rule enhances tension and realism in high-stakes moments. Crunchy Crits Critical hits use a high-impact "Crunchy Crits" system to make them feel more powerful. -Roll your damage dice once. -Then add: Max value of the damage die, and your damage modifier. Example: Scimitar (1d6) rolls a 4. Add max (6) + mod (3) = 13 damage. Longsword (1d8) rolls a 4. Add max (8) + mod (3) = 15 damage. Potions Drinking a potion as a bonus action requires a roll for healing. Drinking a potion as an action grants the full healing amount automatically.

How Lazaro creates a safe table

Creating a welcoming, respectful, and safe environment is a top priority at my table. We’ll use several tools and practices to make sure everyone feels supported, empowered, and heard throughout the game. Session 0 Before we begin the campaign, we’ll hold a Session 0 to discuss tone, themes, expectations, character connections, and safety tools. This is a space for players to voice concerns, preferences, and boundaries. We'll finalize character builds and make sure everyone is on the same page about how the game will run. Lines and Veils I will provide a Lines and Veils document to define content boundaries. -Lines are topics we won’t include at all. -Veils are topics that may exist in the world but will be handled off-screen or with minimal detail. Everyone will have access to this document and may add to it at any time, anonymously or directly. X, N, and O Cards We’ll use X, N, and O cards as in-game safety tools to communicate comfort levels in real time: -X = "Stop immediately" -N = "I’m not okay with where this is going" -O = "I’m okay and comfortable to continue" These can be used via chat, camera signals, or direct messages depending on player preference. We'll go over how to use them during Session 0. Aftercare After intense sessions, especially those involving heavy themes or dramatic character moments, we’ll take time for aftercare, a brief debrief where we can decompress, check in, and talk about what we enjoyed or what was hard. This can be casual, private, or group-based. Stars and Wishes After sessions, in the designated chat, we’ll share Stars (things you loved or appreciated) and Wishes (things you’d like to see more of or explore in the future). This encourages open communication and helps tailor the game to what players enjoy most. Open Door Policy Everyone has an open door at my table. If you ever need to take a break, skip a scene, or step away from the game for any reason, no explanations required, you are always free to do so. Scheduled Breaks For longer sessions, we’ll have regular breaks built into the schedule. You’re also encouraged to take micro-breaks as needed at any time. Together, these tools ensure that fun never comes at the cost of comfort. We’re building a story together, and that story should always be grounded in mutual trust and respect.