The Drowned and the Damned

Creating your character

Please have your character ready before your first session (I can help you if you need it). You may use any official 5e material for races, classes, backgrounds, and spells. Use the Standard Array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) for ability scores. Start at Level 1 Use starting equipment from your class and background (not rolled gold). You’re free to build your character however and wherever you like, as long as it's compatible with Roll20: You can create your character directly in Roll20 Or use D&D Beyond and connect it via the Beyond20 browser extension. You’re welcome to write a backstory or just give your character a goal or personal quirk! The best parties are the weird ones. Bring the character you’ve been dying to try, not the one you think the party needs. If you have any questions or need help building your character, feel free to reach out!

Preparing for the session

You’ll need the following before the game begins: A Roll20 account A Discord account A working microphone We’ll be using voice chat only (no video required). The game will be played on Roll20. You’ll receive a link to the game’s Discord server after booking. Please have your character ready before the first session.

What Ellaris brings to the table

I run games using mostly Rules as Written, but I always reward clever ideas, creative thinking, and bold choices—even if they bend the rules a little. Combat is a big part of my sessions, and I strive to make it tactical, dynamic, and engaging. That said, I also enjoy character-driven roleplay, and I make space for players who want to explore their backstories, forge relationships, or talk their way through trouble. To help set the tone, I use ambient music. I provide official tactical maps from the module on Roll20, ensuring encounters feel immersive and challenging.

Homebrew rules

I prefer to leave out the optional flanking rule because I find that there are already plenty of ways to gain advantage through class features, spells, and creative tactics. This keeps advantage special and encourages players to think creatively about how they gain it. Every player begins each session with GM Inspiration, which can be spent to gain a re-roll a die. But inspiration can also be used more creatively: you can spend it to trigger special mechanical effects, such as forcing an enemy to reroll an attack or saving throw, representing a heroic twist or clutch moment in the story. These uses of inspiration are flexible and negotiable—just describe your heroic or clever intent, and we’ll work together to apply a fitting effect that enhances the narrative and the game. While I mostly run Rules as Written, I’m open to adjusting or clarifying rules if something consistently feels off or unfun for the group. Any changes will aim to create more exciting encounters, not punish players.

How Ellaris creates a safe table

If anything during the game makes you feel uneasy or uncomfortable, please don’t hesitate to let me know—whether in-session or privately—and we’ll work together to address it.