Hogwarts / Harry Potter: LGBTQ+ and Beginner Friendly

Creating your character

We’ll use my Witches and Snitches rulebook, with character sheets and gameplay managed through Foundry VTT. You can find the rulebook here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BY7U9mYLQD_p9O9e42AYLHG2Xr6ZCsR8Ye07MaGXfVw/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.frfwms2htyde Character creation is a collaborative process. We’ll workshop your ideas together to develop a character with a distinct personality, memorable quirks, personal interests, and a backstory that shapes how they interact with the world. I love exploring characters in depth, so include as much detail as you like! Their everyday habits, relationships, likes, and dislikes can be just as revealing as the major events in their past. As you develop your concept, consider these questions: What do they love? What hobbies, subjects, activities, or interests capture their attention? Where should they shine? What would you like your character to excel at? Where should they struggle? What would you like them to be bad at, and how might those weaknesses show up in play? How do they want to be seen? What impression do they hope to make on others? What are their goals? What do they want to accomplish, and why does it matter to them? How will they take initiative? What steps will they take to pursue their ambitions? How has their upbringing shaped them? How do their family, background, and experiences influence the way they see the world? How do they make friends? How do they approach new people, connect with others, and build relationships?

Preparing for the session

You’ll need a Discord account and a working microphone, as sessions will take place over voice chat. Webcams are optional, but encouraged if you’re comfortable being on camera. Before we begin, please take a quick look through the subclass options in the Witches & Snitches rulebook. Browsing the choices can help you imagine the kind of witch or wizard you’d like to play and give us a starting point when we develop your character together. Please do not create your character’s wand in advance.

What Rian brings to the table

I put substantial preparation into each adventure, from the locations you explore and the discoveries waiting there to the people whose lives intersect with your own. Expect descriptive, cinematic storytelling and a world with details worth investigating. I prepare the circumstances, motivations, and possible consequences behind a situation, while leaving room for your decisions, unexpected plans, and curiosity to shape how events unfold. My NPCs are prepared with distinct personalities, motivations, relationships, and histories. They have their own priorities, and getting to know them can be as rewarding as overcoming a challenge. I enjoy roleplay with substance: conversations that reveal character, relationships that develop over time, and interactions that give you reasons to care about the people you meet. I also work with you to develop your own character’s personality, background, strengths, flaws, and ambitions, helping them find a meaningful place within the adventure. Sessions bring together roleplay, exploration, and thoughtfully designed encounters. I prepare opportunities to investigate your surroundings, discover useful resources, and pursue leads through your own initiative. Combat can be challenging, with encounters that encourage teamwork, positioning, and thoughtful use of your abilities. I welcome resourceful approaches, whether that means finding an unexpected advantage in battle or approaching a problem through conversation and clever planning. I provide prepared maps and visual references through Foundry VTT, alongside ambient music to support the atmosphere. Maps help establish the spaces you are exploring and make it easier to follow the action when movement and positioning matter. Visuals and music support the scene, while description and interaction give those locations their character. My approach to the rules values clarity, consistency, and creativity. The game’s mechanics provide our foundation, and I welcome imaginative ideas that suit the setting and the situation. When an unusual approach needs a ruling, I consider fairness, balance, and its effect on the story. There is room to try something inventive, with clear expectations and consequences that make your choices meaningful.

Homebrew rules

This game is almost entirely homebrewed. Upon joining my server you will be given a copy of our rulebook and other homebrewed resources to explore!

How Rian creates a safe table

My table is built on mutual respect, clear boundaries, and enjoying the game together. During Session 0, we’ll discuss the game’s tone and expectations and establish Lines and Veils: content to exclude or keep off-screen. The Monte Cook RPG Consent Checklist is available to help communicate preferences privately. Boundaries can be updated at any time. Anyone may pause, change, skip, or end a scene at any time, for any reason. You can speak up or message me privately; no explanation or personal disclosure is required. X, N, and O signals can also be sent in chat: X stops unwanted content, N signals that a boundary is approaching, and O requests a check-in. If something becomes uncomfortable, we’ll pause and focus on what needs to change before continuing. Breaks are welcome, and you may step away or leave a session whenever you need to. After intense roleplay, a brief, optional check-in gives us a chance to step out of character and flag anything that needs adjusting. Nobody is expected to discuss their feelings or personal experiences with the group. My role is to facilitate the game, respect boundaries, and address concerns about play. I keep safety conversations practical and focused on the gaming experience, with everyone sharing responsibility for treating one another kindly and respecting each other’s limits.