The Secret of the Dragon Emperor

Creating your character

Seven pre-generated characters will be available to choose from before play begins. I’ll offer guidance on party balance, but the final decision is yours. Players may also use these pre-gens as a foundation, adjusting names, backgrounds, and reallocating ability scores to shape their own hero. Alternatively, you may create a character prior to Session One, either in a short dedicated online session or through coordination on Discord. I will provide guidance beyond the free QuickStart rules to ensure everything fits the campaign. Character creation uses the core Dragonbane rules, limited to the kin and professions in the core rulebook. Options from expansions or third-party supplements may be considered, but require prior approval.

Preparing for the session

This FREE Dragonbane Quickstart PDF includes the basics of the rules and characteristics for review prior to play: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/409397/Dragonbane-Quickstart Welcome to Dragonbane! To keep onboarding smooth and get into play without delay, complete the steps below before the session. Nothing here is difficult, but doing it ahead of time avoids technical friction once we begin. What we are using • Foundry: the virtual tabletop where the game takes place • Discord: https://discord.gg/pw262FFCFy Preparation Steps You will receive a direct invitation link to the Foundry game. Open the link in a browser. No account is required. A password will be provided. Your character will be assigned and ready. Dragonbane uses pre-generated characters for this session, so no setup is needed on your end. If you are unfamiliar with Foundry, review the basics here: https://foundryvtt.com/article/player-orientation/ Optional, but useful • Use Chrome or Firefox for best performance • Headphones recommended • Join Discord before the session to confirm audio works Once inside Foundry, you will only need to move your token, roll when prompted, and follow along. Everything else will be handled in the session.

What Dan brings to the table

The Secret of the Dragon Emperor is a campaign set in the world of Dragonbane, built for exploration, consequence, and long-form play. While the system remains fast and dangerous, the structure allows for more than survival. There is space here for quiet moments, for downtime, for conversation that matters. Characters have time to grow into themselves, to form alliances, to fracture, to change direction. The world does not rush you, but it does move. Dragonbane may resemble D&D at a glance, but it works differently in key ways. It uses a roll-under system: you succeed by rolling equal to or below your skill. A 1 is a critical success. A 20 is a critical failure. Attacks are resolved against your own skill rather than an opponent’s armor class. Abilities, spells, and special actions are powered by Willpower instead of slots. You choose when to spend it and when to hold back. Combat is fast and consequential. Positioning, timing, and risk carry weight. All of this will be explained as we play. You will have access to the core rulebook during sessions, and a free QuickStart guide is available for a preview. This campaign is beginner-friendly. Whether you are new to Dragonbane or tabletop roleplaying in general, the goal is to learn the system while moving through a world that responds to your choices. I run the game largely Rules as Written for clarity and consistency, with quick rulings when needed to maintain momentum. If something is unclear, it will be resolved in the moment and clarified as we go. The aim is simple: a campaign of Mirth and Mayhem, where your decisions shape what comes next.

How Dan creates a safe table

Dragonbane is a heroic fantasy game. The tone is one of adventure, danger, and discovery. There is conflict and combat, but the focus is on bold choices, strange places, and moments of triumph. It is not designed to be graphic or psychologically intense. The world is one of wonder, where risk exists, but the experience remains grounded and playable. Before the session, I am available for a brief one-on-one on Discord if you want to ask questions, clarify expectations, or flag anything you would prefer to avoid. During play, we use simple safety tools. Any player can pause or redirect a scene at any time by speaking up, sending a private message on Discord, or using a signal in Foundry. No explanation is required. The scene will shift or move on. The intent is straightforward: a game that feels dangerous inside the fiction, but remains controlled, respectful, and comfortable at the table.