Learn to Play Dungeons & Dragons

Creating your character

JC will have a selection of pre-made beginner-friendly characters designed specifically for the adventure and setting. Rather than starting as seasoned adventurers, these characters are ordinary townsfolk with hidden potential — blacksmiths, hunters, herbalists, guards, farmers, and other everyday people who will be thrust into danger when their home comes under attack. At the start of the session, players will be presented with a roster of 10 unique characters to choose from. This gives everyone a variety of playstyles and personalities to pick from while keeping the process simple and approachable for new players. Each character is built using classic D&D classes and abilities, but flavoured around their role in the town and everyday life. All characters begin at Level 2. Once chosen, players will receive a D&D Beyond link to their character sheet, and JC will guide everyone through reading and using their sheet during play. No prior D&D experience is required — the game is designed to teach the rules naturally as we go.

Preparing for the session

Before the game, players should create free accounts for Discord, Roll20, and D&D Beyond if they do not already have them. Please make sure you are able to log into each platform ahead of the session so we can jump straight into the adventure without technical delays. Once you sign up for the game on StartPlaying, I will send you: A link to the Discord server for voice chat and communication An invite to the Roll20 campaign where maps and gameplay will take place D&D Beyond character links so you can preview and choose your character before the session begins No experience with these platforms is required — I’m happy to help new players get set up. Optional but highly recommended: Install the Beyond20 browser extension, which allows your rolls from D&D Beyond to automatically appear in Roll20 for a smoother experience The game is designed to be beginner-friendly, so as long as you have access to these platforms and a working microphone, you’ll be ready to play.

What JC brings to the table

As a professional voice actor and immersive storyteller, I bring a strong focus on atmosphere, memorable NPCs, and cinematic roleplay to my games. Expect a world filled with colorful characters, distinct voices, ambient music, environmental storytelling, and emotional moments that help the setting feel alive. I actively create opportunities for players to roleplay and express their characters, whether through speaking in-character, describing actions, or simply reacting to the world around them. You never need to perform a voice or accent yourself if you don't want to — all experience levels and roleplay styles are welcome. My games balance narrative immersion with tactical gameplay. Combat encounters are dynamic and strategic, often involving terrain, weather, environmental hazards, shifting objectives, or alternative solutions beyond simply defeating every enemy. Diplomacy, stealth, clever planning, distractions, negotiation, and creative problem-solving are always valid approaches. Many encounters include alternate win conditions, meaning success is often about survival, protecting others, escaping danger, or changing the situation rather than just reducing enemies to zero hit points. I strongly encourage creativity and embrace the “Rule of Cool.” If you have an exciting idea, I will usually try to find a way to make it work within the spirit of the rules. I treat the rules as a framework that supports fun, tension, and storytelling rather than something intended to limit imagination. New players are especially encouraged to experiment and think outside the box. Tonally, my games tend to blend grounded fantasy adventure with moments of horror, wonder, comedy, tension, and heartfelt character interaction. One moment the party may be desperately defending townsfolk from dragon cult raiders, and the next they may be arguing with an eccentric shopkeeper or accidentally causing chaos in the middle of a festival. I love games that can feel both emotionally real and wildly unpredictable — a balance of epic fantasy and silliness.

How JC creates a safe table

At the start of the session, we will use the Player Safety Deck integrated into the Starter Set framework to establish boundaries, comfort levels, and topics players may wish to avoid or fade to black. This helps ensure everyone understands the tone of the game and feels respected from the very beginning. I also maintain a strong open door policy. Players are always free to step away for a breather, mute themselves, take a short break, or leave a session entirely if needed — no explanations or judgment required. Real life and personal comfort always come first. During play, we will use digital X, N, and O safety tools through Discord: X = Stop or immediately move away from the current content N = The scene is approaching discomfort and should change direction O = Everything is okay and the player is comfortable continuing These can be posted publicly in chat or sent privately to me directly through Discord if preferred. I will always prioritize adjusting the game quickly and respectfully if a player signals discomfort. While this adventure includes fantasy danger, cult activity, tension, and moments of horror, my goal is always collaborative storytelling in a safe and welcoming environment. The table is intended to be inclusive, beginner-friendly, and supportive of players of all experience levels and roleplay comfort levels.