The Last Lights: Rime of the Frostmaiden

Creating your character

Characters will begin at Level 1 and most likely capped at level 8 using the 2024 D&D 5e rules. Session 0 will include final character creation, party connections, campaign expectations, safety tools, and an introduction to Icewind Dale and Ten-Towns. Players are encouraged to bring 2 to 3 character ideas rather than locking into a single concept before meeting the group. Characters will be created through D&D Beyond, and campaign content sharing will be available for players joining the game. Prebuilt characters are absolutely welcome, especially for newer players, though I may help adjust them slightly to better fit the setting and campaign themes. This campaign works best with characters who have reasons to care about people, survival, and the fate of Ten-Towns. While darker or morally grey characters can work, the overall tone leans toward becoming reluctant heroes in a harsh and desperate world. Lone wolf characters, chaotic disruptive play, or PvP focused concepts generally do not fit the style of this campaign. Ability scores will use either: Standard Array Point Buy Most official Wizards of the Coast content is welcome, including material from: Player’s Handbook Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything Xanathar’s Guide to Everything Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons Keys from the Golden Vault Tales from the Yawning Portal and other official sources available through the campaign library If you are unsure about a subclass, species, background, or unusual concept, just ask. I am generally open to creative ideas if they suit the tone of Icewind Dale. The setting itself is dangerous and survival focused. Harsh weather, limited resources, long journeys, and difficult choices are part of the experience. Characters with strong motivations, useful skills outside combat, and reasons to work together will thrive most in this campaign. New players are very welcome. You do not need deep Forgotten Realms knowledge to enjoy the game. Session 0 will help establish party connections and give everyone enough setting information to comfortably begin the adventure together.

Preparing for the session

Before the game begins, players will need: A free Discord account for voice, announcements, handouts, and session communication A free D&D Beyond account for character sheets and campaign content sharing A stable microphone and internet connection suitable for online play The game will primarily use: Discord for voice and community D&D Beyond for character sheets D&D Beyond Maps or Forge VTT for combat maps, exploration, and visual play No paid software is required from players. Players should join the Discord server before Session 0. Campaign links, house rules, safety tools, setting information, and session summaries will all be available there. Before the first session, please: Have 2 to 3 character ideas ready Read any Session 0 information provided in Discord Test your microphone/audio setup Make sure you can access D&D Beyond and the VTT links provided No deep knowledge of Icewind Dale or the Forgotten Realms is required. New players are welcome, and Session 0 will cover everything needed to comfortably begin the adventure.

What Matt brings to the table

Players can expect a dark fantasy survival campaign that focuses heavily on atmosphere, meaningful choices, and becoming part of the world around them. Icewind Dale is harsh, isolated, and dangerous, and I aim to make the setting feel alive through weather, travel, town politics, rumours, NPC interactions, and the constant pressure of the endless winter. I use narration, ambient music, maps, and visual handouts to help build immersion and atmosphere throughout the campaign. Roleplay is encouraged, but never forced. Players who enjoy deep character interaction will have room to explore it, while players who prefer describing actions and decisions are equally welcome. Character backstories, personal goals, and secrets will have meaningful impact throughout the adventure and may shape future events, relationships, and storylines within Ten-Towns. Combat is tactical, dangerous, and story driven without becoming bogged down in unnecessary complexity. Positioning, teamwork, preparation, and resource management matter, especially in the wilderness, but the game is still intended to flow naturally and keep momentum during play. Enemies will behave intelligently, retreat is sometimes the correct choice, and victories should feel earned. The campaign is run as a sandbox with direction. Players will have meaningful freedom in how they approach problems, which towns they support, and how they respond to the growing threats across Ten-Towns. Actions and choices will have consequences that can shape later events in the campaign. The focus of the game is atmosphere, exploration, survival, and meaningful decisions rather than puzzle-heavy gameplay. I aim for a welcoming and respectful table where everyone gets opportunities to contribute. New players are very welcome, and I am happy to help with rules, character creation, and learning the game. Experienced players can expect a grounded and immersive campaign that rewards teamwork, engagement with the setting, and creative problem solving.

Homebrew rules

This campaign uses a small number of house rules and adjustments designed to support the survival atmosphere, pacing, and tactical flow of Icewind Dale without heavily changing the core 2024 D&D 5e rules. Resting & Survival: Short Rests take 1 and 8 hours Long Rests require 24 hours in a safe and secure location Each Long Rest removes 1 level of exhaustion Travel, weather, exhaustion, supplies, shelter, and rest pressure will matter throughout the campaign These rules are intended to reinforce the harsh survival atmosphere of Icewind Dale and make preparation, shelter, and resource management meaningful. Combat Adjustments Combat is intended to feel tactical, cinematic, dangerous, and fast flowing. Current combat adjustments include: Critical hits deal normal damage plus maximum damage on the additional critical dice Excess damage from a critical hit may carry over onto another nearby target if it fits the situation narratively Flanking and opportunity attacks are adjusted to reduce repetitive combat patterns and improve encounter flow Weapons can be swapped during your turn without heavy action penalties Visibility and environmental conditions matter. Darkness, blizzards, fog, and whiteout conditions may still heavily reduce visibility even with Darkvision The goal is to encourage movement, positioning, teamwork, and cinematic moments without slowing combat down unnecessarily. Potions & Healing: Potions may be consumed as a Bonus Action by rolling normally Potions used as a full Action provide maximum healing Administering a potion to another creature requires a full Action When a character drops to 0 HP they gain 1 level of exhaustion Exploration & Roleplay: Character backstories, secrets, and personal goals will have meaningful impact throughout the campaign Each character begins with at least one existing contact somewhere within Ten-Towns or Icewind Dale The world continues to evolve over time, and unresolved threats or ignored events may grow more dangerous as the campaign progresses Spell & Ability Adjustments Guidance and similar repeatable buffs may only affect the same creature once per in-game hour outside meaningful changes in situation Rule of Cool Creative ideas, clever plans, strong teamwork, and cinematic moments are encouraged. Rule of Cool is welcome where it fits the tone and danger of the setting, though actions still need to feel grounded within the world. The campaign is expected to remain relatively grounded and survival focused, with progression likely capping around Level 8 before transitioning toward story rewards, feats, boons, allies, and reputation rather than extremely high-powered play.

How Matt creates a safe table

Player comfort, communication, and respect at the table are extremely important. This campaign explores dark fantasy themes including isolation, horror, sacrifice, survival, desperation, and moral choices, but the goal is always for players to feel safe and comfortable while enjoying the experience together. Session 0 will cover: Campaign tone and expectations Character creation and party connections Safety tools and boundaries Themes present within the campaign Table etiquette and communication Safety tools used in this campaign include: Lines and Veils Open Door policy Monte Cook RPG Consent Checklist Private communication with the GM before, during, or after sessions While Icewind Dale contains horror and survival themes, the focus is on atmosphere, tension, and storytelling rather than shock value. Graphic sexual violence, harassment between players, or intentionally disruptive behaviour will not be part of the table. Player comfort will always take priority over pushing through uncomfortable content. The goal is to create an immersive, respectful, and welcoming environment where players can enjoy both the story and each other’s company over a long-term campaign.