The Silent Skies - Sun

Creating your character

​Here is exactly how we handle character creation for The Silent Skies: ​When & Where We Build: You have complete flexibility on how you want to prepare for our first game. ​Arrive Ready: If you love building characters on your own, feel free to show up to Session 1 with your completed Level 1 character ready to rock! ​Get Hands On Help: If you are brand new to D&D, unfamiliar with the rules, or just want to collaborate, don't sweat it. We will dedicate the first 30 minutes of Session 1 to helping anyone who needs assistance crafting their hero from scratch. ​ Allowed Rules & Sourcebooks: You are welcome to use the 2014 D&D 5e rules, the updated 2024 D&D 5e rules, or a mix of both. ​All official D&D sourcebooks are fair game for classes, subclasses, and backgrounds. ​ Note: If you want to use third party or homebrew content, just shoot me a message before the game so we can make sure it fits the setting! ​ Stat Generation & Level ​Starting Level: Level 1. (Get ready to level up fast through the early tiers!) ​ Attributes: We use the standard Point Buy system for generating your ability scores. This keeps combat tactically balanced while letting you customize your stats to perfectly fit your character's personality and build. ​ Technical Requirements: Because this campaign utilizes a Tabletop Simulator setup streamed directly from my computer, your tech requirements are incredibly simple all you need is a Discord account (Required) and a stable internet connection to join our voice call and watch the high-quality screen share. ​ Your Character Sheet: You can track your character wherever you are most comfortable whether that is on D&D Beyond, a digital PDF, or good old-fashioned pen and paper at your desk!

Preparing for the session

Getting Ready for Session 1 Preparing for *The Silent Skies* is incredibly simple! Since I host the physical feeling Tabletop Simulator map on my end and stream it directly to you, you don't need to download any complicated gaming software or buy any expensive programs. Here are the only 3 quick steps you need to take before we roll initiative: 1. Set Up Your Discord Account: What to do: If you don't have one already, create a free account at Discord.comI highly recommend downloading the desktop app rather than using a web browser. Why you need it: This is our digital gaming table! This is where we will do our voice chat, and it's where you will watch my live game screen share. 2. Grab a Working Microphone & Headphones What to do: Make sure your microphone is working, and plug in a pair of headphones. Why you need it: Since this campaign features heavy roleplaying and tactical teamwork, being able to hear each other clearly makes the jokes, banter, and combat strategy way more fun! Headphones help prevent distracting echo. 3. Choose How to Track Your Character What to do: Decide where you want to keep your character sheet. You can create a free account on D&D Beyond, use a fillable digital PDF, or even just print out a classic piece of paper to keep on your desk. That’s it! Once you sign up for the game, you will automatically receive a link to join our private Discord server. Jump on in, say hello, and get ready to figure out exactly what is going on under "The Silent Skies"!

What BIGJose brings to the table

​What I Bring to the Table: When you join The Silent Skies, you aren't just getting a standard session you are stepping into an immersive, living world. Here is exactly what I provide to make every single session unforgettable: ​ Premium Visuals & Tech ​Tabletop Simulator Maps & Minis: Through my Discord screen share, you will get a front-row seat to beautiful custom maps populated with unique custom miniatures. It gives you the perfect tactical clarity of a 3D digital grid with the cozy feel of looking down at a physical table setup. ​ Total Simplicity: You don’t need to buy any software or worry about tech specs. I handle all the map management and token movement on my end so you can just focus on playing your character! ​ Immersive Storytelling & Roleplay ​Living NPCs: I bring the world to life with dedicated character voices, unique personalities, and recurring NPCs you will grow to love (or love to hate!). ​ Character-Driven Plot: Your backstory and choices matter. The world reacts to what you do, putting your heroes right at the center of the unfolding mystery. ​Tactical Combat & The "Rule of Cool" ​ Strategic Battles: Combat at my table is dynamic and rewarding. Monsters will act intelligently, environments will be interactive, and teamwork will truly matter. ​ Balanced Rules: I embrace the Rule of Cool! D&D is about imagination. If you want to try a wild, cinematic maneuver that isn't explicitly in the rulebook, I will always try to say "Yes, and..." to find a fair way to let you attempt it. ​ A Welcoming, Beginner-Friendly Space, Patience & Mentorship: I love teaching new players. My table is a zero judgment zone where you can ask questions, learn the rules at your own pace, and safely experiment with roleplaying. ​ Cooperative Fun: I foster a table culture built on collaboration, safety, and mutual respect. We are telling a story together, and every player gets their moment in the spotlight. ​ My GM Philosophy: My ultimate goal is to deliver an epic, high stakes dark fantasy mystery that still leaves room for the table to laugh, joke, and have an absolute blast every single week. Pack your bags, your seat at the table is waiting!

Homebrew rules

At the beginning of every game, one of the players has the chance to get a D20 inspiration with a last game recap. If a second person chimes in, it'll split into 2 D12s. If a third person chimes in, it'll split into 3 D10s. If a fourth person chimes, then it'll split into 4 D8s. If a fifth person chimes in, it'll split into 5 D6s. If a sixth person chimes in, it'll split into 6 D4s. Crunchy Crits: If you roll a natural 20 on an attack, it equals full damage dice plus the roll, including all your bonuses. For example: if your attack damage is 2D4 +2, you automatically do 10 damage, then you roll your 2D4 +2 and add the 10 to it. D4 Loot Rolls: Whenever you kill something with pants and you want to loot them, roll a D4, then roll a D100 for each number 4 and below. 4 = platinum pieces. 3 = gold pieces. 2 = silver pieces. 1 = copper pieces. Proficiency equals advantage on rolls. If you roll with advantage or disadvantage and you roll 2 natural 20s, you get double the max damage roll plus 2 rolls, or if it was on a check or save, you get an astronomically better result. The Rule of Cool: If you make it sound badass, it'll dead ass happen! (if you roll high enough) If you say something that lets you see the DM's uvula, you get a D20 inspiration. If you get any of the DM's references, you get a D20 inspiration. If you do something cool enough, like role-playing or a cool move or anything the DM just generally likes, you get an inspiration varying in value of how much I like it. Advantages don't stack after the normal Advantage; anything else giving additional advantages is a +2. Cantrips are bonus actions. Even if you have DM inspiration, natural 1s always fail.

How BIGJose creates a safe table

When you 1st join the Discord, there will be an RPG Consent Checklist in the house-rules channel. Everyone will copy this image, fill it out, and send the completed checklist back to me in a private Discord DM.