Shadowsteel Citadel | Level 8 Grim Hollow One-Shot

Creating your character

CHARACTER CREATION • Characters are created and managed in D&D Beyond. • Your character’s level will depend on the adventure and will be listed before booking. PREMADE CHARACTERS • Beginner-friendly premade characters are available. • They are ready to play and built to fit the adventure. MAKING YOUR OWN CHARACTER • You may create your own character using the 2024 D&D rules. • Compatible 5e options may be approved, but homebrew and Unearthed Arcana require permission. • Subclasses and character options from the Northlands material are strongly encouraged for added flavor and a better fit with the Viking setting, but they are not required. • No Grim Hollow or Crooked Moon content, with only select Griffon Saddlebags Content. ABILITY SCORES • Use Point Buy to keep characters balanced. EQUIPMENT • Use the normal starting equipment for your character’s level unless the adventure provides additional gear. BEFORE THE SESSION • Custom characters should be completed before the game. • No preparation is needed when using a premade character. KEEP IT SIMPLE • A short concept, a reason to join the adventure, and a willingness to work with the party are enough.

Preparing for the session

BEFORE THE GAME Please complete setup before the session so we can start on time. ACCOUNTS NEEDED • Discord - voice and game communication • D&D Beyond - character sheets • Foundry VTT - runs in your browser; no purchase or installation required DEVICE • A desktop or laptop is required. AUDIO • A working microphone is required. • Headphones are recommended to prevent echo. INTERNET & BROWSER • Use a stable connection and an updated version of Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. ARRIVE EARLY • Join a few minutes early to test audio and resolve any technical issues. NEW TO FOUNDRY? • No experience is required. I will teach you everything needed during the game.

What Bauric brings to the table

I want to make sure all players feel included, empowered and excited to be at the table. I bring the world to life with character voices, ambient music, detailed maps and cinematic storytelling while making sure that your choices really matter in the adventure. Expect a good amount of roleplay, exploration, humor and challenging combat. I use the rules to keep the game fair, but I am always willing to embrace a creative idea or the Rule of Cool when it makes the story better.

Homebrew rules

This game uses D&D 5.5 / 2024 rules as the baseline, with compatible 5e material allowed for character options. Homebrew and table rules: * As an action, you may use a Healing Surge and spend up to half your Hit Dice. Roll each die, add your Constitution modifier, and regain that many hit points. You may decide whether to spend another Hit Die after each roll. * After using a Healing Surge, you cannot use it again until you finish a short or long rest. * A long rest restores all spent Hit Dice. A short rest restores Hit Dice equal to one-quarter of your level, rounded down, with a minimum of one. * Critical hits use the standard rules unless stated otherwise. * Flanking is not used by default. * Inspiration may be awarded for strong roleplay, clever ideas, memorable teamwork, or embracing the spirit of the saga. * Rules questions are welcome, but I may make a quick ruling during play and revisit it afterward. The goal is fair rulings, smooth pacing, and cinematic Viking adventure without getting buried in edge-case debates.

How Bauric creates a safe table

Before play begins, I will review the tone of the session, expected themes, and any content warnings. Players are welcome to message me privately before the game with topics they want avoided or handled carefully. During the session, we will use simple safety tools: - Pause or fade to black if a scene becomes uncomfortable. - Message me privately if you do not want to interrupt the table. - Say “pause” at any time if something needs to be adjusted. - No one has to explain or justify a boundary in the moment. The goal is tense and atmospheric, not shock value, humiliation, or pushing players past their comfort zone. After the session, I am available for questions, feedback, or a quick check-in if anything needs to be clarified.