Crown of Thorns

Creating your character

Character sheets will be made through D&DBeyond. It's encouraged for players to create a miniature during session zero using Heroforge, and I'll create a character token using whatever picture you want. We'll generally be using 2014 core rules in game, but for your character you may allow homebrew, expanded, and legacy sources. We'll be using milestone advancement and it is your choice to use either rolled or fixed hit points. Use encumbrance and ignore coin weight. Use the 2014 5e classes. Use premade personal characteristics or write your own. You may choose more or less than two in each category, but have at least one in each. The only thing thats necessary in the Notes section is any notes on backstory. Use point buy for ability scores. You get both starting equipment AND gold. You also get one uncommon magic item.

Preparing for the session

We'll have a discord server that we use for almost everything concerning the campaign, D&DBeyond is the platform that we'll use to create character sheets and that I use to run encounters, and Owlbear Rodeo is the website that we'll use to view maps.

What Scooter brings to the table

My main goal as a DM is to make sure that each party member gets their opportunity to act and that the stage is shared evenly. Additionally, as a writer and a worldbuilder, I've spent a very long time fleshing out the details of this setting from a dungeon master's point of view and an author's point of view. I'll always try and establish the mood for the setting and/or occasion, and I've sprinkled this campaign with plenty of symbolism and ethical dilemma. Also, as much as I love building a detailed setting, I also love crafting encounters that will bring you to the edge of your seat. I'm very beginner friendly and casual, but will still keep things intense and exciting. I utilize voiced, atmospheric music, homebrew rules, Rule of Cool, and overall just want to play in whatever way will make the players happiest.

Homebrew rules

Players are encouraged to suggest homebrew rulings or come to a consensus on what rules they want/don't want to play by. some rules i've played by and will suggest are potions as a bonus action and 2 death saves per turn when down. Additionally, I have a few set non-negotiables, such as that barbarians can use their bonus action to keep their rage going as per 2024 rules. A nat 20 on an initiative roll gives you an extra action once during an encounter (like an action surge). There is a crit and fumble table which I use in combat. Players get one free ability/skill check during their turn in combat, and the second costs a bonus action. One action can be divided into two bonus actions. Magic users may draw upon their own life force to cast spells when they have no spell slots left. When they do this, they gain an exhaustion level.

How Scooter creates a safe table

This campaign will include a Lines and Veils document, all sensitive content will be gone over in session 0, after every session I'll check that players don't have concerns or problems with the campaign content or actions in the section, every session has a break, and there is an open door policy at all times.