Rime of The Frostmaiden | Can You Survive The Cold? | 5.5e Rules

Creating your character

Your first step into the Dale begins with a free Session 0. We will go over character creation, how to get setup in D&D Beyond, party ties, campaign expectations, safety tools, and how to get onboarded into Foundry/Discord. Characters will start at Level 1 with Point Buy and standard starting equipment, using official Wizards of the Coast content as approved for tone, setting, and balance. This campaign is best for grounded characters made for a brutal survival story: people who have reasons to endure the cold, trust the party, and face what waits beyond the lantern light. But before Session 1, we'll have one last character check-in to make sure everyone feels connected, campaign-ready, and fully a part of Icewind Dale.

Preparing for the session

Before Session 0, you only need a few things ready. Create free Discord and D&D Beyond accounts. After joining the campaign you’ll receive the Discord server and D&D Beyond campaign link. You’ll also need a working microphone, stable internet, and a computer or laptop that can run Foundry in a modern browser like Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. A headset is recommended for cleaner audio and fewer distractions. No character creation is needed before Session 0. We’ll build your character together, get your tools set up, and make sure you’re ready to step into the snow.

What Bauric brings to the table

I do the groundwork so that you can concentrate on doing your job, making difficult decisions, and inhabiting the world. I will help you get comfortable with the tools before we begin, especially if Foundry or online D&D is new to you. My style is cinematic, roleplay-forward and grounded. I like strong atmosphere, meaningful choices, and scenes that allow characters to breathe without slowing down the game. Combat is there for a reason, rulings stay consistent, and the rules support the story rather than smother it. My goal is simple: make Icewind Dale feel alive, keep the table moving, and give you a campaign where your character’s choices genuinely matter. Most importantly, it is for you to have fun.

Homebrew rules

I keep homebrew light, clear, and focused on making the game feel better at the table. Since this is Rime, Death saves are rolled privately to keep dangerous moments tense and uncertain. I do not use flanking. That’s about it. I prefer rules that are easy to understand, applied consistently, and support the pace and atmosphere of the game without rewriting what makes 5.5e feel like 5.5e. The goal is simple: fewer speed bumps, more tension, and a smoother path into the story.

How Bauric creates a safe table

Icewind Dale should feel dangerous for the characters, not uncomfortable for the players. We’ll cover tone, expectations, boundaries, and content preferences during Session 0 using a shared Lines and Veils document that can be updated at any time. You’ll also have access to X, N, and O tools through Discord chat or direct message whenever needed, including during play. Every session includes 5 minute breaks every hour, and my table always has an open door policy. You can step away, pause, or check out briefly without pressure or explanation. For intense scenes, I may check in quickly to make sure everyone is still good. The goal is a tense, immersive horror-survival game where the table stays respectful, communicative, and comfortable out of character.