The Phantom of Music: A Play-By-Post Investigation

Creating your character

**Character Creation** **About this Campaign:** We will be making use of the newly released 2024 Dungeons & Dragons rules. All published 5E races, classes, and subclasses are available in this campaign that would fit into the world of The Forgotten Realms, specifically the city of Waterdeep. Because this is an asynchronous Play-by-Post campaign, we will handle the character creation process before the actual story begins during a dedicated "Session Zero" phase on our Discord server. You will create your characters online using D&D Beyond. Once your sheet is ready, we will link your D&D Beyond character directly to our dedicated Discord channel using the Avrae bot, which will allow you to seamlessly roll your skills, saving throws, and attacks directly in the chat. **Campaign Introduction: The Phantom of Music** **A Mysterious Threat at the Singing Brass Dragon Opera** You find yourself in the bustling city of Waterdeep, a place of opportunity, dazzling art, and deep intrigue. Recently, the city's attention has been captivated by the performances at the Singing Brass Dragon Opera. But behind the beautiful music and dazzling costumes, the stage is deadly. The opera's new managers, Armin and Fermin, have a proposition for you. They need a reliable team of brave adventurers to step behind the curtain. A mysterious "Opera Ghost" has been terrorizing the staff, demanding extortion money and causing terrible accidents—including dropping a massive chandelier into the audience. Why should you help Armin and Fermin? Perhaps you're drawn to the promise of adventure, the lure of the managers' gold, or simply the opportunity to explore the labyrinthine cellars and secret passages beneath the opera house. Or maybe you're intrigued by the mystery surrounding the theater's newest star, Colleen, who has become the dangerous obsession of the Phantom. Whatever your reason, the investigation will be fraught with danger. The true mastermind manipulating the chaos from the shadows is ready to strike. Are you ready to face the challenges that await? The adventure begins... **Levels** All players start at Level 1. This campaign will take your characters up through Level 5. **Standard Array** (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8). Whatever brought you to these lands has made you hardy and stronger than most of Faerûn. You will assign these numbers to your Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma abilities. **Available Backgrounds** Your background represents the place and occupation that were most formative for your character before you became an adventurer. In the 2024 rules, your background also provides you with your starting skill proficiencies, a tool proficiency, and an Origin feat to kickstart your journey. Once chosen, message me to share more details on your background or tweak it slightly to perfectly fit your character's backstory in Waterdeep.

Preparing for the session

The adventure begins... What you will need to prepare: ✅ Play by Text ✅ Discord ✅ DNDBeyond Account (I will share a link to the campaign/oneshot in which all my content will unlock for you.) ✅ Fill in the Supplied Google Forms ✅ Create your character within DNDBeyond ✅ A basic knowledge of the rules and how your character/class works. (if you are a beginner, don't worry, you will get the hang of it!)

What Calvin brings to the table

Tools & Resources: D&D Beyond: We'll use D&D Beyond for character creation and reference during the game. This makes it easy for everyone to track their stats, abilities, and spells. VISUAL PLAY BY POST: Immerse yourselves in the narrative via Text by Post (PbP) on our very active Discord server. Engage with the world through a wealth of custom visual aids, maps, and handouts crafted to bring the party's adventure to life. Discord: We'll connect and communicate on Discord, sharing voice and text chat to keep the game flowing smoothly. Custom Content: I'll be creating plenty of my own content to bring the world to life, from unique NPCs and monsters to immersive descriptions and intriguing plot hooks & creative hand outs. My GM Style: Immersive Storytelling: I love to create a vivid and engaging narrative, using descriptive language, character voices, and ambient music to set the scene and draw you into the world. Tactical Combat: Expect exciting and challenging combat encounters, where strategy and teamwork are key to victory. Rule of Cool: While I respect the rules, I also believe in the power of the Rule of Cool. If you come up with a creative and awesome idea, I'll do my best to make it work within the game's framework. Collaborative Storytelling & Passion: As one of my players mentioned, I'm passionate about collaborative storytelling. My primary concern is for everyone to contribute to and enjoy an awesome story together. Lore Focused: I delve deep into the lore, crafting a world rich in history, secrets, and interconnected narratives. Overall, my games are a blend of: Immersion: I aim to create a world that feels real and alive, with rich details and memorable characters. Challenge: Expect to face tough choices, overcome obstacles, and test your skills in combat and roleplaying. Fun: Above all, I want everyone to have fun and enjoy the collaborative storytelling experience. What to Bring: Your Character: A fully created character on D&D Beyond, ready for adventure! Enthusiasm: Come ready to explore, roleplay, and have a great time! Open Mind: Be prepared for the unexpected and embrace the collaborative storytelling experience. I'm excited to embark on this journey with you!

How Calvin creates a safe table

Safety Tools & Session 0: Lines and Veils: I'll share a link to a Lines and Veils document before Session 0, where you can anonymously list any topics or themes you'd prefer to avoid or approach with caution. Session 0: We'll dedicate time to discuss everyone's expectations, comfort levels, and playstyles. We'll also establish shared boundaries, review the Lines and Veils, and address any questions or concerns. Aftercare: If a session touches on sensitive topics or triggers any discomfort, I'll check in with everyone afterward to ensure they're okay. I'm also open to debriefing or discussing any issues outside of the game. X, N, & O's: We'll use a combination of digital and verbal cues for X, N, & O's, depending on what's most comfortable for the group. Gameplay Details: Character-Driven: I love to see characters grow and evolve, so expect plenty of opportunities for roleplaying and personal development. Player Agency: Your choices matter! The story will adapt and change based on your decisions, creating a unique and collaborative experience. Worldbuilding: I'll provide a rich and detailed setting to explore, filled with intriguing lore and hidden secrets. Getting to Know You: Before we begin our adventure, I'd like to get to know you a little better. Please take a few minutes to fill out a Google Form before our session. I'm curious about what you enjoy in games, what inspires you, and any specific boundaries or preferences you have. This helps me create a safe and enjoyable experience tailored to your interests. For example, I'm personally terrified of spiders, so I won't be including them in the game unless everyone is comfortable with it.