Gregani in the Tomb of Annihilation

Creating your character

Character creation will be covered in the first session (session 0) and will either occur during the session or as homework between session 0 and our first playing session. For new players, session 0 is the initial step to break the ice with a new group of players, getting to know one another, establish the ground rules rules for the campaign, address any technical issues with playing online, agree on what kind of characters everyone wants to play as and generally get ready to get into playing the next session. As part of session 0 we will discuss the ins and outs of how to create characters and I will assist new players with a brief run down of the process, the terminology used and the different options available. We'll go over how to set up characters and if we have time I'll help players start with the process of creating their characters though we likely won't fully complete the creation in the session due to time restraints. Players will need to complete creation between session 0 and the first session but I will be available to answer any questions that arise before the first playing session. For players with a little more experience: Depending on your level of comfort with playing DnD starting characters can be level 1-3 though I will be recommending new players to start at level 1 so do bear that in mind for the sake of party balance. Stats can be determined by the main methods to suit your own preference, Points Buy, Standard Array or Rolling. I simply ask that you let me know which method you intend to use and that you stick to it during creation of your character. During session 0 if you have already rolled up a character I'll ask to review your character and may ask for details on how you created your character so that I'm aware of what choices you have made and the abilities your character has. Where possible I will allow just about any build from any of the source books but may make suggestions during session 0 if a particular build really wouldn't fit the setting/themes of the campaign. As a note for all players, Tomb of Annihilation comes with two specific backgrounds that can be taken by players if they so choose. The Anthropologist background gives a character an ability to rudimentarily communicate in languages they haven't yet learnt after a period of observing native speakers using said language. The Archaeologist background comes with the ability to identify the builders from the style of almost any structure and gives them the ability to assess the value of art objects over a centaury old.

Preparing for the session

We will be using Discord, Roll20 and DnDBeyond for the game, as stated before familiarity with these tools isn't a requirement but I do request that players create accounts with these three resources ahead of session 0. The more you can make yourselves familiar with the programmes ahead of time the better but no worries if not, we will cover the basics during session 0.

What Gregani brings to the table

As a GM my strongest asset is my storytelling. I utilise my descriptions and voice to help immerse players in the world we are building together. I thoroughly enjoy roleplaying a variety of characters to help bring the story alive and allow my players to really feel like they are in the world having an impact on the characters they meet and the situations they find themselves in. DnD is a collaborative hobby that works best when we all work together to build off each other. So I won't fully railroad you in the direction I want you to go in. Your input is just as important to me as my own overall vision, so I make sure to take your suggestions and requests into my plans and make sure to fold it organically into the story we're telling. That's not to say I'll just make it easy and just serve you up your every request on a platter, but if you've asked for something, a goal your character wants to achieve, a magic item or weapon that you think would be really cool to use, a pet you want to have along to help you on your adventures... Well they won't be just around the next corner but they will be out there in the game once you tell me, and one way or another you may just find them as you play and overcome the challenges I put in your way. I'm a big fan of the Rule of Cool over the Rules as Written. Every rulebook comes with a reminder that the rules are only guidelines for our imaginations when we are playing. They're there as supports to give structure to the adventures we're living out in our heads, so my advice when playing with me is to worry less about what the rules say you can do, and just tell me, what do you want to do? I'll work out something you can do to try it.

Homebrew rules

- Healing Potions: Healing potions can be drunk as either an action or a bonus action in my games. If you drink as an action you take the full healing the potion offers, if you drink as a bonus action you have to roll for the healing as your chugging with less concentration and might spill some. - Healing spells/abilities: When healing in combat spells and abilities need to be rolled for as standard, but if you use your abilities out of initiative you can heal the full amount if your character has the time to focus on their casting/application of the healing. - Critical hits: When you hit with a critical, instead of doubling the damage dice you deal the full amount of damage and then roll the damage dice again on top of the full damage. Say you hit with a longsword with a strength modifier of +3. A normal hit would be 1d8+3 damage. If you critical hit the damage becomes 11(8+3)+1d8. You still get to roll extra damage without the disappointment of rolling lower than a regular roll on a critical hit.

How Gregani creates a safe table

During session 0 I will share a link to a Google Form for the Safety and Consent Checklist to be filled out before our first session and returned to me. The checklist will cover several possibly uncomfortable topics/subjects that may come up in the game either intentionally or unintentionally. Any topics you want me to steer clear of or specifically want to be included can be raised through the form too and players will be able to complete the form twice should there be issues they wish to remain anonymous in raising. The form can also be filled out again between ongoing sessions should new issues come to light. During the game I will be using "X" cards to maintain safety of my players. During session 0 we'll discuss and work out how best to communicate these by either using visual cues (crossed arms) or by messaging me directly the letter X, depending on what suits you best. X cards can be used at any time during play to pause the game and address any topics that may arise that unexpectedly cause distress or discomfort. These cards will not be challenged when used nor will players be penalised for utilising them. I utilise a Whispers channel on the Discord server for any information that I wish to give out to specific players during gameplay and if a player uses an X card I will stop the session and address why the X card has been used, moving to the Whispers channel for privacy if the player wishes. I will not probe into why a topic may be upsetting or uncomfortable but will ask which topic caused the distress and work out an amendment that suits you best in order to continue play. Players will have the right to leave the session if they feel that they need to in order to feel safe should a topic arise that requires the use of an X card. If a player does so I will only reach out after at least a day has passed since the session to check in with said player to learn what caused the distress and amend any future sessions to prevent any further distress.