Learn Draw Steel on the Official Codex VTT!
One stolen girl. One ancient tomb. One chance to be a hero. Learn the most cinematic fantasy RPG of the year — no experience needed.
$25.00
/ Session
Details
2 players following this game
Weekly / Thursday - 12:00 AM UTC
Session Duration / 3 hours
Campaign Length / 3+ Sessions
0 / 6 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
THE CALL TO HEROISM In the village of Broadhurst, the Jagged Edge goblins have shattered a long peace — raiding farms and dragging the blacksmith's daughter, Violet, into the dark. Her mother Ashleigh can forge a blade but can't swing one, and the trail leads into the Silver Forest toward an ancient tomb where Queen Bargnot means to spill innocent blood to break its seals. You are no common traveler. You are a hero of the first echelon — and Broadhurst's fate rests in your hands. WHAT IS DRAW STEEL? Draw Steel is MCDM's bold new fantasy RPG — a "lean-forward," tactical, cinematic system where your hero feels powerful from the very first turn. Positioning on the grid matters as much as the dice. Heroic Resources fuel show-stopping abilities. There's no whiffing your way through a fight here — every hero is a force, and every turn is a chance to do something legendary. A GUIDE, NOT A GATEKEEPER I'm an experienced game master — but Draw Steel is a new system for all of us, and I love that. So here's the deal: I'll teach you the rules and guide the table, and we'll discover the finer points of this fresh, exciting game together. No experience required — not with Draw Steel, not with TTRPGs at all. Bring your curiosity; I'll handle the rest. Power Rolls, Heroic Resources, the whole toolkit — we'll learn it in play, not in a lecture. PLAY ON THE OFFICIAL CODEX VTT We'll be playing on the Codex — MCDM's official Draw Steel virtual tabletop. It knows the rules, automates your Heroic Resources, and makes the tactical combat sing. It's the slickest way to experience the game, and if you've been curious about the Codex, this is your chance to try it in a guided session. (See Preparation for the simple setup details.) THE ADVENTURE We begin at the Boar and Bristle Inn, then push into the overgrown Silver Forest toward the Delian Tomb — a sanctum raised to honor the Knights Noble who once protected these lands. To save Violet, you'll outwit goblin scouts, solve the riddles of the old order, and stand against what waits in the dark. Pre-generated heroes mean we skip the math and dive straight into the action. The legend starts now. Draw steel!
Game style
Combat Heavy
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(26)
3 years on StartPlaying
252 games hosted
Highly rated for: Sets the Mood, Creativity, Knows the Rules
Average response time: 2 hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
I've been a passionate D&D player since 1980, when I first discovered the game at the age of 8 through the treasured time spent playing with my father. My love for the game grew, and I began my journey as a DM at the age of 16. With over three decades of experience, I've come to appreciate the unique magic that unfolds when players take the reins and "write" their own adventures within the rich tapestry of the game world. As a DM, I strive to create an open, humorous atmosphere where players feel encouraged to explore, roleplay, and shape the story. I believe that the beauty of D&D lies in the non-linear nature of the narrative, and I take great joy in watching players craft their own paths. While I tend to focus more on roleplaying (around 70%) compared to combat (30%), I'm always happy to adapt to the preferences of my players. At my table, you'll find a welcoming environment where discussion and metagaming are not just tolerated but encouraged. I believe that open communication is key to creating a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. I do have a few house rules to keep things exciting, such as allowing Champion Fighters to crit on an 18 instead of a 19. However, I always make sure that the DM has the final say to maintain a smooth game flow. Ultimately, my goal is for players to walk away from my games with positive emotions and a desire to continue their D&D journey. I want them to feel that the time spent at my table was a worthy investment in their entertainment and a source of fond memories. If you're looking for a DM who is passionate, adaptable, and dedicated to creating an engaging and fun experience, I'd be honored to have you join one of my games
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
PRE-GENERATED HEROES — PICK AND PLAY To make this as welcoming as possible for new players, we'll use the official pre-generated heroes built right into the Codex. No math, no character-builder rabbit holes — just claim a hero that speaks to you and step into the story. (If you fall in love with the system, building your own hero is half the fun later — but that's a journey for another day.) WHEN TO CHOOSE: Browse the roster as you sign up and join Discord, so you can call dibs on your favorite before session one. We'll finalize picks and do quick introductions at the start of the first session. STARTING LEVEL: All heroes are 1st level (First Echelon). In Draw Steel, that already means you're powerful — you're not a farmhand who might die to a house cat, you're a legend in the making. The mechanics stay simple enough to learn as we play. WHERE: Every hero is pre-loaded into the Codex with all their stats, Power Rolls, and Heroic Abilities ready to go. You just claim your sheet and you're ready to draw steel. THE ROSTER: Dwarf Fury (Berserker): A powerhouse of physical might who builds Ferocity as they deal and take damage. Excels in melee, using abilities like Brutal Slam to hurl enemies across the battlefield. Orc Conduit (Life and Sun): A divine leader who channels Piety to support the party. Heals allies with Healing Grace and smites foes with Blessed Light, granting extra surges to teammates. High Elf Tactician (Vanguard): A battlefield commander who uses Focus to coordinate the team. Marks enemies to give allies an edge, and uses maneuvers like Now! to grant friends extra strikes. Human Censor (Paragon): A holy warrior sworn to justice who gains Wrath by judging the unrighteous. Uses Judgment to punish enemies who act in their presence and protects allies with The Gods Punish and Defend. Human Null (Metakinetic): A psionic tank who uses Discipline to manipulate kinetic energy. Creates a Null Field to dampen enemy powers and moves with blinding speed via Inertial Step. Human Talent (Telepath): A master of the mind who uses Clarity to control the battlefield. Hurls foes with Kinetic Grip, speaks mind-to-mind, and reflects ranged attacks back at enemies. Polder Elementalist (Fire): A destructive mage who builds Essence to unleash flame. Throws fireballs, teleports across the field, and raises a Wall of Fire to control enemy movement. Polder Shadow (College of Black Ash): A stealthy assassin who uses Insight and teleportation to strike from the dark. Gains an edge against isolated targets and vanishes in plumes of smoke when threatened. Wode Elf Troubadour (Virtuoso): A magical performer who gains Drama as battle intensifies. Uses Routines to buff allies' speed and blasts foes backward with Power Chords. No wrong choice here — every hero is a blast to play, and we'll make sure the party's balanced before we set out. Questions about which hero fits your style? Ask me on Discord; I'm happy to help you find your fit.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
To make sure our first session runs smoothly, please take care of these before we play: 1) Discord: - Create a Discord account if you don't have one — this is our table's home base for voice, chat, and coordinating before sessions. - You'll get an invite to our server once you sign up. Please join at least 30 minutes before our first session to test your audio. 2) The Codex VTT (important — please read): - We play on the Codex, MCDM's official Draw Steel virtual tabletop. It runs on Windows or Mac (minimum 8 GB RAM, broadband connection — most modern computers are fine). - You'll need your own Codex license to play. During Early Access it's $19.99, and it's yours to keep — usable for any Draw Steel game, anywhere, not just this table. It even comes bundled with the full core rules and the Delian Tomb adventure. - Here's the deal, and I mean this: your first session with me is FREE. I'm waiving my fee so that the money you'd have spent on session one goes toward your Codex license instead. You walk away owning the software, the rules, and the adventure — and you've tried the game on me. That's my gift to you for giving Draw Steel a shot. - Purchase the Codex one of two ways: On Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2902740/Draw_Steel/ Or grab a Steam code from MCDM: https://shop.mcdmproductions.com/products/draw-steel-codex - The Codex knows the rules and automates your Heroic Resources, so it does a lot of the heavy lifting while you're learning. It's the smoothest way to play Draw Steel. - Download and install it before Session One. We'll troubleshoot any setup hiccups together on Discord beforehand, so the session itself stays focused on the fun. 3) No Rulebooks Required: - This is a learn-to-play table — you do NOT need to buy or read any extra books. Your Codex license already includes everything, and I'll teach the mechanics (Power Rolls, Heroic Resources, and the rest) as we play. 4) No Character Creation Needed: - Pre-generated heroes are built right into the Codex. Browse the roster (see Character Creation), claim your favorite, and you're ready. We'll do quick introductions at the top of Session One. 5) Hardware: - A computer capable of running the Codex (Windows or Mac, 8 GB RAM or more). - A headset or dedicated microphone and headphones — this keeps audio clean and feedback-free for everyone. - A stable internet connection. 6) Bring Your Curiosity: - No experience needed — with Draw Steel or with TTRPGs at all. Show up ready to learn, ask questions, and be a hero. I'll handle the rest.
What Gabe brings to the table
Everything you need to dive into Draw Steel is provided — just bring yourself and your curiosity. Here's what you can expect at my table: Pre-Generated Heroes: A full roster of distinct, ready-to-play 1st-level heroes, already built into the Codex with their Power Rolls and Heroic Abilities good to go. Pick the one that speaks to you and step into the action — no prep, no math. Live Rules Teaching: I'll teach the mechanics as we play, so you don't have to memorize anything beforehand. Power Rolls, Heroic Resources, positioning — we'll learn it together in the moment, not in a lecture. The Codex handles the bookkeeping, which frees us up to focus on the fun. The Codex Experience: A smooth, fully-prepped Codex environment — high-quality maps of the Silver Forest and Delian Tomb, proper tokens, and dynamic combat — paired with Discord for clear voice and ambient music to set the mood. A Guide, Not a Gatekeeper: I'm an experienced game master, but Draw Steel is a fresh system for all of us, and I run this table accordingly: patient, encouraging, and collaborative. We'll favor a "Rules as Intended" spirit — chasing the cinematic, heroic feel of the game over rules-lawyering. If we get something wrong, we learn it for next time and keep the story moving. Heroic Stakes, Real Cinematics: Draw Steel is built so your hero always feels powerful, and I lean into that hard. Whether you're parleying with goblin scouts, solving the riddles of the Knights Noble, or making a last stand against what lurks in the tomb, every turn is a chance to do something legendary. Expect tactical, position-driven combat where smart play is rewarded — and where you're always the hero of the moment. My goal: you leave the session feeling like you just played out an awesome fantasy film — and maybe a little bit in love with a brand-new game.
Homebrew rules
RULES AS WRITTEN (FOR NOW): I'm new enough to Draw Steel that homebrewing a rule right now would be like rewiring a house I just moved into — best to learn where the switches are first. We'll play it by the book while the system is fresh for all of us. As I get more reps in, house rules may follow — but they'll be earned, not guessed. THE "LET ME CHECK" CLAUSE: Since we're learning together, the one guarantee is that we'll occasionally pause for thirty seconds to consult the rules and go "ohhh, THAT'S how that works." The Codex does a lot of this for us, which helps — but a little patience is part of the package, and honestly part of the fun. DIRECTOR'S GRACE (my only real rule): We prioritize heroic moments over technically-correct ones. If we get a rule slightly wrong but it produced something awesome, we keep the awesome, learn the right way for next time, and move on. The cinematic, heroic feel of the game always wins over rules-lawyering.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Gabe creates a safe table
DECK OF PLAYER SAFETY: We use the Deck of Player Safety during play. It gives every player a clear, low-pressure way to flag content or adjust a scene in the moment — no explanation required, no awkwardness. I'll walk everyone through how it works at the start. BREAKS: Sessions run a few hours, and we'll take breaks — both scheduled and whenever anyone needs one. Stretch, grab a drink, reset. Need a minute? Take it, no questions asked. OPEN COMMUNICATION: My door is always open. Reach out before, during, or after any session — in the game or by private message on Discord. If something didn't sit right, I want to know. Adjusting the game is easy, and concerns raised privately stay private.
Content warnings
Safety tools used