Icespire & Beyond

Creating your character

The Basic Rules from the Essential Kit or Lost Mines of Phandelver are authorized, along with Players Handbook 2014 and 2026 options are permitted on Roll20. Players may also draw from material from the Sword Coast Adventurers Guide to further enhance their play. No other source material is permitted. Character creation will occur during session 0, where the standard array may be used, or a more seasoned player may instead have an option of rolling 4d6 and dropping the low die, straight down, but no character may have more than one stat below 9.

Preparing for the session

In order to play, you must have access to play on Roll20, with at least a free player account, along with access to the Discord app. You will need a mic. A camera is optional. I strongly recommend use of the Chrome browser with all the recent updates and to play on a PC or laptop. I strongly recommend playing from PC but Roll20 does have functionality for play both from a tablet and your cellular smartphone, though I have yet to speak with anyone as to their experience that as done so. I do plan on streaming the gameplay from my twitch account and recording for upload to YouTube, so bare this in mind. This will not be the focus of my attention however, as I will not be moderating the chatroom, or answering their questions. I will inform you of when I am recording / streaming and when the recording / streaming has been paused or stopped. If you sign on to this game you agree and consent to have your play recorded and streamed to Twitch, and my Youtube account. Again the Use of your camera is optional and at your descretion. If you do decide to have your camera viewable, please look your modest best. and be presentable. Again, this is up to you.

What Ron brings to the table

I have a reputation of challenging GM for experienced players, not being out to get them, but the world their characters are in is unforgiving. I am fair and forgiving of new players learning the ropes. The single most important rule and the second most important rule are related. Rule Number One is Have Fun! Rule Number Two is Be Kind. Newbies find that I love to teach the game and during your teething phase, you will be helped for several sessions where by I will guide you through play, assisting with options if the are any, and holding your hand when things get rough. There will come a time though, when I will announce that the gloves are off, the training wheels have been removed, and you have to ride or die, sink or swim even in the deep end, and don't cry when you get thrown into the thick of it, and there are gators in the pool. Aside from this, your going to have fun. Lot's of fun. Monsters act intelligently, as do the NPC vilians.. You will not find static encounters where the evil Lich Lord sits back and watches through his crystal ball as you slowly progress towards him. No if you go into a dungeon to murder hobo, the session is going end quickly. I reward creative and intelligent play so think outside the box, and the Rule of Cool is always in effect. Tag team! Jump off the top rope and body slam them! Yeah, why not. You still have to make your acrobatics roll though! As I told a player in another game when he asked if he could use spells to acquire a flying mount? I said, No. "So I have to to climb precariously to the beast, coax it into working with me, without falling to my death hundreds of feet above the air?" To which I replied with a grin and a most emphatic "YES!" After all if there is no risk, there is no reward! And no fun to be had. The world responds to the character's actions. I respond to the player's creativity. Players are responsible for their character sheets, levels, hit points, movement, encumberment, and inventory. I do periodically check for compliance. Woe be to the character for the player that doesn't keep up with it! I never go into extreme depictions of violence, gore, and sexual themes are never addressed. I expect the same from my players. Let's keep the game it modest, please. For ourselves, and the others.

Homebrew rules

Drinking a potion is a bonus action, provided it's on your characters person, and not stowed in a backpack (an action) or in the saddle bag of your horse, though the cunning action of rogues still helps them. If it's not on your character sheet, and it's not on anyone's character sheet, then you and the party don't have it. Period. It's lost. So keep track of your stuff. It's not my job to run your character, or be your accountant. A Rogue sneak attack will apply to all "Rogue Proficient Weapons", including Longswords, etc. You must state your actions. Don't assume results. If you don't loot the body, you don't find anything. If you don't check for traps, you will never find them, and don't be surprised if they go off. When you declare your action, that's it. Of course I will be more lenient with newer players for a time, but experienced players I will expect more of.

How Ron creates a safe table

I utilize several safety tools. Players are free to take a break by announcing BRB in chat, and how long they might be, if known. So feel free to take time to address whatever is going on at your end. If you don't feel comfortable with something in play, simply tell me you're taking a break with a BRB, then send me a private chat of what or who is making you uncomfortable. It will be addressed. Don't ever be confrontational with another player, let me intervene and be the arbiter for you. Your are my player, you are paying me and I have your back. With that said, I do warn my fellow gamers in the LGQTB+ community that while you are welcome to play at my table, and assure you that you will be treated respectfully, that you please understand that I use pronouns according to the laws of the English Language. I am a 55 year old senior, i.e. Old dogs, new tricks. If you are misgendered, it's because I misspoke and never personal. With that said, when I speak to you OOC or Out of character, I will announce you by your player name in Discord. All IC or In Character addresses will be made with your character's name. If this is not agreeable to you, then I humbly submit that I am not the DM for you and I wish you the very best in gaming. I will also check up on my players both privately and corporately and ask if you are having fun, what you would like to see, or things that you think are not going well. I cannot help your dice rolls, sorry. I can listen to your feed back, and learn, or address concerns. I will do this at the end of the session when I turn the recording and steaming off, so it's all off record, and you can speak freely. You are always welcome to email me or DM on discord or Roll20.