Once Upon a Nightmare

Creating your character

Create a level 3 character either before or during the session Zero from DNDBeyond or Roll20. All homebrew needs approval but anything else is available. All final character subject to approval. First Session is free!

Preparing for the session

A free discord account A free DNDBeyond account Roll20 free account

What Mike brings to the table

Your Story. Your Choices. Your Horror. Your character isn’t just another adventurer passing through Ravenloft—they are part of the story. I want to know who your character is, what drives them, what they fear, and what they hope to become. I’ll take those details and weave them naturally into the campaign, creating opportunities for your character’s history, relationships, ambitions, and personal struggles to matter. Your Character’s Story Matters Bring me a character with a history, and I’ll look for ways to make that history part of the adventure. Your allies, enemies, goals, secrets, and unfinished business can become threads woven throughout the campaign. Your character should feel like they belong in the world—not like someone dropped into it. Designer Plots Built Around You I enjoy creating adventures that respond to the players at my table. Different characters and different groups can experience the same campaign in very different ways. I’ll build encounters, complications, mysteries, and storylines that complement your characters and the way your group actually enjoys playing. You Control the Narrative Momentum I provide the world, the threats, the characters, and the consequences—but you decide what happens next. Want to investigate the strange manor instead of following the obvious trail? Do it. Want to negotiate with something everyone else thinks should be killed? Let’s see where that goes. Want to chase a personal goal rather than pursue the main plot? The world will react. Your choices create momentum, and I’ll adapt the story accordingly. Immersive Roleplay Is Rewarded I don’t specialize in performing dozens of elaborate character voices, but I strongly believe in immersive roleplay. I reward players who give their characters emotional depth, make bold decisions, embrace difficult choices, and create memorable moments. Gold and magic items are nice—but the best rewards are often personal. Expect custom feats, homebrew boons, unique abilities, story rewards, and other surprises designed specifically around your character’s journey. RULE OF COOL If you have an awesome idea, tell me. If it makes sense for the character, fits the moment, and makes the game more exciting, I’m usually willing to find a way to make it work. Sometimes the rules provide the answer. Sometimes we bend them. Sometimes we throw them out the window because the scene is just too damn cool. Come prepared to make choices, embrace consequences, and leave your mark on the Domains of Dread. In Ravenloft, and Druskenvald survival is never guaranteed—but your story is yours to write.

Homebrew rules

Drinking a potion is a bonus action Critical Hits (the Perkins Crit system): You maximize the normal damage and roll the critical damage.

How Mike creates a safe table

• Safe Play VTT safety tool: safe, secure and easy to use. Reviewed in session 0 This will be an open-door game, if you need to take a break, for any reason, please do so!! All I ask, is you use the built in Foundry VTT break tool. -Any use of "out of character" Racism, Sexism, or Discrimination or Personal Attacks of any kind will get you banned. -Players who do these things repeatedly "in character" are discouraged/warned/and subject to being (quickly) kicked or banned. -If you do not follow the “Fade to Black” rule you will be kicked or banned. **Fade to Black Rule** During the game, if there is ever an event, situation, or anything that as a player makes you feel uncomfortable Please use the “Fade to Black” button . I will not ask, I will not judge, I will take control and respect the players concern. Game will resume after mediation and resolution of players concerns.