D&D 2024 (5.5e) | Dragon Delves | West Marches

Creating your character

Character Creation Characters will begin at **Level 1** using the **2024 D&D rules**. Characters can be created through D&D Beyond, Roll20, or another character builder you prefer, as long as I can easily review the finished character. We'll use **27-point buy** for ability scores. Please use official 2024 character options whenever possible. Additional official Wizards of the Coast material may be allowed with DM approval. Homebrew and third-party content should be discussed with me before character creation. Your character should have a reason to be an adventurer and a reason to return to the settlement between expeditions. Since this is a West Marches campaign, characters will adventure with different groups of players, so please create a character who is willing to **work as part of a team**. New to D&D or unsure where to start? No problem! I'm happy to help you build your character, explain your class and abilities, and make sure you're ready for your first expedition. You don't need to show up knowing all the rules—just bring a character you're excited to play!

Preparing for the session

Before your first session, you'll need to complete a few simple steps: Join the game's Discord server — Discord will be used for all voice communication and out-of-game announcements. Create or join the Roll20 game — Roll20 will be used for maps, character sheets, tokens, dice, and combat. Have a good microphone and headset — Clear voice communication is important, so a headset with a microphone is strongly recommended. Please avoid using speakers, as they can cause audio feedback. No webcam required! — This is a voice-only game. You are welcome to use a camera if you want, but there is absolutely no expectation that you do. Have your character ready before the session — I'll provide help with character creation if you need it. You don't need to be an expert with D&D or Roll20 before joining. That's it! Once you're set up, grab your dice, bring your character, and get ready for the expedition.

What Michael brings to the table

What I Provide I put a lot of work into making each session feel like an adventure, not just a series of encounters. I use **Roll20 maps, custom tokens, Dynamic Lighting, ambient music, sound effects, and character voices** to help bring the world and its inhabitants to life. You can expect memorable NPCs, dangerous locations, and plenty of opportunities for your character to become part of the story. My GM style is **player-focused and flexible**. I follow the rules as written when they matter, but I'm also a big believer in the **Rule of Cool** when it makes the game more exciting. If you have a creative idea, tell me what you're trying to accomplish and we'll figure out how to make it work. I want players making meaningful choices rather than trying to guess what the "correct" solution is. Combat will be challenging and engaging, with tactical encounters where your decisions matter, but I'm not interested in punishing players simply for the sake of difficulty. Outside of combat, you'll have plenty of opportunities for exploration, roleplay, investigation, and getting into trouble. Most importantly, I want everyone at the table to have a chance to **shine**. I encourage teamwork, creativity, ridiculous plans, memorable character moments, and the occasional spectacular failure. My goal is for you to finish each session thinking, *"I can't believe we actually did that."*

How Michael creates a safe table

Safety Creating a fun and welcoming table starts with making sure everyone feels comfortable. Before joining the game, players will have access to my **Lines & Veils** document so they know what kinds of content may appear in the campaign and can let me know about any boundaries they have. I use **Lines & Veils, the X-Card, and Script Change** tools at my table. If something crosses a boundary, you never need to justify or explain yourself. You can simply let me know, and I'll immediately move past the content, fade to black, or adjust the scene as needed. Because we play online through Discord, safety tools can be used privately through **Discord messages** as well as verbally during the game. If you'd rather not interrupt the session or don't feel comfortable speaking up in front of the group, you can message me directly at any time. I also encourage players to check in with me privately if something from a session didn't sit right with them. My goal isn't just to make sure everyone is comfortable enough to play—it's to create a table where everyone feels **respected, included, and welcome**.