Tyranny of the Dragons Part 1: Horde of the Dragon Queen

Creating your character

Character creation will take place during Session 0 so we can build the party together, establish connections between characters, and ensure everyone understands both the campaign setting and the tools we’ll be using. This also gives new players a chance to ask questions and receive guidance throughout the process. We will use D&D Beyond for character creation and digital character sheets, Hero Forge for creating your custom digital miniature/token, and Foundry VTT as our virtual tabletop for maps, combat, handouts, and gameplay immersion. I will help players get everything connected and set up before the campaign officially begins. Characters will begin at the campaign’s designated starting level (typically Level 1 unless otherwise discussed). Stat generation, allowed sourcebooks, homebrew approvals, and any campaign-specific restrictions or recommendations will all be covered during Session 0 to ensure fairness and party balance. I am very open to creative character concepts, strong backstories, and collaborative storytelling ideas. I actively integrate player backstories, allies, enemies, personal goals, and secrets into the evolving narrative whenever possible. Whether you arrive with a fully developed concept or only a rough idea, we’ll work together to create a character that fits naturally into the world and campaign.

Preparing for the session

Before your session, please make sure you have the following set up: D&D Beyond account (free): Used for character creation and sheet management Discord account (free): Used for voice chat and group communication Forge VTT account (free): This is where the game will be hosted using Foundry VTT ➤ Sign up at https://forge-vtt.com Beyond20 browser extension (free): ➤ Install this Chrome/Firefox plugin to roll directly from D&D Beyond into the game ➤ Download here: https://beyond20.here-for-more.info/ --- If you're joining an ongoing campaign, I’ll reach out beforehand to help build your character, create a custom token, and get everything set up in the virtual tabletop before your first session. If you're joining a new campaign, we’ll walk through all of this together during Session 0. New and experienced players are equally welcome—I'll guide you through every step to make sure you're ready and excited to jump in.

What Errol brings to the table

What Players Can Expect You’ll create your character through D&D Beyond, craft your own custom digital token at Hero Forge, and dive into a fully immersive virtual tabletop hosted on Forge VTT. With dynamic lighting, interactive maps, and integrated tools, everything is designed to make the experience feel as real and connected as possible—even if we’re all playing from different time zones. While I'm not a professional voice actor, I give it my best to bring characters and scenes to life with distinct voices and a strong narrative tone. Expect energy, emotion, and the occasional goblin rasp. Your backstory isn’t just a blurb you write and forget—it's a thread I actively weave into the larger narrative. Your character’s past, choices, and relationships may shape events, unlock new arcs, and influence the world around you in crazy, exciting, and meaningful ways. I aim to create a game space that feels like an at-home tabletop session—fun, relaxed, character-driven, and filled with moments you’ll still be thinking about between sessions. For experienced D&D players: while the campaign is rooted in 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons, I view the rulebook the same way the original creators intended—as a set of guidelines. I may make custom adjustments to mechanics, spells, or world logic to better fit the tone, pacing, or realism of the narrative we're building together. So if you're used to strict RAW (rules as written), just know that things may feel a bit more flexible or cinematic here. Whether you're new to the game or a seasoned veteran, this is your invitation to help shape something unforgettable. Let's roll some dice and tell your story.

Homebrew rules

I do utilize homebrew rulings and situational mechanics to create a more immersive and cinematic experience, but I believe the spirit of the game is more important than rigidly following every rule exactly as written. As Gary Gygax himself once said, the rules are guidelines — and every table develops its own style over time. Because of that, not every homebrew rule can realistically be listed ahead of time. Many are situational and designed to reflect logic, tension, realism, cinematic storytelling, or simply what makes the moment feel the most exciting and memorable during play. For example, ranged attacks fired through crowded combat become increasingly difficult. If you attempt to shoot an arrow through multiple allies engaged in melee, additional disadvantage penalties may apply based on positioning and battlefield chaos. My goal is to make combat feel tactical, dangerous, and believable rather than purely mechanical. At the same time, I strongly believe in the “Rule of Cool.” If a player comes up with an incredibly creative, cinematic, heroic, or entertaining idea, I may bend or adapt certain rules to reward that creativity when it enhances the experience for the table. I want players to think outside the box and feel encouraged to attempt memorable actions rather than feeling limited by mechanics alone. That said, I also encourage respectful discussion and player creativity regarding rulings. If you believe there’s a better interpretation, a clever workaround, or a reasonable argument for handling a situation differently, I’m always willing to listen. Collaborative storytelling is important to me, and good ideas can absolutely influence rulings. The only thing I ask is that once a final ruling is made at the table, everyone respects it so the game can continue smoothly and remain enjoyable for the entire group. My priority will always be creating a fun, fair, immersive, and memorable experience for everyone involved.

How Errol creates a safe table

Player safety and comfort are extremely important at my table. My goal is to create an environment where players feel respected, included, heard, and comfortable engaging in collaborative storytelling while still allowing for dramatic, emotional, and intense moments within the game itself. During Session 0, we go over campaign expectations, table etiquette, gameplay style, homebrew rules, boundaries, player behavior, communication expectations, and any themes that may arise during the campaign. This is also the time for players to discuss character concepts, comfort levels, triggers, hard limits, and anything they would prefer to avoid or fade to black. I encourage open communication both during and outside of sessions. Players are always welcome to privately message me before, during, or after games if they feel uncomfortable, need clarification, or want to discuss concerns. At the end of sessions, I often hold a post-game discussion or debrief where players can talk about what they enjoyed, what didn’t work for them, favorite moments, concerns, pacing, roleplay, combat balance, or anything else they wish to discuss. I believe healthy communication helps make the game stronger for everyone involved. I also utilize safety tools and check-ins as needed, including verbal pauses, direct messaging, and out-of-character discussions if something becomes uncomfortable. If a situation arises where a player feels unsafe or uneasy, the game can immediately pause so we can address it respectfully and appropriately. Above all else, I want my table to feel collaborative, welcoming, immersive, and enjoyable for everyone involved.