Back From the Dread | [Free Session 0] [Beginner Friendly]

Creating your character

The first session will be a session 0, where I will go over the setting and hook in more depth, along with deciding conduct and homebrew rules as a table. stats will be rolled - refer to the homebrew rules for more info After the setting has been introduced, character creation can begin. There are no set rules for creation surrounding homebrew, races, content, books, etc, all as long it is checked and approved by me. I do recommend creating about a page or less of backstory notes that include character summary, motivations, locations, important NPCs, flaws, and personality. Though not required, I personally like using the DNDwikidot when creating characters, and I like the character sheet format used by MinimalCharacterSheets, but any tools are accepted as long as I can see and refer to player character sheets. finding character art is encouraged! reference images, unused concept art, or hand-made is all welcome! As a rule of personal policy, absolutely NO AI-generated art is permitted

Preparing for the session

The only accounts required to join the table are a Discord and a Roll20 account. I will provide a Discord server and a VTT game invite, so all you really need besides that is yourself! :)

What Braden brings to the table

My typical GMing style focuses heavily on collaborative storytelling; prioritizing compelling narratives and player interactions is the most important for me. I tend to weave PC backstories into the main plot, and design settings and worlds around and for whichever group I run for. What comes first overall is fun, so bending rules, adding homebrew, and improvisation are 100% welcome and encouraged. Get as wacky as you want! My typical session includes a majority of theater-of-the-mind roleplay supplemented with some form of mechanical encounter, whether it is combat, social, exploration, etc. However, I also love crunchy, technical, combat that is layered with environmental effects, side objectives, and unique enemies. It really depends on the group! For narrative experience, I tend to keep stories player-driven, and provide open-ended plot hooks to guide the story. nothing is truly off the table. I also use character voices, customized ambient music, and the occasional digital handout/prop (think letters from NPCs, sections from in-world books, art, etc) My expectations surround the previously mentioned concept of collaboration. Please be timely, respectful, and willing to take narrative control! I often let my players help me world build and fill in details, so don't be afraid to take initiative! (no pun intended) I try to be new-player friendly as well, and I am well-versed in the rules enough to be willing to teach and inform others in short, if you as the player communicate, I will do my best to work with you to create the best experience possible!

Homebrew rules

1. Criticals become the best/worst outcome possible, not necessarily an automatic success or failure. For example, if a pc specializes in a specific skill or ability, they realistically won't fail if they roll a Nat 1, but rather some other consequence will be added. For example: A rogue with expertise in thieves' tools rolls to open a locked door. On a nat 1, they still open the door, but maybe their tools break, or something that was chasing them catches up Alternatively: A bard rolls a persuasion check to convince the king to pass the crown to the player. On a nat 20, they suddenly won't become a monarch, but maybe receive some sort of boon or gift for humoring the king 2. Potions can be used as either a main or bonus action. However, this determines the strength of the effect. As a main action, you automatically receive the maximum roll of restored health, but won't receive the full benefit from a bonus action Bonuses during character creation: 1. when determining stats, roll 4d6 and drop the lowest. if any of the remaining three dice are a 1, you can reroll until it is above a 1. 2. You can bring one stat to a natural 18 (as if you rolled three sixes) in exchange for bringing another stat to a natural 5, and/or including significant character flaws 3. Backstory writing: I do NOT expect much for writing character backstories, but sufficient backstories that give me material to add to the game will reward you with a magical item with the Rare rarity or lower

How Braden creates a safe table

In the session 0, I will send out a consent form modeled after an adaptation of the RPG Consent Checklist that appears in the Consent in Gaming supplement by Sean K. Reynolds and Shanna Germain, published by Monte Cook Games. In addition, I will build a consensus of expectations as a table before any campaign starts. I also tend to have 15 minutes before and after each session to be used as a warm-up/cool down for energy and emotions, and I typically provide a small break around the half point mark of each session. As for in-game care, any X/N/O's can be privately messaged to me in case anything goes awry.