Sword Coast Shenanigans! | A Beginner-Level Dragon Heist

Creating your character

If you are new to D&D (or just want some help creating your character), I am happy to talk through the process with you. I ask all my players to follow the steps below but I am more than happy to be flexible if it doesn't quite work for the character you have in mind. - Level 1 characters. - Standard array stats (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, and 8), though this is flexible. - D&D 5.5e (2024 rules). - I am happy for you to use some homebrew if you like, as long as it fits with the urban fantasy setting. Let me know what your idea is and we can work together to make it work. You will want to be able to answer the following questions about your character ahead of our Session Zero: - What can your party know about your character up front? - Why have they joined an adventuring party? - What are their main goals and motivations? - Where are they from? (I can help with this part!) Once you join the campaign, I will send you my invite link for D&D Beyond which will give you access to the Players' Handbook and other resources. I ask that you create your character sheet on D&D Beyond if possible so we can make use of the Maps VTT (if you need any help with this or are unable to use D&D Beyond for any reason, just let me know and we can find an alternative).

Preparing for the session

This campaign will be run using Discord and D&D Beyond, so you will need to create accounts for these if you haven't already. After you have joined the campaign, I will send you my Discord invite and set up our private channels. You will need to read and agree to the rules of the server before we get started. If you are new to D&D, you may want to have a read of the basic rules before we start. Please don't feel like you need to know everything - the easiest way to learn is by playing, and I can guide you as much as you like. I recommend the first chapter of Basic Rules 2024 on D&D Beyond, but there are plenty of online guides and video tutorials if you would prefer. https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/br-2024/playing-the-game

What Jay brings to the table

As well as gaining access to the Players Handbook and other digital Dungeons and Dragons books, here's what you can expect from me as a GM. Worldbuilding: My absolute favourite part of running campaigns is creating detailed worlds for players to interact with. Every NPC has a story; every building has its secrets; even the weather plays its part in setting the scene. I highly encourage exploration and carving your own path through Waterdeep and beyond. Balanced roleplay and combat: I try to include an engaging mix of roleplay and combat encounters to keep everybody engaged. You will experience your fair share of trying battles and tense conflict, but rest assured you'll get plenty of time to talk to NPCs and your fellow party members. Player focused: Even though Waterdeep: Dragon Heist is a pre-written module, it will be highly tailored for you and your character. I make sure every PC has opportunities to develop and work toward their goals, and I embrace side quests and storylines focused on their individual motives. Scope to continue beyond Waterdeep: I love to keep tables going for as long as they wish to adventure together. If we get to the end of Dragon Heist and enough people wish to continue, I will be more than happy to keep the story going.

Homebrew rules

Though I mainly use D&D 5.5e (2024) rules, there are some instances where I prefer to stick to the 2014 mechanics or use my own table rules. We will go through these in more detail during Session Zero and will also discuss any preferences you and/or other players may have, but the main ones are listed below. (Don't worry if you don't know what these mean - I will explain them fully before starting the campaign and can remind you as often as you need.) Death saving throws: To increase tension and immersion during high-stakes combat encounters, I ask players to keep their death saving throws private between myself and them. Other players will not know whether their companions are nearly stable or one failure away from death, making it all the more important to prioritise healing them. Potions during combat: Drinking a potion or administering one to an ally during combat uses a bonus action, unless they are attempting to throw the potion. In the latter case, this uses the same mechanics as a throw attack roll. If you successfully throw a potion to an ally, they can either catch and drink it as a reaction or wait to drink it as a bonus action on their turn. Stealth rules: Players must be heavily obscured or behind significant cover to attempt to hide, and stealth checks are contested rolls against the highest passive perception of the enemies actively looking in their direction. The "Hidden" status ends immediately if the player makes a loud noise, makes an attack, casts a spell with verbal components, or they move out of cover into a brightly lit area in plain view of an enemy (unless they are skulking). If you have any homebrew rules you want to bring to the table, let me know before or during the session zero and we can discuss them with the other players.

How Jay creates a safe table

I take the safety of players very seriously. When you join my Discord server, you will be required to read and accept the rules. You will also be expected to follow the StartPlaying and Discord Terms of Service at all times. I utilise a range of safety tools during campaigns, including: Session Zero: Before the campaign begins, we will have a 2.5 to 3 hour Session Zero. This is a great opportunity for everybody to introduce themselves, as well as laying down the ground rules and boundaries we are all expected to follow. As well as discussing what you can expect from the campaign in more detail, I will use this session to explain how all the safety tools work and encourage anybody to speak with me privately if anything is making them uncomfortable or distressed. Lines and Veils: The lines and veils document is the first way to let me know of any boundaries you have. Your lines are your 'hard boundaries' - i.e., any non-negotiable content that cannot be included in the game - and your veils are any themes that you may be comfortable with existing in the story as long as they are kept "off-screen" or handled with discretion. If you would like to, you can also let me know of any content that you are okay with as long as it does not happen to your PC. X Cards: If anything during a session makes you uncomfortable, the quickest and most discreet way to let me know is by using an X Card. All you need to do is click on the card (only I will know who has used it), and I will pause the game and move away from whatever has caused you discomfort, no questions asked. I will never ask you to explain why something has made you uncomfortable, and I will make every effort to ensure similar content does not occur again. Breaks: All sessions will include a break of at least 10 minutes. This can be extended when needed, particularly during more intense sessions and/or when an X Card has been used. Debriefing and aftercare: I will be available for at least 30 minutes after each session for anybody who wants to chat, have a cup of tea, and come back to reality. There is no expectation to stay if you don't want to, but I will always be here for it if you do. Stars and Wishes: This is a productive form of feedback and reflection that can be used both by players and the game master. Your stars are the parts of the session you enjoyed, and your wishes are anything you would like to see in future sessions. You can send me your stars and wishes privately or in the dedicated Discord channel. Open Door: If you ever need to take a break from the game for your own safety and well-being, there won't be any judgement from me or the other players. You are welcome to take as long as you need away and return when you are ready.