The Dragon Queen Rises | Tyranny of Dragons

Creating your character

Come to Session 0 with an idea for your character! You don’t have to have it all fleshed out, as our discussions might help spark some ideas for you. Also, it will give you a chance to hear what your fellow players are thinking, and together you can build a party where everyone can take on a key role for the group. Character creation can definitely be a collaborative process and maybe the first team-building exercise we do. I also prefer that at Session 0 we roll our character stats together. I employ a modified rule: roll 4d6 and drop the lowest, but if the cumulative score is below 72, you may choose to utilize the standard array instead. For DND games, we will be utilizing the 5.5e Ruleset (aka 2024). Please use only 5.5 classes and subclasses that are officially published by WOTC. If there is a subclass that you would like to use that has not yet been updated or is in an Unearthed Arcana testing phase, please speak with me first about it. I’m not opposed to using those; I just want to talk through it with you first and make sure we’re all on the same page. For non-DND games such as Call of Cthulhu, Delta Green, Daggerheart, & Coriolis, we will go over character building a little more in-depth in our Session 0 because each system handles it differently. I also have pre-gen characters that players can choose from for those games if they so desire. These games are more limited in the digital tools available. I am continuing to find online resources that we can use for those games. Once you’ve reserved your spot in the game, I will send you a digital character sheet as well as a “get started” guide to help you start looking at how to build your characters. For those games that use stat rolling in character creation, we will also do those together during Session 0.

Preparing for the session

I run games primarily through 2 places: Discord & DNDBeyond VTT. As soon as you reserve your spot in one of my games, I will send you invite links to join both. You will need your own free account for both of these. Discord can easily and safely be downloaded from the web, and DNDBeyond is a web-based application. Once you have joined my Discord server, “Wolfepack Tabletop,” you will access the relevant category for the game you’re playing. There are various channels to meet and talk with your fellow players, either in or out of character. Pay close attention to the “Stars & Wishes” & “Voice” channels. We will use the Voice channel to play our games online; it has a built-in video chat as well that we’ll utilize. The “Stars & Wishes” channel is one of our safety tools where you can add things you loved or wished had happened during a session. There is also a General category for all of those who are playing in one of my games. Hopefully we can turn the server into its namesake, a pack of fellow gamers.

What DM Wolfe brings to the table

I want our games to feel as immersive as possible during play. From describing scenes using all five senses to the unique identities of our NPCs to adding in real music or sound effects when possible. This is the world that we are creating together, and I want to help make that world both felt and seen. In-game, I try to build in as much balance as possible between roleplay and combat, but some sessions will naturally lean more heavily one way or the other. I love when players come with a solid idea for their characters and share their ideas on the PC’s backstory. I work with players to then bring those backstories into the game and weave them into the game when appropriate. Player ideas really help make the world real for all of us. Much of our gameplay will be theater of the mind, except for when we have maps to utilize. I mostly use DNDBeyond as our VTT for games. Their character builder is very helpful and will make a token for your character. I tend towards running games Rules as Written (RAW), but when those awesome moments of player creativity strike, I’m happy to bend the rules in favor of the Rool of Cool (ROC). I love rewarding players for their awesome ideas and great moments of roleplaying. INSPIRATION! As a GM, I keep my games mostly PG-13. Language can occasionally be rude or crude to add the needed flavor to any scene. I try to keep things light but serious, and no more graphic than needed. I want us all to have fun, and for me personally, too much of those things isn’t all that fun. I’m not a fan of PvP either and mostly discourage it in my games. There can be moments when the story might pit PCs with opposing motives and goals against each other, but those shouldn’t come at the expense of the other player. Lastly, this is a game. Games were made purely for our enjoyment and to have fun. I promise to do my best to ensure fun is had by all, and I expect all of my players to promise the same!

Homebrew rules

Modified Stat Rolling: Roll 4d6, drop the lowest. If the cumulative score is less than 72, players may choose to use the Standard Array instead. Health potions: If you take your action to drink a health potion, you receive max healing. If you take it as a Bonus Action, you roll for it as normal. Death Saves: Death Saves are rolled privately and then shared with the DM in secret.

How DM Wolfe creates a safe table

During Session 0, we will go over the safety tools that are in use in my games. I will provide players with a Lines & Veils document to complete either before or at Session 0. The document I prefer to use is from MCDM’s Safety Tool Kit. Another safety tool that I employ in my games is the X-card that can be used at any moment in the game to stop play and either discuss what is at issue or simply just pause for a break and check in later. Because we are playing digitally, you can either hold up an X card on screen, make an X with your arms, or send it to me via a direct message on Discord. Lastly, there is a dedicated thread in our Discord server labeled “Stars & Wishes,” for use after every session. Players are encouraged to write in there those “star moments”, things they loved in a session, and also their “wishes,” things they would have liked to have happened, but didn’t. Though I run the games as the DM, it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure the safety and fun of every player at our digital table. Those who either grossly or repeatedly violate these principles will be asked to find another game elsewhere.