The Shattered Obelisk into Deadfall: The Classic and the Latest!

Creating your character

We will create your characters through DND Beyond. All Wizards of the Coast materials are allowed. We will be using the 2024 version of any class or subclass if it is available. I am open to 3rd party developers, but those materials must be reviewed by me. I reserve the right to disallow things that do not match the setting or if I feel they are poorly balanced. We will choose which way the group wants to choose their stats. I am a fan of point buy, but I am open to rolling stats at our first session, or the standard array. Character creation can take place in the lead up into our session 0. We will go over everything together in our session zero, but the more that has been completed beforehand, the faster we can get to playing the game.

Preparing for the session

You will need an account with Discord and DND Beyond. We will run all sessions using those two services. Join the link to the discord server below, and I will share with the player everything else! https://discord.gg/4Euvs4WJh

What James brings to the table

My GM style focuses on collaborative storytelling and player-driven adventures. I use the rules as a strong foundation, but treat them as tools that support creativity and fun at the table. I enjoy helping players find their preferred playstyle while building a welcoming and engaging environment for both new and experienced gamers. My goal is always to create memorable stories together, guided by character choices and the roll of the dice. I will be running all combats through the DND Beyond 20 VTT. I will make sure to add music and ambiance to tactical combat and puzzle solving. I do voices for a lot of major NPCs, but I don't do them very well. It's quite fun for me to try and make every NPC distinct. I am more often to stick to Rules as Written, but will always listen to my players if they want to change something.

Homebrew rules

My homebrew rules are up for discussion at our session zero, but I do have a few I prefer. 1. Healing potions - You can take a healing potion as a bonus action and roll the total healed, or use your action to take it and get the maximum possible hit points. 2. Crunchy crit - A critical hit gives you max damage on the first set of dice, and then you get to roll damage as normal. For example, if you hit with a greataxe plus divine smite, you would get to roll the standard 1d12 + 2d8, then add your modifier, then the max possible from those dice (12+16). 3. Flanking – Though it has officially been removed from DND 2024, I will give advantage to flanking PC’s and NPC’s. This means that if two allies can position themselves on opposite sides of an adversary, they will both have advantage on all attack rolls.

How James creates a safe table

My goal as a Game Master is to create a table where every player feels welcome, respected, and comfortable participating in the story we create together. Tabletop roleplaying games are at their best when everyone feels safe to contribute, take creative risks, and enjoy the experience. Dungeons & Dragons was meant for everyone, and I strive to make sure my table reflects that spirit. Before the campaign begins, players will receive a Lines and Veils document. This allows everyone to privately indicate topics they do not want to appear in the game at all (Lines) and topics that may exist but should fade to black or stay off-screen (Veils). This helps us establish shared boundaries before play begins. During the game, we will use the X / N / O safety system: X – Stop the current content immediately. N – Move past or change the current scene. O – Everything is okay; the scene can continue. Players can communicate these signals either through Discord chat or through in-game messaging, whichever feels easiest and most comfortable in the moment. No explanation is required when using these tools. We will also hold a Session Zero before the campaign begins. During this session we will review table expectations, rules of conduct, character creation guidelines, and any safety tools we plan to use. This is also a chance for players to ask questions and share preferences about tone, themes, and playstyle. Respect for fellow players is essential. Discrimination or harassment will not be tolerated, including behavior directed at another player based on gender, race, sexual orientation, identity, or background. Everyone deserves to feel welcome at the table. Additional practices I encourage to help keep the table comfortable and enjoyable include: Open communication: Players are always welcome to message me privately if something at the table makes them uncomfortable. Breaks when needed: Anyone may request a short pause or break during play. Collaborative storytelling: Player input is valued, and feedback is always welcome. Respecting spotlight time: Everyone deserves moments for their character to shine. After-session check-ins: I’m happy to hear thoughts after a session so we can continue improving the experience together. The goal is simple: a fun, respectful, and collaborative game where everyone can enjoy the adventure together.