"Lost Mine of Phandelver" +Learn to Play D&D!

Creating your character

Character Sheet Creation - - - - - - - - - - I have tutorial videos in my Discord Server to help you, but in addition I will be devoting the first session to helping each player form a good character sheet and teaching them how to read them. I also have access to player's handbooks and rulebooks you can view at any time to help review the mechanics and basics of playing the game. Stats will be decided using Point/Buy system. Everyone begins at Level 1. Books I accept as reference for character creation are: Player's Handbook 2024 D&D 5e Miniature Creation - - - - - - - - - - Players are also encouraged to create miniatures on Hero Forge and share their creation with me to use in the visuals of our 3D games. This is not necessary, though. It just adds a nice personalized touch for your character and your experience in the storytelling. I have many miniatures I can provide within my game which you can select from during Session 0 for a free and quick option of representing your character in game.

Preparing for the session

Most important is that players can download Talespire Guest Edition (free) from Steam (works on mac and pc) and have Discord accounts. Also imperative is to have a good headset/mic to communicate. Webcam is not required and won't be used. A D&D Beyond account is preferred for storing and sharing character sheets. If you do not know how to create a character, do not worry at all, I have step-by-step tutorial videos in my Discord Server. Please send me your character sheets with backstory written in them at least by the morning of the session's scheduled day. So to summarize: 1) Download Talespire Guest Edition (free) from Steam 2) Join my Discord server after having booked a seat in a game 3) Make sure you have a clear microphone for talking in game. 4) Enter my D&D Beyond campaign link (I'll message to you when you book a seat) and create a character on D&D Beyond (please use point-buy system), using any D&D 5e official handbook to guide your process. Optional: 5) Create and purchase a miniature model on Hero Forge and share the creation with me to be able to input into our 3D tabletop game. This isn't mandatory, but certainly impacts the immersion. I will host a Session 0 that I encourage all players to attend. It goes for an hour just before the scheduled session's start time where I will confirm with everyone how to use the VTT engine, rules and mechanics of D&D 5.5e, answer lingering questions about character creation, and go over safety tools. Please feel free to message me on startplaying or discord at any time for questions on character creation.

What FentonDM brings to the table

1) A D&D Beyond pro subscription, allowing for players to easily share character sheets with me, as well as receive detailed characters from the campaign 2) I own a pro Talespire account along with 8 Guest Seats so anyone may play in the 3D modeled maps and terrain completely for free. I have tutorial videos on how to navigate this VTT in my Discord Server. 3) Access to multiple rulebooks in case anyone needs the reference for making their characters or refresh themselves on core gameplay elements. 4) I always do character voices, sometimes utilizing my own acting and sometimes using the numerous voices in my voice changer I have. There's also a soundboard with tons and tons of sound effects that I make use of at appropriate times. Never too often. 5) I provide curated accompanying music to aid in immersion, and as a professional musician myself, I'm meticulous about my selections. This music plays through a Discord alt account that sits in our voice channel so players needn't sign into any third-party software to hear the music and can easily adjust the volume of the alt to their likings.

How FentonDM creates a safe table

I always run a Session 0 an hour before the scheduled session start time to workshop with my players the themes and content matter entailed in the upcoming campaign. This is where I can how best to provide an engaging story while keeping topics within the realms of everyone's comfort. I have in my Discord Channel a dedicated safety-tools chat channel that is displayed on my iPad at all times during gameplay, so if someone submits an X,N,O message I can instantly see it and make the necessary steps to accommodate. I also like to do a break and debrief, allowing for the fantasy and immersion to rest in the group and allow for the chance to check in with everyone.