FORGOTTEN REALMS: The Curse on Humble Hill (Learn to Play D&D!)

Creating your character

To keep things stress-free, ready-to-play pre-made characters built with the 2024 Player's Handbook (D&D 5.5E) will be provided. You will need a free D&D Beyond account to claim and run your digital sheet, though I will also provide printable PDF copies for anyone who prefers a traditional sheet. Once you sign up, I’ll share a D&D Beyond campaign link with access to shared resources. We will use the first part of our session as a brief Session Zero to discuss character choices, review house rules and safety tools, and answer any questions before the adventure begins!

Preparing for the session

To make this as beginner-friendly and accessible as possible, there is no complicated software to download or tricky virtual tabletop to learn. Before game day, you will just need a free D&D Beyond account to access your character sheet and our shared resources, along with a Google account (Gmail and Google Docs) to join our video call and view any shared handouts or safety tool documents. We will meet directly over Google Meet, with the meeting link provided in your game details prior to the session. As for your setup, all you need is a reliable internet connection, a computer or tablet, and a working microphone and headphones or speakers so we can hear and talk with each other clearly—webcams are always welcome, but entirely optional. That’s all—bring an open mind, and get ready to roll!

What DM Aris brings to the table

As your Game Master, I provide a patient, encouraging, and low-stress environment designed to make learning D&D as fun and accessible as possible. You’ll get full access to my shared D&D Beyond, along with safety tools in place before and during our game to ensure everyone feels safe and respected. At my table, I prioritize the Rule of Cool and collaborative storytelling over rigid Rules as Written. While we use the rules as a supportive framework, my priority is player agency and making your creative ideas come to life. As an educator, my style centers on guiding and empowering you through every dice roll and decision without judgment. Expect a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, supportive guidance, and an emphasis on shared fun over tactical grinds!

Homebrew rules

To keep gameplay fluid, I use a few straightforward house rules: *Quick Potions & Weapon Swaps: Drinking a potion or switching weapons in combat only takes a Bonus Action. *No Weight Tracking: We don’t track Encumbrance or Coin Weight—carry what makes sense without doing extra math. *Rule of Cool & Respect: I love rewarding creative ideas over rigid rules, but I ask that players respect final DM rulings to keep the game fun and moving forward.

How DM Aris creates a safe table

Player safety and mutual respect are foundational at my table, and I make sure everyone feels supported. Before game day, I share the Monte Cook RPG Consent Checklist so players can privately establish their comfort levels, which we will review alongside table guidelines and expectations during our brief Session Zero. During gameplay, we actively use the X-Card—playable at any moment by typing "X" in chat, saying it aloud, or showing a sign on camera to edit or skip content with no questions asked. I expect everyone to treat each other with kindness and high respect, ensuring our shared space remains welcoming, fun, and relaxing for all!