Intro to D&D 5e - Character Creation & Sample Adventure
Learn the rules of D&D, make your very own character from scratch, and practice playing all in one session with a welcoming GM!
$25.00
/ Session
Details
3 players following this game
Once / Friday - 11:00 PM UTC
Oct 16
Session Duration / 3–3.5 hours
3 / 4 Seats Filled
Top Game Master
One of StartPlaying's top-rated GMs, a player favorite and highly recommended.
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Schedule
Meet your party members
3/4
About the adventure
Welcome! My name is Ace and I am here to guide you into the world of Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition (D&D 5e). This session is for anyone that wants hands-on guidance for learning the fundamentals of this legendary game. We'll start with an overview of how the game works and the basic rules. Next I'll guide you through the creation of your own character via DnDBeyond.com (DDB), introducing you to the basics of character creation. Lastly, we will dive into a fun, sample adventure to give you some practice with using your brand new character. You'll also have plenty of opportunity to ask any questions throughout the session. WHAT TO EXPECT: 1. Welcome and Introductions -We'll start with a friendly meet-and-greet. We'll all introduce ourselves, talk about our experience with DnD, and set our goals for the session. 2. Review the Rules -I’ll explain the basic concepts of D&D, the core rules, and key terminology. 3. Character Creation Workshop -As a team, we will go step-by-step through the character creation process (using DDB). -You'll learn how to choose among the different species, classes, and background options. We'll review the skills, abilities, and equipment options involved in those choices. -You'll have ample opportunity to ask any questions about how to play or how to make a character. -By the end of this workshop, you'll have a complete character sheet on DDB that is ready to play and that you can download as a pdf for future use. 4. Break -After about 90 minutes, we will take a 10-minute break. 5. Sample Adventure -We'll jump into a short, beginner-friendly adventure tailored to introduce you to the core mechanics of D&D, such as combat, exploration, and role-playing. -The priority will be making sure everyone is comfortable with roleplaying and the basic rules rather than creating a complete story or learning about lore. 6. Tailored Session Planning -Each group of players is unique. I will take into account the experience of each player as well as the number of players in attendance and tailor the content of the session accordingly. -For some, we will focus more on reviewing the rules. For others, we may focus more on gameplay. -Solo sessions (with just one player) will get more focused guidance for character creation and basic practice with roleplay and combat (just without fellow players). Sessions with multiple players will get to learn from each other during character creation and experience more dynamic, cooperative gameplay. 7. Debrief and Discussion -After the adventure, we will discuss the session and share feedback via the stars and wishes methodology.
Game style
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Rules as Written (RaW)
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(109)
5 years on StartPlaying
440 games hosted
Highly rated for: Beginner Friendly, Inclusive, Creativity
About me
Welcome, friends! My name is Ace. I am a professional game master (or GM, for short). I primarily run games for Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition (D&D 5e). I love games like D&D for the unparalleled experience they provide to players. I run games professionally because I love nothing more than creating the framework for those experiences. I love games that are driven by roleplay and genuine investment in a fictional world, while still being grounded in game mechanics and the goal of an epic story. If that sounds like fun, I would love to run a game for you! Since I started GMing professionally in 2020, I have consistently been running one to four weekly campaigns at a time. In that time, I have also taught dozens of people to play D&D from scratch. I have livestreamed the games I run, edited/produced videos of them for my youtube channel, and made educational videos about D&D. I believe D&D can be for everyone and that there is a version of it that everyone can enjoy. That’s why I love teaching people about the game and introducing it to those that might not have experienced it otherwise. In that interest, I want everyone that plays in one of my games to be comfortable, have a good time, and never feel ostracized for lack of experience (or any other reason). Whether or not you choose to play in one of the games that I run, what’s most important to me is that you get to play and have a great time doing so! If you're interested in playing in a game that I run or if I can be of assistance in your D&D journey, don't hesitate to reach out.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Since we will all be building a character together during the session, there is no need to create one in advance. I only ask that you create an account for yourself on DnDBeyond.com so that you are prepared for when we make a character during the session. Also, as a general rule, I ask that players not use AI as part of the games that I run.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Prior to the game, each player should have the following: -A computer. -Functional headphones, a microphone, and a camera all connected to your computer and ready to use. -The Zoom software, downloaded and ready to use on their computer. -A reliable internet connection. -A DnDBeyond.com (DDB) account. Creating an account on DDB is free and easy. You should be logged into your DDB account on a web browser. Please be prepared to have your camera on while we play. If you do not want to or cannot have your camera on, please let me know in advance. I ask for everyone’s cameras to be on as much as possible because it directly improves everyone’s communication and overall experience. If you have the option, I recommend using an external microphone (such as from a pair of headphones) rather than the built-in microphone on your computer/laptop. The audio quality is usually much better, which makes it easier for everyone to communicate. When you sign up for the adventure, you should receive an email from SPG with “Prep Materials.” Please make sure you check out that email for the zoom link and other helpful links. If you have any questions at all or just want to connect before the session, feel free to message me on SPG or DM me on Discord: AceTheGM
What Ace the GM brings to the table
For the game, I will provide: -Use of my DnDBeyond campaign with access to all the official 5.5e sourcebooks (with the exception of any recent publications). -A pro Zoom license for convenient and consistent video call quality. -A professional A/V setup to enhance the listening/viewing experience. -A robust world and story to take part in. -A play style driven by character choices, collaborative storytelling, and improv comedy. -Detailed, custom-made maps (where applicable) displayed in Photoshop. -Voice acting of various unique characters. -Background music, ambience, and sound effects to set the mood and help immerse you in the story. -Thousands of hours of experience running games professionally. -Patience and kindness. -An inclusive and welcoming attitude 😀
Homebrew rules
Below is a link to a google doc that includes all of my key homebrew rules: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A6QNXLi-Sj_brOUF7lui9gx_ZAEz6kJEv71omn5NOGo/edit?usp=sharing
Equipment needed to play
Computer
Headphones
Internet
Microphone
Webcam
Platforms used
Safety
How Ace the GM creates a safe table
At the top of the session, we will start by reviewing the functionality of all safety tools. The tools I use for one-shots, like this, are different from what I would use for a long-term campaign. In summary, the safety tools I will use are as follows: the X/N/O card system, open door policy, breaks, and debriefs (stars and wishes). For a more detailed descriptions of all safety tools, follow this link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NOSOhYA-140F58IMP-V_VBBuUolD0BFw2k7XZh7nnII/edit?usp=sharing
Content warnings
Safety tools used