The Founding of the Grand Paladin Circle

Creating your character

Character creation is something I prefer to do collaboratively with my players rather than leaving you to build a character alone. I will sit with you through the process, help you understand the setting of Tallindorr, and work with you to create a character that feels connected to both your own ideas and the world around them. Characters begin at Level 5. Ability scores will be determined through rolled stats, with guidelines in place to ensure everyone starts from a fair and enjoyable baseline. My goal as a DM is for every player to feel equal in importance while still allowing every character to feel unique. Whether you are playing a powerful warrior, a skilled spellcaster, or something entirely different, your character should have moments where they can shine and contribute meaningfully to the story. I believe character creation is not just about building a mechanically effective character, but about creating someone who has a reason to exist within the world. I enjoy working with players on their backstories, connections, goals, and personal hooks rather than expecting you to create everything in isolation. Your character's history can become part of the wider story of Tallindorr. Before the campaign begins, I may run a Session 0 where we discuss expectations, table etiquette, character concepts, and any content that players may be uncomfortable with. I use a collaborative approach and encourage players to communicate concerns so we can create the best experience possible for everyone. Due to the nature of Tallindorr's worldbuilding, some mechanical changes exist. Certain spells and abilities may function differently from standard 5e rules. For example, healing magic is extremely rare within the setting, and some classes that normally gain healing abilities may have those features adapted into alternative utility or damage-based options instead. These changes are always discussed with players beforehand and are intended to maintain both the setting's lore and the enjoyment of the class. The content I allow includes official **D&D 5e (2014)** material that I own or have access to. I am also open to adapting content from **D&D 5e (2024)** where appropriate, provided we discuss how it fits mechanically and within the setting. I have created my own homebrew races, subclasses, items, and mechanics, and players are welcome to use them where appropriate. I am also happy to work with players to create or adapt new homebrew concepts, but any custom subclasses or significant mechanical changes must be discussed with me beforehand so we can ensure they are balanced and fit the campaign. Third-party content is generally restricted unless I already own and approve it. Examples of third-party content I may allow include materials such as Dungeons of Drakkenheim or Grim Hollow. My goal is not to limit creativity, but to make sure every character feels unique, powerful, and connected to the world they are stepping into.

Preparing for the session

Before joining the campaign, players will need access to **Discord**, as this will be used for communication, scheduling, and campaign updates. I have a dedicated Discord server where we will organise sessions, share important information, and communicate between games. I use Owlbear Rodeo as the virtual tabletop and D&D Beyond for character sheets and character management. A D&D Beyond account is required, as this is the platform we will use to create, view, and manage characters throughout the campaign. An **Owlbear Rodeo account is recommended** for easier access and reconnection during sessions, but it is not strictly required. For any custom homebrew content that cannot be directly represented within D&D Beyond, I will provide guidance on how it should be tracked so that everything remains clear and organised. Before the campaign begins, I will help you with any setup needed, including creating a VTT token for your character. The required downloads and setup are kept to a minimum so you can focus on preparing your character and enjoying the adventure. I will create a campaign-specific role within Discord for players, allowing easier communication and session reminders. I typically confirm availability a few days before each session and check in again on the day itself, as I understand that plans can change. The most important preparation is simply bringing a character concept you are excited to play and being ready to create a story together. I run my games with a level of trust between myself and my players. Physical dice are welcome, and digital methods are also fine, as long as the spirit of fair play is maintained. Rolling dice is part of the excitement and experience of tabletop games, and I want players to enjoy the natural highs and lows that come with it. That trust goes both ways. Intentionally cheating damages the experience for everyone at the table and ultimately takes away from your own character's journey and the moments we create together. I want players to feel comfortable taking risks, making mistakes, and experiencing both success and failure naturally.

What Brad brings to the table

I aim to provide more than just a standard D&D session; my goal is to create an immersive experience where players feel like they are part of a living world. As a professional Voice Actor, I bring my performance experience into my games by giving NPCs distinct voices, personalities, and mannerisms. Every character you meet should feel like they have their own story, motivations, and place within the world rather than simply existing as a quest marker. I also utilise ambient music through Spotify and a Discord music bot to help enhance important moments, whether that is exploring a mysterious location, entering a dangerous encounter, or experiencing a memorable story moment. My GM style focuses heavily on player choice, creativity, and consequences. I encourage players to think beyond simple solutions and reward creative ideas, while still maintaining balance and fairness within the game. My table uses a combination of written rules, creative interpretation, and custom mechanics to ensure that the rules support the story rather than restrict it. Combat is designed to feel meaningful and cinematic, with encounters that challenge players while allowing their characters to feel powerful and unique. I enjoy creating custom encounters, mechanics, items, and moments tailored to the party rather than relying solely on pre-existing content. Most importantly, I want every player to feel that their character matters. Whether through personal storylines, roleplay, exploration, combat, or unexpected choices, your actions will shape the world around you and become part of the ongoing history of Tallindorr and Vahindire as a whole.

Homebrew rules

I use a number of homebrew rules and adjustments designed to improve immersion, balance, and the overall player experience. My goal is not to restrict players, but to make the game flow better and allow characters to feel impactful. Some examples include: - Modified Critical Hits: Natural 20s and certain critical failures have additional impact, making major moments feel more memorable and cinematic. Critical successes can create unique opportunities beyond simply dealing extra damage. - Potion Changes: Drinking a basic health potion can be done as a Bonus Action while rolling for the healing amount. Using the potion as a full Action restores the maximum possible healing from it. - DM Rolled Death Saves: Death saving throws are rolled privately by me and communicated directly to the player. This keeps the tension and uncertainty of those moments while still allowing the player to know their character's situation. - Combat and Character Adjustments: Various mechanics have been adapted to better support character identity, cinematic moments, and creative gameplay. These include changes to spellcasting, movement, vision, critical moments, and other combat interactions. - Creative Rule Interpretation: I encourage players to think creatively with spells, abilities, and mechanics. While written rules provide a foundation, I believe collaboration and a good idea can create some of the most memorable moments in a campaign. A full list of my house rules will be provided before the campaign begins, and we will discuss any questions during Session 0. You do not need to learn every house rule by heart before playing. The rules are there as a reference, and having a general understanding of them is more than enough. If a situation comes up during a session, I will explain how the relevant rule applies and answer any questions. Some rules may also be subject to adjustment or rework as the campaign develops. Any significant changes will always be communicated clearly before they affect play.

How Brad creates a safe table

Player comfort and safety are important parts of my table. While the world of Vahindire contains darker themes, difficult choices, and serious moments, I want everyone to feel comfortable engaging with the story and characters within Tallindorr. Before the campaign begins, I will run a Session 0 where we discuss expectations, table etiquette, character concepts, and any topics players may wish to avoid or approach carefully. This is also where we establish individual boundaries and ensure everyone understands the style of game we are creating together. I use safety tools such as Lines and Veils. A Line is something that will not appear in the game at all, while a Veil is something that may exist within the world but will not be described in detail or focused on during play. These tools allow players to communicate their boundaries clearly while still allowing the story and world to maintain its intended themes. I encourage players to communicate openly if something affects their enjoyment. If preferred, boundaries can be discussed privately with me, and players are never expected to explain or justify why something may be uncomfortable for them. During sessions, I encourage players to communicate concerns, ask questions, or request adjustments when needed. The goal is not to remove difficult, emotional, or intense moments from the story, but to ensure those moments are handled respectfully and in a way that allows everyone at the table to enjoy the experience. Character conflict and disagreements can create some of the most memorable stories, but player respect is always the priority. I encourage roleplay between characters, differing opinions, and meaningful choices while ensuring everyone understands the difference between character conflict and player conflict. After sessions involving particularly intense or emotional moments, I make space for players to check in and discuss anything that may have affected them. The foundation of my games is trust, communication, and collaboration, and maintaining that trust between myself and my players is something I take seriously. Vahindire is a world with a long and complicated history. With hundreds of different races, cultures, nations, and civilisations, conflict, prejudice, and discrimination can exist as part of the setting. These elements may appear through political tensions, historical conflicts, or character experiences. However, these themes are handled with care and are not intended as a justification for players to engage in discriminatory behaviour towards one another. If these themes are uncomfortable for a player, they will not become a focus of the campaign and can be handled through Veils, meaning they may exist within the world but will not be described in detail or placed at the centre of the story. Roleplay involving difficult themes should always serve the story, character development, or worldbuilding, while maintaining respect and comfort between everyone at the table.