Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden | D&D 2024 | 1st level

Creating your character

Characters will be crafted at the start of the session to help those who are unfamiliar with the process. For character creation, I use the following general guidelines for 5e 2024: -Use the Character Creator on my Roll20.net account to build your character. We have access to the 2024 Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master Guide, Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerun and Eberron: Forge of the Artificer. -Ability Scores are generated using the Point Cost option on pg. 38 of the Player's Handbook (PHB) with only one stat allowed at 17+ and only one dump stat allowed (9 or lower). If you prefer a simpler method - use the Standard Array by Class table on the same page. -All PCs begin this adventure module at 1st level, with a possible chance to advance to level 12+ by the end! -I prefer characters be crafted using the character sheets & character builder available on Roll20.net. (As DM, I need access to your sheet during games - mostly to help when there are technical issues or player absences). -Unearthed Arcana playtest material for D&D 2024 is also allowed. -Come up with a reasonable name that sets your character apart in some way (names are always hard to come up with on the fly, so it's best to have one or two before you come to session).

Preparing for the session

Greetings Adventurer! Now that you have fallen into my clutches, please join the "City of Doors (D&D 2024)" Discord server here - https://discord.com/invite/qydH7M32jj Roll20 is the Virtual Table Top (VTT) that I have the most experience with. I also use their character sheets for campaigns. Please join "Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden" campaign on Roll20! - https://app.roll20.net/join/20515339/8H2kXg If you've never used Roll20.net before, this video is a good overview of how it works - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTuOa2Ba2_w&list=PL2rm5MsGSGyUzMXvEC3h6b3Z1I9Q9UB1Z Completely new to D&D 2024? Here is one of my favorite YouTubers (Ginny Di) with an excellent overview of how to play - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNNBjVmNbQI&list=PL2rm5MsGSGyUzMXvEC3h6b3Z1I9Q9UB1Z&index=3 If you haven't already, feel free to message me on StartPlaying/Discord and say hi! I'm looking forward to helping you build your new character for D&D 2024, so let me know what class/species combinations you're thinking about trying! Paul (lady_0f_pain)

What lady_0f_pain (Paul) brings to the table

I've purchased a few assets for our use on my Roll20 account, including: the 2024 Player's Handbook (PHB), Dungeon Master's Guide (DMG) and Monster Manual. Additionally, we have "Eberron: Forge of the Artificer" and "Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerun" which will enable the character creator to make characters using the new rules! You can expect that I'll play the rules as written so that you can develop a predictable sense of the game physics (knowing the rules empowers players to play their best)! I will help you learn to use your character's powers strategically to support your allies and overcome challenges. My games provide a good balance between role playing, combat and exploration. I can't say that I dip heavier into one category more so than another. I'm a supportive DM and I want to help your character shine! While I will use my powers to challenge you (and you will HATE my villains), my ultimate goal is to provide you the opportunity to overcome those obstacles so you can feel that uplifting tingle from having done good deeds by the end of the session! Mechanically I am very organized as a DM. For this particular module I have all the maps and tokens prepared and ready, so there will be visual aids even when doing "theater of the mind" scenes.

Homebrew rules

I have a couple of homebrew rules: 1. Component Pouch buy-in: casters may bank up to 100gp into their component pouch to produce a costly component/focus needed later. For example, a caster lacks the 50gp gem required to cast Chromatic Orb, so they subtract 50gp from the value banked within their component pouch to produce the gem as if they'd always had it. 2. Not Today, d20!: if you roll a natural 1 on an Attack Roll, you gain Heroic Inspiration, if you lack it.

How lady_0f_pain (Paul) creates a safe table

As the DM, my goal is for everyone to feel comfortable at the table and to walk away from each session having had a great time. However, I run games set in the classic D&D multiverse, which means the world can sometimes be a harsh place. To ensure we are all on the same page: Classic D&D Themes: We will be playing with established D&D lore. This includes themes of fantasy violence, grit, survival, evil factions (like Drow/Goblin/Orc raids), and historical rivalries between fantasy species (like Elves and Dwarves and Orcs, etc.). With that being said, I am an inclusive person who does not tolerate intolerance (you won't be bullied at my table). I fully support diversity, including the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as neurodivergent players. Please check the content warnings on this module, however to ensure it is a good fit for you. The Session Zero Checklist: Before we roll any dice, we will go over a checklist where everyone can outline their hard boundaries and tolerances. This helps me tailor the established lore to fit our specific group. Open Communication, No X-Cards: I do not use visual "X-Cards" as sudden visual pop-ups disrupt my focus and the flow of the game. Instead, I rely on open, direct communication. If you ever feel uncomfortable or dysregulated, you are always free to take a break, step away from the mic, or send me a private message in Roll20 or Discord. I won't judge you, as I sometimes experience moments of overwhelm myself. Always Available: My door is always open. I am available after sessions if you need to discuss the game, process the experience, or if we need to adjust how we handle certain content moving forward. D&D can be an emotional, living game and I'm happy to help!