Dragon Riders’ Academy: The Selection Trials

Creating your character

Characters begin at Level 1 and represent hopeful candidates attempting to enter the Dragon Riders’ Academy. Pregenerated characters will be provided through Demiplane, allowing the game to begin quickly while still giving players room to personalise names, personality, and background details. Players are welcome to adjust cosmetic details of their characters, but the pregenerated builds ensure the group is balanced and easy for new players to learn. The focus of this one-shot is experiencing the trials themselves rather than spending a long time creating characters. Players interested in continuing their characters’ stories may later carry them forward into further adventures at the academy.

Preparing for the session

Preparation for this game is simple. Before the session please ensure you have: • A Discord account for voice communication during the game • A free Demiplane account for character sheets and dice rolls https://app.demiplane.com/home Pregenerated characters will be shared through Demiplane before the session begins. A stable internet connection and microphone are recommended. A webcam is optional but welcome. No previous experience with tabletop roleplaying or the Daggerheart system is required.

What Rusty brings to the table

My games focus on story, atmosphere, and collaborative play. This adventure is designed as a welcoming introduction to tabletop roleplaying, with clear guidance and explanations of rules as they appear during play. Players will experience a structured series of academy trials testing different aspects of their characters. Each trial encourages creativity, teamwork, and imaginative problem-solving. The game is run primarily using theatre-of-the-mind storytelling, keeping the focus on narrative moments rather than complex digital maps. Non-player characters are roleplayed as part of the story, helping bring the academy and its traditions to life. The goal is to create a memorable adventure where players feel comfortable contributing ideas and discovering the story together.

Homebrew rules

This adventure uses the core Daggerheart rules as the foundation of play. For beginner-friendly sessions I keep house rules to a minimum so new players can learn the system in a clear and straightforward way. The primary guiding principle is keeping the story moving. Creative ideas that enhance the narrative are encouraged, and when appropriate the table may lean into the spirit of the rules rather than interrupt the flow of play. This approach helps new players focus on the adventure itself while still learning how the system works.

How Rusty creates a safe table

Creating a table where players feel safe, respected, and comfortable participating is an important part of how I run games. At the beginning of the session we will briefly check in on tone and expectations so that everyone understands the style of play and feels ready to step into the story together. This also gives players an opportunity to raise any concerns or preferences before the adventure begins. During the game I pay close attention to the group dynamic and use my experience as a facilitator and coach to notice when energy or comfort levels shift. Players are always welcome to signal if something is approaching their limits. Simple check-ins such as green / amber / red signals or a quick message in chat can be used if anyone needs to pause, redirect, or adjust a scene. Players are free to step away from the table at any time if they need a break. We will also include natural pauses during the session where players can check in privately if needed. The tone of this adventure is heroic fantasy and academy trials, focusing on teamwork, problem-solving, and character moments. If something unexpectedly moves toward uncomfortable territory, we simply pause and adjust so the table remains a place where players feel safe enough to be creative and brave. My aim is to create a welcoming environment where players can explore the story, contribute ideas, and enjoy the shared adventure together.