Learn to Play Dungeons & Dragons 5e

Creating your character

Sterling D. will provide pre-made character sheets for you to choose from after you sign up or at the start of the game.

Preparing for the session

No previous D&D experience or rules knowledge is required. You do not need to purchase or read any books before the game. Before the session, please: Create a free Roll20 account and join the game using the invitation link provided. Join the Discord server for voice chat and game communication. Make sure you have a working microphone, headphones if possible, and a stable internet connection. Choose from the provided pregenerated characters, or contact me beforehand if you would like help creating your own. I will provide the maps, character sheets, rules references, handouts, and everything else needed to play. We will learn the rules at the table, through play, so there is no homework or expectation that you memorize anything beforehand. Just bring your curiosity, a willingness to work with the other players, and a sense of adventure.

What Sterling D. brings to the table

What I Provide as Your Game Master As your Game Master, my goal is to create an adventure that feels immersive, cinematic, and collaborative — a space where everyone can step into a fantasy world and feel like part of the story, whether it’s your first game or your fiftieth. You can expect a fully guided experience, complete with rich storytelling, character voices, and ambient background music to bring the world to life. I balance exciting tactical combat with meaningful roleplay and exploration, giving every player a chance to shine — whether you love clever problem-solving, dramatic moments, or epic battles. I follow the Rules as Written for consistency and learning, but I also embrace the Rule of Cool when a bold or creative idea makes the story more fun. My sessions are paced to keep everyone engaged, with clear guidance for new players so you can learn as you play without feeling overwhelmed. Here’s what I provide for every game: A welcoming and inclusive table, perfect for new and returning players alike. Pre-configured digital tools (character sheets, maps, and dice rollers) so you can jump right in. Ambient sound and music for immersion. Personal guidance before and during the session — I’ll help you understand the rules, your abilities, and how to make the most of your character. A story built around your choices, where teamwork and creativity drive the adventure forward. My goal is simple: to make sure every player walks away with a great story, a few laughs, and the feeling that they were part of something epic.

How Sterling D. creates a safe table

Before we dive into the adventure — chasing goblins, baking pies, and maybe saving the day — I want to take a moment to talk about something important: feeling safe and comfortable while we play. Dungeons & Dragons is about storytelling, teamwork, and imagination. Sometimes that means things get a little tense or emotional, and that’s okay! But it should always feel like fun tension, not the kind that makes you uneasy. So, we use a few simple tools to make sure everyone feels good about what’s happening in the story. The Deck of Player Safety Think of this like a set of “mood cards” for our game. You’ll have three easy ways to let me know how you’re feeling: Green Card means, “This is great! Let’s keep going!” Yellow Card means, “I’m okay, but I’d like to slow down or change direction.” Red Card means, “I’m not comfortable with this part — let’s stop or skip ahead.” You can say it out loud, send a quick message, or even just raise your hand if you want to take a break. There’s no judgment, no questions — your comfort always comes first. Session Zero Before the dice hit the table, we’ll start with a Session Zero — a friendly chat where we’ll talk about what kind of story we’re telling, what kinds of things we want to include (and what we’d rather avoid), and how the game works. This is also a great time to ask any questions if you’re brand new to D&D. Breaks & Open Door About halfway through, we’ll take a short break to grab a drink, stretch, or check on your own “snack stat.” If at any time you need to step away — for a few minutes or for the rest of the session — you can always do so. That’s what we call the Open Door policy. Real life comes first, no questions asked. After the Adventure Once we’ve finished our tale (and hopefully found that secret pie recipe!), we’ll do a quick aftercare check-in. This is just a moment to share what you loved, what made you laugh, or what could make things even better next time. The goal is simple: to make sure everyone feels safe, included, and free to have fun. This is a whimsical, cozy adventure about goblins, wizards, and apple pie — and the only thing we’re baking up here are good memories.