Getting Started

Everything you need to join the adventure. No experience required.

Back to Camp New Player Checklist Download the Player Guide (PDF)

First things first: which table are you joining?

The Basics

What's the best way to get in touch?

The best and fastest way to reach me is Discord, and I strongly encourage players to use it whenever possible. You can contact me via:

Sending: A 3rd-level evocation spell. 25 words, unlimited range, guaranteed cross-planar delivery. Results may vary. Please just use Discord.

What edition of D&D do you use?

All campaigns use the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition 2014 ruleset. Players have access to all published Wizards of the Coast 2014 content, including rules, class features, and spells as written for that edition.

Do I need to know the rules beforehand?

Not at all! New players are always welcome. I'm happy to teach rules as we play, help with character creation, and explain mechanics as they come up. All of my campaigns are built to be enjoyable for newcomers and veterans alike, and experienced players will still find plenty of depth, challenge, and nuance.

What's your DM style?

I specialize in adaptive, character-driven gameplay. I have a relaxed DM style, and I'm always happy to adjust elements of the game to make sure my players are having a great time. I aim to:

  • Say "yes" whenever possible
  • Reward and empower creativity
  • Let player choices shape the world
  • Balance challenge with fairness

I love dramatic moments, clever solutions, emotional beats, and a perfectly timed disaster.

Tech & Platform

What platform do you use?

Most of my campaigns are run on Fantasy Grounds Unity (FGU), a professional virtual tabletop with deep Dungeons & Dragons 5E support that handles maps, tokens, dice rolling, character sheets, automation, and combat tracking. Some of my tables run on Foundry Virtual Tabletop, a modern virtual tabletop that plays right in the browser; your game listing says which platform your campaign uses.

Whichever table you join, you do not need to purchase the virtual tabletop or any content yourself. Everything is included!

What do I need to play?

  • A computer or laptop (Windows, Mac, or Linux)
  • A stable internet connection
  • A headset and microphone (voice is required)
  • A Discord account (for voice, scheduling, and between-session communication)

Webcams are optional (and welcome!) but not required.

Fantasy Grounds Unity

Fantasy Grounds Unity is a desktop application for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Here is the whole setup, start to finish:

  1. Create a free account at fantasygrounds.com.
  2. Download and install the Fantasy Grounds Unity client. The free Demo version is all you need: I host with a license that lets demo players join my games at no cost.
  3. Before Session Zero I will send connection details on Discord. Open Fantasy Grounds, choose Join Game, enter the details, and you are at the table.

All rulebooks, maps, tokens, and character sheets live inside my game world, so there is nothing else to buy or configure. If the installation puts up a fight, message me on Discord and we will slay it together. We also do a full tech check during your one-on-one meeting with me before Session 1.

Foundry VTT

Foundry VTT runs directly in your browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Edge recommended), so there is no separate software to download. I will send you a link before each session and you just click to join. You can learn more at foundryvtt.com.

Why these platforms?

Fantasy Grounds Unity

Fantasy Grounds Unity has been my table's home for years. Its Dungeons & Dragons 5E ruleset is among the deepest of any virtual tabletop: character sheets, spells, conditions, and combat automation are built in, which keeps long campaigns consistent and lets us spend session time playing instead of bookkeeping. After a decade behind the screen, it is the platform I trust with my stories.

Foundry VTT

Foundry VTT offers smooth automation, detailed maps, and solid character management tools. It runs in-browser, so players can jump in with very little setup. That instant, no-install setup makes it a perfect fit for those tables.

Character Creation

What are the rules for character creation?

You are welcome to create a character using any published WotC 5E 2014 content. For a full list of approved books, see the Available Sources section. Please create a character who is motivated to cooperate with the party and engage in the group's shared adventure. My campaigns work best with characters who are comfortable being part of a team.

Head over to the Player Resources section for the full list of character creation guidelines!

How do backstories work?

Backstories are collaborative. You're free to write yours however you feel best fits your character. You don't need a novel; even a single paragraph is more than enough. I actively weave character histories, goals, and NPCs into the ongoing campaign, so the more you give me, the more I have to work with.

Check out the Backstory Guide below for more information and tools!

How do I get my character info to you?

However works best for you! You can build your character directly inside the VTT, put it together on D&D Beyond and send it over, fill out a printable blank character sheet (fillable PDF), type it up in a Word doc or spreadsheet, or really anything else you can think of. As long as I end up with a copy of your character information, I'm happy.

Do you allow homebrew or third-party content?

I do not allow third-party character creation content. All classes, subclasses, and core class features must come from official D&D 5E (2014) sources. That said:

  • Flavor-only changes (renaming, retheming, narrative adjustments) are welcome
  • Background customization is encouraged where it supports your character's story
  • Minor rules adjustments may be considered on a case-by-case basis if they improve clarity, table play, or narrative without disrupting balance

Any adjustments will always be discussed in advance and applied consistently across the table. If you're unsure whether something fits, just ask! I'm happy to talk it through.

Scheduling & Payment

How does scheduling work?

Sessions are scheduled through StartPlaying and run at the same day and time every week. Keeping a consistent schedule helps the campaign run smoothly and makes it easier for everyone to plan ahead. If a session needs to be rescheduled, I'll communicate clearly and as early as possible via Discord and StartPlaying.

What if I can't make a session?

Life happens! If you need to miss a session, just let me know ahead of time. The game will usually continue as scheduled, and your character will be handled in a low-impact way unless we've discussed something different in advance. Here is a guide to skipping a session in StartPlaying.

How long are sessions?

Each session runs for 4 hours. We take short breaks as needed, and I aim to end at a clean stopping point whenever possible.

How does payment work?

All payments are handled securely through StartPlaying. Pricing is listed clearly on each game's page, with no surprise fees.

Player Safety

Player comfort and consent are non-negotiable. I take table safety seriously, and I want every player to feel welcome, respected, and heard at my table. All games include:

✦Session Zero (free)

Before a campaign begins, we run a Session Zero to establish expectations, discuss boundaries, and make sure everyone is on the same page. This is also a great chance to meet your fellow players and ask any questions.

✦Code of Conduct

A set of shared expectations for respectful and inclusive play. Every player agrees to these before joining a campaign.

✦Lines & Veils

A tool that lets players communicate hard limits (lines) and topics they are okay with being referenced but not explored in detail (veils). These are collected privately and respected without question.

✦Open Door Policy

If something comes up during a session that makes you uncomfortable, you are always free to step away, no questions asked. You never need to explain or justify it.

✦Stars and Wishes

At the end of sessions, players are invited to share a Star (something they enjoyed) and a Wish (something they would like to see more of). This helps me keep the game moving in a direction everyone is excited about. See the Stars & Wishes page for examples.

✦Aftercare

After a heavy or emotional session, we take a few minutes to step out of character together, shake off the story, and check in before anyone logs off. The character's troubles stay at the table; you head home light.

Above all else, I want you to know that I am always here to listen. If you ever need to talk about anything related to the game, whether it is a concern, a question, or just something on your mind, please do not hesitate to reach out. You can contact me at any time through Discord, email, or StartPlaying. Your wellbeing matters to me, and I will always make time for you.

Player Resources

Character Creation Guidelines

  • Please create a character who is motivated to cooperate with the party and engage in the group's shared adventure. My campaigns work best with characters who are comfortable being part of a team.
  • Please do not create an Evil-aligned character
  • No PvP, stealing from party members, or griefing other party members
Core Settings
Level Up Method Milestone Leveling
Stats Generation Standard Point Buy
Hit Points Average or Rolled
New Adventure
Starting Level 1
Starting Equipment As per Class / Background
Starting Money 15 GP
In-Progress Adventure
Starting Level Level of Party
Starting Equipment As per Class / Background; additional items added by DM
Starting Money 15 GP; additional gold added by DM

When making a character, you will have access to material from all published WotC 5E content. For the complete list of approved books, see the Available Sources section.

Helpful Resources

Available Sources

Every approved book for character creation. If it's on this shelf, it's fair game.

Core Rule Books & Supplements

  • Player's Handbook (2014) PHB
  • Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide SCAG
  • Volo's Guide to Monsters VGtM
  • Xanathar's Guide to Everything XGtE
  • Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes / Monsters of the Multiverse MToF / MPMM
  • Tasha's Cauldron of Everything TCoE
  • Fizban's Treasury of Dragons FToD
  • Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants BPGotG
  • The Book of Many Things BoMT

Campaign Settings

  • Elemental Evil Player's Companion EEPC
  • Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica GGtR
  • Eberron: Rising from the Last War ERLW
  • Explorer's Guide to Wildemount EGtW
  • Mythic Odysseys of Theros MOoT
  • Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft VRGtR
  • Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos SCoC
  • Spelljammer: Adventures in Space SAiS
  • Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse PAitM
  • Astral Adventurer's Guide AAG

Extras

  • One Grung Above OGA
  • Domains of Delight DoD
  • The Tortle Package TP

Adventure Backgrounds

  • Hoard of the Dragon Queen / The Rise of Tiamat HotDQ / RoT
  • Princes of the Apocalypse PotA
  • Out of the Abyss OotA
  • Curse of Strahd CoS
  • Storm King's Thunder SKT
  • Tomb of Annihilation ToA
  • Waterdeep: Dragon Heist WDH
  • Ghosts of Saltmarsh GoS
  • Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus BGDiA
  • Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden IDRotF
  • Wild Beyond the Witchlight WBtW

Character Creation FAQ

Do you allow Firearms?

As all campaigns are set in a high fantasy setting, we will not be including firearms, guns, or similar.

Will my campaign be converted to the OneD&D / D&D 2024 ruleset?

No. Each campaign is built for D&D 5E (2014), and that ruleset will be used for the full duration of the game.

I want to use [content] from [book]. Is that allowed?

Take a look at the Available Sources list above. If the book you're pulling from is on that list, you're good to go! For example:

  • "Can I play a Variant Human?" Absolutely, it's in the Player's Handbook.
  • "Can I use the Echo Knight subclass?" Yes! It's from Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, which is on the list.
  • "Can I play a Hexblood?" Go for it. That's from Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft.

If you're not sure whether something is allowed or you can't find the source on the list, just ask and we can talk it through.

Will there be dragons?

Statistically speaking, yes.

Backstory Guide

As you're thinking about the kind of character you'd like to play, please also consider their background. Please write a backstory of at least 250 words, with an absolute maximum of 20 pages single-spaced at 14pt font. Below you'll find a list of questions to help guide you. You definitely don't need to answer every single one, but I'd love to see a few of them reflected in your backstory!

Your character sheet covers everything you need for the mechanics of adventuring, but it doesn't capture what shaped your character in the years before their career began. These questions are here to help you think through that history. Use whichever ones speak to you.

Prefer not to wrestle a blank page? The Backstory Builder walks you through every question below and assembles your notes for you, ready to send.

Open the Backstory Builder
  1. What would someone see at first glance? (height, weight, skin color, eye color, hair color, physique, race, visible equipment)
  2. What additional attributes would be noticed upon meeting you? (speech, mannerisms, movement patterns)
  3. Do you have any personality quirks? (anti-social, arrogant, optimistic, paranoid, etc.)
  4. Do you have any distinguishing marks? (birthmarks, scars, tattoos, deformities)
  5. Where were you raised? By whom?
  6. Who are your parents? Where are they now? Are they alive? What do they do for a living?
  7. Do you have any significant figures, places, or objects in your life? Who or what are they? What makes them significant to you?
  8. What alignment are you? What factors contribute to your alignment?
  9. What is your moral code? What are your personal beliefs? What motivates you to wake up every morning?
  10. What did you do before you took up adventuring?
  11. Why do you adventure? How do you view your role as an adventurer?
  12. Do you have a profession, skill set, interest, or deep understanding that sets you apart from others? How did you attain this? Why?
  13. How do you get along with others? Do you have any strong feelings or opinions (positive or negative) towards certain races? Why?
  14. What do you enjoy when you are not adventuring? What do you hate? What do you fear?
  15. Do you have a goal? Have you made any progress? What steps will you take to work towards it? How far would you go to accomplish your goal? What would you do once you have achieved it?
  16. Are you religious? What faith do you believe in? What do you do to exemplify your faith and its core principles in your daily life? How do you show your devotion? (prayer, ritual, holy day, etc.)
  17. Why did you become a [your class]? What did you do to become one? Will you take up any other class's training? How? Why?
  18. How do you respond to threats from creatures? What about other sentient races?
  19. What benefits or weaknesses do you contribute to an adventuring party?
  20. What unique abilities will you employ in group combat? How will you assist a group in combat? What can a group do to assist you?
  21. What is your primary "weapon"? How do you make full use of it? Is there anything that can be done to increase its effectiveness in combat?
  22. What great accomplishments do you have to your name? Failures?
  23. What does everyone know about you? What do very few people know? What does no one know?
  24. What place(s) in the world do you most want to visit? Why?
  25. What material item(s) or knowledge do you hope to gain during your time adventuring? Why do you want it? What will you do with it?
  26. Why is your lowest stat the lowest? (the in-character reason, not "because there's no reason for a wizard to have 16 strength")
  27. How do you define success?
  28. How do you prefer to be addressed by others?