Experience and Leveling
Milestones
Level Up Speed Average
Level 3-5: 2-3 Sessions
Level 5-10: 3-4 Sessions
Level 10-20: 5-6 Sessions
Player Behavior & DM Expectations
Alcohol & Drug Use
I will be drinking an adult beverage when I DM, I don’t begrudge the players doing the same
I won’t begrudge anyone their vices as long as it doesn’t distract from the table
Player Attention
If a player is having an issue with paying attention to the game that it starts to affect the table I will speak to the player after the session about it
If it continues to be a problem that is disruptive to the table I will have to take action for the sake of the table leading to a possible kick from the campaign
Disruptive Topics
Let’s leave our politics out of the game, we are here to enjoy an escapism hobby.
Unannounced Dice Rolls
Dice rolls should be prompted by the DM. I generally only do dice rolls for something if an interesting situation could result from success or failure. If your character is extremely competent in an area and it wouldn't be interesting to do a dice roll, I will generally just allow that thing to succeed.
Player v Player
See the Table Rules. PvP situations require player consent from both parties or it cannot proceed.
If you feel like your character would get heated with another character, announce to that player that they would like to roleplay a heated exchange so they can get on board.
If a player does not consent to the situation, you cannot proceed.
PC Secrets
Secrets can be kept from the other players, you decide what information to share.
I may be giving secret information to certain players during the course of the campaign and sometimes I may even have all players go on deafen to ensure that information is secret. This will be used sparingly.
Player Discomfort
We use the X card on my tables. In Roll20, anyone can move the X card onto the table and I will stop my narration and move on from the scene, no questions asked.
Player Agency
When does a player become an NPC and what is the stance of the party? Situations like a Warlock being possessed by their Patron or the PC being turned to stone.
Game Balance
Encounters will be balanced against the party most of the time. If the group is going into a deadly encounter I will more than likely telegraph the danger through the story and NPCs you encounter. If I do my job right, you will not be surprised if you suddenly end up in a hard, deadly battle for your lives.
With that said, if you get yourselves into a TPK situation I let the dice decide your fate. I don’t like to fudge dice rolls.
Rules Lawyering
See Table Rules
Never argue with me after I’ve made a ruling in session. Make a note and discuss it with me after the session.
Spotlight Sharing
Players can request the spotlight in any scene and I actively encourage it.
I will be doing my best to balance the spotlight between the group and I will actively step in if a player tramples over another player’s spotlight moment.
Metagaming
Try not to do it. Keep player knowledge and character knowledge separate.
See Table Rules for knowledge checks. Other players with higher skill rating can roll a particular check again if the first one failed by another player.
Knowledge checks are usually you know it or you don’t.
MinMaxing
I prefer roleplay over roll play.
I prefer you not try to powergame your characters but definitely be effective if you can.
Loners and Murder Hobos
Please no loner edgelord characters. We will be trying to design a party hook for everyone in Session 0 to explain why you all travel together. I generally don’t start campaigns “meeting in an inn”.
Unless we’re deciding on an evil campaign, probably avoid the murder hobo trope as well.
Player Expectations for the DM
DM Style
I’m an improv style DM and generally work off outlines to prevent railroading.
I focus on creating NPCs, Locations, Items, and Encounters that I can pull from as needed so I’m not renaming everything Bob.
I will do “Rule of Cool” when appropriate and generally opt for RAI and in favor of the players doing “cool” things. If I am drifting outside the ruleset for some reason I will announce it to the party.
My typical weekly prep
Exploration descriptions are written up. I find it very boring moving a token through a dungeon so I generally opt for battlemaps that focus on encounters.
Any NPCs you meet I draw up notes for and what motivations they have toward your group. I also make any faction movements based on your decisions when appropriate.
Events in the world will make their way to your ears through heralds, newscarriers, etc. in game.
Battlemaps are built to the most likely situation about to occur that week with generic battlemaps ready when I wasn’t prepared for your decision. I typically roll with this without issue.
I put a lot of focus on character motivations in combat and outside of combat.
Player Absences
I will run with 4 minimum players regardless to maintain schedule integrity.
Absent characters will be played by a player of your choice or by the DM.
If we are short of the minimum we can decide two options
Regroup the next week
I will run a one-shot system I have prepped
If multiple call-outs keep happening more than 2 weeks unplanned, it will be grounds for a kick from the campaign to maintain schedule integrity.
Player Narrative Authority
I am going to be asking the players to create NPCs and backstories in Session 0 that I will try to integrate into the campaign.
I prefer shared backstories between groups of 2 or more players for story hook creation but that’s entirely up to you all.
Ethical Concerns in the Campaign
Taboo and Potentially Offensive Topics
For most topics that are possibly triggering, we will be placing them behind the “veil” where these things exist in the setting but we won’t be discussing them.
I will not be allowing things like sexual assault, rape, or other sexual acts to be discussed in game. These things exist in the world but will be covered by the “veil” and will not be described. Things like Wobbum’s “parties” will also be considered behind the “veil”.
Gender and Sexual Orientation is completely open and up to you. In the setting of Orizon, it’s generally a live and let live attitude amongst the people.
Racism and Prejudice exists in this setting and there will be cultural reasons for this. This should never get to the point of open racial slurs and will be addressed narratively through a faction’s demeanor toward you. Anything more extreme will be hidden by the “veil”.
Slavery exists in this setting especially in Drow societies but I will not be graphically describing torture, etc. This is one of those things that anything more extreme will be put behind the “veil”.
Remember the X card.