Treasure, Mysteries, & Dragon Slaying: Hoard of the Dragon Queen!

When villages and towns are pillaged, leaving whispers of an ancient, dragon-worshipping cult in their wake, the Sword Coast calls for heroes. Will you rise to the challenge?

Hoard of the Dragon Queen is a D&D 5th edition adventure that takes characters from level 1 to 8. Along the way, you'll explore the breadth of the Sword Coast, D&D's most iconic setting, from Baldur's Gate to Waterdeep! You'll investigate murder mysteries and find missing treasure! You'll storm a castle in a swamp filled with monsters, and you'll slay a legendary dragon aboard a flying castle in the clouds! This story, however, has humble beginnings. The adventure begins in the sleepy town of Greenest, two or three tendays South of Baldur's Gate.

Your character's life has been altered by the stirrings along the Sword Coast, one way or another. Perhaps a good friend of yours has called for aid in Greenest. Perhaps you or someone you know was attacked by this mysterious dragon cult. Perhaps, even, you were once a cult member, and you now seek to destroy them! We'll work together to craft a backstory that weaves your character into the adventure; your backstory will be relevant, (if you want it to be)!

Expect an epic narrative, filled with vibrant, voiced NPCs and enemies; tactical combat with custom maps; an inclusive, beginner friendly environment; and a suite of official & custom options available to you!

Startplaying Link

Startplaying is an online platform for paid RPG games: https://startplaying.games/adventure/clwwr08gc0004xelidtep9nw5

Established Group:

The current party has reached 3rd level, and are about to enter a dangerous Dragon Hatchery! The group consists of: a Harengon Spirits Bard, a Halfling Divination Wizard & a Human Thief Rogue. 

How to Prepare

Really important stuff:

- Clear, working microphone & (optional) camera & a quiet, comfortable space to play
-A Discord account, a DnDBeyond account, and a Roll20 Account (All free!)
- A readiness to collaborate with your fellow players

Less important, but helpful stuff:

- A few character ideas that we can discuss before/during your first session
- A stance on the topics covered in the Social Contract portion of Session 0

What you don't need:

- Any experience with D&D or Roll20!

What I provide

- A game shaped by your input & feedback; we're telling a story together, and your choices (both in & out of game) matter!
- Most official D&D 5e content & DnDBeyond content sharing
- A private Discord server for in-game voice chat and out-of-game discussion; you'll be able to join here after signing up.
- Custom-made maps and tokens for Roll20 VTT.
- An open door & a friendly, professional vibe; your safety, comfort & fun are my #1 priorities.
- An offer of a 50% discount for character art by character artist LaxLeo on Etsy! (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/946147952/dnd-character-commissions) This is the artist that drew the campaign banner!

Gameplay Details

Session 0 outline:

- First, a character creation session. We'll discuss how your character is tied to the campaign & the other characters at the table, and I'll provide plenty of guidance for new players.
- Then, a conversation about the social contract at the table. How will we handle missing players? How will we handle character death? When/how long should session breaks be? Everyone's feedback is important here.
- I'll send each player a copy of the Monte Cook RPG Checklist to fill out before the next session. The lines and veils communicated through this checklist will then be communicated to every player at the table.
- Session 0 should last between 1 & 2 hours, and is free.

Open Door Policy: If there's ever anything you want/need to discuss with me, I carry an open-door policy. My priority is your safety, comfort and fun.

Breaks: Each session will include a break at about the half-way mark. Break duration will be discussed in Session 0, but typically lands around 10-15 minutes.

Stars & Wishes: At any point, you'll be able to leave your Stars & Wishes in a dedicated Discord channel for me to see. Respectful feedback will always be appreciated.

How will Character Creation work?

Premade character sheets are available!

Otherwise, character creation will be done during session 0, but having some character concepts ready is a good idea!

Some guidelines:
- Standard Point-Buy Ability Scores
- Fixed HP
- A free 1st-level feat (I.E: Alert, Skilled, Tough)
- No Eberron, Spelljammer, Planescape, or Critical Role content
- Homebrew & Unearthed Arcana heavily subject to approval

I offer custom alterations to certain character options that I've seen players get frustrated with in the past. (I.E: Giving certain sorcerer subclasses bonus spells, similar to Aberrant Mind/Clockwork Soul). These are open to discussion - my priority is ensuring the rules facilitate your fun, and that your character concept can be properly realised within the rules!

I look forward to playing with you! :)
https://startplaying.games/adventure/clwwr08gc0004xelidtep9nw5