Player Primer
Safety Tools
Because collaborative storytelling requires trust (and trust requires a solid foundation) I rely on tried-and-true safety tools including Lines and Veils and Script Change. We'll discuss lines and veils before play (though we can always pause to discuss more) and then lean on Script Change during play. I'll have reminders on paper for everyone, including the X-card if that's more your style. Adhering to safety tools is mandatory. There will be no tolerance for disregarding the safety tools. Collaborative storytelling requires mutual respect. Everyone is expected to foster an environment of inclusivity at all times.
Guiding Principles of Play
Don’t be a dick. Keep in mind that we’re all here to have fun. Everyone is expected to approach others with dignity and inclusivity, without exception.
Know your stuff. You should be familiar with the game's basic mechanics and knowledgeable about your character's specific mechanics. I don't expect perfect recall, but I do expect you to commit a decent amount of effort to reviewing your character sheet. I also expect you to have read at least the basic rules for whatever game we're playing - if you need access to those, let me know
Know what you know. Min-maxing and meta-gaming are highly discouraged. Strategizing is often appropriate, but don't act on information your character wouldn't have, even if you as a player have that information. If needed, ask if your character would know something you know.
Find it in the fiction. All player actions should be grounded in the story - don’t just call a roll without justifying it first (i.e. “Insight check”), ground the move in the fiction (i.e. “Can my character tell if this NPC is lying or not with an Insight Check?”)
Fair warnings. There may be adult themes including but not limited to adult language, violence, prejudice, and murder. Descriptions will be allusory and not graphic. There may be themes of romance and relationships, but no sex scenes. Players are responsible for informing the DM in advance of their trigger warnings or sensitive subjects.
Pay attention. Minimal, nondisruptive cross-talk or jokes are expected and encouraged but don’t distract from the action and always remain invested in what is happening at the table.
Don’t be a Rules Lawyer, be a Rules Learner. We’ll all follow the rules to the best of our abilities. People (including the GM) make mistakes, and it’s okay to admit that and course-correct. We should all approach each error as a learning opportunity. If you have a question about a call or ruling, or the wording of a rule, bring it up after the session directly with me if it would slow down the pace of play.
RPvRP, not PvP. Player Character (PC) vs. PC checks are discouraged, though allowed if consensual and in good faith. Players cannot force other players to act in certain ways. PC conflicts should be resolved via roleplay, and combat should be avoided in almost all situations. Combat between players ought to be agreed upon before the session.
Roll along. If you roll and your intention is unclear beforehand it may be disregarded. Always roll publicly unless otherwise requested by the GM.
Clean and simple. To minimize the time I have to spend thinking about balance, players are restricted to officially published content, or flavors of the published content, unless otherwise specified. Feel free to ask if it is a minor deviation and I’ll likely accept it. In general, optional or alternate features that are officially published are acceptable.
dnd 5e house rules
(Unless otherwise stated)Drinking a potion is an action OR a bonus action. Administering a potion to another is an action.
Critical hits deal damage equal to twice as many dice, or double the rolled amount. The player must choose before rolling or take double the rolled amount.
Flanking rules apply.
Optional features allowed.
Characters may choose to go immediately after another player. The player must have rolled a higher initiative than the player they chose to follow. Players may only do this during the initiative phase and must use the same initiative for the entire encounter.
Players may take standard hit point increases or roll (publicly) for increases. Players may re-roll 1's rolled to determine hit point increases.