How to Play
There's a lot of reading in Dungeons and Dragons, and this is no exception. To play at the Table, please read below and you'll be ready to play by the end.
- Read About Our Game below.
- Read Table Rules below.
- Create a Character using the instructions below.
- Sign up for a Session on the Home Page.
That's it! Hopefully you'll be able to join us to roll some dice and roleplay together.
About Our Game
The Prismatic Guild is a West Marches style Dungeons & Dragons (5.5) campaign. A West Marches campaign is defined as having the following characteristics:
Variable Player Parties
There is no fixed group, instead, anyone who is a part of the larger pool of players can participate in any given session depending on availability.
Self-Contained Sessions
Each session stands on it's own, as a complete adventure or mission each time.
Community Driven
The world we play in isn't a monolithic story presented by the Dungeon Master, but a collaborative effort in creating our campaign world.
There's a bit more depth to it as well. The effects that players have on the world persist, meaning everyone can see the impact of other players. There is also a shared 'home base' in our case, that being the Guild Hall. You also aren't locked to play your only character, and can play with a different character at any time, allowing players the flexibility to try out characters they might not get a chance to play a full campaign with.
This is your chance to play an adventurer without committing to two years of game sessions, and come together to have a fun time rolling dice and roleplaying! Below you will find the details needed for creating a character, as well as materials to help new players make their first character. If you're facing challenges, just reach out, this isn't supposed to be stressful. It's a collaborative experience, and we all want to lift each other up.
Table Rules
These guidelines help us all have a good time, as always, concerns can be vocalized in the moment, or you can reach out to Alice directly. No one should ever feel unwelcome here, so these table rules help us be a safe space.
- Rule 0 - The Dungeon Master (DM) Has The Final Say. This is often called DM Fiat, but the premise is that the final authority at the table is the DM, not the books or any other source. There are parts of DnD that are clunky, we can talk it out, but to keep the game moving, the DM has the final say.
- Rule 1 - Real Life Comes First. Last minute cancellations, showing up late, it all happens! We are all adults with lives, and we can't hold it against other people at the table if something happens. You are not going to miss anything if you're sick or have a show to go to.
- Rule 2 - Remember To Have Capital-F Fun. Everyone at the table has fun with a different part of Table Top Roleplaying than you, live your truth and engage with what you love. Be honest, and we can all remember that this is a silly little game where we throw shiney rocks.
- Rule 3 - Honor Everybody's Time and Play. It's important to remember that everyone here wants to play their character, and when they do, it's fun when the rest of the group is as invested. Keep screen use for non-DnD uses to a minimum, and focus on whose turn during combat it is.
- Rule 4 - We Are All Fans of Our Characters. Yes, even the DM! We get sad for the somber moments, and we get excited for the hype moments. We want every character to be the exciting character in our minds, so ask if you can do the thing, and we'll all cheer as you do it.
- Rule 5 - Help Only When Asked. People at the table may think differently than you, or might have different knowledge. Don't offer up suggestions unprompted, if someone wants help, they'll open up as they need it, or allow for a full session.
- Rule 6 - Keep It Light. We are playing a game for escapism, we can make fun of the insitutions of oppression, but we aren't doing Racism at this table. If something would require a disclaimer if it was in a movie, then make sure it's the right thing to bring up before you do.
The X Card is a tool we use at this table, this is a card you will have and can use at ANY TIME. If anything at the table comes up that could cause you to feel uncomfortable or lessen your enjoyment of the game, you can hold this card up. We will pause what we are doing, and "hard-edit" around it, restarting away from the elements so we can flow forward. We may have a small discussion to clarify, but at any time you feel like you should use it - USE IT! You can read more about this safety tool right here
Character Creation
The decentralized nature of the Prismatic Guild means normal character progression isn't going to occur. Rather, every player character will be set up at a specific level, and you will gain power by unlocking magic items, boons, blessings, and other benefits as you participate in adventures. This ensures no one at the table ever feels substantially weaker than another player, and so Alice doesn't go crazy trying to track everything. Below are the basic guidelines for your Adventurer to keep everything fair for everyone.
Not sure how to make a character? There's some information below, but reach out to Alice if you want a pre-generated character or help making one.
- Player Characters are Level 8. - This level will make you feel like a local hero, we may run sessions at different levels, but by default, you'll all be the same level. There is no advancement for balance, but reward items will give repeat characters a boost that reflects their work with the guild.
- All official material is acceptable for Character building. - Custom content isn't always balanced, to keep this friction free, please only use Wizards approved content in character creation.
- Evil is fine, chaotic evil is not. - You can be an asshole, just not in a way that causes the entire table stress. Steal something, but don't commit murder for fun.
- Ability Score Arrays only, no rolling. - To keep things fair and balanced, we will only be using standard ability score arrays which is: 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8.
- Mundane equipment only. - You've been an adventurer for a while, you have the tools you need, choose any mundane starting equipment. Magical items will come up as needed.
Once you've created your Character Sheet, please send it and a character artwork (please let me know the artist as well for attribution) to Alice directly so she can review and add the character to the Guild. Please send it over before you bring that character to the table.
Player Resources
Dungeons & Dragons isn't the same old crunchy limited thing, in 2024 Wizards of the Coast released 5.5 Edition, often called "2024 DnD". This included a lot of quality of life improvements, and with all the content available, there's never a better time or system to get into for Table-Top Roleplaying! Below are a few resources you can use that are reccomended for new players.
Paper or Digital?
There's two ways to build and track a character. The first is on Paper, paper character sheets can be edited on your computer, or printed out and filled out. The second, is to use DnDBeyond, the official DnD Character Tool. Accounts are free and you have access to all base materials. Additional official material exists behind a paywall, or can be added manually.
- To get the official PDF Printable Character Sheet: CLICK HERE
- For DnDBeyond and digital Character Sheets: CLICK HERE
Useful Websites
- FastCharacter.com - a website that quickly creates a character based on minimal input, lacks flexibility, but can be a good starting point.
- Dungeon Dudes - How to Play - This playlist will walk you through character creation, and give new players a good breakdown of how the game works.
- DnD5e WikiDot - This free resource contains most available information for DnD 5e, and can be used in lieu of the hardcover book.