How to Play

What character abilities are used for?

What are difficulty checks?

What can I do on my turn?

The terms used in D&D

What to Expect

The first session is where we will get to know each other and learn about the game. We will go over the rules of the game and the group. While the rules of the game are written in the game books the rules of the group are decided by the players and the mentor. They work collaboratively to decide what rules they want for the group which provides the participants with the ability to shape the environment in which they play.

After deciding the group rules we will discuss how to play the game and then start creating characters. Creating a character starts with deciding which character you want to play and then choosing what skills, abilities, and equipment your character will start with. We will also look at the start of creating a backstory for your character. A backstory is the history of what happened in your characters life up until the start of the game. A backstory gives your character some depth, and provides motivation. It can also give the DM opportunity to bring elements of your backstory into the game.

If all the characters are created and the players feel ready we will start the game in the second session. The facilitator will act as the Dungeon Master and describe the setting and provide the group with opportunities for their characters to engage with. Once the story starts the players interactions shape how the story plays out. Each session builds off of the previous sessions, where the characters actions have consequences that shape their story.

Human

Humans are considered the youngest race, especially when compared to elves and dwarves. Humans have shorter lives which may be why they seem driven to achieve as much as possible as quick as possible. Humans are flexible characters and can start with a feat or extra ability points.

Dwarf

Dwarves in D&D are generally skilled crafts people and make great adventurers. Dwarves are short but very sturdy people that get a bonus to their constitution score, and have resistance to poisons. The have the ability to see in the dark as well.

Character Races

Dungeons & Dragons allows you to choose from many different types of people to play. These are called races though you may also hear the term species. The character races are a starting point for creating your character, with the different races having distinct features. For example a dragonborn character has scales and a dragon-like appearance, they can even breath fire or acid depending on the type of dragonborn you choose. Elves are fey creatures, that can resist being charmed and see in the dark. Some players may want to choose a race to fit with their character class, for example they may choose to be a half-orc because they get bonuses to strength and will fit their fighter class. Another person may choose to be a half-orc sorcerer simply because they think it will be fun to role-play. Which way is best? They both are. Whatever your reason is for choosing your character race, it is your reason which is always the right reason. Below is a brief description of the standard races that your characters can be. You can also go to this link https://dnd.wizards.com/how-to-play and take the character quiz at the bottom of the page.

Dragonborn

The dragonborn are humanoids that have descended from dragons. They lack wings or tails but they have scales the colour of their dragon ancestors. Dragonborn get a bonus to their strength and can breath fire, lightning, ice, poison, or acid.

Elf

Elves are a magical race that have extremely long lives, some living for 1000 years. They are generally thought of as graceful, and slender. Elves get a bonus to their dexterity, can see in the dark, and have resistance to being charmed.

Goliath

Goliaths live among the peaks of mountains committed to the ideals of fair play and survival of the fittest. Goliaths are fierce competitors that come from their ability to survive in the harsh mountaintop climate. Goliaths are tall strong people and goliath characters start with a bonus to their strength. Their great strength also allows them to shrug off injuries.

Aarakocra

The Aarakocra are a bird-like humanoid that originate from the elemental plane of air. Aarakocra tend to be solitary creatures that generally have a mission or reason behind their adventuring. The aarakocra have short lifespans compared to humans, but their ability to fly can make them formidable adventurers.

Genasi

Genasi people that originate from the elemental planes of air, earth, water, and fire. Each genasi type is associated with their element and get unique characteristics based on that element. A fire genasi can produce flames, while a water genasi can shape water. Genasi are sturdy characters that get a bonus to their constitution.

Gnome

Gnomes tend to have an enthusiasm that far exceeds their small stature. Gnomes tend to be curious about the world which leads them to create devices, study the arcane, or explore mysteries of the world. Gnomes are very smart and get a bonus for their intelligence. They are also very cunning giving them advantage on some savings throws, and they can see in the dark

Half-elf

Half-elves live between two worlds. Their mixed heritage of human and half-elf gives them some of the advantages of elves and humans. They are versatile characters and get a bonus to their charisma. They can also see in the dark and have resistance to charm which they inherit from their elven heritage.

Half-orc

Half-orcs have a human and orc heritage. They are large and sturdy people that make great fighters that are hard to knock down. They tend to be boisterous and loud enjoying life to the fullest. Half-orcs get a bonus to their strength and constitution scores at character creation. They also have the ability to see in the dark.

Tiefling

Tieflings are humans with an infernal background that began with an ancient pact with Asmodeus that led to their appearance. Tieflings have an innate arcane ability and a resistance to fire. Tiefling characters get a bonus to their charisma and intelligence scores at character creation.

Sorcerer

Sorcerers are those that are born with an innate ability to cast spells. Unlike those that make deals with devils, or study magic, sorcerers are able to innately tap into the raw source of magic to cast spells. A sorcerer's magic wants to be unleashed and many take up adventuring to use their gift. If you want a character that is a spell caster with a born ability then a sorcerer is a good choice.

Cleric

Clerics combine divine magic and fighting skill to be effective adventurers. They harness the magic of the gods to strike foes or heal friends. They do not need to rely solely on their magic as they do have some combat ability. If you want a character that is a healer but can also mix things up in battel then a cleric is a good choice.

Character Classes

Once you know the race you want to play you have to decide what class your character will be. Your character's class is essentially the job or role that they have in the adventuring party. Each class has unique skills and abilities that they get as the gain experience and increase in level. Every class has several subclasses which allows your character to become specialized in a specific way. For example wizard subclasses allow them to specialize in different types of magic, while a fighter's subclass allows them to specialize in different fighting styles. Below is a brief overview of the different classes that you can play.

Bard

Bards are masters of storytelling and are musically talented. They use these talents along with magic to dazzle audiences and provide support to their adventuring friends. In combat bards use their magic and skills to t that bolsters their friends and hinders enemies. If you want a versatile character then a bard is a good choice.

Druid

Druids are stewards of the natural world, they protect nature and the natural order. To accomplish this they use magic and their wild shape ability that allows them to take the form of animals. A druid can use their magic or their animal form in combat which allows them to adapt to different situations. If you like animals, and magic druid is a good choice.

Monk

Monks' are the masters of discipline, harnessing their inner strength to perform amazing physical feats. Monks use their ki energy to help them in combat and to navigate many situations. Monks have no need for weapons, they use the power of their body in combat. If you like the idea of being a martial arts fighter with lightning fast fists then a monk would be a good character choice.

Barbarian

Barbarians are great warriors, and protectors of their tribe. They charge into perilous situations, fighting with relentless tenacity. Their courage, strength, and ability to laugh in the face of danger make them excellent adventurers. If you want a character that leads the charge into battle using their brawn and fighting skills the barbarian is a good choice.

Fighter

Fighters are masters of martial combat. Unlike the frenzied barbarian fighter use their weapon mastery and skill when in combat. Fighters have a variety of fighting styles they can adopt to fit with a players fighter concept. If you like a disciplined warrior that is always in the thick of combat then a fighter is a good choice.

Paladin

Paladins are holy warriors that are bound by a sacred oath to uphold justice and to stand against the evil forces of the world. Paladins learn to master weapons and use their combat skills which are aided by their divine abilities and magic. They use these powers to aid the the sick and smite evil. If you want a versatile fighter, that lives by a code of honour and doing good then a Paladin is a good choice.

Ranger

Rangers tend to live at the edges of societies, they are warriors of the wild that specialize in tracking and hunting monsters. They have some magic abilities which like their combat skills revolve around speed and stealth. Rangers are great at moving stealthily, and make good scouts in an adventuring party. If you want a character that is a stealthy warrior skilled in hunting monsters then a ranger is a good choice.

Rogue

Rogues live in the shadows use their stealth and trickery to get what they want in the world. Rogues prefer to attack from the shadows, and in adventuring parties they will pick locks, disarm traps, and maybe sneak up on the bad guy to steal the stolen necklace back rather than get into a fight. If you want a skill based character with some fighting skills then a rogue is a good choice.

Warlock

Warlocks are people that have made a bargain with some powerful otherworld denizen. They get their magical abilities from their connection to that powerful being. Warlocks also go through some changes to their being through these pacts. If you want a versatile caster with a powerful patron then a warlock is a good choice for a character.

Wizard

Wizards are powerful magic specialists. They are not born with their ability, they spend years studying magic to hone their skills. Wizards most often specialize in a specific type of magic making the exceptional good at spells within their specialization,. If you want a powerful spell caster with a specialization in a certain type of magic then a wizard is a good character choice.