House Rules

Guidance

Trust No One: Most NPCs are not out to get you, but if they were smarter than you, they wouldn’t need you. Stupidity is often confused for malice; be on your toes regardless.

Always Have a Backup: Most of my story beats have at least two branches. Have a contingency ready if your first idea doesn’t work. You’re allowed to keep a cheat sheet of your common strengths.

Be Invested: Know your character beyond their stats. Who are they? Why do they adventure? What drives them? A character you understand is easier to play and more fun to play with.

Work Together: Respect each other. Pay attention to the game even when someone else is active. Combined efforts are more effective.

Raising the Stakes: Enemies can learn from any tactic you use. Think carefully before you create a world with abusive mechanics.

The World is Alive: Your biggest threat is the passage of time. Narrative progression often happens during long rests.

Rules

Character Creation: All characters use standard 27 point-buy and fixed hit points by class. Official content is allowed. Legacy content is allowed if a 2024 version does not supercede it. Homebrews and UAs are case-by-case, and your character may need to be adjusted after playing if you use them. When in doubt, ask.

Character Death: Players fifth level or lower do not roll death saves; they are simply unconscious. At sixth level, normal death save rules apply, but enemies do not target bodies. At eleventh level, enemies can target downed allies to force failed death saves.

Friendly Fire: Gameplay is balanced against 4-6 player actions per turn. Parties with more than six friendly units will have single target misses trigger an additional attack roll or saving throw if there is a legal target (chosen at random) within 5 ft for melee, 15 ft for ranged. Area of effect works as normal.

Early Power Creep: Mechanics are generally available when they show up as spells, not earlier. For example: races with first-level flight have their wings clipped until fifth level when Fly is available. Subclasses start at third level; legacy subclasses with first and second level abilities will be moved to third level.