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In Session 0, we build new characters for our upcoming D&D heist campaign, Keys from the Golden Vault!

I have some special plans for this campaign, known only to viewers who watch my DM-only live series, Crafting the Golden Vault. Join me every Monday evening!

For this campaign, we’re using the new D&D 2024 rules. The updated Player’s Handbook is our sole source for classes, subclasses, species, backgrounds, etc.

We’re dropping most of our house rules to test the new rules and see how they play. We’re only keeping two minor house rules, both associated with character creation or leveling up:

  • Players may roll for stat generation, but if the total result is less than the Standard Array average (72) they may choose to take the Standard Array instead.
  • At every level up, players may roll their hit dice to determine their hit point gain (PHB 42). However, if the result is less than the average for their hit die, they may take the average instead.

As suggested by the new Player’s Handbook, we’re starting this campaign at 3rd level, and everyone may start with one Common magic item (PHB 43). Each player character also chooses (or rolls for) a trinket from the Trinket table (PHB 46).

Finally, each player also chooses five words that best describes their character, and a quirk from a custom d100 table (available to patrons).

Players were free to design their backstory however they want, with one caveat: they must now be in serious legal trouble. That’s where the Golden Vault will come in.

Let’s meet our starring cast!

Note: OC art is still being developed, and will be unveiled during Session 1!

Taveen

Player: Reese
Class: Monk
Subclass: Warrior of Mercy
Species: Aasimar
Background: Charlatan

STR: 12
DEX: 17
CON: 14
INT: 8
WIS: 14
CHA: 10

Skill Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Athletics, Deception, Insight, Medicine, Perception, Performance, Sleight of Hand, Stealth

Hit points: 26/26

Backstory: Taveen lived in a monastery, and was a bit of a troublemaker who enjoyed making potions — and pranks. One day his potion shenanigans angered a high ranking wizard, who got Taveen kicked out of the monastery and now wants to make sure Taveen is blacklisted, can never hold a job, or live a normal life.

Quirk: Sentimental, nostalgic, dwells on the past

Adjectives: Deceptive, compassionate, forger, lethal, impulsive

Trinket: A glass jar, containing lard with a label that reads, “Griffon Grease”

Common Magic Item: Potion of Healing

DM Notes: Reese has never played a monk before, though he has played supportive healers. As a Warrior of Mercy Monk, he’s in the flexible position of providing frontline support, dealing damage, and providing healing as needed. I’m also glad at least one player chose the newest species. At 3rd level he can already sprout heavenly wings, or gain a creepy necrotic shroud — also fits nicely with the duality of the Warrior of Mercy.

Chéri Powder

Player: Raymond
Class: Wizard
Subclass: Illusionist
Species: Human
Background: Wayfarer

STR: 6
DEX: 16
CON: 14
INT: 16
WIS: 10
CHA: 16

Skill proficiencies: Deception, Insight, Investigation, Nature, Performance, Persuasion, Sleight of Hand, Stealth

Hit points: 22/22

Backstory: Chéri is a hilariously incompetent wizard. He’s reduced to entertaining at birthday parties — and even that doesn’t go well. When he tries to pull a rabbit out of his hat — it’s a nasty rat, frog, or bat (see his starting magic item!). During one high profile birthday, he angered the wrong mobster, and was forced to go on the run as a result.

Quirk: Never uses their real name 

Adjectives: Pompous, confident, cocky, vagrant, charming

Trinket: An old divination card bearing your likeness (business card!)

Common Magic Item: Hat of Vermin

DM Notes: A goofy wizard who’s Trying His Best is such a fun character idea. Raymond also ended up with a 16 Charisma! He might end up being the Face of the group, which is not a role we typically see of Wizards. Raymond also pledged to take no damage spells, and only utility spells (or “useless,” as he put it). I actually think that could work great for this heist campaign. Expect lots of illusion spell shenanigans…

Varrow

Player: Chris
Class: Rogue
Subclass: Thief
Species: Gnome
Background: Wayfarer

STR: 11
DEX: 17
CON: 14
INT: 12
WIS: 15
CHA: 12

Skill Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Deception, Insight, Perception, Sleight of Hand (expertise), Stealth (expertise)

Hit points: 26/26

Backstory: Varrow grew up poor, on the mean streets of Waterdeep. He gained a particular set of skills, and uses them to act out against the ruling, privilaged class. “Their ivory towers and gold-plated mansions are an abomination on this city, and I intend to burn them all down.” But Varrow couldn’t help but leave behind a calling card on every house he hit, and the authorities were able to track him down.

Quirk: Despises the wealthy and powerful, hates nobility

Adjectives: Resourceful, Brusque, Proud, Honorable, Self-Righteous

Trinket: A gnome-crafted music box that plays a song you dimly remember from your childhood

Common Magic Item: Pole of Collapsing 

DM Notes: Chris technically played a Rogue before with Mannix in Tomb of Annihilation, though Varrow looks like a much more traditional Rogue with the Thief subclass. He had the highest stat roll of the night, though everyone was pretty close (except Reese, who fell back on the Standard Array). Obviously a stealthy PC can be critically important in this campaign. Varrow is going to specialize in sneaking, hiding, and throwing daggers. And eating the rich!

Elowen Fernwhisper

Player: Rachelle
Class: Druid
Subclass: Circle of the Moon
Species: Elf (Wood Elf)
Background: Criminal

STR: 9
DEX: 17
CON: 15
INT: 10
WIS: 17
CHA: 8

Skill Proficiencies: Nature, Perception, Sleight of Hand, Stealth, Survival

Hit points: 24/24

Backstory: Elowen is a nature-loving wood elf who was radicalized into eco-terrorism due to the deforestation around her. She participated in a ritual to summon roots to fight back against the roads and encroaching civilization, but that disrupted trade routes and angered the regional authorities, forcing her on the run.

Quirk: Prefers the company of animals over people

Adjectives: Whimsical, defiant, feral, passionate, loyal

Trinket: A cone of sticky black incense that stinks

Common Magic Item: Moon-touched Blade

DM Notes: Reese famously played a Circle of the Moon Druid in our Tomb of Annihilation campaign. I love the concept of a radicalized Druid protesting parking lots and deforestation! Wild Shape could be incredibly useful in this campaign, even after the heavy (and necessary!) nerf given to the Moon Druid’s Wild Shapes. As of Session 0, Rachelle wasn’t sure which animal forms she wanted to start with. As a Moon Druid, she can serve multiple roles as the support, scout, tank, or damage dealer.

Stayzie Diamondz

Player: Heather
Class: Fighter
Subclass: Champion
Species: Orc
Background: Soldier

STR: 16
DEX: 13
CON: 16
INT: 12
WIS: 11
CHA: 12

Skill Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Athletics, Intimidation, Persuasion

Hit points: 34/34

Backstory: Trained as a soldier for Waterdeep due to her size and strength, but was never one to dutifully follow orders. While relaxing at a bar, she got into a major fight with some jerks, including the son of a high-ranking official. The son may or may not be able to walk any more, and Stayzie is currently sitting in a jail cell as a result.

Quirk: Yearns to be famous, wanna-be diva or celebrity

Adjectives: fierce, flamboyant, powerful, playful and commanding

Trinket: A crystal that faintly glows in moonlight

Common Magic Item: Wand of Pyrotechnics

DM Notes: A flamboyant WWE personality Fighter is an amazing character concept, and I do appreciate PCs that play against type for the campaign (see also, Mannix in Tomb of Annihilation!). Stayzie is clearly the muscle of the group (which is otherwise very lacking in the Strength department), and could serve as the perfect distraction. Orc is technically a new species for us, but it’s also an evolution of the Half-Orc from 2014. Needless to say, she’ll draw attention, and be hard to put down!

They Meet in a Prison

Unfortunately due to technical difficulties, we weren’t able to do any prelude/meet stuff this session, we’ll save that for Session 1 next week!

MVPC: N/A

Live post-session discussion: N/A

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