There aren't enough rules variations yet with 5e that anything needs ruled out, so all I need for your RTJ is: your character name, character race, and character class.

If you have some background already in mind, then feel free to add that. Otherwise, we'll work on it as we go. For instance, you'll need to decide why your character is in Neverwinter (Did he sail there from elsewhere? Was he born there? Is he lost? Is he on a quest?) (or near or around the village of Phandalin. The re-settled village isn't old enough for anyone to have been born there, so options are limited. Was he just passing through (from where to where?)? Did he accompany a supply wagon there, seeking fame, fortune or adventure? Is he visiting a relative? Is he just wandering through the territory (good for Druids and Rangers)? Did she stumble through a portal? Was he magically teleported there for some reason (angered an enemy wizard, broke his favorite Kewpie doll, sent to fetch a maguffin, whatever)?

The rules in effect are these:

#1: There's one hard-and-fast rule: No evil characters. Evil creatures are what you fight against! My experience is that most players have no idea how to actually play an evil character because if they did, no one else would want to game with them.

#2: You can play any of the starter races or classes that you want. I tailor my games to what the players want to play, rather than force them into pre-set roles. So if everyone wants to play a Rogue, that's cool. If everyone wants to play a Dwarf, that's cool, too.  (Anything else you may want to try, you'll need to run it by me first. Races and classes that I don't have the rules for will probably not be allowed.)

#3: Everyone originally started off at 1st level, but the game has now progressed past that. New characters will start off at one level lower than the average party level, which at the moment is now 5th, so you can start at 4th level (if you want; I won't force you to play a character level that you feel you haven't earned).

#4: Generating stats... roll 4d6, drop lowest die; roll 7 times and drop the lowest result.

#5: Posting rate is very variable. Family, school, work, even other interests, as well as the vagaries of world time zones may keep people from posting as frequently as they'd like. Also, just everyday RL issues can sometimes give you the blues or the blahs and you just can't post. I understand this. It happens to me, too. So, I really only require one post a week (without notice of being absent) to keep you in the game. I expect and hope for more frequent posting, but I don't demand it.

#6: The usual Stuff--play nice, respect other players, don't argue with the DM (too much), avoid one-liner posts... yadda-yadda-yadda.

#7: Starting wealth is max at 1st level, and times your level for higher levels. Magic items will be handed out based on what the rest of the party has gained to this point.

#8: Level Progression will occur after every two Major Encounters, since each such encounter will be tailored to give all characters involved enough experience points for half a level. Two Minor Encounters will equate to one Major Encounter. Generally, a Major Encounter will involve serious combat and puzzle solving, while a Minor Encounter will usually involve serious, important or significant role-playing.

#9: Everyone gains maximum Hit Points at all levels. It's just not worth the hassle to roll for it.

This game will start off with the Starter Set adventure, Lost Mine of Phandelver. I expanded the name slightly just in case this game lasts longer than just the mine.

As it turns out, it has! The mission, to deliver supplies from Neverwinter to the village of Phandalin, expanded to find the missing Dwarf brothers and then find the Lost Mine of Phandelver. Those three things have been accomplished, but Sildar Hallwinter, a retired Ranger living in Phandalin, asked the adventurers to scout the surrounding area for the potential threat of returning Orcs. That is what the group is now doing.

Any questions, just ask!
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:33, Sat 19 Feb 2022.