u/Affectionate-Pipe950

I'm sure this is a dumb question, but I am a dumb newbie.

I'm very inexperienced. I've played a couple of games online, but never in person and I would really love to. I just found out that a local card game shop has D&D nights on Wednesdays, and I was planning to go check it out. When I asked over the phone, they just said to come by and see if anyone has an opening as their table to join. It doesn't seem like the game shop is running the tables, just hosting them, so they couldn't give me much more information than what time it starts.

So, my question is, how does it work the first time? Do you show up with a character sheet in hand? How do you know what level to start at? Do you come early and introduce yourself and see if there are openings? Do you just hang around and watch so you can decide which campaign/group feels right and then ask to join the next session?

I see a lot of people's posts mention playing at their local game shops, so I figured this must be a common thing. Any help would be super appreciated. I'm admittedly a little socially awkward, but I want to try to set myself up for success by having *some* idea of what I'm doing.

I'm new to D&D (and TTRPGs in general). I've played in a couple of short online campaigns, first as a fighter and then as a druid. I've just found out that my local game shop has a D&D night on Wednesdays that I would love to check out, as I'd really like to experience playing in person.

I had originally planned on just remaking my fighter, but I really want to branch out and try something different, and I think an arcane rouge would be a lot of fun. My fighter is pretty nieve, and my druid is kind of abrasive and standoffish, so I'd really love to play a fun character. Maybe lean into the whole traditional Fae trickster vibe, or a sort of Marvel's Loki-ish kind of troublemaker. However, I don't know a ton about spells and, while my main enjoyment is role play, I do enjoy combat and I don't want to be a hindrance to the party.

Would anyone be willing to give me some advice on spells? I've seen guides online, but they all contradict. For example, some say that True Strike isn't great, as you won't be adding much to your INT as you level up. Others say it's vital. Some say you need Shield to stay alive, others say it's a waste of a spell slot. Pretty much the only thing that everyone seems to agree on is Find Familiar is an absolute must.

This is what I thought of so far, but please feel free to pick it apart. We're supposed to start with a level 4 character. I'd love to have spells that would actually fit with the personality I want and not just focus on what is going to give maximum results, but I'd also like to be able to hold my own.

Race : Eladrin Elf (for that Fae flavor and Misty Step)

Weapons : Rapier, Shortbow, Dagger

Feat : Magic Initiate (Wizard)

Cantrips: Mage Hand, Booming Blade, Message, Minor Illusion, (I get one more and I was thinking Shape Water, just for the utility? But I'll take any suggestion!)

Spells: Find Familiar (owl), Charm Person, Disguise Self, Shield, Silent Image, Fey Step

I appreciate any advice!

I'm a woman with very curly hair who tried to find someone who is familiar with cutting my texture of hair, which is not easy in the town I live in. The stylist I go to is very good and specializes in curly hair, does a lot of continuing education, uses high quality products, etc., so I didn't mind paying the high price of $145 + tip for a cut and scalp treatment. It's California, after all. I know things are expensive here, and I am accustomed to paying around $100 for a cut and style in other places I have lived, so $145 didn't seem that unreasonable.

However, I just received an email from her that said she raised her prices by $75. This is a huge jump in cost in my opinion. I usually try to tip her 15-20% because I like her work (plus, she is a young, single mother with two kids). I still want to tip her for her work, however I don't think I can tip more than 10% now that the actual price has gone up to $220. Even that is a bit of a strain.

I don't make a lot of money. I save up a little at a time for my haircut, which I get about every 5-7 months. However, I still feel bad giving her only a 10% tip when I see most of her clients tipping 15-20%. Am I being unreasonable over an extra $11-$22? I also feel some kind of way about being told the price went up the day before my appointment, so I might be making a big deal out of nothing.

I've recently started playing Coral Island (late, I know), and it made me realize how much I'd really like to play a cozy farm sim in a high fantasy setting. I know Fields of Mistria is sort of like that, with dragons and magic and such, but I am talking full on elves and gnomes and such.

Are there any games out there like that I might have missed? I have played Harvestella and Guardians of Azuma, but those aren't quite what I'm thinking of. I don't mind combat (I prefer it in my cozy games, actually), and I'd really like character creation, house decorating, farming, etc. The whole Stardew experience in a D&D wrapper.