u/LadySketch_VT

Hey y’all! I’m not moved in yet, but I’ll be starting in the fall.

I keep seeing these videos on my YouTube recommendations (mostly by Moonstone Kitchen/Haley Post, if y’all are familiar) of these themed tea parties—not the kiddie kind, but the elegant kind with cocktails.

As someone who loves to host themed events of any kind (I was head student event planner for my school’s prom and homecoming all throughout high school), as well as someone looking for ways to make friends beyond clubs, part of me wanted to see if I could try and recreate some of the themed tea parties I saw online—Haley Post’s mermaid-themed one seemed the most beginner-friendly. Maybe putting up some fliers around campus with a Google Form QR code for RSVPs (just so I know how much food to make)?

But then again, now there’s this little voice in the back of my mind that’s like “your idea is stupid and dumb and no one will want to do it and you’ll end up looking like an idiot and you’ll die alone with only rats to mourn you” (you know, rational trains of thought that people without anxiety totally have all the time). Thus, I wanted to ask on here before I bought a bunch of stuff and got my hopes up and all that.

Are themed tea parties something people actually might be interested in? Adults-only, free, and with food plus alcoholic AND non-alcoholic beverages provided.

(Here’s the video I was referencing, btw, though I’d probably sub the fruit tray, cucumber slices, and sea glass bites for shrimp cocktail and plenty of sushi: https://youtu.be/lQqggLmu6yI?is=scvBXFd\\\_Ugh5c5X5 )

If you haven’t heard of this concept before, you may enjoy this YouTube video by The Dungeon Dudes where they discuss this topic and basically gush about how cool it can be: https://youtu.be/tqNSPw0yY0Y?si=a0VmmEvrMU-X7zmh

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I’m looking to start up an all-Wizards campaign that starts at level 1 and hopefully goes up to (and maybe even past) level 20. This campaign will be weekly on Saturdays, but exact time slot will be decided by the group (though assume CST as base timezone, in case you’re halfway across the world).

Tone will be a mix of Intrigue and Epic Fantasy, where we start off as squishy mages who can barely cast a cantrip and end as the closest thing mortals get to gods. Expect lots of strategy both in session and between level ups—if you have ever (like me) made an incomprehensible Google Doc about your character’s powers and abilities and how to optimally use them to benefit the group, this game is for you.

I will be a player, and I’m currently looking for a DM and between 3-5 other players. Other than the aforementioned tone, the exact overarching plot will be decided as a group, as will the setting (whether it’s homebrew, official, or third-party). If you need a starting point, two options are

Gods Among Us.) In a world where the gods have tight control over magic and only grant it to their servants, we wizards have stolen power from the divine and are out to invent arcane magic and challenge the gods themselves

Diamonds in the Rough.) In the ancient past of the world of Drakkenheim, those born with magic powers are persecuted endlessly. We, however, dream of starting the world’s first magic guild—the Amethyst Academy.

Or, of course, feel free to pitch your own if you have an idea you like more! It might be cooler than these two.

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HOME RULES
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1.) Safety tools are “Lines and Veils” and “The X-Card”. This campaign is also 18+ only for safety reasons, and homophobia and transphobia are not allowed. Obviously there will be other topics not allowed due to the Lines and Veils, but that will be decided as a group, and who submits what Lines or Veils will be kept anonymous (in case anyone is more nervous about stating a boundary publicly, we’ve all been there)

2.) If magic comes from birth in the world (such as in Drakkenheim), then all PCs get a free Dragonmark origin feat at character creation in addition to what they get through their background. Note, though, that you cannot then grab a second Dragonmark, or else your blood will explode or something. Also note that innate Dragonmark spells cannot be shared through Book Club (more on that later)

3.) Only official material from 2024 or 2014 5e allowed, with 2014 stuff being updated. However, we will also be using the optional rules for Bastions and Circle Magic. With high-level spells, some brokenness is inevitable, but run any broken combos or strategies by the DM in advance, and make sure you’re doing everything in good faith

4.) Session Zero will be done before we start to make sure everyone’s on the same page, and we’ll figure out our characters together. Session Re-Zeros will then be done after every other level-up to make sure that everyone’s happy with the safety tools, everyone’s happy with the story so far, and to strategize about our characters together builds together

And while these aren’t home rules, these are some things to keep in mind

A.) Book Club! While it’s expensive, wizards can learn from each other’s spell books, and that includes other party members. So any time we learn new spells, once we have the funds, we can learn each other’s spells as well

B.) With four wizards in the party, we each get to specialize more than we normally would. Whether that’s a Conjurer going all in on summoning spells (even those from the Necromancy school of magic) or an Illusionist learning how to both read and control minds through divination and enchantment, now is the time to make that thematic build you’ve always wanted to play instead of always taking the “mandatory” spells

C.) It’s going to get overpowered. Again, make sure everything is in good faith, and if the DM says no, respect that. But high-level magic in DnD is bonkers, especially when you have multiple concentration casters in the party, so be prepared for chaos

If any of y’all are interested in either being players or the DM for this campaign, PM me so we can set up a Discord voice call interview!