Table Expectations

Every great adventure begins with a shared understanding.

At The Wayward Lantern, Dungeons & Dragons is about collaborative storytelling, memorable characters, unexpected discoveries, and the enjoyment of sharing an adventure with others.

Whether you're joining us for a single evening or an ongoing campaign, the following expectations help ensure that everyone has an enjoyable experience.

Respect at the Table

All players are expected to treat one another with courtesy and respect.

• Allow others the opportunity to speak, participate, and contribute to the story.

• Respect differences in experience, playstyle, background, and perspective.

• Harassment, bullying, discrimination, and personal attacks are not tolerated.

• Respect the boundaries established through our Safety Tools and Lines & Veils questionnaire.

• Keep disagreements about the game from becoming personal conflicts.

Characters may disagree, argue, or find themselves at odds within the story. Players, however, should remain respectful of one another.

Collaborative Storytelling

Dungeons & Dragons is a shared experience, not a competition between players or between the players and the Dungeon Master.

Your character's decisions matter, and those decisions help shape the direction of the adventure.

Players are encouraged to:

• Engage with the story and the other characters.

• Share opportunities for roleplay and meaningful decisions.

• Allow other characters their moments in the spotlight.

• Make choices that support everyone's enjoyment of the game.

• Accept that actions may have consequences within the story.

The Dungeon Master presents the world, its inhabitants, and the challenges within it. The players determine how their characters respond.

There is rarely only one way forward.

Character Conduct and Player Agency

Characters may have conflicting goals, personalities, or opinions. Such conflicts can contribute to interesting storytelling when everyone involved is comfortable.

However, actions that significantly interfere with another player's enjoyment require consideration.

Player-versus-player combat, theft from fellow party members, or other hostile actions between player characters require the consent of the players involved and the Dungeon Master's approval.

The phrase "It's what my character would do" does not excuse behavior that undermines the enjoyment of others.

Rules and Rulings

The Wayward Lantern generally uses the official rules of Dungeons & Dragons, along with any adventure-specific character creation guidelines communicated before play.

The Dungeon Master is responsible for interpreting rules and making rulings during the session.

Questions and respectful discussion are welcome. However, extended rules debates can interrupt the flow of the game.

When necessary, the DM may make a temporary ruling so play can continue, with the rule reviewed after the session.

The goal is consistency, fairness, and keeping the adventure moving.

Attendance and Punctuality

Please arrive on time and prepared to participate.

For online sessions, players should allow a few minutes before the scheduled start to connect to the virtual tabletop and voice channel.

If you cannot attend or expect to arrive late, notify the DM as soon as reasonably possible.

For ongoing campaigns, regular attendance helps maintain continuity and allows everyone to remain involved in the developing story.

Scheduling arrangements, cancellations, and any applicable refund policies are governed by the terms provided when booking your session.

Preparation and Participation

Players are responsible for having the materials needed for their adventure.

For online games, this generally includes:

• Access to The Forge-hosted Foundry VTT game.

• Discord for voice communication.

• D&D Beyond for character creation and management, when required.

• A working microphone and reasonably reliable internet connection.

• A character prepared according to the adventure's guidelines.

New players are welcome. You do not need to know every rule or have extensive experience to participate.

Questions are encouraged, and assistance will be provided when possible.

Communication During Online Games

Clear communication is especially important when playing remotely.

Please minimize unnecessary background noise and avoid interrupting others.

Headphones are encouraged when practical to reduce echo and feedback.

Players should avoid unrelated conversations, excessive multitasking, or activities that interfere with their ability to participate.

If a technical problem occurs, let the DM know. Brief interruptions happen, and we will make reasonable efforts to accommodate them.

Metagaming and Character Knowledge

Players may know things their characters do not.

Please make an effort to distinguish between your own knowledge and what your character has reasonably learned within the adventure.

Reading adventure material in advance, using hidden information, or deliberately exploiting knowledge unavailable to your character can diminish the experience for everyone.

Discovery, uncertainty, and unexpected outcomes are part of the adventure.

Character Death and Consequences

Adventures involve risks, and characters may face serious consequences, including death.

These moments can be significant, particularly when players have invested time and emotion in their characters.

The Wayward Lantern treats those moments with appropriate consideration while preserving the meaningful stakes of the game.

Players in ongoing campaigns are encouraged to consider backup character concepts, but character loss will not be treated casually or dismissively.

Safety and Personal Boundaries

The Wayward Lantern uses Lines & Veils, the X-Card, an Open Door Policy, and other safety practices described on our Safety Tools page.

All players are expected to respect these practices.

A player may raise a concern, request a pause, or step away without being required to explain personal circumstances.

Boundaries may be revised at any time.

The Dungeon Master's Responsibilities

As your Dungeon Master, I will make reasonable efforts to:

• Prepare and present an engaging adventure.

• Apply rules and rulings fairly and consistently.

• Give players meaningful opportunities to influence the story.

• Respect established boundaries and safety agreements.

• Communicate scheduling and important game information clearly.

• Encourage a welcoming atmosphere for new and experienced players alike.

• Address disruptive behavior when necessary.

The DM also reserves the right to pause a session, address conduct concerns, or remove a participant whose behavior seriously disrupts the game or threatens the safety and enjoyment of others.

Above All, Enjoy the Adventure

Not every plan will succeed. Not every mystery will be solved. Sometimes the dice will lead the story somewhere no one anticipated.

Those unexpected moments are often what make Dungeons & Dragons memorable.

Come prepared to participate, respect your fellow adventurers, and help create a story worth telling.

There is always room for another story at The Wayward Lantern.