What we’re about
Established back in 2017, this Meetup was first launched to introduce both newcomers and veteran players to the 5th edition of Dungeons and Dragons. Since then, it has hosted character creation workshops, regular newbie-friendly campaigns, Dungeon Master sessions, and one-shot adventures just perfect for beginners.
We have made the switch to the 2024 ruleset. All campaigns and adventures posted in this meetup will use the new/updated rules. Anyone wanting to let others know about games, campaigns, or adventures being help around Portland, please feel free to post in the discussion board. With the following caveats:
- The campaign / adventure will be held in a public place
- It will welcome and respect all players
- It will not include any sexual violence, violence against children, or violence against a person's identity.
In a game that's always evolving with new adventures and source books every year, we embrace the 'newbie' mindset. We celebrate the excitement of discovery, the thrill of the unexpected, and the joy of learning at every turn.
Each DM manages their own games, adventures, and sessions.
Featured event
Gnashing Teeth- Newbie Friendly One-Shot w/ Paul
Campaign: An Endless Winter
Adventure: Gnashing Teeth
Setting: Icewind Dale
Shelter comes at a price in the frozen north. Within the towering stone halls of Wyrmdoom Crag, firelight flickers across scarred goliaths, anxious whispers, and dwindling stores as the Everlasting Rime tightens its grip on the mountains. Beasts grow bolder, hunters go missing, and something unseen stalks the wilds beyond the clan’s walls—teeth gnashing in the dark, waiting for the storm to break.
The goliaths of Wyrmdoom Crag are a proud, but thankfully, generous people. Having provided you with shelter from the deadly wilds of Icewind Dale, they’ve asked you to look into the strange things that’ve been happening in and around their home.
Who are you? Create your character using one of four hooks: you were hired as a caravan guard for good pay through a dangerous region, you have local ties drawing you home to Icewind Dale, you are called by dire divine or arcane visions tied to the Everlasting Rime, or you’ve come for the Great Hunt, pursuing rumors of unusually cunning beasts in the frozen wilds. For a table with new players or new-to-each-other players it is best for all characters to be good aligned.
Character Creation. If you have never played or made a character before, I recommend showing up and using one of the pre-generated characters. Otherwise:
- We will follow the DND4N rules for character creation.
- We will also use the rules for characters in DND4N one-shots
- I hold character creation sessions every four weeks. Join us to make your character.
Your DM. Showing up to a Meetup event where you don't know anyone can be a lil scary. If you'd like to get to know the DM a little, I am a 46 year old data nerd that got into DnD because of a TikTok. I am from the Midwest but moved out here for the clouds and the rain (not joking). I will be at the event 30 minutes ahead of time if you'd like to stop by before everyone else shows up.
You Meet in a Tavern. We will be meeting at the Chapel Pub in North Portland.
Agenda: Not set in stone, more of a guide for pacing :-)
- 4:30 - Session 0
- 5:00 - Play
- 8:30 to 9:00 - The climactic conclusion
Seats at the table. This special 4 hour Endless Winter session is $35. Each player will receive their own souvenir dice set.
- Preferential seating given to those that have attended previous sessions and/or character creation sessions with the DM.
- Please keep your RSVP updated so players on the waitlist can join and the DM can plan accordingly. Last minute RSVP changes (less than 48 hours) or no-shows are frowned upon.
- The DM reserves the right to decide party make-up (Players and PC Levels)
Safety Tools. For gameplay at the table:
- All players are welcome at this table and will be respected
- Hard Lines: This game will not contain physical violence towards children, animal cruelty, party-initiated torture, inter-party violence or betrayal, or any sexual themes.
- “Pause for a second”: If at any point you feel uncomfortable or don’t agree with the direction the game is going
- Content themes and warnings can be found below.
This game is PG-13. Depictions of fantasy violence. Without giving it away, there are also scenes of fear, isolation, shock, secrecy, desperation, helplessness, paranoia. There will be FREQUENT PROFANITY (I curse a lot), and some crude humor.
Session 0. We will hold a brief mini session zero at the start of the session to help build party cohesion, set the ground rules, and get settled into your characters.
Upcoming events
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The Frozen North - Newbie Friendly One-Shot w/ Paul
McMenamins Chapel Pub, 430 N Killingsworth St, Portland, OR, USCampaign: An Endless Winter
Adventure: The Frozen North
Setting: Icewind Dale
The caravan creeps north along the Ten Trail, its wagons groaning beneath layers of frost as the Spine of the World rises like a wall of ice ahead. Snow drifts endlessly across the road, the sky a dull gray beneath the Everlasting Rime, and the wind carries the promise of worse to come. In this land, warmth is fleeting, shelter is precious, and a single misstep can mean death—yet the caravan presses on, unaware that the frozen north is about to test every soul within it.
An avalanche strands you and your allies in the treacherous Spine of the World, and a relentless blizzard is quickly blowing away all hope of survival. Gather the surviving members of your caravan and strike out for shelter. Strike out for life!
Who are you? Create your character using one of four hooks: you were hired as a caravan guard for good pay through a dangerous region, you have local ties drawing you home to Icewind Dale, you are called by dire divine or arcane visions tied to the Everlasting Rime, or you’ve come for the Great Hunt, pursuing rumors of unusually cunning beasts in the frozen wilds. For a table with new players or new-to-each-other players it is best for all characters to be good aligned.
Character Creation. If you have never played or made a character before, I recommend showing up and using one of the pre-generated characters. Otherwise:
- We will follow the DND4N rules for character creation.
- We will also use the rules for characters in DND4N one-shots
- I hold character creation sessions every four weeks. Join us to make your character.
Your DM. Showing up to a Meetup event where you don't know anyone can be a lil scary. If you'd like to get to know the DM a little, I am a 46 year old data nerd that got into DnD because of a TikTok. I am from the Midwest but moved out here for the clouds and the rain (not joking). I will be at the event 30 minutes ahead of time if you'd like to stop by before everyone else shows up.
You Meet in a Tavern. We will be meeting at the Chapel Pub in North Portland.
Agenda: Not set in stone, more of a guide for pacing :-)
- 11:30 - Session 0
- 12:00 - Play
- 3:30 to 4:00 - The climactic conclusion
Seats at the table. This special 4 hour Endless Winter session is $35. Each player will receive their own souvenir dice set.
- Preferential seating given to those that have attended previous sessions and/or character creation sessions with the DM.
- Please keep your RSVP updated so players on the waitlist can join and the DM can plan accordingly. Last minute RSVP changes (less than 48 hours) or no-shows are frowned upon.
- The DM reserves the right to decide party make-up (Players and PC Levels)
Safety Tools. For gameplay at the table:
- All players are welcome at this table and will be respected
- Hard Lines: This game will not contain physical violence towards children, animal cruelty, party-initiated torture, inter-party violence or betrayal, or any sexual themes.
- “Pause for a second”: If at any point you feel uncomfortable or don’t agree with the direction the game is going
- Content themes and warnings can be found below.
This game is PG-13. Depictions of fantasy violence. Without giving it away, there are also scenes of fear, isolation, shock, helplessness, paranoia. There will be FREQUENT PROFANITY (I curse a lot), and some crude humor.
Session 0. We will hold a brief mini session zero at the start of the session to help build party cohesion, set the ground rules, and get settled into your characters.8 attendeesGnashing Teeth- Newbie Friendly One-Shot w/ Paul
McMenamins Chapel Pub, 430 N Killingsworth St, Portland, OR, USCampaign: An Endless Winter
Adventure: Gnashing Teeth
Setting: Icewind Dale
Shelter comes at a price in the frozen north. Within the towering stone halls of Wyrmdoom Crag, firelight flickers across scarred goliaths, anxious whispers, and dwindling stores as the Everlasting Rime tightens its grip on the mountains. Beasts grow bolder, hunters go missing, and something unseen stalks the wilds beyond the clan’s walls—teeth gnashing in the dark, waiting for the storm to break.
The goliaths of Wyrmdoom Crag are a proud, but thankfully, generous people. Having provided you with shelter from the deadly wilds of Icewind Dale, they’ve asked you to look into the strange things that’ve been happening in and around their home.
Who are you? Create your character using one of four hooks: you were hired as a caravan guard for good pay through a dangerous region, you have local ties drawing you home to Icewind Dale, you are called by dire divine or arcane visions tied to the Everlasting Rime, or you’ve come for the Great Hunt, pursuing rumors of unusually cunning beasts in the frozen wilds. For a table with new players or new-to-each-other players it is best for all characters to be good aligned.
Character Creation. If you have never played or made a character before, I recommend showing up and using one of the pre-generated characters. Otherwise:
- We will follow the DND4N rules for character creation.
- We will also use the rules for characters in DND4N one-shots
- I hold character creation sessions every four weeks. Join us to make your character.
Your DM. Showing up to a Meetup event where you don't know anyone can be a lil scary. If you'd like to get to know the DM a little, I am a 46 year old data nerd that got into DnD because of a TikTok. I am from the Midwest but moved out here for the clouds and the rain (not joking). I will be at the event 30 minutes ahead of time if you'd like to stop by before everyone else shows up.
You Meet in a Tavern. We will be meeting at the Chapel Pub in North Portland.
Agenda: Not set in stone, more of a guide for pacing :-)
- 4:30 - Session 0
- 5:00 - Play
- 8:30 to 9:00 - The climactic conclusion
Seats at the table. This special 4 hour Endless Winter session is $35. Each player will receive their own souvenir dice set.
- Preferential seating given to those that have attended previous sessions and/or character creation sessions with the DM.
- Please keep your RSVP updated so players on the waitlist can join and the DM can plan accordingly. Last minute RSVP changes (less than 48 hours) or no-shows are frowned upon.
- The DM reserves the right to decide party make-up (Players and PC Levels)
Safety Tools. For gameplay at the table:
- All players are welcome at this table and will be respected
- Hard Lines: This game will not contain physical violence towards children, animal cruelty, party-initiated torture, inter-party violence or betrayal, or any sexual themes.
- “Pause for a second”: If at any point you feel uncomfortable or don’t agree with the direction the game is going
- Content themes and warnings can be found below.
This game is PG-13. Depictions of fantasy violence. Without giving it away, there are also scenes of fear, isolation, shock, secrecy, desperation, helplessness, paranoia. There will be FREQUENT PROFANITY (I curse a lot), and some crude humor.
Session 0. We will hold a brief mini session zero at the start of the session to help build party cohesion, set the ground rules, and get settled into your characters.4 attendees
Weirdbridge: Dragon Heist w/Paul - Level 3
McMenamins Chapel Pub, 430 N. Killingsworth St., Portland, OR, USSeats at the table. The suggested tip for each session is $20 and we are capping the table at 6.
- This campaign has 6 regular players.
- It will open up to those on the waitlist on a session by session basis for players to "guest star" if regular players cannot attend.
- Feel free to join the waitlist in case a spot opens up and you are ready to join at the last minute.
- The DM reserves the right to decide party make-up (Players and PC Levels)
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DnD Edition: 5e
Campaign: Weirdbridge - Dragon Heist
Welcome to Weirdbridge, the Crown of the North, where a wondrous tale of urban adventure is about to unfold. Our story begins with the gathering of adventurers (you) at the Yawning Portal Inn and Tavern. Volothamp Geddarm, the famous explorer and raconteur, has a quest for you — one that entangles the you in a bitter conflict between two nefarious organizations. If the you complete his quest, Volo rewards you handsomely. Yet a much greater prize lies hidden somewhere in the City of Splendors, waiting to be claimed.
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Your DM. Showing up to a Meetup event where you don't know anyone can be a lil scary. If you'd like to get to know the DM a little, I am a 44 year old data nerd that got into DnD because of a TikTok. I am from the Midwest but moved out here for the clouds and the rain (not joking). I will be at the event 30 minutes ahead of time if you'd like to stop by before everyone else shows up.
You Meet in a Tavern. We will be meeting at the McMenamins Chapel Pub in north Portland.
Agenda: Not set in stone, more of a guide for pacing :-)
- 11:00: Play
- 1:30 to 2:00 - Find a good stopping point
Safety Tools. For gameplay at the table:
- All players are welcome at this table and will be respected
- Hard Lines: This game will not contain physical violence towards children, animal cruelty, party-initiated torture, inter-party violence or betrayal, or any sexual themes.
- “Pause for a second”: If at any point you feel uncomfortable or don’t agree with the direction the game is going
- Content themes and warnings can be found below.
This game is PG-13. Depictions of fantasy violence, infrequent body horror, disturbing images, some brief adult situations, possible brief romantic situations, FREQUENT PROFANITY (I curse a lot), some crude humor, emotional thematic content, possible death and grief.
Session 0. We will hold a brief mini session zero at the start of each session to help build party cohesion, set the ground rules, and get settled into your characters.1 attendee
Weirdbridge: A Place at the Table - Newbie Friendly (Open to All) / Paul
McMenamins Chapel Pub, 430 N Killingsworth St, Portland, OR, USSeats at the table. The suggested tip for each session is $20 and we are capping the table at 6.
- This campaign has 6 regular players.
- It will open up to those on the waitlist on a session by session basis for players to "guest star" if regular players cannot attend.
- Feel free to join the waitlist in case a spot opens up and you are ready to join at the last minute.
- The DM reserves the right to decide party make-up (Players and PC Levels)
-----------------------
Duration: Full campaign lasting 6 months to 1 year
Campaign: A Place at the Table
Setting: Weirdbridge (Forgotten Realms), a city of wonder and enchantment.
Our story begins at the Fat Little Rooster, a gritty rowdy tavern, beloved by its regular patrons, but despised by the surrounding neighborhood. the locals complain about the noise, disruptive clientele, and the occasional brawl spilling into the streets at night.
The Rooster is also known for being a hub of intrigue and adventure. Its for this reason you and your party have had lunch there every afternoon for the past week. Its not the soup or the stale bread, but the hope of getting a seat at the table for the next adventure to walk in the door.
Who are you? A motley crew of adventurers that have been working together for the odd job here and there for several weeks now. The most recent was a morning spent protecting the city dung sweepers from monstrous rats that have been attacking them from the sewers.
You are either lawful or chaotic good. For a table with new players or new-to-each-other players it is best for all characters to be good aligned.
Character Creation. If you have never played or made a character before, I recommend showing up and using one of the pre-generated characters. Otherwise:
- We will follow the DND4N rules for character creation.
- I hold character creation sessions every four weeks. Join us to get started on your character.
- Our first session will include some time to finish building our characters, so please feel free to put some ideas together beforehand.
You Meet in a Tavern. We will be meeting at the Chapel Pub on Killingsworth in North Portland.
Agenda: As I said, our first session will focus on character creation and session 0. After that:
- 2:30 - Play
- 5:00 to 5:30 - Find a good stopping point
Safety Tools. For gameplay at the table:
- All players are welcome at this table and will be respected
- Hard Lines: This game will not contain physical violence towards children, animal cruelty, party-initiated torture, inter-party violence or betrayal, or any sexual themes.
- “Pause for a second”: If at any point you feel uncomfortable or don’t agree with the direction the game is going
- Content themes and warnings can be found below.
This game is PG-13. Depictions of fantasy violence, infrequent body horror, disturbing images, possible brief romantic situations, FREQUENT PROFANITY (I curse a lot), some crude humor, emotional thematic content, and possible death and grief.
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Your DM. Showing up to a Meetup event where you don't know anyone can be a lil scary. If you'd like to get to know the DM a little, I am a 46 year old data nerd that got into DnD because of a TikTok. I am from the Midwest but moved out here for the clouds and the rain (not joking).1 attendee
Past events
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