About this video

• Video Title: The Chain of Acheron: Ep. 1 - Red Sky at Morning | Matt Colville's D&D Campaign
• Channel: MCDM
• Speakers: Matt Colville, Phil, Tom, Lars, Anna, Judge, Copper, Nails, Jason, Silvano, Jerry, Nicodemus, Lady Seriel, Mandrake, Ajax
• Duration: 03:45:12

Overview

This video marks the beginning of "The Chain of Acheron," a Dungeons & Dragons campaign run by Matt Colville and MCDM. It focuses on character creation, introducing the players and their characters, and then launches into the first in-game session, which involves an assassination mission against a powerful figure named Ajax. The episode details the players' character creation process, introduces custom classes and homebrew elements, and sets the stage for the campaign's narrative and world.

Key takeaways

• Character Creation and Introduction: The video begins by explaining the decision to pre-create characters and present them through a video, rather than a live, potentially tedious process. This allows viewers and players to meet the heroes of the campaign for the first time.
• Customization and Homebrew: Several custom classes and modified rules are introduced, including the "Ill Rigger" and a modified Ranger class, highlighting MCDM's approach to game design and campaign setting.
• The Chain of Acheron Setting: The campaign is set in the world of "The Chain of Acheron," with the initial events taking place in the city of Black Bottom, a port city facing invasion by a tyrannical overlord named Ajax.
• Initiation of the Campaign: The first session involves the players, as members of "The Chain" mercenary company, accepting a contract to assassinate Ajax's wizard, setting the stage for the campaign's central conflict.
• Player and Character Roles: The video explains the in-game hierarchy and roles within "The Chain," such as Commander, Lieutenant, Weapon Master, and Standard Bearer, which provide unique abilities and influence gameplay.
• D&D 5e Mechanics and Play: The session demonstrates various D&D 5th Edition mechanics, including skill challenges, combat, initiative, and the use of character abilities and magic items, showcasing how the game is played.
• Community and Production: The video emphasizes the role of the community, particularly in funding the Kickstarter that made the production possible, and thanks various individuals for their contributions to the art, music, and technical aspects of the stream.
• Skill Challenge for Escape: A significant portion of the gameplay involves a skill challenge to navigate the chaotic city of Black Bottom and reach the docks to escape, highlighting creative use of character skills.
• Cinematic Introduction to the Antagonist: The introduction of the primary antagonist, Ajax, is presented as a dramatic, cinematic event, showcasing his power and the scale of the threat he poses to the world.
• Introduction of Patreon and Support: The video concludes by promoting MCDM's Patreon, encouraging viewers to support the channel and its content creation efforts.