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.
We welcome anyone from veteran players that are Newbies at heart all the way to those that have never played a session.
You Meet in a Tavern. We will be meeting at the McMenamins chapel Pub on Killingsworth.
There is no agenda or schedule. We manly focus on character creation and talking about game play rules. We usually have around 10 people, but don't be surprised if its as few as 5 or as many as 20. Both have happened.
- When we've had a larger group we've broken into a couple different tables where one is making characters with the DnD Beyond App and another is doing paper/pencil. We've also done one very large table of about 12 where we all made a sorcerer together.
- For the smaller groups we've made characters based on movie/TV characters, we've just sat around and talked, one time I had some premade characters and we did a quick 1 hour mini session.
What to bring. I'll have character sheets, dice, copies of the Player's Handbook, and access to DnD Byond for participants. I do, however, encourage you to bring your own stuff if you are able (D&D is more fun with your own dice). I also sell dice if you want to buy a set while you're there.
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.
If you are a DM who is interested in helping out feel free to shoot me a message! We can always use some help running our events.
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This session is $5 per person, payable at the time of the event. I accept cash, Venmo, and lunch :-). This $5 will go towards the cost of the next adventure you attend. This does not include food/beverage, which I encourage you to purchase in support of our hosts.
In addition to the session itself, you also get extended access to all my resources on DND Beyond for at least a month after the event.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Weirdbridge: Dragon Heist w/Paul - Level 3McMenamins Chapel Pub, Portland, OR
Seats at the table. 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 HeistWelcome 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.
- Weirdbridge: A Place at the Table - Newbie Friendly (Open to All) / PaulMcMenamins Chapel Pub, Portland, OR
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).
- DnD for Newbies (Character Creation) - You Meet in a Tavern :-)McMenamins Chapel Pub, Portland, OR
We welcome anyone from veteran players that are Newbies at heart all the way to those that have never played a session.
You Meet in a Tavern. We will be meeting at the McMenamins chapel Pub on Killingsworth.
There is no agenda or schedule. We manly focus on character creation and talking about game play rules. We usually have around 10 people, but don't be surprised if its as few as 5 or as many as 20. Both have happened.
- When we've had a larger group we've broken into a couple different tables where one is making characters with the DnD Beyond App and another is doing paper/pencil. We've also done one very large table of about 12 where we all made a sorcerer together.
- For the smaller groups we've made characters based on movie/TV characters, we've just sat around and talked, one time I had some premade characters and we did a quick 1 hour mini session.
What to bring. I'll have character sheets, dice, copies of the Player's Handbook, and access to DnD Byond for participants. I do, however, encourage you to bring your own stuff if you are able (D&D is more fun with your own dice). I also sell dice if you want to buy a set while you're there.
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.
If you are a DM who is interested in helping out feel free to shoot me a message! We can always use some help running our events.
---------------
This session is $5 per person, payable at the time of the event. I accept cash, Venmo, and lunch :-). This $5 will go towards the cost of the next adventure you attend. This does not include food/beverage, which I encourage you to purchase in support of our hosts.
In addition to the session itself, you also get extended access to all my resources on DND Beyond for at least a month after the event.
- Melodies and Mayhem (Newbie Friendly Campaign) w/ PaulMcMenamins Cedar Hills, Beaverton, OR
Duration: Campaign lasting 6 months to 1 year.
DnD Edition: 5.5e (2024)
Setting: Forgotten RealmsYou're quest for fame and fortune has only just begun. Your band has just signed a deal with a manager. You've recorded your first single (TBD) and today is the first day of your tour. The next year on the road will determine if you get the most coveted invitation any performer can get, a spot at the grand festival in the Moonshae Island, the March of Vice!
The stage at the market in the sleepy town of Celwould is a smaller start to your tour than you had hoped, but its a start. As you and your bandmates are packing up your instruments, you are approached by a very curious quest giver in need of help.
Seats at the table. Each session is $20 and we are capping the table at 6.
- This campaign will have 6 regular players.
- Once the table is set, 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)
Character Creation.
- We will follow the DND4N rules for character creation.
- Your Character DOESN'T have to be a Bard. There are many ways to gain proficiency in musical instruments: subclasses, backgrounds, feats, etc. We can work that out on day 1.
- Our first session will include building our characters, but please feel free to put some ideas together beforehand.
You Meet in a Tavern. We will be meeting at the PDX Sliders in Sellwood-Mooreland.
Agenda: As I said, our first session will focus on character creation and session 0. After that:
- 6:30 - Play
- 9:00 to 9:30 - 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.
---------------------
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).
