Adventuring 101: Students of the First Circle. Ages 11 - 12
The Academy of Cavara has trained adventurers for centuries. As first year initiates, you face a threat to that will test your wits and skills.
TYPE
SYSTEM
LEVELS
EXPERIENCE
Details
Weekly / Wed, 12:00 AM - 1:00 AM (UTC)
$25 / Session
Ages 11 to 12
2 / 5 Seats Filled
Report Adventure
About the adventure
Who is this game for? Students of the First Circle is a campaign for players of any experience level, ages 11 - 12. This campaign has been created for players who enjoy fantastical stories unique characters, and fun scenarios all set in a world of magic, monsters, and adventure. What is the Setting? The game takes place at the Academy of Cavara in the Realm of Kaurauth, a fantasy world where players will step into their first year of their heroic education. They will face strange occurances that will require strength, skill and, most importantly, creativity. Collaboration and Cooperation are at the heart of the campaign, but at the same time, players will have the opportunity to let their indivdual characters shine as well. What's your game table like? With my background in theatrical improvisation and performance, I am a DM who likes to make my players think on their feet, presenting low pressure scenarios that encourage players to think outside of their mundane worlds and come up with creative solutions without the constraints of the real world to slow them down. I am a big user of the "Yes and" technique; I don't shut down wacky ideas; I embrace them and encourage the players to do the same. I enjoy creating unusual and offbeat characters for players to interact with, many of whom will keep the players laughing and looking forward to interacting with them again and again. Whether the player is a veteran of D&D, or is picking up their dice for the first time, Students of the First Circle promises to be a unique and fun experience for all!
More details
Ages 11 to 12
The party will be made up of only kids ages 11 to 12, led by a vetted professional Dungeon Master. This game will be recorded for quality & safety purposes and saved securely for 90 days. To review the content allowed in this age band see our FAQ.
Plot & setting
You are the newest class of apprentices attending the Academy of Cavara, where people from all walks of life train in the skills needed to become heroic adventurers. Training is rigorous, disciplined, and entirely serious until strange anomalies begin appearing on campus; winding corridors, whispers from nowhere, and a sense that something from beyond is reaching inward. The young adventurers will need to rise far beyond the expectations of first-year initiates and face the threat together.
Education
Game style
Schedule
Ongoing campaign
Weekly on Wednesday
1 hour
Once 3 players have joined, Jim Williams will start posting upcoming sessions and they'll show up right here. Join now to save your spot, and we'll send you a heads up when everything's set.
Meet the Dungeon Master
Jim Williams
4.8
(5)
1 year on Young Heroes
Highly rated for: Inclusive, Creativity, Storytelling
About me
Hi there, my name is Jim and I have been helping kids be creative for more than 30 years. Since I was a teenager, I have worked with kids in the performing arts; coaching, directing, and acting with them. I have a background in musical theatre as well as team improv. I have run summer theatre programs for kids and directed in children's theaters all over the region. I have a 7-year old son who is looking to be a performer himself, so I don't see myself slowing down these endeavors anytime soon! As for my Gamemastering experience, I have been running TTRPG's since I bought the old WEG Star Wars Roleplaying Game in 1988, and have never looked back. In those almost 40 years (!) I have run countless sessions of D&D (2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th editions, World of Darkness, D20 Modern, and many more. I carried my improv experience into the LARP scene as well and now sit on the board of directors for CT's long longest running fantasy LARP. I also help run a chapter of One World by Night, the largest World of Darkness LARP network in the world, and sat as a member of that organization's council for a long time. I love telling stories with players of all ages. My table is open, safe, and adaptable. I run a series of D&D one-shot set in various worlds from classic myths and literature, and have a child-focused original campaign setting as well. These are perfect setting for creating with young people. I look forward to the opportunity to tell stories with you!
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Reviews from parents and guardians
What to expect
Preparing for the session
If you haven't done so already, you should set up an account in DnDBeyond. The free account is all that you will need to play. The rules of the game are available there, and I always recommend that player familiarize themselves with them before, although it is not required; we start slow and then ramp up as things progress.
What Jim Williams brings to the table
With 40 years of theatrical performances under my belt, I have deveoped many skills and techniques that I apply to my gaming table. Character voices and accents are a regular practice. I also appreciate the effect of ambient music and soundscapes and will often use them to help set the mood. For this campaign, the Rule of Cool is king. If a specific rule limits creativity too much, I work with the players to make an alternative that works for the table. That being said, the rules as written do provide a good framework for gameplay, so we will seldom break said rules outright. Creativity, cooperation, and collaboration are the three tools and expectations for a fun experience at my gaming tables.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Microphone
Webcam
Computer or Mobile Device
Platforms used
D&D Beyond
D&D Beyond is the official digital companion platform for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. It offers character building and management tools, content collection, navigation, and organization, and a suite of virtual tabletop tools like encounter builders, and maps in both 2D and 3D.
Zoom
Zoom is a videoconferencing software used for video and telecommunications around the world by businesses, governments, and of course, RPG groups! It's a simple, functional, and ubiquitous program for reliable video chat.
Safety
StartPlaying is committed to providing a safe and fun space for kids to break into roleplaying games with our team of professional Dungeon Masters.
Vetted Dungeon Masters
We review every Dungeon Master's application and require background checks for them to work with kids.
Reviews from parents
We require Dungeon Masters to submit at least 3 reviews from previous games they have run.
Recorded sessions
We record kids' sessions for safety and review. You can access recordings for up to 90 days after the session has run.
Identity Verification
Your Dungeon Master will verify each player's identity at the start of each session before letting you into the call.
Secure Payments
All payments are done through Stripe, one of the most secure payment processors in the world.
Dedicated Trust & Safety
Our team works to ensure that every player has a welcoming, safe, and fun experience. We are ready to assist if needed.
How Jim Williams creates a safe table
Creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming table is a core part of my DM philosophy. Storytelling is at its best when everyone feels comfortable enough to participate fully, take risks, and explore the narrative without fear of discomfort or harm. That’s why I make safety an active, ongoing part of every game I run; not just a checkbox at the start, but a regular, thoughtful practice built into the structure of our sessions. Before a campaign begins, I’ll send out a theme sheet and a Lines and Veils document. This gives players a chance to privately and honestly note any content they’d prefer be excluded from the game entirely (Lines), or topics that can exist in the world but should be handled with care or off-screen (Veils). It also allows for discussion of narrative preferences, sensory accommodations needed, and desired tone so I can tailor the experience to suit the group’s comfort levels. We’ll hold a full Session Zero before the campaign starts. During this session, we’ll go over the game’s setting, themes, and content expectations, as well as group dynamics, character relationships, and safety protocols. With kids at this age, this will presented in a manner that is both constructive and free of stress. Most importantly, my table is a space where respect is non-negotiable. Harassment, bigotry, gatekeeping, or toxic behavior of any kind won’t be tolerated. I work hard to cultivate a supportive, inclusive atmosphere where everyone’s boundaries and preferences are honored, and where creativity, humor, and bold storytelling are encouraged.
Safety tools used
Additional tables
0 available
Frequently asked questions
$25.00
/ Session