Rules

Spell based characters CAN use more spells than their allotted spell slots per day, but doing so takes exhaustion points equal to the spell's level. Exhaustion can make it more difficult to complete various tasks and at 6 exhaustion points you fall over dead, no save available. 

Each player gets 1 hero token per level. Based on player feedback, the DM gets 3 (I voted for none, but you guys wanted me to have some). This token acts the same as inspiration and can be used to get advantage on any dice roll or disadvantage on a target. Note, to apply disadvantage, you have to be the target of the roll (or involved in some way). For example, if an enemy strikes a party member with a Nat 20, you cannot force them to reroll at disadvantage if your character is not involved with the attack, but the player being struck may.

You may take a potion as a bonus action, but administiring a potion is still an action. Choosing to use an action to take a potion allows you to heal the maximum amount from that potion.

Spells can crit on a Nat 20 attack or a Nat 1 save. For non-damaging "crits" the DM may use their discretion for an additional or enhanced effect.

When evaluating rules for gameplay, we will error on the side of RAI (Rules As Intended) over RAW (Rules As Written) because RAW can lead to exploited rules, such as coffeelock. Example; See Evasion rule decision.

The written rule on Evasion implies it is just something that always happens, regardless, but in the description of how the rule works is that your movement allows you to evade the additional damage. When a creature is under the Paralyzed effect, should they get the bonus from Evasion? As written, perhaps, but as intended, probably not. My reasoning for this is because if you cannot move, you cannot evade.

When someone fails their last death saving throw and is about to lose their life, they may use one final action to save their team, kill the big bad, or aid someone else before they pass.

Alternatively, see the homebrew rule for "Swansong".

If you reach the end of the road - troubles too great to manage, your debts too heavy, your race run - you may take your swansong. A swansong is a voluntary process where you go out in one final blaze of glory. A swansong would need to be declared at the start of a scene provided you and the DM agree this is a fitting narrative end for your character or that your death will drive the narrative forward for the rest of the party. A swansong lasts the duration of the scene or combat and has the following effects.

• You make all rolls at advantage.

• No attack or action you make can be at disadvantage.

• All attacks you make are deadly.

• You can take a dodge action as a reaction.

• You sustain a mortal wound during the scene.

• You die at the end of the scene. Unable to be saved.

Pets will not get their own initiative order but this doesn’t mean you cannot use them narratively. If you land a successful hit on an enemy, you can still flavor it by saying your animal had aided in some way like by distracting the enemy or by retrieving the arrow from your quiver for you. Something that is just flavor.

Companions take place in initiative and will generally follow commands, but are not bound to them. The DM controls their actual actions. Companions can die and can aid in rolls and provided advantages.

Summoned creatures from items and spells are treated per the spell or item description. If not specified, the player may choose which category they fall in.

A common condition in the many bars, saloons, taverns, and brothels of any major city or remote town, a creature can become intoxicated by imbibing too much alcohol or other substance. An intoxicated creature is mentally impaired. The creature suffers disadvantage on all Intelligence and Wisdom-related skill checks, ability checks and saving throws as well as on attack rolls. The creature has advantage on Strength-related skill checks.

If the creature is subjected to the intoxicated condition and is already intoxicated (owed to drinking additional spirits or because of the ability or attack of another creature) it must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or fall unconscious for 1 minute. Each time the creature takes damage, and at the end of each of its turns it can make a new saving throw, ending the unconscious condition (but not the intoxicated condition) on a success. The intoxicated condition can be removed by completing a short or long rest. 

A Medium creature can drink four drinks per +1 to it's constitution modifier. A creature that is Large or Larger can drink twice as many drinks as the size category below it (8 per +1 for Large, 16 per +1 for Huge, etc.) A Small or Tiny creature can drink half as many drinks as the size category above it (2 per +1 for Small, and 1 per +1 for Tiny). 

A creature that suffers from 3 levels of exhuastion owed to heat becomes deyhdrated. A dehydrated creature's ability scores are reduced by 2 when it becomes dehydrated and at the end of each long rest until it drinks water.