The Haunted Lament🕸️Learn to Play!👻
Learn to Play D&D with the 2024 Rules in this spooky one-shot!
About the adventure
Step into the shadowy mists of Ravenloft, the gothic horror setting of the most popular D&D campaign, Curse of Strahd! This Halloween, test your courage in 'The House of Lament,' a haunted one-shot perfect for both newcomers and seasoned adventurer's alike! Come learn to play D&D as we spend the first part of the night creating our character's together! Drawn to a foreboding manor, you'll unravel eerie puzzles, confront ghostly apparitions, and uncover the dark secrets of a house with a mind of its own. Whether you're learning to play D&D for the first time or seeking a spine-tingling adventure, this All Hallows' Eve promises an unforgettable night. Will you survive, or will the House claim you forever?
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
1 year on StartPlaying
166 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Inclusive, Teacher
Average response time: 1 hour
Response rate: 100%
About me
Hi, I'm Kass! I've been a dedicated writer, actor, and storyteller for years, and I've channeled that passion into my work as a Dungeon Master. I love running games that create immersive, narrative-driven experiences that engage players on a deeper level. My ability to blend rich storytelling with engaging, homebrewed elements make each session feel unique and tailored to YOU! Whether you're exploring a frozen wasteland, unraveling the mysteries of an ancient civilization, or navigating tense political intrigue, I ensure every game is an adventure that players will remember. My games are designed to encourage collaboration, character development, and those epic, cinematic moments that bring a table to life. I'm here to help you create stories you will talk about for years to come!
View Profile →Reviews (27)
Proficiencies
Players say this GM is great at:
Creativity
Inclusive
Teacher
Kass is a very wonderful DM that is fully engaging of each player. She sets up characters arcs for everyone and pays close attention to detail. Combat is challenging and interesting, often tying in side-stories into even random encounters. I could not ask for a better DM.
I have played 5 levels of Sorlock with Kass and company, in Tomb of Annihillation. I never really thought of this as a role-play intense adventure, but she makes that work for people who enjoy a lot of roleplay. I like that she even keeps the narrative going in between sessions. For me, that would have been plenty of roleplay. This keeps the characters engaged during the week, while out of session. It really brings the characters to life in the downtime. If roleplay is your preference, Kass is a great DM. I'm sure she will also accommodate those who crave some combat action. Unfortunatley, life is taking me down a different path at the moment, and I already played through levels 6 to completion in 2023. Tomb of Annihilation is a fantastic adventure. Exploration, roleplay, death (maybe), primative cultures and Yuanti cults, (spoilers), and even dinosaur racing (not a typo) are all part of the fun. Kass says it is "an Exandria remix, an adventure unlike any Tal'dorei has ever seen" . I don't see it. But it wouldn't need to be, Chult is an awesome place to be for this adventure. I'm guessing, maybe, the Exandria part comes in at the end of the adventure (spoilers unknown), because she is running this all the way to level 17. I personally only have finished this at level 12. What are the last 5 levels? Play it and see. I wish I could see the rest of how this plays out, and if she will have me, I would gladly come back at level 12 to see her last 5 exciting levels. Hoping to have exciting evenings again in the future, but my personal life took me out of the game.
Kass is an incredible story teller! She is funny when she needs to be, and also her characters are always so fun to listen to and interact with, I would absolutely recommend a game with her to any person looking for a new DM especially if they are new to the game as she is perfect for setting a high standard for new players!
Character creation
Creating your character
Any character creation ideas are welcome pre-session! Do you have a background you can't wait to play but aren't sure about the mechanics? I am happy to help! We will also be spending the beginning of session building our characters and I have pre-generated ideas if you need somewhere to start!! For the not complete beginners: All characters will begin at level one, stats are point buy OR standard array (your choice), and either starting gold or standard equipment is okay!
📝 Beginner-Friendly Gameplay: Learn the basics of D&D 5e in a spooky and engaging environment, with guidance at every step. Starting with guided Character creation! 🕯️ Gothic Horror & Mystery: Unravel the tragic history of the House of Lament as you delve into eerie encounters, ghostly apparitions, and sinister secrets. 🧠 Collaborative Roleplay: Work together with your fellow adventurers to survive the night, solve puzzles, and face terrifying challenges! 🎭🕵️♀️
What to expect
Preparing for the session
You will need to have/bring: 🎤 A Microphone and Discord Downloaded 🎲 A DNDBeyond and a Roll20 account (They're both free) 🗡️ Beyond20 Browser extension for Firefox or Chrome (Not necessary but allows you to roll from DNDBeyond!) 🙋 Your character, if you've decided to make it in advance (Don't worry if you don't have an idea yet! We can come up with one together!) 📸 A Webcam (If you would like to use video, but this isn't required) 😊 A Positive Attitude, Readiness to Learn, and a Smile!
What Kass | The Paradox DM brings to the table
For all of my games I provide: High Quality Maps that pull you into the setting Unique Tokens For All Player's and NPC Atmospheric Music and Combat Tracks to help set the mood. Hundreds of $$ of content on D&D Beyond-no extra charge! Amazing Storylines and a contagious enthusiasm for this game! I am a Rules meets Cool DM. I am almost always happy to allow a good idea at the table, and will reward quick thinking and roleplay decisions. We will default to Rules as Written in cases of disagreement, but I am more concerned about the narrative aspect of your story and will push for those.
Equipment needed to play
Computer
Headphones
Internet
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Kass | The Paradox DM creates a safe table
When it comes to player safety and comfort nothing is more important, we will spend the beginning of the session going over safety tools which includes letting players know any content warnings that may be present in the adventure and informing them about my open door, break and debrief policies. Players are also welcome at any time to either take breather or a break from the game, and at no point will they ever be asked to go into detail about ANYTHING they may not be comfortable with. Also, while the game is going on, if at any point a player needs content to stop immediately, they may hold up an X/N or type one in chat or private DM. This will allow me to make the necessary moves needed to make sure everyone continues to have a great time playing! Lastly, I am a huge believer in debriefing/aftercare. At the end of each session I will always hang around for anywhere between 15-30 minutes to chat about the session and to just generally hang out with anyone who wants to stick around! This is great for sessions where we may get into some heavier content so we can either discuss it or unpack it if need be! Remember, your comfort and your fun come first!