Dust and Shadows: A Monster of the Week Adventure
Monster of the Week | One-Shot
About the adventure
Setting: Step into the sun-baked streets of Perdition's Cross, a desperate outpost clinging to life in the unforgiving Sonoran Desert. This fictional town, wedged between ancient Apache lands and the Mexican border, draws prospectors, outlaws, and those fleeing darker things than the law. As the Southern Pacific Railroad inches closer through the Territory, Perdition's Cross teeters between becoming a ghost town and a gateway to something far worse. The town sprouted up around the Redemption Mine, where silver veins run deep into the earth like infected wounds. Now the mine stands silent, its depths holding secrets that the company men won't discuss. The Paradise Saloon and Madame Chen's Laundry serve as the town's beating heart, while the old Mission watches over it all with empty windows and a bell that rings itself. Theme: Here in Perdition's Cross, reality shimmers like a mirage in the desert heat. As members of a covert group of hunters, you'll navigate a town where Mexican folk magic mingles with frontier justice, and where ancient tribal warnings about the land are proving terrifyingly true. The boom-and-bust cycle of the silver trade masks a deeper pattern of disappearances and strange occurrences. Your hunting grounds include: The labyrinthine Redemption Mine, where silver isn't the only thing that glitters in the dark The crowded graveyard, where fresh dirt is turned more often than prayers are said The desert arroyos that come alive with more than just flash floods The old Mission, where faith and fear walk hand in hand The Paradise Saloon, where secrets are traded as freely as whiskey How We Play: Perdition's Cross welcomes both hardened monster hunters and fresh-faced deputies to its dust-blown streets. Here, survival means more than just facing down monsters - it means managing resources, maintaining alliances, and keeping your humanity in a place that seems designed to strip it away. Are you ready to ride into the sunset, guns at the ready, and face the cryptids that lurk in the shadows of Silver Bridge? Your Weird West adventure awaits! Perdition's Cross welcomes both hardened monster hunters and fresh-faced deputies to its dust-blown streets. Here, survival means more than just facing down monsters - it means managing resources, maintaining alliances, and keeping your humanity in a place that seems designed to strip it away. All you need is a microphone and a set of d6s. Will you answer the call to defend this damned town? Just remember - in Perdition's Cross, your bullets need to be silver, your water needs to be blessed, and your friends... well, keep your friends close and your silver closer.
Game style
Theater of the Mind
“Theater of the Mind” uses little to no visuals for scene settings and combat. Instead, the narrative imagery comes from the Game Master’s descriptions and character action and movement comes from Players’ descriptions.
Supernatural Western horror mixing frontier survival with investigation and mysticism A silver mining town on the edge of civilization where ancient horrors meet frontier justice. Think Deadwood meets Supernatural, with a splash of Blood Meridian. Dark Western supernatural horror that blends frontier violence with cosmic dread. Moments of levity exist in camp-side companionship and saloon camaraderie, but darkness looms large on the horizon. 18+ only due to Western violence and horror themes No prior MOTW experience required One shot, 3-3.5 hours Character Notes: Characters should have a reason to be in the Arizona Territory Mix of locals and newcomers welcome All standard MOTW playbooks available with Western reskins Historical accuracy is flexible in service of fun and inclusion Themes We'll Explore: Frontier justice versus cosmic horror Survival in an unforgiving landscape Cultural clash and cooperation Faith tested by supernatural evil Greed and redemption Ancient evils awakened by modern ambition Dust and Shadows combines classic Western themes with supernatural horror in a setting where your characters aren't just monster hunters - they're frontier survivors. Resources are scarce, help is far away, and the monsters aren't the only things that can kill you. Every hunt is complicated by the harsh realities of frontier life, where a broken wagon wheel or a dry water hole can be as dangerous as any supernatural threat.
5.0
(30)
2 years on StartPlaying
63 games hosted
Highly rated for: Storytelling, Creativity, Teacher
Game Master Reviews (30)
Proficiencies
Players say this GM is great at:
Storytelling
Creativity
Teacher
GM Khitan
New review
Played 1 sessions
I played a Monster of the Week one shot with Aaron, and I must say, it was one of the best games I played in a long time. His enthusiasm was infectious. You could see that he was enjoying running the game immensely, and that he really was a fan of the players. He was great at guiding me and another player, both new to the system, to ensure we could gey the most put of the game, while masterfully weaving the story and the atmosphere. He was open to ideas and shenanigans, while still keeping control of the pace and tone of the one shot. Everyone got their moment in the spotlight and we had a blast. I can't recommend him enough!
Phil Birtles
Played 1 sessions
Was my first time playing MotW and I was super nervous, but Aaron and the players were amazing and helped me settle really quickly, and I loved every second of it!
Kathryn
Played 2 sessions
It was my first time playing Monster of the Week and most everyone else had played together before, but Aaron made it really easy to join in. I felt like I knew what was going on and was able to contribute. Aaron is a skilled storyteller and really brought the world to life with descriptions, interesting NPCs with fun voices, and even music to set the scene. I'd definitely recommend his table and plan to play again!
Jim
Played 1 sessions
Fun, welcoming, and a great setting if your looking for a game that allows for some fun flexibility and inclusive storytelling with feedback than look no further
Eric the Red
Played 1 sessions
Aaron runs a great table. Great story telling and amazing use of audio and visuals in a mostly theatre of the mind game!
Michal
Played 4 sessions
Aaron is a fantastic GM. He was very helpful and made sure I had opportunities to use my character's special abilities. He uses music and images to enhance his excellent storytelling. I can't wait to play with him again.
Additional details
How to prepare
All you NEED is a microphone and a character. Cameras are recommended, but not required. Rules, character history, etc. will happen in our first session. Part of the MOTW experience is building a shared history between player characters!
What I provide
A copy of the Monster of the Week pdf, Tome of Mysteries supplement, visuals and music!
Gameplay details
Game Rules and Expectations: Inclusion and Respect: A fundamental rule of all my games is the promotion of a safe and inclusive environment. I strictly prohibit any form of racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, fatphobia, bigotry, and other forms of discrimination. This also extends to harmful stereotypes within the fantasy context, such as assuming all orcs are inherently evil. It is essential to foster a respectful atmosphere for all players. Sensitive Content: The game will not include explicit scenes of sexual assault (SA), nonconsensual acts, or torture. While such elements may exist in the backstories of non-player characters (NPCs) or potentially in the backgrounds of player characters (PCs) with prior approval, they will not be explicitly described or directly mentioned during gameplay. The focus is on maintaining a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all participants. Creating a Fun Experience: The primary goal is to have fun and enjoy the game together. Please speak up if there's something you aren't comfortable with either to me in a private message before the session or during the first moments of the game when we're all settling in. Character Dynamics and Sheets: I encourage open communication about character dynamics and relationships within the game. We will engage in conversations to establish compelling interactions and connections between the player characters. Additionally, for those new to Monster of the Week (MOTW), I will provide a comprehensive explanation of the gameplay mechanics and assist in creating character sheets. Post-Game Discussion and Support: After each session, I like to engage in a chat with the players to debrief, share thoughts, and lighten the mood with humor. I strive to maintain a balance between intense and lighthearted moments during the game. Furthermore, I make it a point to be available for check in with each player individually after challenging sessions to ensure their well-being and address any concerns that may have arisen. By adhering to these guidelines, we can foster an inclusive, enjoyable, and supportive atmosphere where everyone can participate fully and have a memorable experience. Let's embark on an exciting adventure together and create unforgettable stories while respecting each other's boundaries and preferences.
Content warnings
• Alcohol Use
• Blood
• Death
• Fire
• Gore
• Guns
• Language/Cursing
• Murder
• Violence
Safety tools used
• Aftercare
• Breaks
• Open Door
How will character creation work
You should build your character prior to joining! It's a really simple and intuitive process. The playbooks can be found online by searching for MOTW playbooks. Please feel free to reach out if you need help doing so! Choose a Playbook: MOTW offers various playbooks, each representing a specific type of character archetype with unique abilities and roles. Some examples include The Chosen, The Expert, The Mundane, The Spellcaster, and The Wronged. Select a playbook that resonates with the character concept you have in mind. Define Character Concept: Develop a concept for your character, including their background, personality, and motivations. Consider their past experiences, strengths, weaknesses, and any unique traits or abilities they possess. This will shape the narrative and provide depth to your character. Character connection and histories will be done in our first session, so that's about as far as you need to get pre-session.
Players can expect
Combat / Tactics
Medium
Roleplay
High
Puzzles
Low
Experience level
Open to all
Platforms used
• Discord
$15.00
/ Session
Each player will be charged when a session starts.
Details
Once / Sunday - 9:00 PM UTC
May 11
2.5-3.5 Hour duration
0 / 5 Seats filled
Requirements
Experience required: Open to all
Age: 18+