Into the Shadowdark
Shadowdark RPG | Campaign
About the adventure
WHAT IS SHADOWDARK ? Award wining old school fantasy gaming with elegant contemporary execution. Shadowdark RPG is what old-school fantasy gaming would look like after being redesigned with 50 years of innovation. The game is fast, familiar, intuitive, and deadly. It’s built for sword-and-sorcery adventures where fell monsters slither in darkness and frosty gems glint upon forgotten thrones, waiting to be discovered. In Shadowdark RPG, real time comes into play. A torch only holds back the looming darkness for one hour of actual game time! There isn't a moment to spare when your only light source is guttering low... Get ready for old-school gaming in a whole new light!
Game style
Rule of Cool (RoC)
“Rule of Cool” emphasizes creative story beats over sticking to a system’s rules as written. Players have the ability to push the limits of the rules or even break core rule mechanics at times if the Game Master thinks it is interesting, fun, or cool enough.
Dungeon Crawl
A “Dungeon Crawl” is a scenario where players navigate a dungeon or labyrinth-like environment for the entirety of the adventure. It emphasizes battling monsters, collecting loot, and avoiding traps to survive to the end!
Combat Heavy
“Combat Heavy” games emphasize the combat mechanics within their systems over roleplay or puzzle solving. There are frequent and longer battles with enemies and a greater emphasis on tactical game play.
5.0
(45)
4 years on StartPlaying
196 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Rule of Cool, Inclusive
Additional details
How to prepare
Have a look at the rules https://www.thearcanelibrary.com/products/shadowdark-rpg-quickstart-set Make a PC or three using this link https://shadowdarklings.net/ Once you know what you want to play, make a token here https://rolladvantage.com/tokenstamp/ Download your token and be ready to send it in discord so we can get it ready in Foundry. You will need a way to send and receive audio over discord. Cameras not required. A mouse is recommended over using a track pad.
What I provide
I will provide you with adventure and have maps ready in Foundry and a Discord for our record keeping, epic memes and voice chat.
Gameplay details
Shadowdark makes dungeon crawling fast and deadly. It feels like the games I remembered as a kid. Gear matters, turns are quick, magic can be dangerous and a of a wild card. Shadowdark pulls some ideas from modern gaming: Straightforward, roll over math and streamlined mechanics. It pulls some ideas from old school games: Low hit points and damage, no set skills, a less forgiving character death system, quick and simple character creation. Min-maxing is impossible because players roll randomly for a new, yet fitting, ability every other level. There is no "build", but lots more excitement as the dice clatter and reveal your fate. Character creation and leveling is a process of discovery more than drafting. The game encourages playing to explore, to find out, embracing random events and what the dice give you. Maybe the torch goes out, maybe the big bad finds you first. Maybe that spot you picked to for a rest was not safe and fouls creatures approach even as you rest your weary head. It has influences from lots of other places. Roll-to-cast magic a bit like you might find in Dungeon Crawl Classics. Easy distance measurement like in Index Card RPG. A roll-high system where a natural 20 is always a success. Simple XP tracking that rewards finding treasure (and spending it carousing) rather than killing monsters. Combat is dangerous. Getting in, looting and avoiding things trying to kill the party is how you roll. You will find all you need to play at his link. Have a look and see if it's for you. Rangers and Bards have been added and will be available as options in play. https://www.dropbox.com/s/ab1x94p7h4v39w7/Shadowdark%20RPG%20Quickstart%20Set%20-%20V2-2.zip?dl=0
Content warnings
Safety tools used
• Breaks
• Lines and Veils
• Luxton Technique
• Open Door
• Stars and Wishes
How will character creation work
You can visit this link and make yourself a stable of characters and be ready to roll. I encourage you to embrace the random. https://shadowdarklings.net/ Your characters can be exported from the site into the Foundry VTT.
Players can expect
Combat / Tactics
High
Roleplay
Medium
Puzzles
Low
Experience level
Open to all
Platforms used
• Foundry VTT
• Discord
$17.50
/ Session
Each player will be charged when a session starts.
Details
Weekly / Saturday - 12:00 AM UTC
3-3.5 Hour Duration
0 / 5 Seats Filled
Requirements
Experience required: Open to all
Age: 18+