Wonders & Whispers: A Witchlight Prelude
Dungeons & Dragons 5e | One-Shot
About the adventure
Step into the swirling lights and soft shadows of the Witchlight Carnival in this whimsical, roleplay-driven introduction to The Wild Beyond the Witchlight. This session covers Chapter One of the official D&D 5e campaign. A space where wonder and weirdness walk hand in hand. Players are free to bring any 1st-level character they wish, from curious commoners to mysterious misfits. We'll explore a world of talking animals, curious fey, lost memories, and strange prizes beneath the big top. Combat is not the focus. In fact, every encounter can be resolved through dialogue, creativity, and clever thinking. We’ll be playing on Roll20 for maps and visuals, with Discord for voice. This is a perfect session for players who love roleplay, character development, and a gentle balance of silly and sincere. Expect a blend of high fantasy and soft surrealism, where the stakes are emotional, the carnival is alive, and the magic is just as likely to charm you as it is to challenge you. New players welcome—just bring a little curiosity, and a willingness to explore the strange.
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.
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.
Roleplay Heavy
“Roleplay Heavy” games place the focus on the story, the characters, and the world they live within, and tend to lean hard into the various roleplaying elements of the game. These games will frequently find the party talking with NPCs, exploring the personal elements of their backstories, or even having emotional moments around the camp fire.
First-time player friendly (and encouraged!) Cozy DM ADHD-friendly
5.0
(5)
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Creativity, Teacher, Storytelling
Average response time: Under 1 hour
Response rate: 100%
Game Master Reviews (5)
Proficiencies
Players say this GM is great at:
Creativity
Teacher
Storytelling
Crazy Cat Lady of Doom
New review
Great GM for beginners. Very patient and helpful. Had a great one-shot.
Bruce
New review
Our whole group had a lovely time playing Chapter one of Witchlight with Alex! His pacing was perfect. His gentle whimsy shone bright. You want him as your GM.
Josie
New review
Fun narrative and very easy going dm!
Kristof
New review
Lovely and friendly DM, I played the RP & Puzzle chapters. Amazing vibes and beginner friendly! It's really something else to play without combat, a very different experience. Would recommend! :)
Metalcoffin
New review
I had a really good time playing with Alex, he allowed us to goof around but held the story. And my so many laughs :DD
Additional details
How to prepare
We will be using voice via Discord which will require a mic (most laptops come with an internal one). A roll20 account will be required and links will be sent upon sign- up.
What I provide
I run my games on Roll20 with maps and tokens, and use Discord for voice to keep things smooth and casual. I lean into theatrical roleplay, expect (some) NPC voices, ambient music, and a strong focus on character-driven storytelling. My GM style is collaborative and story-first. I embrace the Rule of Cool when it adds to the moment, and I encourage creative solutions over rigid mechanics. Combat, when it happens, is cinematic and fast-paced, but in this campaign, roleplay is front and center. I strive to create a welcoming, inclusive environment where player agency and emotional investment take the spotlight. New players and seasoned adventurers alike are welcome here!
Gameplay details
Safety Tools in Use This game uses several safety tools to help create a respectful and comfortable space for everyone at the table: X Card (or Chat/Emoji Equivalent) At any time, players may type “X” in the chat or say “X Card” to signal that something in the game made them uncomfortable—no explanation needed. We’ll pause, rewind, or shift the scene without judgment. If playing on camera, you can also cross your arms in an “X” or use an emoji reaction. Open Door Policy You’re free to step away from the game at any time, whether it’s due to discomfort, life stuff, or needing a break. Just let me know if you can, but no pressure. You can also choose to leave the game entirely, no questions asked. Your safety and well-being matter more than the story. Aftercare Check-In After each session, I’ll offer a brief optional debrief where players can share how they’re feeling about the game, the tone, or anything they need to process. This can be via voice, chat, or message. You can also always reach out afterward if something lingers. These tools are here to protect everyone’s fun, imagination, and boundaries. My goal is to create a space where weirdness and wonder feel safe, not stressful.
Content warnings
• Clowns
• Kidnapping
Safety tools used
• Aftercare
• Open Door
• X, N, and O Cards
How will character creation work
Feel free to come with your own 1st level character or a pre- gen character based off of the Whichlight universe can be provided.
Players can expect
Combat / Tactics
Low
Roleplay
High
Puzzles
Medium
Experience level
Open to all
Platforms used
• Roll20
$10.00
/ Session
Each player will be charged when a session starts.
Details
Once / Thursday - 4:00 PM UTC
Apr 10
3-3.5 Hour Duration
0 / 7 Seats Filled
Requirements
Experience required: Open to all
Age: All Ages