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💀🌵Free Playtest for Game Masters!
We've got guns and hover hotrods, cantinas and drug dens, racetracks and brothels. At the heart of Death Mesa lies Sugar Skull City!
TYPE
SYSTEM
LANGUAGE
EXPERIENCE
AGE
$5.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Wednesday - 12:00 AM UTC
Session Duration / 3–3.5 hours
Campaign Length / 6+ Sessions
1 / 6 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
We've got guns and hover hotrods, cantinas and drug dens, racetracks, casinos, and brothels. At the heart of the desert lies Sugar Skull City, where you arrive at Calavera Station as an exile—referred to as a Consideration. With no hope of escape from this open-air industrial prison complex, most people go to work in a factory until they die. But it’s not forced labor… not exactly. You see, Death Mesa exists in a state of anarchy—the corporate entities offer work, an apartment, food, other allowances, and protection from gangs, con artists, and cutthroats. All you have to give up is your agency and dignity. What a bargain! Your character won’t fit well into a life of servitude, and there are options. Will you become a villain, a hero, something in between… or reject this fate entirely? Will you try to escape—or change Death Mesa itself?
Game style
Sandbox / Open World
Roleplay Heavy
Combat Heavy
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
About me
What’s up, players! I’m Nick Grotto, an Air Force veteran from Brooklyn, NY, and a lover of immersive sandbox gaming since 1986, when I first played The Legend of Zelda as a kid. In the early ’90s, I bought one of the Ravenloft modules but couldn’t figure it out or find people to play with, so I mostly stuck to RPGs on PC and console. That changed when a book club friend suggested we play D&D 5e—a moment that completely shifted the trajectory of my life and introduced me to a world of immersive gaming I never thought possible. I’ve supported the hobby by running games in bookstores and at conventions, and now I want to bring that experience to you! The systems I run are Dungeons & Dragons 5e, Starfinder, and my own Open Development 3d6 Game System (ODGS) made for Death Mesa my homebrew campaign setting. Pricing: I offer group rates for players who sign up with a single account for multiple players. Starting at $15 each for a group of 6, or $25 each for a group of 3. I also offer private gaming sessions restricted to 1 or 2 players at $40 per player per session. I keep my session times to 3 hours with a 10 minute window on either side. If a session goes long it is with 100% player agreement at no extra charge. If for unexpected reasons a game gets cut short, I will discount the next session accordingly. I've only had that happen once. The best way to contact me is to Direct Message me on Discord or Startplaying games.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
You can find eight premade archetypes on my website here: https://nicksgamegrotto.notion.site/22e8fe7f69408039907ed8bf811b096a?v=2698fe7f6940800cb6ca000cab18d5b5 and unedited rules for character creation here: https://nicksgamegrotto.notion.site/Character-Creation-In-Work-20f8fe7f694080e88449cdab7ce4df9a If you want to have a custom character please let me know and I will guide you through the process.
Players can get a sense of the type of characters that can get together by checking out the Ready Made Character Archetypes. These are starter templates with plenty of options for customization. https://nicksgamegrotto.notion.site/22e8fe7f69408039907ed8bf811b096a?v=2698fe7f6940800cb6ca000cab18d5b5
What to expect
Preparing for the session
To ensure a smooth and immersive gaming experience, here’s what you’ll need to do before joining my campaign in Sugar Skull City: Technology Requirements: Quality Microphone: A microphone is essential for active participation and engagement during our sessions. Discord Account: We will be using Discord for communication and gameplay. Please create an account if you don't already have one and join our server using a link I will provide. Game-Specific Requirements: Familiarity with Rules: While prior knowledge of D&D 5e and other systems we incorporate (Daggerheart, PbtA, others.) is helpful, it’s not mandatory. We'll cover the essentials in session, but having a basic understanding of rolling dice against a target number, Hit Point, Attributes, and Skills, smooths the process. https://nicksgamegrotto.notion.site/System-Overview-2078fe7f69408076b04ec4241021ddb0 Pre-Session Preparations: Download Necessary Software: Ensure you have Discord and any other required software installed and functioning before the session. Engagement and Participation: Be Ready to Collaborate: This campaign emphasizes creativity and collaboration, so come prepared to share ideas and contribute to the collective storytelling experience. Open Mind: Embrace the diverse and unique blend of systems and settings. Be open to experimenting with unconventional concepts and mechanics. With these preparations, you’ll be ready to embark on an exciting adventure in Death Mesa: Sugar Skull City. I'm looking forward to creating memorable stories and experiences together!
What Nick Grotto brings to the table
In my games, you'll experience an immersive blend of analog and digital elements that bring the Death Mesa: Sugar Skull City campaign to life in a unique way. Here's what you can expect when you join my sessions: Free Open Development Rules: I have a robust and ever growing rule set based on Attributes, Skills, and Abilities. You can get to the rules from my website or by following this link. https://www.deathmesa.com We will start with theater of the mind but I will share homemade maps and art that I take to comic and gaming conventions for live play.
Homebrew rules
100% Homebrew from the game mechanics to the campaign setting. Don't worry, your characters have Attributes, Skills, and Abilities that contribute to the roll of three six sided dice that determine if your character succeeds or fails a challenge. You can find my notes online. Campaign Setting (Massive Spoilers in the Locations and People link) www.deathmesa.com
Equipment needed to play
Webcam
Internet
Pen & Paper
Physical Dice
Platforms used
Safety
How Nick Grotto creates a safe table
https://www.nickgrotto.com/lines-and-veils In my games, the comfort and enjoyment of every player is a priority. To ensure this, we use a range of safety tools that allow us to create a welcoming and respectful environment for all participants. Death Mesa is Gonzo Violence. So if you are uncomfortable with vehicles being used as weapons, gun violence, substance use and abuse, systemic oppression, or the idea of having a character trapped in an inescapable open air prison, this campaign is not for you. Session Zero/Character Creation: Before the campaign starts, we hold a session zero to discuss boundaries, expectations, and any specific topics or themes that players wish to avoid. This session sets the stage for open communication and ensures everyone is on the same page. Lines and Veils: During this discussion, we identify any content that players want to exclude from the game entirely (lines) and topics that should be approached with sensitivity or avoided in detail (veils). X-Card: During sessions, players are encouraged to use the X-card system. If something uncomfortable arises, any player can simply raise the card (or say "X-card") to pause the game. We will then adjust the scene without requiring an explanation. The goal is to ensure everyone feels safe to express their discomfort. Open Door Policy: Players are always welcome to leave a session if they feel uncomfortable. This can be done at any time, without needing to provide a reason, ensuring that everyone's well-being is prioritized. Regular Check-Ins: Throughout the campaign, I conduct regular check-ins to ensure that everyone is comfortable with the game's content and dynamics. This ongoing dialogue helps us adjust the experience as needed and address any concerns that might arise. By implementing these safety tools, we foster a supportive atmosphere that prioritizes the enjoyment and well-being of all participants, allowing us to focus on storytelling and fun while respecting individual boundaries.
Content warnings
Safety tools used