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Learn to Play Daggerheart: Invictus Aurelius
"If circumstances throw you to the wolves, will you return leading the pack?"
About the adventure
Roughly 50% of this game is combat, the other 50 is comprised of roleplay and immersion Our story takes place inside the walls of a gargantuan colosseum. Our heroes have been brought to this place as captives to be used for entertaining the masses. Aside from the main stage where the spectacular battles take place, the colosseum is home to some 300 gladiators, each a part of a certain faction within its walls. As a player, you are tasked with surviving the difficult life of a Gladiator while gathering allies and scheming to find better social standing among your peers. Often, you and your team will fight for the amusement of the people. There, you will face creatures of unspeakable horror and enemy gladiators of varying caliber. Will you and your team climb the ladder and reach the title of Gladius Invictus? or perhaps attempt to overthrow the cruel masters by orchestrating a rebellion... The possibilities are there, immortality awaits. Because this is a drop in/drop out game, you can play as much as you like. Players who are frequent participants will have a faster level progression but that's not to say a new arriving player cannot stir the waters. Every session you participate in and survive till its end, will yield 50% experience needed to level up. If your new to this adventure: create a level 1 character sheet. If your a returning player who's character still lives: return with your character and all the accumulated experience & treasure/gear The Colosseum holds many treasures and houses a peculiar merchant, who sells items for gold which you earn from besting your opponents and depending on your notoriety, will even procure uncanny sought-after gear. These walls hold many faces, who would love nothing more than to use you as their stepping stone...How will you respond? Sidenotes: - viable for new and experienced players - Theater of the Mind - the action is fast and cinematic, combat is lethal and has many variables as to how you deal with it If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Regards
Game style
Theater of the Mind
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
Less than a year on StartPlaying
20 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Storytelling, Rule of Cool
Average response time: 1 hour
Response rate: 92%
About me
Tabletop games open the possibility for great experiences. If done right, they can be deeply fulfilling and meaningful. I've read plenty of highly rated fantasy books, seen just about every relevant fantasy movie and read countless texts regarding myth and story-telling. All of these elements combined comprise my GM fuel which allows me to give players a strong ''theatre of the mind'' experience and create moments where they can let their inner creativity manifest. I have been actively GM-ing since 2019, the longest campaign lasted 3 years (bi-weekly schedule). I have had players of all ages at my table, still friends with plenty of them to this day. My favourite, fantasy writers: Joe Abercrombie & GRR Martin novels: First Law saga, Song of Ice and Fire, Witcher books, Dark tower fantasy TV series: Game of Thrones, 90's Hercules(nostalgia), fantasy movies: LoTR, 1st Jurassic Park(nostalgia) game: Witcher 2&3, God of War first trilogy, Final Fantasy 9 I prefer the stories we tell at the table to be in the vain of gritty fantasy while maintaing a degree of humour which works well within a darker setting. I highly enjoy giving players plenty of freedom. If they want to ignore the main quest and instead rally all the hyenas in a neighbouring savannah, announce themselves supreme beast-masters to the neighbouring kingdoms, then lead the gargantuan host of hyenas and storm the white walls of Minas Tirith? I'm all for that.
View Profile →Reviews (26)
Proficiencies
Players say this GM is great at:
Creativity
Storytelling
Rule of Cool
This was my first game playing with IvanGMT. What a fantastic story teller! I have to say, this was the most impressed I have ever been with a 1 shot game on startplaying.games. We decided to use theatre of the mind for Daggerheart combat and I was amazed at how much more cinematic the combat felt. I literally felt like I was watching a blockbuster swashbuckling pirate movie in my head. IvanGMT ensured that all players got appropriate time to shine while pushing the narrative forward. The use of musical queues was also a nice touch. He did a great job of communicating both the mechanics of how the game worked, and also the potential consequences of our antics. I will be looking forward to another game with this game master in the future and will be recommending his tables to friends!
Ivan is, without a doubt, one of my favorite Game Masters around. His games are consistently inventive, filled with fresh ideas and unexpected twists that keep players on their toes. He has a real talent for improvisation and rolling with the punches, making every session feel alive and responsive to player choices. What really sets Ivan apart is the way he allows players to shine. He creates space for character development, clever ideas, and bold moves—always encouraging creativity and rewarding roleplay. He’s also incredibly fair, with a solid grasp of the rules that keeps everything balanced while still leaving room for cinematic moments. Most importantly? His games are just plain fun. Whether you're a seasoned player or brand new, you’ll leave the table already looking forward to the next session. Highly recommended.
Character creation
Creating your character
Create a level 1 character if it's your first time playing here. For returning players:Whatever experience & equipment you've collected in previous sessions, remains with you.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
- you will need Discord (by signing up you receive an invite to a private Chanel - where play will take place) - a lvl 1 character sheet or bring back you're returning character - 30 min prior to game start, you're invited to join the video call where we discuss game mechanics and get to know each other - and most of all, you'll need to bring your imagination
What IvanGMT brings to the table
The game is played using only discord. Theatre of the mind and ambient sounds/music
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How IvanGMT creates a safe table
Greater details regarding, character development, combat, topics of discomfort, etc., are discussed on Discord, prior to playing.