Shadowdark: West Marches
Beyond the torchlight lies the Shadowdark—ancient, deadly, and rich with forgotten treasure. Will you return… or become legend?
About the adventure
The world is vast, cruel, and mostly unexplored. Civilization clings to the edge of a crumbling frontier, where the wilderness looms thick with secrets, monsters, and the remnants of ancient empires. Beyond the last outpost lies the Shadowdark—a place of darkness and wonder, where forgotten treasures lie buried in dust, and death waits in every shadow. This is a West Marches-style campaign: player-driven, exploration-heavy, and dangerously open-ended. You decide where to go, what rumors to follow, and how deep to delve. Each session stands on its own, but everything you do leaves its mark. The world evolves with every expedition—and not everyone returns. The game is run using the Shadowdark RPG: fast, brutal, and focused on torchlit tension. Expect deadly dungeons, strange magic, gritty survival, and meaningful choices. New players are welcome—just bring a sharp mind, a spare character sheet, and a healthy fear of the dark.
Game style
Combat Heavy
Dungeon Crawl
West Marches
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
2 years on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Creativity, Sets the Mood, Voices
About me
Hello! My name is Michael, I'm 34, I live in Chicago, and I have been playing Dungeons & Dragons since the AD&D days (DMing for 19 years). When I am not performing on the stage I am DMing for groups of players from all over the world. I have been playing D&D5E since the beginning (2014) and love the system. I'm down for meeting new people, exploring vast dungeons, slaying monsters, and saving the multiverse, one plane of existence at a time.
View Profile →Reviews (10)
Proficiencies
Players say this GM is great at:
Creativity
Sets the Mood
Voices
Outside of brief breaks due to scheduling conflicts, I've been playing with Mike consistently for the past 7 years. So either he's a fantastic DM or I've got Stockholm Syndrome. Either way, time & money well spent. I think one of the things that ensures consistent enjoyment from players is that he encourages player creativity and helps your characters, and their stories, come alive and shine during his campaigns. With a gamut of personalized elements in every campaign for each character, Mike goes the extra mile in making sure people are invested in the story and what's happening in the campaign regardless of their motivations. In doing so, he respects boundaries and doesn't push if you're unwilling or too nervous to pursue something, seamlessly keeping the story flowing. As a newer, anxiety-ridden player in his games I definitely "Nope'd" out of some character backstory hooks, but was never made to feel like it was the wrong choice or made to regret the choice outside of my own post-game "Damn, I missed that!" moments.
Mike is an exceptional DM by all standards. His storytelling is immersive, his character acting is compelling, and he maintains a perfect balance between upholding the rules and fostering cool, creative gameplay. From my perspective as a role player who isn't naturally inclined towards role-playing, Mike is particularly remarkable. He ensures that games are enjoyable for players at all levels of experience. Whether you're an expert who has memorized every detail of the rulebook or a beginner still navigating your character's abilities and feeling hesitant to participate, Mike's inclusive approach makes everyone feel valued and engaged. Give him a ten-page backstory or a simple character sketch, and he will embrace it with equal enthusiasm, weaving it into the game's narrative in ways that always surprise and delight. Mike's dedication to crafting engaging, dynamic gaming experiences is evident in every session. Having tried various DMs, Mike stands out as my definitive choice. His ability to consistently deliver fresh, exciting adventures and his knack for making every player shine regardless of their skill level are just a few reasons why, after years of playing, he continues to impress and inspire me in every game. He's not just a DM; he's a master of the craft, making each campaign memorable and fun.
I’ve been lucky enough to play many different campaigns at Michael’s table. He brings the worlds npcs and monsters to life in a very natural way. He’s very easy going and gregarious but my admiration for him is also in how he handles the challenges problem players can present. I was unfortunate to be in a group of hostile and outspoken players but Michael often naturally defused tense situations. He made sure there was space for me to enjoy the game too, and helped and listened to me when I finally did need to talk to him about my challenges. Even the fact that I enjoyed his game so much despite feeling bullied really impressed me. He made me want to keep playing just by how fun and magnetic he is! But also importantly he didn’t have room for bullying at his table. We were there to have fun and he facilitated the shifts necessary to resolve problem behaviors. He listened to everyone and made sure everyone was getting to do what they wanted in the game — all while still moving a story along, engaging us in combat, and drawing us into the plot. I can’t say enough how impressive a feat that is and how much I respect him a DM, storyteller, and person. Count yourself lucky if you find yourself at his table too.
Mike's stand out quality for me is his ability to draw you into the game. If you are new to D&D and feel self-conscious about role-play then Mike is the GM for you! He is always open to his players ideas and is just as excited about your character's development as you are. He is big on the 'rule of cool' and his players enjoyment is definitely his number one goal. Mike has been my sole GM for the last 4 years and I can't imagine playing with anyone else!
Character creation
Creating your character
We’ll build your character together in a quick one-on-one session before your first game. I’ll walk you through the process, answer any questions, and help you get started with everything you need. No experience with Shadowdark is necessary—I’ve got you covered. Just schedule a time with me, and we’ll get you ready to brave the dark.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Before you play, please make sure to complete the following: Create a free Roll20 account – All sessions will be run on Roll20 for maps and gameplay. Join our Discord server – We’ll use Discord for voice chat, game announcements, and scheduling. A working mic/headset is required. Schedule a one-on-one with me – We’ll create your character together and get you ready to join the world. That’s it! No other downloads or prep required. Just show up with your torch, your wits, and a willingness to explore the unknown.
What Michael brings to the table
As your GM, I’m here to give you a rich, immersive, and player-driven experience in a living world that reacts to your choices. Expect gritty dungeon crawls, dangerous wilderness exploration, and encounters that challenge your creativity as much as your character sheet. I provide custom battle maps, dynamic lighting, and a deep bench of NPCs—many of whom come to life with distinct character voices. I love atmospheric immersion, so you can expect ambient music, environmental effects, and a tone that swings between grim, eerie, and thrillingly heroic. While I know the rules well, I’m not a rules lawyer. I follow the spirit of the game and lean into the Rule of Cool when it makes things more fun or cinematic. Shadowdark is fast, deadly, and all about player agency—so come ready to explore, experiment, and tell unforgettable stories.
Homebrew rules
I run Shadowdark mostly by the book, but with a few tweaks to keep things fast, fun, and cinematic: Minor/Bonus Actions Allowed – Quick actions like drinking a potion or pulling a lever can be done alongside your main action and movement. Flanking Grants Advantage – If you and an ally are on opposite sides of an enemy, you gain advantage on your attack roll. Rule of Cool – Clever, cinematic, or just plain awesome ideas are encouraged and often rewarded—even if they bend the rules a bit. These adjustments help keep the pace snappy and the action thrilling while still honoring the deadly spirit of the Shadowdark.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Headphones
Platforms used
Safety
How Michael creates a safe table
Player safety and comfort are my top priorities at the table. I’m committed to creating an inclusive, respectful space where everyone can have fun and feel supported. Before your first session, we’ll have a one-on-one character creation meeting where we’ll also discuss any safety tools you prefer—whether that’s Lines and Veils, X / N / O signals, or any other boundaries you want to set. I welcome hard stops at any time if something makes you uncomfortable—your feelings come first, always. Communication is open and judgment-free, and I’ll regularly check in to make sure everyone’s doing okay. We use private messaging or voice signals (whichever you prefer) for safety tools, so you can communicate boundaries discreetly. Together, we’ll ensure the game remains a fun and safe experience for all.
Content warnings
Safety tools used
Additional tables
3 available
Weekly / Wednesday – 11:00 PM UTC
0 / 5 Seats Filled
Weekly / Saturday – 3:00 PM UTC
0 / 5 Seats Filled
Weekly / Sunday – 11:00 PM UTC
0 / 5 Seats Filled