Saltborn: A Southern Gothic Call of Cthulhu Campaign
Salt Mother restores the dead in Saint Veanne, but they return changed. Now her Saltborn are preparing to birth something worse… unless you stop them.
$21.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Saturday - 6:00 PM UTC
Session Duration / 2–3 hours
4 / 6 Seats Filled
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Schedule
Meet your party members
4/6
About the adventure
Welcome to Saint Veanne, Louisiana. Something is wrong here. They used to call it Little Salt Bayou, a nowhere town between Lafayette and the edge of the world. The waters are mirror-slick, dark, and salty as tears. Locals say the salt keeps what it touches. Preserves it. Even the dead. But sometimes, it does more than keep them. Sometimes, it brings them back. Whole, but changed. The town calls them Saltborn. They say it’s Salt Mother, a god, or a monster, depending on one’s perspective, who restores them. It slumbers deep beneath the bayou. Older than sin. Born from something older still. The people of Saint Veanne fear her. Love her. Worship her. And for a long time, the outside world turned a blind eye. Until the last Saltborn walked out of the water… and every wild thing within twenty miles dropped dead. Now, rumors swirl: this Saltborn heralds the coming of Salt Mother’s true child. The neighboring towns are done watching. They’re coming to end Salt Mother once and for all. Even if they have to burn Saint Veanne to the ground. Will you help them, Investigator? Or will you wade into those salty waters in the hopes of bringing back your own? Just remember: the salt keeps. Make sure it keeps something you can live with.
Game style
Roleplay Heavy
Puzzle / Mystery Focused
Meet the Game Master
4.9
(113)
4 years on StartPlaying
1931 games hosted
Highly rated for: Inclusive, Storytelling, Creativity
Average response time: 24+ hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
Hi! Welcome, stranger and potential friend! I know your time is valuable, so I'll start with The Most Important Thing: I work hard to make my games as safe and inclusive as possible. I've had the experience of being The Only Girl at the Table. In a game featuring vampires and other supernatural creatures, I've been told that I can't play a warrior or a scholar because that's "not realistic." I've had the experience of playing in games where the only female NPCs were barmaids. I've also been queerbaited and/or played in games that only featured same sex relationships as fantasies for the rest of the players or as punchlines. It's my goal to make my games the EXACT OPPOSITE of those experiences by creating an environment where marginalized players can be themselves and see themselves in the games they play. My adventure in the wild world of professional GMing began with a misfortune. I was on the path to being a lifelong academic when I caught Covid during the first wave. I was seriously ill. I spent a great deal of time in bed and a great deal of time recovering. Those long, empty days gave me a lot of time to think about my major life decisions. Ultimately, it was this self-examination that led me here! Needless to say, my fun with TTRPGs began well before my foray into academia. I started playing Vampire the Masquerade when I was only 13 years old! I ran my first VtM game shortly after I became a player. In addition to VtM, I've been both player and storyteller for Werewolf, Changeling, Hunter, and Wraith- with a little D&D and Monster of the Week sprinkled in for good measure. I'm also a lifelong horror fan. When I'm not consuming horror via film, I like to read EC comics and bad horror/pulp novels! I've linked my IG and my Discord, so come hang out with me on the socials!
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Players will choose concepts and Occupations during Session 0, with the assistance of the Keeper. Character creation will happen asynchronously in Roll20 prior to Session 1, with the help of the Keeper. NOTE: We use the Quick-Start method of creating characters, rather than rolling stats. All necessary references, including a list of Occupations, will be provided to the player, in addition to a custom tutorial. Players joining after Session 0 will consult with the party before choosing a concept and Occupation. Character creation will then take place in Roll20, with the assistance of the Keeper.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
The game takes place online, so players will need an internet connection, a Discord account, and a free Roll20 account. Players will also need a mic; webcams are recommended, but not required. Upon joining the game and the Discord server, players should also familiarize themselves with the table rules and policies.
What Byrne Baby Byrne brings to the table
My GM style is immersive, character-driven, and emotionally rich. I offer vivid NPCs, haunting atmosphere, and morally complex choices. My campaigns draw on supernatural and psychological horror, combined with American/Southern Gothic influences and themes. You can expect strong narrative structure, rich worldbuilding, and a steady tempo. Players who enjoy subtle horror permeating the familiar will feel right at home. In terms of physical resources, I provide a read-only copy of the Investigator's Handbook, as well as maps, visual reference, music/soundscapes (when appropriate), and Roll20 materials.
Equipment needed to play
Computer
Microphone
Internet
Platforms used
Safety
How Byrne Baby Byrne creates a safe table
Player safety is a priority at my table, and I approach it with care and intention. All games use a Lines and Veils document that’s shared and reviewed before the first session. Players are encouraged to add to it at any time. This document is always available on the VTT. We’ll go over expectations, tone, and boundaries in Session 0, including how we want to handle difficult topics if they come up. I also check in after emotionally intense scenes and encourage players to reach out between sessions if anything feels off. I use digital safety tools integrated into the Roll20 VTT to communicate during the session. All players are instructed how to use these cards so that they will feel empowered to self-advocate during the session.
Content warnings
Safety tools used