Winter's Grasp: A Dark Tale from Icewind Dale
Endless night shrouds the north. Survive the frost, shape the fate of Ten-Towns, and face what waits beneath the ice.
$10.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Friday - 1:00 AM UTC
Dec 12 / Session 6
Session Duration / 3–4 hours
4 / 6 Seats Filled
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Schedule
Meet your party members
4/6
About the adventure
Welcome to Icewind Dale, where the sun no longer rises and warmth is a memory. In the frozen reaches of the Forgotten Realms, the people of Ten-Towns are barely holding on. Blizzards batter the roads, supplies dwindle, and strange lights dance in the sky. Auril the Frostmaiden has cast her long winter over the land, and with each passing day, the isolation deepens and the cold grows bolder. What secrets lie buried beneath the ice? What ancient forces stir in the storm? This is a campaign about survival, mystery, and the strange beauty of a world wrapped in snow. But it’s also a campaign about your characters: who they are, what they’re running from, and what they're willing to risk to bring light back to a dark world. Expect a story full of meaningful choices, evolving relationships, and moments where the emotional hits land just as hard as the crits.
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
4.9
(7)
2 years on StartPlaying
15 games hosted
Highly rated for: Inclusive, Storytelling, Teacher
About me
Howdy all! My name is Matt and I would love to run a game for you! Dungeons & Dragons (and TTRPGs as a whole) has been my biggest hobby, my safe space, and my fixation ever since I first started playing 8 years ago. I've met some of my longest-lasting friends through this game and love the kind of creative, collaborative play that only TTRPGs make possible. My GMing style leans into story-rich, character-driven narratives with plenty of opportunities for roleplay, exploration, and high-stakes choices. I love weaving character backstories into the world and giving players moments to shine. I also have a background in improv, which helps me adapt on the fly, build scenes around your choices, and bring NPCs to life. Whether you're a brand-new player or a veteran looking for a new group, my games are a space to feel safe, have fun, and get immersed. I run a mix of homebrew settings and official modules, often with tweaks to add ideas from player characters backstories and make the world feel more alive and reactive. Most of my campaigns have a balance of intrigue, action, and emotional beats. That said, humor is a natural part of my games. Jokes, banter, and unexpected moments of levity are welcome at the table, and the tone can shift between serious and light depending on what the group vibes with. We’re here to tell a great story and have fun along the way. If you're looking for a game where your character’s story matters, where teamwork and creativity are encouraged, and where the vibe is fun, collaborative, and full of laughs then pull up a chair. Let’s roll some dice.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
We'll create characters together during Session Zero, so no need to come in with anything fully built. That way we can talk through party balance, backstory ties, and tone as a group. You'll roll for stats during the session, but if you don’t like your rolls, you’re welcome to use Standard Array or Point Buy instead, whichever you prefer. All official 5e sources (Player’s Handbook, Xanathar’s, Tasha’s, etc.) are welcome. If anything unusual comes up, we’ll talk it through. We’ll be using D&D Beyond for character sheets, and I’ll share the campaign link before Session Zero so you can get access to any shared content.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Players will need a mic for audio (video is optional), as we'll be using voice chat for the session. We'll create characters together during Session Zero, so no prep needed beforehand. We'll be using D&D Beyond for character sheets. I'll send out a campaign link so you can access shared content. No rulebook reading required in advance, but you're welcome to look through the basic rules if you're new!
What Matt brings to the table
As your GM, I'll provide: Immersive roleplaying including character voices, dynamic NPC interactions, and a reactive, evolving story shaped by your choices. Tactical combat encounters with exciting terrain, creative enemy abilities, and objectives that tie combat directly into the story. Customizable character integration, weaving your backstories into the plot and spotlighting emotional beats throughout the campaign. A welcoming, player-focused atmosphere, where humor, collaboration, and creative ideas are encouraged. Ambience and visuals, including thematic background music and tailored visuals (such as maps and art) to enhance immersion.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Matt creates a safe table
Before the game begins, we’ll have a Session Zero to go over expectations, character creation, and tone. We'll also review a Lines and Veils checklist and an RPG Consent Form, giving everyone a chance to set boundaries and flag anything they'd like to avoid or handle with care. These tools help us make sure the game is safe, fun, and comfortable for everyone involved. We'll check in as the campaign goes on, and players are always welcome to bring things up privately if anything starts to feel off. If we ever hit a moment that crosses a line, we’ll stop and recalibrate no questions asked. I typically use verbal or chat-based X/N/O signals. I aim for a table where we can explore tense or dark moments without compromising player safety.
Content warnings
Safety tools used