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Bump in the Dark: Iron & Ash
'90s mystery-horror, Forged in the Dark. Hunt monsters. Protect your community. Resist the darkness.
TYPE
SYSTEM
EXPERIENCE
AGE
$25.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Wednesday - 12:00 AM UTC
Session Duration / 3–4 hours
Campaign Length / 12–15 Sessions
0 / 4 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
It's 1994 in "Iron Country," a belt of mining towns barely clinging to life. All of Iron Country seems to be teeming with the supernatural, a fact those in power would like to conceal. You are a hunter, and you’ve promised to keep regular people safe from the horrors in the darkness. Bump in the Dark is a narrative-focused RPG of supernatural mystery and action-packed showdowns with regular folk caught in the middle. It's a game about chosen family, protecting your community, and standing up to the forces (mundane and supernatural alike) that want to tear down all you've built. The rules — based on the straight-to-the-action mechanics of Blades in the Dark and the emergent mystery mechanics of Brindlewood Bay — are easy to learn, and I’ll teach as we play!
Game style
Roleplay Heavy
Theater of the Mind
Combat Lite
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(10)
Less than a year on StartPlaying
Highly rated for: Inclusive, Storytelling, Creativity
About me
Do you crave juicy character drama? Do you want games that drip with atmosphere and tension? Do you think friends coming together to tell stories is basically the greatest thing ever? Yeah, me too. I’m Elle — fantastic to meet you. Let’s play together! I’m a writer, editor, and sometimes-designer based out of NYC. Horror and mystery are my greatest loves, but my taste in games is expansive – from steampunk scoundrels in Blades in the Dark, to supernatural teen drama in Monsterhearts, to Regency-era scheming in Good Society. Though I’ve been running indie roleplaying games for the better half of a decade, my professional background is in publishing, and I bring that strong literary sensibility to my games. My absolute favorite thing about running games (and playing them, for that matter!) is being surprised. My highly improvisational style cultivates a collaborative atmosphere, dramatic twists (gasp!), and deeply character-driven stories. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions about gaming with me! I’m well-versed in Powered by the Apocalypse and Forged in the Dark systems, and always open to learning something new.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
We will have a full session zero, during which we will create characters, their relationships, and their shared pact. Characters are built from archetypes represented by playbooks, similar to character creation in Blades in the Dark. I will provide all reference sheets necessary for character creation.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Players should have an email-verified Discord account in order to access the game's server (a link to which will be provided in the welcome message).
What Elle brings to the table
💬 Collaborative storytelling – I build every session around your characters, their arcs, and the unexpected turns that make stories memorable. 🎲 Smooth gameplay – I provide digital character sheets, shared documentation, and clear explanations of the rules, so even new players can jump right in without feeling overwhelmed. 🎭 Dynamic roleplay – I bring NPCs to life with distinct voices, personalities, and motivations. ❤️ Safety & comfort – I use clear safety tools and check-ins to make sure everyone feels welcome and respected, even when the story gets dark.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Headphones
Webcam
Platforms used
Safety
How Elle creates a safe table
In our first session, I will provide a thorough introduction of our safety tools (Lines & Veils, the X-card, and the open door policy). Our shared campaign sheet will include Lines & Veils determined by the group, and will function as a living document that players should feel free to update throughout the campaign. Each session will end with a debrief and Stars & Wishes.
Content warnings
Safety tools used