The Spark Eternal: A Ravenloft Mini Campaign
When Dr. Viktra Mordenheim summons you to her castle, will you witness the birth of a new creation or the death of the soul itself?
$20.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Saturday - 6:00 PM UTC
Session Duration / 2–3 hours
Campaign Length / 4–6 Sessions
2 / 5 Seats Filled
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Meet your party members
2/5
About the adventure
Schloss Mordenheim looms above the frozen cliffs of Lamordia, its windows pulsing with unending lightning. The Doctor has returned to her work, and whispers say she’s close to perfecting the impossible: the resurrection of her lost love, Elise. You are among those summoned to witness her greatest experiment—scientists, soldiers, and seekers drawn by equal parts curiosity and dread. But within those walls, death no longer obeys natural laws, and the line between invention and abomination blurs. Can you stop the rebirth of a monster, or will you become part of the experiment yourself?
Game style
Combat Heavy
Roleplay Heavy
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(32)
5 years on StartPlaying
10 games hosted
Highly rated for: Sets the Mood, Storytelling, Teacher
About me
I am a storyteller at my core. The collaborative and versatile format of TTRPG’s (Table Top Role-Playing Games for the uninitiated), happens to be one of my favorite ways to tell my stories; because in this way they’re not solely mine but they are in large part formed around the players I have at my table; virtual or otherwise. My love of Dungeons and Dragons began in middle school when my dad ran my first game for me and my younger brother. He had grown up in the 80’s and played the first modules and systems released by TSR at that time. When he set up that game for my brother and I, it fascinated me and sparked my imagination in a way that no other medium of entertainment had; or, I suspect will. Not too long afterward the 5th Edition of Dungeons and Dragons was released and I bought all of the initial books. I roped anyone who would let me into a myriad of games; extended family members, younger siblings and friends alike. As time went by, I discovered shows like Critical Role and realized that D&D was becoming something more than an underground game enjoyed and talked about in hushed tones. It was becoming a cultural phenomenon again. This spurred me to hone my talents and develop a specific style as a DM. I ran games throughout high school and college and introduced many new players to the game. The spark that I encountered my first time playing, is the very same spark I see in the eyes of new players when they suddenly realize, ‘Wait! I can do THAT?!’. Fanning that spark into a flame for another person is by far my favorite thing about this method of storytelling. In more recent years I have done my best to learn more about other games and systems for a broader scope of stories and experiences that I can give to my players. I am always looking to become more accomplished and hone my craft. I suppose the long and short of it is: I am comfortable with brand new and seasoned players alike, and it is of utmost importance to me that you, the player, come away from whatever story we’re telling together feeling excited and like you collaborated with others. I would be honored to DM or GM for you and see what adventures await us! Onward and Upward!
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
I find the best way to create characters with my players is for you to bring a concept to me that you’re very passionate about. It could be a specific build, a piece of artwork you found, journal entries you’ve written as your character or any other creative idea. Resist the urge to fill in all of the blanks! Once I understand what you’re interested in and is important to your play experience at the table, I start to find ways to graft your character to the settings and campaign and the other player characters. Campaign and character creation is a grand and ongoing conversation that can shift and change from session to session; and that’s the magic of this storytelling medium in my opinion. For this specific campaign, try to channel your inner Victorian Goth; in whatever way that means to you. If you need existing properties, shows, movies or books to get you started, I’d be happy to provide them.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
There will be links to both the Alchemy game and the Discord sent once you join. If you haven’t already created an account for either Alchemy or Discord, you can make a free account for both and that should be everything you need. As far as digital vs. physical dice and how you keep track of your character sheet; I find it’s often best to leave that up to you the player. But if you need any help getting set up, rolling a character sheet (or a premade character), have any lore or campaign questions; just let me know and I’d be happy to help in any way I can.
What Sawyer brings to the table
I bring an inclusive, player-experience focused; Game Mastering style, that is story first; rules second in most every regard. I bring over 10 years of experience running games for all types of players and systems. I bring the Alchemy RPG, virtual platform which includes embedded music, art, battle maps and handouts for each specific and unique campaign or one shot. I bring animated battle maps that I create or build off of, from the Dungeon Alchemist Platform on Steam. I bring memorable and compelling NPC performances and characterizations from my background in theatre and performing arts and my current foray into Voice Over work. Also all of my NPC’s are hot and romance-able. I don’t make the rules, expect I do and those are the rules.
Homebrew rules
If it’s agreed on between myself and the player, I like to ask for the opportunity to roll death saves for them if they go unconscious in combat. I take this as an opportunity to allow memories to flash before them and give them an epic resurgence if they save, and a memorable send off, if they do indeed expire. It’s not required but it’s something I offer and am totally open to discussing if it appeals to you.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Computer or Mobile Device
Platforms used
Safety
How Sawyer creates a safe table
Player buy-in is paramount to me, and you can’t really do that and relax into the game and story at hand unless you feel safe, seen and heard by both myself and the other players. To best facilitate this, I do a session 0 free of charge before we begin to make sure everyone is on the same page. Before we meet I have everyone fill out and send back to me (via Discord or e-mail) the Monte Cooke Consent in Gaming Form. Then at the top of session 0, I make my players aware of my own lines and veils, and make space for us all to hear each others (if there’s a line or veil that you need acknowledged, but would like to remain anonymous to the group, you may let me know and I will bring it up as a general rule). This allows other players to make an informed decision about whether or not they want to play at this table, and it allows me to make any last minute tweaks to the adventure or campaign (removing spiders for instance). Lastly we go over the X, N & O function that is built into the Alchemy platform, when and how to use that, and any other safety issues or agreements that I deem necessary for maximum enjoyment to be had all.
Content warnings
Safety tools used