Echoes in the Dark: The past can haunt you

Creating your character

Familiarity with the Shadowdark RPG core rules is beneficial but not mandatory. Players are encouraged to review the free Quickstart Guide before the session to ensure they are prepared. A link to the guide will be provided for easy access. Alternatively, a brief overview of the fundamentals will be given at the start of the session for those who prefer a recap. All characters will be created using the core rulebook. Character creation will take place collaboratively on Discord before the session, or pre-generated characters will be available at the start of the game. Hit Points are assigned at the maximum value for first-level characters. The available character classes are Fighter, Mage, Cleric, and Thief. The available ancestries include Human, Dwarf, Elf, Halfling, and Half-Orc. If your character dies, your next character will start with most of your previous character’s experience points (XP), so you continue progressing with the party. To determine the new character’s XP, roll a d6 and subtract the result from your current XP. This total becomes your new character's XP. For example, if you have 100 XP and roll a 4, your new character starts with 96 XP. Character creation will be efficient, collaborative, and focused on narrative development. Participants are encouraged to contribute ideas and help create adventurers ready to face challenges beyond the town's boundaries. To inspire creativity, consider these prompts: What pivotal moment drove your character to seek adventure? Is there a particular goal or motivation guiding your journey? How does your character cope with fear or failure? Use these questions to add depth and complexity to your backstories.

Preparing for the session

We will use Discord for voice and video communication, and Roll20 for maps and handouts. Please ensure your microphone is functional and that you are comfortable appearing on camera, as video participation is required. I aim to foster greater connection and engagement through the use of video. Please join my Discord server prior to the game. After you join, I will send you a personal message with your invitation details and assist you with the setup process. We will use Roll20 as our virtual tabletop (VTT) to manage maps, dice rolls, and character sheets. Before the first session, please ensure the following: Your microphone and camera are functioning properly. You have joined the Discord server. You have created your Roll20 account (registration is free).

What Barberbarian brings to the table

I love storytelling and am energized by your enthusiasm. Expect interaction, immersion, and choices that truly impact the game. Your character backgrounds shape the world. The paths you take, those you save or don’t, and the secrets you uncover directly influence the story. I use Pocket Bard for ambient sound and music, enhancing the atmosphere and tension. I’m flexible with rules. If it’s cool, creative, and logical, try it. I reward clever play and allow automatic successes for skilled actions without danger. If you play a cleric, start with your deity. The details of your faith are yours to create—rituals, symbols, beliefs. We’ll build mythology together. The world is ours to shape. The story arc changes with your choices. The tone may be dark, hopeful, or bright based on your actions. I use Luck Points—reroll or twist the narrative. Use them to change fate, find clues, or sway events in your favor. In this world, goblins and orcs are true evil, and good is fragile yet focused. Together, we’ll tell a tale of courage against darkness.

Homebrew rules

MAGIC SPELLS AND ABILITIES THAT NEED A ROLL They don’t fail until they are cast once each day. Including skills like rangers salves. Example, cast cure wounds and fail, can cast again next round,if failed again the. You can cast again next round until it works once. this only counts for spells of 1st level and abilites that need a DC of 12 or less. MAX HP at 1st Level All characters start with maximum hit points at level one for a stronger beginning. HEROIC DEATH You may choose to die heroically at any time, making a selfless or daring sacrifice to help your group. Example: You leap into a pit swarming with the dead, buying precious seconds for your allies to climb to safety. A heroic death matters—your sacrifice is remembered and will affect the story. LUCK POINTS Luck Points are Plot Points. Spend one to influence the story, recall a detail, gain an edge, or meet someone from your past. You can also make the DM roll at disadvantage. RANDOMIZED WIZARD SPELLS Wizards roll for random starting spells. In this world, magic is fickle and hard to control. If you roll a spell you already know, you may choose an alternative. If you learn a spell above your level, you may try to cast it. If you fail, the result is catastrophic, like rolling a natural 1. Example: A 2nd-level wizard finds and learns a Fireball scroll. Each spell works once when cast successfully, then fades until your next long rest. For a 1st-level spell (DC 11), you can try again until you succeed once. After the first success, subsequent failures cause the spell to fade until your next long rest. EXPLODING DICE (players only) If you roll maximum damage, roll again. Repeat if you get another maximum. TORCHES A torch lasts 30 minutes. HEALING Outside town, gain 1 HP per long rest only if you have a fire and rations. In places without wood, like dungeons, you need three torches to light a fire overnight. In town, regain one Hit Die during a long rest. A rogue regains 1d4 HP sleeping at home. POTIONS of HEALING A potion gives maximum HP and may remove curses or poison. Roll a d6: on 5–6, it works.

How Barberbarian creates a safe table

At the start of each session, we’ll briefly discuss boundaries and comfort levels to keep the game safe and enjoyable. We’ll review possible themes and topics, so you can flag anything you want to avoid or fade to black. At the end of each session, we’ll take a moment to reflect on what happened, check in to ensure everyone feels comfortable with how the session unfolded, and address any concerns before the next adventure. This is a shared story built on trust, aiming for all to feel respected, heard, and eager to return.