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[Learn To Play] Santa's Workshop Mayhem! [LGBTQ+ friendly]
You are about to stage a daring heist into the most dangerous place in the world: Santa's Workshop!
$15.00
/ Session
Details
Once / Thursday - 11:00 PM UTC
Dec 18
Session Duration / 3 hours
0 / 5 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
š You are a dark elf, exiled from your home by the cruel whims of your red-and-white Overlord. His North Pole abode is an impenetrable fortress at all times, except for a single night every year, where Old Nick goes out traveling around the world, visiting his faithful followers and showering them with gifts and boons. š In this fateful night, his magical workshop lays unattended, its vaults full to the brim with sweet, sweet loot. No reindeers are watching, no elf is toiling in back-breaking labor. If you miss this opportunity you will have to wait another whole year before trying it again, and that is just unacceptable. š Tonight things will be different. You have a plan, a trusted crew of companions and a hunger for loot and candies that no children could hope to match. The time for hiding is finally over. A reckoning is coming, and you will give no quarter, show no mercy, and spare no sweet. š§āš Would you dare to raid Santa's Workshop? This single session adventure is the perfect introduction to Dungeons & Dragons, ShadowDark, and other tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs). You will play as an outcast elf, a determined adventurer driven to fight magical creatures and retrieve fabulous treasures from dangerous locations. This game is a perfect fit if you are: - New to tabletop roleplaying games in general; - Curious to learn the old-school style of games as they were played in the 80s or as seen in Stranger Things; - A big fan of whimsical fairy tales of mischief, and of stories like Jim Henson's Labyrinth, Christmas flicks, Mission Impossible films, and The Hobbit. The rules are very easy to learn, designed for fast action and lethal play that will thrill novices and veterans alike.
Game style
Dungeon Crawl
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Roleplay Lite
Theater of the Mind
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(6)
1 year on StartPlaying
1 game hosted
Highly rated for: Teacher, Knows the Rules, Creativity
About me
Hi there! Iām Javi, and Iāve been running Dungeons & Dragons games and other TTRPGs since 1995. That year, I first discovered TTRPGs and instantly fell in love with the hobby. It quickly became a creative calling: building worlds, guiding adventurers, and crafting stories that leave lasting impressions on people. I care most about creating experiences that feel exciting and emotionally grounded. I want players to feel immersed in the story; this means they make meaningful choices and form real connections. My three decades of experience has given me the tools to create detailed, unique, and memorable gaming sessions with a sense of depth and agency. Whether the tone leans toward epic, tragic, or lighthearted, my focus is always on immersion, character-driven storytelling, and building a table where everyone feels safe and excited to roleplay. Over the years, Iāve run games for a wide range of players and personalities, and Iāve learned that the best sessions come from trust and communication. I love adapting to different playstyles and weaving each playerās imagination into the adventure. If youāre looking for a game that values story, character, and genuine collaboration, I'd love to see you at my table. The adventureās waiting, and thereās always room for one more!
View Profile āCharacter creation
Creating your character
ā·ļø You will choose among a host of pregenerated characters, ready to use for this adventure. They are a wacky bunch. āļø If you are experienced and relish a good challenge, you can create your own dark elf following the instructions found in the ShadowDark RPG core rulebook, and in the character creation guidelines provided in our Discord server. š§¦ You can play with any official ShadowDark class, but there is only one Ancestry available: Dark Elf. Also, there's an exclusive Backgrounds table, made specifically for this adventure. All of this options are described in the Character Creation Guidelines doc.
A successful crew is the one who can pool their resources together, help each other to fulfill the mission, and rely on each other's strengths.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
You'll need a computer with internet access, a Discord account, a microphone, and speakers (a headset is highly encouraged). Webcam is optional for the players, but I as the GM will be using a camera. We will roll dice and see maps in Owlbear Rodeo, an easy to use virtual tabletop that you can join for free from your web browser.
What Javi GZ brings to the table
First of all, you will feel welcomed at my games no matter your background or familiarity with D&D and TTRPGs in general. I have decades teaching people how to play roleplaying games, so you will be rolling dice and cheering for your character's deeds in no time. I strive to bring my game worlds to life. I do voices for my characters whenever I can and describe scenes using evocative prose, focusing on emotional impressions and the five senses. When high-stakes conflicts occur I offer tough challenges to my players and real risk for their characters. Social interactions are always an option at my games, though every non-player character has its own motivations and desires, so compromises are often needed in order for the heroes to make progress. I can manage groups of strangers with confidence and ease, focusing on fun moments and aligning everyone with the group's goals. If a conflict occurs I have the tools and the presence of mind needed to arbitrate rulings, deescalate tension and mediate between parties. You will feel heard and seen at my table, since safety and fun are both my top priorities when hosting games.
Homebrew rules
šÆļø Light timers last 30 minutes. āļø There are no limit to the number of Luck Tokens a player character can keep or spend in a single roll.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Headphones
Pen & Paper
Platforms used
Safety
How Javi GZ creates a safe table
A short Session 0 before play will set the expectations for the game, its tone and any potential topic that may be best avoided. A scheduled break mid-session will provide time for emotional decompression, physical relief and friendly chat before resuming play. I will explain and instruct the use of the X-Card, in case there is a situation that may call for my attention and redirection. This is a family friendly game so I don't expect any problem, but the tools will be there in case they are needed.
Content warnings
Safety tools used