Mist & Ashes: A Grim Hollow Tale

Creating your character

Character creation will take place before the first full session, during a short Session Zero where we build your characters together and discuss tone, safety, and party connections. You’ll have time to flesh out your backstory, link it to the world of Etharis, and explore how the darkness has already begun to touch your life. We’ll be starting at Level 3, seasoned enough to have faced danger before but still mortal and unproven. Rolling for stats... cause you'll need it For sources, you can use the Grim Hollow Player’s Guide alongside the Player’s Handbook and other official 5e sourcebooks for spells, feats, and subclasses—though all homebrew or third-party material outside Grim Hollow will need DM approval to ensure it fits the setting’s tone. Remember: transformation, corruption, and sacrifice are core to this world. If you want your character to bear a curse, hunger, or secret sin, we’ll weave that into your design.

Preparing for the session

The Foundry is easy to learn hard to master, If its your first time I suggest you watch a YT video about it. Discord and a Mic.

What Jacob brings to the table

Stepping into my game means stepping into a story-driven, atmospheric, and emotionally rich campaign with moments of cinematic flair, intense combat, and personal stakes. Here's what you can expect from me as your GM, and the kind of game I run. I absolutely use character voices. Expect everything from eerie whispers and tragic nobles to unhinged cultists and charming liars. I bring major NPCs to life with tone, personality, and intent. You don’t need to be an actor — but if you want to speak in character, I’m all in. If you prefer describing actions or dialogue, that’s great too. I’ll meet you where you are. I use ambient music and curated soundtracks to heighten the mood. Expect haunting atmospheres in Barovia, chilling tones in dungeons, tense war drums in battle, and soft piano for those quiet, human moments. I don’t overdo it music is there to enhance, not distract. Combat is tactical, intense, and consequential. I reward smart positioning, teamwork, and creative thinking. Enemies use the terrain, set ambushes, and fight with purpose especially Lilith’s forces, who are organized and brutal. This isn't a grind, though every combat has narrative weight. You won’t fight for the sake of XP. When swords are drawn, lives and plots are on the line.

How Jacob creates a safe table

I’ll send a private survey or document link (Google Form or Word doc) for players to mark their Lines (hard limits) and Veils (soft limits). Feedback will be compiled anonymously; only the combined list will be shared with the group. Players can update their boundaries at any time by messaging me privately. 🛡️ Safety Tools Lines = Hard limits; these themes will not appear in the game at all. Veils = Soft limits; themes may exist but will fade to black or be handled off-screen. Open-Door Policy = You’re free to step away or pause a scene if needed. Roleplaying Consent Form= There will be a form I would like you to fill out that will give me a clear understanding on what exactly your lines and veils are so I can tailor your experience. 💬 Aftercare Quick debrief at the end of each session (1–2 minutes per person to check in). Private follow-up if something didn’t sit right or needs retconning. Celebrate wins & decompress with out-of-character chat before ending the session. 📝 Player Input Share the themes you’re excited to explore (tragic romance, morally gray choices, gothic mystery). Request specific tone, style, or pacing preferences. Character death is a very real threat, especially at early levels. I don’t pull punches — the dice decide your fate.