A Shadow in the Barley | Hearts of Ravensdale

Creating your character

For this adventure, you have two options: Option 1: Pregenerated Heroes (Recommended) I will provide a selection of fully built, ready-to-play Heroes designed specifically for A Shadow in the Barley and the Hearts of Ravensdale setting. These Heroes are ordinary folk of the Dales with deep ties to Ravenhome and the surrounding farmland. Each comes with strong narrative hooks connected to the village, the barley harvest, and the unsettling events beginning to unfold. Pregenerated characters are ideal if: • You are new to Legend in the Mist • You want to jump straight into play • You enjoy characters with immediate ties to the unfolding mystery Each pregen is built using standard Legend in the Mist starting rules and includes clearly defined Themes, Quests, and personal stakes tied to Ravenhome and the awakening threat in the fields. Option 2: Bring Your Own Hero You are welcome to bring a starting character built using the standard Legend in the Mist rules. If you choose to create your own Hero: • Build a standard starting character using official rules • No advanced tiers or campaign progression • Official Legend in the Mist material only Hearts of Ravensdale options are welcome if you own the book. Your Hero must have a clear reason to be in or near Ravenhome when the scream rises from the barley fields. Good examples include: • A lifelong resident of Ravenhome • A farmhand or apprentice working the harvest • A hedge-witch, hunter, or village scout • A traveler crossing the Dales who has taken shelter in the village • Someone drawn by quiet rumors of strange mists or old ruins If you are unsure whether your concept fits the tone of rustic fantasy and small-community stakes, message me before the session and we will shape it together. When Does Character Selection Happen? Pregenerated characters will be shared before the game. Custom characters should be completed before the session begins. We will briefly review all Heroes together at the start of the session to ensure everyone is comfortable with their Themes, Quests, and connections to Ravenhome.

Preparing for the session

To join the adventure, please complete the following before game day: 1. Join the Discord Server Discord will be our primary hub for: • Voice chat during the session • Announcements and reminders • Character selection and discussion • Safety tools and post-game follow-up Please join as soon as you register so you can review materials and introduce yourself. 2. Create a Roll20 Account We will use Roll20 for: • Character sheets • Handouts and visual references • Scene maps (when needed) A free Roll20 account is all you need. No paid features are required. You do not need prior Roll20 experience. I will guide you through anything unfamiliar. 3. Select or Submit Your Character • Pregenerated characters will be shared in advance. • If bringing your own Hero, please complete them before the session and share them with me on Discord for review. 4. Come Ready for Cinematic Play Legend in the Mist is narrative and character-driven. Bring: • A working microphone • A quiet environment if possible • A willingness to collaborate and lean into emotional storytelling No prior experience with the system or setting is required.

What Michael brings to the table

This will be a cinematic, character-driven experience grounded in rustic folklore and slow-building unease. I run Legend in the Mist with a strong sense of atmosphere and pacing. You can expect: • Clear scene framing and smooth spotlight rotation • Distinct NPC personalities rooted in small-village life • Escalating tension that begins with a scream in the barley and builds toward something ancient awakening beneath Ravenhome Combat, when it happens, is dramatic and story-forward rather than tactical grid play. The focus is on meaningful choices, emotional consequences, and creative problem-solving within the fiction. I adhere to the rules of Legend in the Mist, but I prioritize clarity, flow, and collaborative storytelling. If you are new to the system, I will guide you through mechanics step-by-step so you can focus on portraying your Hero rather than managing rules. You can expect: • A welcoming table for both new and experienced players • Spotlight balance across the Fellowship • A complete narrative arc that moves from rural mystery to supernatural confrontation • Space for character-driven decisions that shape how Ravenhome responds to the rising threat This adventure is designed to showcase the Hearts of Ravensdale setting, where ordinary Dalesfolk stand at the edge of a changing world. The peace of generations is beginning to fracture, and what rises from the fields may test not only your courage, but your will.

How Michael creates a safe table

Your comfort and agency at the table matter. This adventure begins in quiet rural life and escalates into supernatural intrusion and folklore horror. I run my games with player safety and emotional awareness in mind, and we will use the following tools: Break We will take one scheduled break during the session. Anyone may request an additional break at any time, no explanation required. X, N, & O’s We will use the X, N, & O safety tool throughout the session. • X – Pause or remove content immediately • N – Nudge the scene away from its current direction • O – Indicate you are comfortable and the intensity is welcome These may be used verbally or typed into Roll20 chat. I will respond immediately and adjust the scene without spotlighting or questioning the player. Tone & Content Awareness A Shadow in the Barley is rooted in rustic fantasy that shifts toward eerie twilight horror. The tone moves from pastoral normalcy to unsettling supernatural revelation. Content warnings include: • Reanimated corpse imagery • Rot, decay, and miasmic corruption • Threats to villagers, including a child in danger • Supernatural violence and combat • Drowning risk and peril in dark water • Village panic and fear-driven decision making • Atmospheric dread and isolation • References to ancient war and forgotten powers There is no sexual violence, graphic gore, or explicit cruelty depicted in this adventure. Horror elements are atmospheric and suspense-driven rather than graphic. If you have specific boundaries, sensitivities, or content you would like avoided or softened, you are welcome to message me privately before the session. The goal is to create tension, wonder, and emotional stakes within the world of Hearts of Ravensdale, not discomfort for its own sake. We will calibrate intensity together so that the experience remains engaging and collaborative.