Before Midnight Falls | Gothic Mystery (Play by Post)

Creating your character

This campaign begins at 9th level. Characters will be created before the game begins inside our private Discord server. I’m happy to help workshop ideas and make sure your character fits naturally into the gothic atmosphere of Shieldsborg Castle. This is a mystery-driven adventure, so characters who can function in a tense, secretive environment will shine. Stats & HP: -Point Buy or Standard Array -Fixed HP This keeps things balanced and fair across the party. Allowed Content: -Any officially published 5e material -2014 or 2024 rules, player preference -Homebrew requires approval before use If you’re unsure about a build choice, just ask! Character Guidelines: You don’t need to optimize for combat, but you should: -Be willing to engage in investigation and social scenes -Have a reason to cooperate with the party -Fit within a gothic, intrigue-heavy setting Brooding nobles, hired investigators, scholars, clergy, guards, estranged family members, occult specialists — all are welcome. Just bring a character ready to step into shadowed halls and uncover dangerous truths.

Preparing for the session

This is an asynchronous play-by-post campaign, so there are no live session times to schedule — just steady, collaborative storytelling. 1. Join the Discord Server The game takes place in my Discord server within a private category dedicated to this campaign. Once you book, you’ll receive the invite link. 2. Create Your Character You may create your character sheet wherever you’re most comfortable: -D&D Beyond -A fillable PDF -Roll20 -Another digital sheet format I simply need a copy for reference before we begin. 3. Posting Expectations I guarantee 2–3 posts per day from me. Because this is a group play-by-post, you can also expect multiple posts from fellow players throughout the day. To keep the mystery moving, I ask that each player checks in at least once per day. Consistency keeps the pacing tight and prevents the investigation from stalling. 4. Rolling Dice A dice bot will be available in the server for anyone who wants to use it. You are also welcome to roll physical dice — I run on trust. Just report your results honestly so we can keep things smooth. No VTT downloads are required. If you have Discord and a character sheet, you’re ready.

What Skyybunny brings to the table

As your DM, my goal is to create an immersive, character-driven mystery that feels tense and alive from the very first post. This is a gothic investigation where every conversation matters, every clue has weight, and your choices genuinely shape how the story unfolds. Whether you’re new to D&D or a seasoned player, you’ll have a supportive space to explore your character while unraveling secrets inside a castle full of suspicion. Expect layered NPCs with clear motives, shifting alliances, and dialogue that reacts to how you approach it. This is not a railroaded mystery with one obvious path. If you interrogate someone differently, follow a strange lead, or ignore something that seems minor, the story responds. I lean heavily into atmosphere — tension, quiet dread, dramatic reveals — and I’ll provide an optional themed playlist if you want to fully sink into the mood while writing your posts. I’m a Rule of Cool DM at heart. If you attempt something clever, cinematic, or emotionally powerful, I’m open to it. I keep the Rules as Written close to maintain fairness and consistency, but I care most about momentum, storytelling, and making moments feel impactful. Combat will be purposeful rather than constant, and when it happens, it will matter. You can expect consistent pacing with 2–3 posts per day from me, organized channels in Discord, and clear communication. I stay engaged and present. I want this to feel collaborative — not like you’re waiting on a DM to move things forward. Most importantly, I create tables where your ideas matter. If you want to dive deep into interrogation scenes, build tension with other party members, analyze clues obsessively, or make bold narrative choices, this is the space for it.

Homebrew rules

Homebrew Rules: These homebrew rules apply to all of my campaigns and are designed to keep the game cinematic, tense, and fun without bogging things down. Potions: -Drinking a potion yourself is a bonus action -Feeding a potion to someone else is a full action -If you take a full action to drink a potion, you regain maximum healing Critical Hits: -On a critical hit, damage is maximum dice + rolled dice -Crits are meant to feel impactful and dangerous—on both sides Death Saves: -Death saving throws are rolled privately between the player and the DM -This keeps tension high and prevents accidental metagaming The One-Time Level-Up: -Each player gets one (SINGLE. UNO. ONE.) level-up they can apply at any time, for any reason -You choose when to use it -Once it’s used, it’s gone forever -Use it wisely Inspiration: -Whoever can give a recap of the previous session earns Inspiration -This can rotate—no pressure if you’re not the recap person! Initiative Twist: -Rolling a natural 20 on initiative lets you choose turn order positioning for yourself among the party Carry Weight: -I don’t track carry weight unless things get silly -Be reasonable (no, you cannot fit four swords in your pocket) Spell Components & Ammunition: -I don’t track spell components or ammunition (unless it is a specific type) Desperate Casting: -You may cast a spell using a spell slot you have access to but have already expended -Doing so deals 1d12 necrotic damage per spell level (this damage cannot be reduced) -You also gain levels of exhaustion equal to the spell’s level, up to 6th-level spells -This is dangerous, dramatic, and very much a last resort

How Skyybunny creates a safe table

Your comfort and safety in this game matter deeply to me. This is a gothic murder mystery involving death, tension, and dark themes — and while that atmosphere is intentional, it should never come at the expense of player wellbeing. Before the campaign begins, I send each player a private consent form where you can clearly mark your hard lines, soft limits, and preferences. That information stays confidential and helps me shape the story so it remains immersive without crossing boundaries. We will also have a Session Zero (handled in Discord since this is play-by-post) where we discuss tone, themes, expectations, and any potential sensitive content. This is a space to ask questions, clarify comfort levels, and ensure everyone feels good moving forward before the mystery begins. During play, we use a simple and discreet color system via private message: Yellow – We’re approaching a limit. Please redirect soon. Red – Stop immediately. We need to pause and adjust. No explanations are required in the moment. We shift the scene, fade to black, or redirect as needed. Player safety always comes first. Because this is asynchronous, communication is especially important. If something ever feels off — during or outside the game — you can message me privately at any time. I check in when heavy scenes occur, and I’m always open to adjusting tone or content to keep the experience safe and enjoyable. Mystery and tension should feel exciting — not uncomfortable. My goal is for everyone to feel respected, heard, and supported while we explore the darker corners of this story together.