5E Shivers in Sicklevale | Investigative Horror Sandbox Mystery

Creating your character

Characters start at level 3. Players can use point buy or standard array to generate stats, and may create any character allowed under the 2014 and 2024 rulebooks. Character creation will happen during a session zero, where I’ll meet with each player to individually help shape their character and ensure it fits naturally into the world of Sickelvale. This is also a chance to discuss backstory, motivations, and connections to the city’s factions and mysteries. Bonuses or adjustments may be offered to help fully realize unique character concepts, so players are encouraged to think creatively about their role in the story.

Preparing for the session

Before the first session, players should have: 1. A Discord account for voice, text, and session communication. 2. A digital character sheet, which can be on D&D Beyond (free account is fine) or any other platform of your choice. That’s all! I’ll guide you through character creation during session zero, so no advanced preparation is required beyond setting up these accounts. Having these ready ensures we can jump straight into the story and keep the game running smoothly.

What Bardic Meystro brings to the table

At my table, you step into a world that feels alive and reactive. I bring factions, townsfolk, and villains to life, making every interaction reveal secrets, spark conflict, or shift alliances. Combat is intense and tactical, demanding strategy and teamwork, but when the story calls for it, I embrace the Rule of Cool to create cinematic, memorable moments. I generally stick to Rules as Written for clarity and fairness, while prioritizing player creativity, agency, and narrative impact. Expect a game where your decisions matter, clues lead to unexpected discoveries, and every encounter—whether a tense negotiation, a high-stakes chase, or sudden combat—keeps you on your toes. At my table, your choices shape the story, the city, and the region called Sickelvale in ways that linger long after the session ends.

Homebrew rules

Sickelvale mostly follows standard 5e rules, with a few minor adjustments to streamline play and enhance tension: Critical hits deal maximum damage plus normal damage. Drinking a potion is a bonus action on yourself, or an action to use on another character. Player-created homebrew may be approved if it fits the adventure and world. Most other rules follow standard 5e. These adjustments are simple, intuitive, and designed to keep the game moving while supporting both tactical combat and creative play.

How Bardic Meystro creates a safe table

We’ll hold a session zero to set expectations, discuss potentially triggering content, and explore each player’s role in the adventure. This is a chance to clarify boundaries, Lines and Veils, and comfort levels before the story begins. Players can pause, request a break, or indicate discomfort at any time during sessions. I check in frequently and build regular breaks into longer sessions to ensure everyone remains comfortable and engaged. The goal is to balance mystery, tension, and creeping dread with a safe, collaborative, and fun experience. Trigger Warnings Disappearance and loss: Villagers vanish, people go missing, and isolation can feel oppressive Psychological horror: Paranoia, fear, manipulation, and moral tension Occult and supernatural themes: Curses, strange artifacts, unexplained phenomena, and hints of dangerous powers Dark tone and language: Political intrigue, threats, and morally ambiguous situations Your comfort is a priority. Sickelvale is designed to be tense and mysterious, but players will always have a clear way to pause or adjust content, ensuring the story is immersive without ever crossing personal boundaries.