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Nightmares in the Puppet Shop
A desperate plea leads you to a quaint puppet shop hiding a writhing darkness — rescue a captured guard and stop a cult’s ritual.
$20.00
/ Session
Details
Once / Sunday - 1:00 AM UTC
Apr 12
Session Duration / 3–5 hours
5 / 5 Seats Filled
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Meet your party members
5/5
About the adventure
When the townsfolk speak of Merrill’s Puppet Emporium, they recall a place of innocent toys, cheerful marionettes, and charming shows for children — but lately, strange whispers have crept through the streets. Shadows flicker behind the shop’s windows long after dark, and the puppet maker’s cheerful grin never quite reaches her eyes. You and your companions are drawn into this tangle of secrets when someone close to the town’s guard goes missing. What starts as a simple search quickly becomes a descent into a place where wooden smiles hide writhing horrors and every puppet’s string might be the thread that unravels your sanity. This one-shot adventure is a mix of investigation, tense exploration, and spine-chilling combat in a setting that turns the ordinary into the unnerving. Will you discover what lurks behind the shelves and velvet curtains — or will the Emporium claim a few new puppets for its collection? Bring your courage, your wits, and a torch — you’ll need all three to make it out alive.
Game style
Combat Heavy
Roleplay Lite
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(11)
2 years on StartPlaying
27 games hosted
Highly rated for: Teacher, Knows the Rules, Inclusive
About me
I am a 37 year old lover of all things games. I started playing DnD in 2020 when covid hit. It was a way for me and my friends to stay busy and have fun when the world shut down. I have since then been the forever dm. I have only ever run games for friends but am excited to branch out to the world. Join me as we navigate the world of DnD together!
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
We’ll be using D&D Beyond for character creation, utilizing the point buy system and starting at level 5. You’re welcome to use either the 2014 or 2024 rulesets. Characters can be created before Session 0, or we can build them together—just send me a message, and we’ll find what works best for you. All officially published materials are allowed. If you have a homebrew idea or third-party content you'd like to include, feel free to reach out. I’m usually flexible with approvals, but I’d love to chat first to make sure it fits the tone and balance of the campaign.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
To ensure a smooth and immersive experience, you’ll need a clear microphone, a Roll20 account, and access to D&D Beyond with the Beyond20 browser extension installed. A Discord account is also required, as all voice communication and session coordination will take place there. I’ll provide the invite link to the Discord channel once you’ve joined the game.
What Zackery brings to the table
You’ll have full access to all 2024 core rulebooks, as well as the 2014 Player’s Handbook, through my D&D Beyond account. I aim to bring the world to life with character voice work, immersive sound effects, and ambient background audio to enhance the atmosphere. While I respect the rules, I tend to favor the Rule of Cool over strict rules-as-written when it leads to more cinematic, memorable moments. My goal is to create a fun, flexible, and immersive experience for all players.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Zackery creates a safe table
🛡️ Safety Tools & Player Comfort Creating a fun, inclusive, and respectful environment is a top priority at my table. Here are the safety tools I use to ensure everyone feels safe and heard throughout the game: 🟢 Lines and Veils Before Session 0, we’ll go over Lines (hard limits) and Veils (fade-to-black topics) as a group or privately. This helps us understand what content should be avoided or approached with care. 🟨 Open Door Policy Anyone can step away or pause the game at any time—no explanation required. Your well-being always comes first. ❌ X-Card (Verbal or Digital) At any time during play, if something makes you uncomfortable, simply say "X" or type it in chat. We’ll immediately stop and pivot without questions or pressure. 🗨️ Private Check-Ins I’m always available for a private message before, during, or after the session if something feels off or needs to be addressed. All concerns are handled with discretion and care.
Content warnings
Safety tools used