DarkSpace: Salvage Operations

Creating your character

When will character creation happen? Character creation will take place at the start of the first session. Players can either roll up their own characters or choose from pregenerated options I’ll provide. How are stats decided? Stats are generated using the Shadowdark and DarkSpace rules. It’s fast, simple, and keeps the game moving right into the action. What level will characters start at? All characters will begin at Level 1. Where will characters be created? Characters will be created during our first session together. No prep required beforehand unless you’d like to read ahead. Which books are needed? The Shadowdark RPG and DarkSpace rules are the core sources, but you don’t need to own them. I’ll provide everything you need, including pregens, reference sheets, and rules summaries if you'd like.

Preparing for the session

How to Prepare Join the Discord: You’ll receive an invite to the DarkSpace Discord before the first session. This will serve as our primary hub for communication and voice chat. Access Owlbear Rodeo. We may use Owlbear Rodeo for maps and tokens, but we will decide that during the first session. It runs right in your browser, so no downloads are required. Check Your Tech. Make sure you have a stable internet connection, a working mic, and headphones for clear audio. Bring Your Imagination. I’ll provide pregens, rules references, and everything else you need to jump in.

What Derek “The Geekpreacher” brings to the table

What to Expect from Me as Your GM I bring energy and immersion to the table. While I don’t always use character voices, I’ll lean into them when it helps bring an NPC to life or make a moment more memorable. My goal is to keep the world feeling alive and reactive to your crew’s choices. Combat in my games is quick, clean, and dangerous. Battles won’t bog down. We’ll keep the pace snappy so the tension stays high and every decision matters. Expect exciting encounters that test both your wits and your nerve, without getting lost in endless dice rolling. When it comes to rules, I run a story-first game with flexible calls. The mechanics provide the backbone, but if a creative idea adds tension, excitement, or fun, I’ll make space for it. This isn’t about nitpicking...you’ll get rulings that keep the story moving forward and the table engaged. Above all, I want the session to feel like a cinematic sci-fi salvage story: moments of grit, bursts of action, tough choices, and surprises lurking around every corner. If you come ready to lean into your character and the drama of survival, you’ll be right at home in this game.

How Derek “The Geekpreacher” creates a safe table

Player Safety & Comfort To me, the game is only fun if everyone at the table is having a good time. To make sure of this, I use X, N, and O cards through simple digital messages. That way, if anything comes up that takes you out of the fun, whether it’s a theme you’d rather avoid or just something that doesn’t sit right, you can let me know instantly and privately, no questions asked. I like to treat Session 1 as a chance to not only roll characters, but to set the vibe of our table. What kind of fun we’re after, how intense we want things, and what kind of story excites us most. And after each session, I’ll do a quick check-in. I'd like to hear about the moments you enjoyed, what surprised you, and what you’d like to see more of. That way, the game keeps evolving into something we’re all excited to come back to.