MÖRK BORG: The Goblin Grinder

Creating your character

You may either select from a list of pre-gens or create your own character by rolling before the first session. It is an almost absurdly easy process and doesn't matter much. Remember, you are SCVM, and your character is most likely doomed anyway. Try not to think about it. You may provide me with up to three characters in advance, or, if the group decides to spread the adventure out to two sessions, we can simply create characters at the beginning of session 1 by rolling them in Foundry via the Create SCVM feature. You may also create a character in advance of the session here and export: https://scvmbirther.makedatanotlore.dev/

Preparing for the session

Prepare for the apocalypse by downloading the absolutely free MÖRK BORG BARE BONES edition direct from the publisher: https://morkborg.com/content/ Welcome to MÖRK BORG. To keep onboarding smooth and get into play without delay, complete the steps below before the session. Nothing here is difficult, but doing it ahead of time avoids technical friction once we begin. What we are using • Foundry: the virtual tabletop where the game takes place • Discord: https://discord.gg/pw262FFCFy Preparation Steps You will receive a direct invitation link to the Foundry game. Open the link in a browser. No account is required. A password will be provided. If you are unfamiliar with Foundry, review the basics here: https://foundryvtt.com/article/player-orientation/ Optional, but useful • Use Chrome or Firefox for best performance • Headphones recommended • Join Discord before the session to confirm audio works Once inside Foundry, you will only need to move your token, roll when prompted, and follow along. Everything else will be handled in the session.

What Dan brings to the table

The Goblin Grinder is an intense MÖRK BORG small sandbox and dungeon crawl filled with horrible secrets, bad decisions, and worse outcomes. The game includes a quick rules reference, guidance for new players, music, atmosphere, maps with dynamic lighting, and all the filth and misery this dying world can provide. We will be using the Foundry implementation of the system, which automates portions of the character sheets and core mechanics while still requiring some bookkeeping, resource tracking, and manual rolls in true OSR fashion. The rules themselves are fast, brutal, and simple. The scenario is designed to teach them naturally through play rather than through lengthy explanations. I will provide a short rules overview before we begin, along with reference sheets, atmosphere, NPC voices, unpleasant discoveries, and, with any luck at all, an ugly death or two.

Homebrew rules

What could possibly be improved upon? It's all too horrible already.

How Dan creates a safe table

This is a grim, dark, and nihilistic game and setting. MÖRK BORG leans into extreme violence, decay, and hopelessness, often described as the death metal of tabletop RPGs. Characters may be subjected to brutal, unfair, and often senseless circumstances. Because of that, we will discuss potential triggers before we begin and make sure everyone is comfortable with the tone and content. That said, the intention is not to create a traumatic experience. The setting is a stylized, almost exaggerated exploration of dark fantasy themes, and part of the fun lies in the characters' harsh, disposable nature and the unpredictability of their fates. The tone in the fiction may be horrific, but the experience at the table should remain enjoyable, absurd at times, and ultimately lighthearted. Player comfort is always the priority. We will be using a Foundry module called Table Safety, which allows any player to pause play at any time, skip content, or raise a concern without explanation. You are always free to step away, message privately, or redirect the scene if something becomes too intense.