Ravenloft: Horrors Across the Burning Sands
Follow the Mists into sun-scorched domains filled with ancient curses, desert spirits, and god-kings ruling over lands full of omens and dark prophecy
$20.00
/ Session
Details
2 players following this game
Weekly / Sunday - 2:30 PM UTC
Session Duration / 2.5–3 hours
0 / 5 Seats Filled
Top Game Master
One of StartPlaying's top-rated GMs, a player favorite and highly recommended.
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About the adventure
The desert wind blows sand and ash towards you as a distant eerie howl echoes from somewhere far away. Mist gathers despite no water and nothing but rock and sand as far as you can see. Moonlight catches on worked stone peeking out from the natural rock. Markings on the worked stone hint of ancient ruins buried beneath the sand. The words promise a curse to any who disturb the forgotten dead. In these Domains of Dread, God-kings rule with an iron fist. Magi turn omens and prophecy into reality. Courtiers make poisoned bargains while spirits watch from the shadows behind the throne. These domains don't need darkness to frighten you. Here, horror walks in daylight. This weekly D&D 5e campaign explores Persian, Egyptian, and desert horror through Ravenloft’s Domains of Dread. It features new material from Ravenloft: The Horrors Within. Each tale brings a new nightmare: Tombs built to imprison the cursed dead. Desert cities ruled by prophecy, fear, and and ancient pacts. Forgotten ruins exposed by shifting dunes. Royal courts where nothing is free and secrets abound. You choose which legends to chase and which should stay buried. The campaign grows from your decisions. About Me: I am a Top-Rated Pro GM on StartPlaying and a published TTRPG writer. I also directed a successful liveplay for several years. My specialty is telling terrifying tales. My games focus on atmosphere, meaningful choices, and strong character development. I prepare each session around the party’s decisions instead of forcing predetermined outcomes. You can expect: A dependable weekly schedule. Professional preparation and production. Consistent rulings and communication. A safe, welcoming table for players new and old alike. Player boundaries treated seriously. Space for investigation, roleplay, combat, and exploration. Enter the Mists. Join the campaign.
Game style
Combat Heavy
Roleplay Heavy
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
4.9
(52)
1 year on StartPlaying
844 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Knows the Rules, Sets the Mood
Average response time: 4 hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
🎲 “Hold on, let me roll Persuasion first… success!” Hello, I’m Tyler — a storyteller, designer, and lifelong gamer with decades of experience behind the screen. My players describe me as Immersive, Supportive, and Masterful. I’ve guided hundreds of players through unforgettable games at conventions, on streams and podcasts, and in home campaigns across North and South America. I’ve collaborated with publishers like Onyx Path, Free League, Chaosium, and Helmgast, and I’m also a published writer and designer with credits in both indie and professional TTRPG projects. Whether it’s your first session or your hundredth, my goal is always the same: create a safe, inclusive space where your story matters. I invite you to explore my reviews and join a game to see why so many players return to my tables again and again.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Character creation is a collaborative process. We'll meet during our free Session 0 to build your characters and deeply integrate them into the world and into the story. If you join later, we will work together to create your character prior to your first session. As a game designer, I will personally work with you to ensure your character's concept, backstory, and motivations have a meaningful and satisfying impact on the campaign's narrative. I recommend starting with the 2024 D&D Player's Handbook, Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft, and the new Ravenloft: The Horrors Within. Other books available to use with DM approval. Plan to come to the first session with a few ideas for your characters to collaborate a balanced party with everyone at the table.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Bring a microphone, a spirit for collaborative storytelling, and a taste for adventure! You will also need a free Foundry account. You will connect in your web browser and you do not need any Foundry knowledge ahead of time.
What Tyler brings to the table
I’ll provide a fully prepped Foundry VTT with maps, matching tokens for all players using art you provide or I provide as you choose, and an atmospheric soundtrack to sink you into the story. Expect a narrative style that keeps the tension sharp. PDFs will be available for reference. My focus is on deep immersion, collaborative storytelling, and player-driven narratives. You can expect rich worlds, dramatic twists, and characters who feel alive. I also provide a community discord server with its own private category just for members of this campaign and public channels to spend time with other fellow TTRPG lovers.
Homebrew rules
Any special rules for our game will be discussed at the first session. Otherwise it's rules as written, but always the Rule of Cool.
Equipment needed to play
Microphone
Internet
Headphones
Platforms used
Safety
How Tyler creates a safe table
Player safety is always my top priority. Part of our initial discussion will include a disussion about the safety tools in use, any topics people don't want to see come up, setting expectations for play, and answering any questions about content. If at any point a topic comes up that makes you feel uncomfortable, there will be tools in place for you to immediately stop the scene and the offending content will be treated the way you indicate, no questions asked. This flagging is anonymous. There will be a short scheduled break about halfway through the session. This will be a good opportunity to go to the bathroom, have a quick snack or a drink, or message the DM about any concerns you may not have felt comfortable bringing up in the moment. I am also always available for a DM about anything you want to discuss in private.
Content warnings
Safety tools used