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Survive the Gauntlet to Become a Hero | New Player Friendly
The Keep offers safety. Beyond its walls lie monster-filled caves, forgotten ruins, and enough treasure to make you rich… if you survive.
$25.00
/ Session
Details
1 player following this game
Weekly / Thursday - 12:00 AM UTC
Session Duration / 2–3 hours
0 / 6 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
The frontier is wild, dangerous, and barely civilized. Merchants disappear along lonely roads. Monsters raid isolated farms. Rumors of a dangerous cult are talked about among all the villagers. Every expedition beyond the safety of the Keep risks never returning. This is a classic fantasy adventure in its purest form. Your choices determine where the story goes. Will you clear the Caves of Chaos? Hunt ancient This is Shadowdark! Shadowdark combines old-school dungeon crawling with modern, fast-moving rules. Characters are capable, but never invincible. Every torch matters. Every spell is a meaningful decision. Combat is quick, exploration is tense, and clever thinking is often more valuable than another sword swing. Expect: - Dangerous dungeon expeditions - Meaningful exploration and discovery - Fast-paced combat - Player-driven decisions - Resource management that creates real tension - Memorable victories earned through smart play Never played Shadowdark before? No problem! I’ll guide you through character creation, teach the rules as we play, and make sure you’re comfortable before your first adventure. If you’re looking for a classic fantasy campaign where exploration, danger, and discovery take center stage, I’ll see you at the Keep.
Game style
Combat Heavy
Dungeon Crawl
Hexcrawl / Exploration
Roleplay Heavy
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Sandbox / Open World
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(12)
2 years on StartPlaying
20 games hosted
Highly rated for: Beginner Friendly, Creativity, Knows the Rules
Average response time: 5 hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
Hi. I’m David aka Evil Penguin. When I was 11 years old, an older neighbor kid told me how cool this book he was reading was called Lord of the Rings. So, I read it myself. At that age, this was the first adult novel I had ever read. By the time I finished the series, I knew that all I wanted to do in life was tell stories half as good as that story. That same neighbor kid and I started playing D&D together and I’ve not looked back since. I went on to study creative writing in college before eventually ending up working professionally in the film industry (that’s my day job). So, a lot of what I bring to the table comes from years of thinking about storytelling, pacing, character moments, when to build and release tension, and creating memorable experiences for an audience. As a GM, my focus is simple: I want everyone to have fun and feel like they were an active part of an incredible story. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, please let me know. Try out a session. Players of all experience levels are welcome at my table. I run an inclusive, LGBTQ+ friendly table where respect for everyone is mandatory. It’s good to know that apparently I’m doing something right because most of my players end up coming back for future campaigns and I’ve had many IRL tables that have run for years with the same players. And if you’d like to get a better sense of my GMing style, worldbuilding, and approach to tabletop RPGs, you can also check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@EvilPenguinRPG
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Characters are created using ShadowDarklings.net, making the process quick and easy. Before our first full adventure, everyone will create four 0-level characters using ShadowDarklings. During Session 0, we’ll run a short adventure known as The Gauntlet. This dangerous introduction serves as your characters’ first taste of life on the frontier. Not everyone is expected to survive. The characters who make it through The Gauntlet earn the right to become 1st-level adventurers. If more than one of your characters survives, you’ll choose which survivor you want to continue playing for the campaign. If only one survives, that’s your hero. If none survive, don’t worry. You’ll quickly create a new 1st-level character and join the party. Once your character is chosen, you’ll export it from ShadowDarklings and import it directly into our Roll20 game. No manual data entry required. Never played Shadowdark before? No problem. I’ll guide you through the entire process and teach the rules as we play. The Gauntlet is designed to introduce the game’s mechanics, establish the campaign’s tone, and create memorable stories before the real adventure begins. Your surviving character won’t just have a backstory. They’ll have already earned one.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
During Session 0, we'll complete the following: • Create your character in ShadowDarklings. • Join our Discord server: https://discord.gg/PwDA2D85d • Join the Roll20 game. • Test your microphone before the session. • Read any campaign information posted in Discord. You don’t need to memorize the rules. I’ll teach them during play. Sessions focus on teamwork, exploration, and making meaningful decisions together. Come ready to communicate, solve problems creatively, and embrace the unexpected. Most importantly, bring a willingness to take risks. The greatest stories often begin with a plan that goes completely off the rails.
What EvilPenguin brings to the table
You’ll have everything you need to jump into the adventure. I provide: • A fully prepared Roll20 game with dynamic lighting • Professionally designed maps and handouts • Ambient music and sound effects • High-quality artwork and visual references • Discord for voice and between-session communication • Rules guidance for new players • Character creation assistance • A welcoming, inclusive table • Nearly 40 years of Game Master experience I work hard to keep sessions moving at a steady pace while giving every player opportunities to shine. Whether you enjoy tactical combat, roleplaying memorable characters, solving puzzles, or uncovering hidden secrets, there will be opportunities for you to contribute.
Homebrew rules
This campaign primarily uses the official Shadowdark RPG rules. In addition: • We use safety tools to ensure everyone enjoys the game. • Player-versus-player actions require the consent of everyone involved. • Rules questions may receive quick rulings during play to keep the game moving. We’ll look up anything unclear after the session if needed. • Creative problem solving is encouraged and often more effective than direct combat. • Good roleplaying, clever ideas, and teamwork are rewarded. • The world reacts to your decisions. Your actions can change the future of the Borderlands. The goal isn’t to “beat” the players. It’s to create exciting stories where success feels earned, failure has consequences, and every expedition into the darkness becomes another tale worth telling.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How EvilPenguin creates a safe table
Your comfort and enjoyment are important. Before the campaign begins, all players will complete a brief safety survey to identify any topics or content they’d prefer to avoid. We’ll discuss expectations and boundaries before the first session and continue to check in throughout the campaign. I run an inclusive, LGBTQ+ friendly table where respect for fellow players is mandatory. Harassment, bullying, discrimination, hate speech, or behavior that makes other players feel unsafe will not be tolerated. Questions are welcome. Mistakes are expected. Everyone deserves a chance to learn, participate, and enjoy the game in a supportive environment.
Content warnings
Safety tools used