The Sands of Dustdown: A Flexible-Roster Shadowdark Campaign

Creating your character

When you join the campaign, you may create two active characters. New characters start at Level 1 and advance through play, regardless of the levels of other adventurers in the campaign. We will work together to introduce your characters naturally into the adventure currently being pursued by the available party. You can create your characters using either the free Shadowdark Quickstart Set: https://www.thearcanelibrary.com/products/shadowdark-rpg-quickstart-set-pdf Or the Shadowdarklings character creator: https://shadowdarklings.net/create GUIDELINES - Characters must use the core Shadowdark rules only. Disable all Cursed Scroll and third-party content. - Available Ancestries: Dwarf, Elf, Goblin, Half-Orc, Halfling, Human - Available Classes: Fighter, Priest, Thief, Wizard All new characters begin at Level 1 and must follow their ancestry and class rules. Because the campaign uses a flexible roster, an adventuring party may include characters of different levels. When finished, send me either your character sheet or a Shadowdarklings JSON export. In Shadowdarklings, scroll to the bottom of the page and select Export, then Export to JSON File. This allows me to import the character directly into Foundry. Send a character portrait. AI-generated images are acceptable for personal portraits and tokens. You may maintain up to two active characters. Depending on the expedition and the available group, you can choose which character joins the adventure. Death is always possible in Shadowdark. If an active character dies, you may create a new Level 1 character to take their place.

Preparing for the session

Welcome to Shadowdark! To keep onboarding smooth and get into the dungeon without delay, please complete the steps below before the session. Nothing here is difficult, but doing it ahead of time keeps the first torch from burning down while we troubleshoot microphones. What we are using: • Foundry VTT: the virtual tabletop where the game takes place • Discord: https://discord.gg/pw262FFCFy • Shadowdark Quickstart Set (Free): https://www.thearcanelibrary.com/products/shadowdark-rpg-quickstart-set-pdf 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 player 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 • Keep the quickstart PDF nearby during play if you like having rules at hand Once inside Foundry, you will only need to move your token, roll when prompted, and take your turn when initiative comes to you. Everything else will be handled during the session.

What Dan brings to the table

I run a clear, welcoming table built for players who may be new to Shadowdark, Foundry, or tabletop roleplaying in general. Rules will be taught during play with quick explanations when needed, and there is no expectation that you arrive knowing the system. My goal is to keep the game moving. Shadowdark works best when decisions matter, time matters, and the table does not get buried in rules debates. I run close to Rules as Written for consistency, but make quick rulings when needed so the crawl keeps its pace. The session will be run in Foundry VTT with dynamic lighting, ambient music, prepared character sheets, handouts, and quick rules references available during play. I use NPC voices where they help the scene, and aim for atmosphere without letting presentation get in the way of the game. Expect a friendly table and a dangerous game. I will make sure everyone understands what is happening and what their options are, but choices will have consequences. We will learn the rules as we go and try to keep the torches burning. Shadowdark will feel familiar to anyone who has played D&D, OSR games, or old-school dungeon crawlers. Characters explore dangerous places, make risky choices, fight monsters, find treasure, and try to return alive. It is leaner, faster, and built around pressure. Initiative is always on, whether crawling or in combat. Turns move quickly. Rules stay lean. Time matters. Torches burn for 60 real-world minutes. Light is precious, darkness is deadly, and every delay has weight. The clock is always ticking as the flame flickers and the Shadowdark gathers.

Homebrew rules

The Only Rule “The Only Rule is that you make the rules. What’s written in this book is a guide, not a constraint, and none of it takes precedence over your judgment. If something doesn’t work at your table, change it or throw it out and don’t look back.” — Shadowdark RPG Gamemaster’s Guide, pg. 10 I run Shadowdark close to Rules as Written for clarity and consistency. When a ruling or adjustment is needed, it will favor the player, the fiction, and the momentum of play.

How Dan creates a safe table

Shadowdark is a dark fantasy game of danger, pressure, and things best left underground. This session may include monsters, traps, darkness, injury, death, and eerie situations. The tone is grim, but not grim for its own sake. The aim is tension, weirdness, and fun, not graphic horror or psychological cruelty. This is a dangerous game inside the fiction, but the table itself should remain respectful and comfortable. If anything crosses a line during play, any player may pause or redirect the scene by speaking up, sending me a private message on Discord, or using a signal in Foundry. No explanation is required. If a scene needs to change or fade out, we will move on without debate. The characters may be trapped in the dark. The players should never feel trapped in a scene they do not want to play.