Deathmatch Island: The Cradle

Deathmatch Island: The Cradle

Wake with no memory on a deadly reality show. Forge alliances, uncover dark secrets and decide: Play to Win... or Break the Game.

TYPE

Campaign

SYSTEM

Deathmatch Island

LANGUAGE

English

EXPERIENCE

Intermediate

AGE

18+
2 NEEDED TO START
$17.00

/ Session

Details

Weekly / Tuesday - 10:30 PM UTC

Session Duration / 3 hours

Campaign Length / 4 Sessions

1 / 5 Seats Filled

Top Game Master

One of StartPlaying's top-rated GMs, a player favorite and highly recommended.

Magic Gemstone

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This game will begin once 3 players have joined

Meet your party members

1/5

About the adventure

Welcome to Deathmatch Island: The Cradle. You wake on a mysterious island wearing an identical uniform to a group of strangers. Your memories are fractured, your wrist counts your followers and somewhere unseen, Production is watching your every move. Every challenge is broadcast to an unseen audience. Every alliance could save your life. Every choice has consequences. The biggest question isn't how will you survive? It's why were you brought here in the first place? My games focus on cinematic storytelling, memorable characters and meaningful choices. Expect immersive voices, carefully chosen music and soundscapes, tense action, dark humour and plenty of opportunities to shape the story together. While there are deadly contests and dangerous situations, this is not just a survival game—it's a mystery where uncovering the truth can be just as important as winning. Character relationships, trust and betrayal are at the heart of the experience. This game is perfect for players who enjoy Squid Game, Battle Royale, LOST, Severance, The Hunger Games or character-driven mystery stories. New players are very welcome. I'll teach the rules as we play, so you don't need any experience with Deathmatch Island. All you need is a willingness to make bold decisions, roleplay your character and discover whether you'll Play to Win... or Break the Game. This excellent TTRPG by Evil Hat is must!

Game style

Theater of the Mind

Roleplay Heavy

Tactical / Crunchy

Rule of Cool (RoC)

Meet the Game Master

5.0

(12)

TOP GM
Neurodivergent
Artist
Educator
Game Designer

1 year on StartPlaying

50 games hosted

Highly rated for: Inclusive, Storytelling, Creativity

Average response time: 17 hours

Response rate: 100%

About me

My name’s Bird, though at the table I’m best known as Thee Silvery Bard—a playful nod to the 5e spell Silvery Barbs. The name embodies my style: bold, imaginative, and guided by the Rule of Cool. My mission is simple: to create unforgettable, collaborative stories where every player shines. My sessions are inclusive and supportive. I'm a huge supporter of LGBTQIA+ rights. Performance has been in my blood since childhood. I’ve worked as a musician, a stand-up comic, and a teacher—but nothing has been as fulfilling as stepping into the role of Game Master. Over the years, I’ve performed for the BBC in the UK and NBC in America, earned awards, and produced shows that left audiences captivated. Whether it’s celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons or exploring a hidden indie gem unearthed from the shelves of London’s legendary Orc’s Nest, I bring the same promise: a gaming experience that is brilliantly creative, deeply kind, and endlessly entertaining.

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Character creation

Creating your character

Character creation takes place together at the start of Session 1 and is part of the experience. It usually takes around 20–30 minutes, and I'll guide everyone through it step by step. Deathmatch Island uses a fast, narrative-first character creation system. Your Occupation, strengths and some other details are randomly generated, helping create the feeling that your character has been unexpectedly thrown into the game. Together we'll build your competitor's personality, appearance, relationships and motivations before the cameras start rolling. No preparation is required and you don't need to own the rulebook. I'll explain the rules as we play, making this a great game for both experienced roleplayers and complete newcomers. Once your competitor is ready, we'll begin exactly where the story starts: waking aboard a small boat with no memory of how you got there...

What to expect

Preparing for the session

Buy Dice! Join the Discord. Steal a Pencil. Fight for your Survival!

What Thee Silvery Bard brings to the table

I aim to create games that feel like you're inside a high-quality TV series rather than simply sitting around a table. Expect distinct character voices, atmospheric music and ambient soundscapes, visual handouts and a cinematic style that brings every challenge and mystery to life. My tables are welcoming, collaborative and roleplay-focused. I encourage creative thinking and always reward clever ideas over searching for the "right" answer. I lean towards the **Rule of Cool**, while keeping the rules consistent and fair. The mechanics support the story, not the other way around. Player safety is important to me. Before we begin, we'll discuss expectations and use safety tools to make sure everyone is comfortable with the game's themes. Deathmatch Island can be tense, mysterious and emotional, but the goal is for everyone to have an enjoyable experience. Whether you're a veteran roleplayer or completely new to tabletop RPGs, I'll make sure you feel included, understand the rules and have plenty of opportunities to shine. My goal is simple: everyone leaves the table excited for the next episode.

Equipment needed to play

Internet

Computer

Microphone

Safety

How Thee Silvery Bard creates a safe table

Creating a safe, welcoming and inclusive table is one of my highest priorities. Before the game begins, I'll send every player a short Lines & Veils form so everyone can privately identify topics they'd rather avoid or keep off-screen. We'll also spend a few minutes at the start of Session 1 agreeing on expectations, tone and boundaries. During play I use the **X, N & O** safety tools. Players can use them in voice, chat or by private message if they prefer. If something isn't fun or becomes uncomfortable, we'll pause, adjust the scene and move on without anyone needing to justify their reasons. Your comfort always comes first. After intense or emotional scenes, I'll check in with the group before we finish. Every session ends with a short debrief where players can share highlights, ask questions and let me know if there's anything they'd like handled differently in future sessions. Deathmatch Island explores themes of survival, manipulation and psychological pressure, but it should always feel exciting rather than distressing. My goal is to create a table where everyone feels respected, supported and confident enough to fully immerse themselves in the story.

Content warnings

Alcohol Use
Blood
Body Horror
Character Death
Death
Execution
Extreme Violence
Fire
Gore
Guns
Lifechanging Injury
Mass Death
Medical Issues
Mind alteration
Mind Control
Murder
Paralyzation
Police Brutality
PTSD
Trauma
Violence
Warfare

Safety tools used

Frequently asked questions