Trial of the Slime Lord | Play to Learn ShadowDark

Creating your character

For this adventure, players will be assigned Level 1 Shadowdark pregenerated characters. There are 12 pregens available, arranged into family pairs. At the start of the session, each player will be randomly assigned a family name and two related characters. They may be siblings, parent and child, or some other blood relation unfortunate enough to have entered the dark together. Once the session starts, you will have access to both character sheets. Choose one to begin with. The other waits nearby should the worst befall your first choice. Character sheets will be provided in Foundry VTT. No books are required, and no prior character creation is needed. Rules will be taught during play. Characters begin at level 1, but this is still a survival scenario. Each character starts wounded, at half maximum HP rounded up, and stripped of weapons, armor, gear, treasure, and spells. Class, ancestry, background, ability scores, and talents remain.

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. Characters will be assigned and ready in Foundry. For this session, we are using level-1 Shadowdark pregenerated characters, so no character-building is required before play. 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 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 rule debates. I run close to Rules as Written for consistency, but I 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, useful handouts, and quick rules references available during play. I use NPC voices where they help the scene, and I aim for atmosphere without letting presentation get in the way of the game. Expect a table that is tense but friendly, dangerous but fair, and focused on helping everyone understand what is happening, their options, and the consequences. The goal is simple: learn the rules, feel the pressure, and keep the torch burning.

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, slime, 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 shift, it will shift. If something needs to fade out, we will. The goal is simple: a game that feels dark, strange, and perilous while remaining clear, fair, and playable for everyone at the table.