⚔️D&D: Blood & Chains| Rise of the Legend| Hardcore Campaign
You came to the arena in chains. Fight, survive, and rise against the Empire.... or die as a gladiator!
$20.00
/ Session
Details
2 players following this game
Weekly / Tuesday - 10:00 PM UTC
Session Duration / 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
⚔️ BLOOD, GLORY & FREEDOM Welcome to a brutal fantasy campaign inspired by Spartacus, gladiatorial Rome, and classic D&D adventure. You begin as enslaved gladiators, forced to fight in massive arenas against warriors, monsters, and other prisoners. You'll have to survive brutal battles, navigate rivalries, form unlikely friendships, and earn the trust of those around you. But the arena is only the beginning. As you uncover the corruption behind the Empire's games, you'll have the opportunity to break your chains and lead a growing rebellion. What starts as a handful of desperate survivors can become an army capable of challenging the greatest power in the known world. 🏟️ What to Expect Gladiatorial combat — Duels, team battles, monsters, traps, and spectacular arena fights. A growing rebellion — Recruit allies, liberate prisoners, steal weapons, and build your forces. Meaningful choices — Your decisions will determine who lives, who dies, and what your rebellion becomes. Memorable NPCs — Rival gladiators, loyal friends, ruthless nobles, corrupt guards, enemy generals, and potential traitors. Classic D&D fantasy — Magic, monsters, strange races, powerful artifacts, and supernatural threats alongside the gladiatorial setting. Character-driven storytelling — Your character's past, relationships, ambitions, and morality can become part of the larger rebellion. You aren't legendary heroes when the campaign begins. You're property. But with enough courage, loyalty, and bloodshed, you might become something the Empire fears far more than an army: A symbol of freedom.
Game style
Combat Heavy
Tactical / Crunchy
Rules as Written (RaW)
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(39)
1 year on StartPlaying
60 games hosted
Highly rated for: Inclusive, Beginner Friendly, Storytelling
Average response time: 3 hours
Response rate: 75%
About me
HELLO FELLOW DND ENTHUSIASTIC! I’ve been playing Dungeons & Dragons for about four years now, mostly as a player and I’ve really fallen in love with what the game offers. The storytelling, creativity, and memorable moments that come from playing together. I’m newer to DMing, but I’m enthusiastic, prepared, and genuinely excited to be behind the screen. I enjoy building worlds, creating stories, and giving players choices that actually matter and shape what happens next. I want your characters to feel important, and for the world to react to the things you do. My DMing style leans toward a balance of roleplay, story, and combat. I care more about immersion, pacing, and everyone having a good time than strict rules-lawyering, while still keeping things fair and consistent. At the end of the day, fun and shared storytelling come first. I’m really looking forward to starting this adventure together and seeing where the story goes. Let’s make something memorable.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Using the links (Discord, D&D Beyond, AboveVTT) and should be good. Might be experimental and roll for stats for this campaign, would make it interesting, but will hold session 0 to see what everyone else thinks. Starting at level 1, using offical books for the most part with room to use homebrew if desirable.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
🛠️ Before the Adventure Begins 🎮 Create a free D&D Beyond account for character creation and character sheets. 🎲 Join the game through StartPlaying and reserve your seat. 💬 Join our Discord server for voice chat, announcements, and game resources. 🗺️ Access the game through AboveVTT (free browser-based VTT integrated with D&D Beyond—no downloads required).
What King Magnate brings to the table
🎭 What I Provide as Your Game Master 🌫️ Immersive Storytelling – Barovia is a living world filled with memorable NPCs, dark mysteries, hidden secrets, and meaningful choices that shape the story. 🦇 Character Voices & Roleplay – I bring important NPCs to life with distinct personalities, voices, and mannerisms to help make every interaction feel memorable. 🎵 Ambient Music & Atmosphere – Expect carefully selected music, soundscapes, and visuals that enhance the gothic horror experience without becoming distracting. ⚔️ Dynamic Combat – Combat is challenging, cinematic, and meaningful. Enemies fight intelligently, victories feel earned, and every battle has stakes. 🎭 Roleplay-Friendly Environment – Whether you're a seasoned roleplayer or brand new to D&D, you'll have opportunities to develop your character and make impactful decisions. 📖 Rules with Flexibility – I generally follow the rules as written, but I'm a strong believer in the Rule of Cool when it creates memorable moments and improves the story. 🤝 Beginner-Friendly Guidance – New players are always welcome. I'm happy to help with character creation, rules questions, and learning the game. ⭐ My goal is simple: create a game where your character's choices matter, your victories feel earned, and every session leaves you excited for the next adventure. Expect: Exploration 🌫️ • Roleplay 🎭 • Tactical Combat ⚔️ • Mystery 🕯️ • Character Growth ⭐️
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How King Magnate creates a safe table
Player safety and comfort are important at my table. We'll briefly discuss expectations during Session 0, establish Lines & Veils, and make sure everyone is comfortable with the campaign's themes. Players may privately message me at any time if a topic makes them uncomfortable, and adjustments will be made without question. My goal is to create a fun, respectful, and welcoming environment where everyone can enjoy the adventure.
Content warnings
Safety tools used