Venture Into The Gloaming | Hexcrawl | Shadowdark Campaign

Creating your character

This campaign uses the Shadowdark RPG Core Rulebook, the free Quickstart, and material from Cursed Scroll Vol. 1: Diablerie! Available ancestries are: - Dwarf - Elf - Goblin - Half-Orc - Halfling - Human. Active classes include: - Fighter - Knight of St. Ydris - Priest - Thief - Warlock - Witch - Wizard Characters begin at 1st level. We will create and roll characters together during Session Zero (free sessions) using 3d6 in order, with one full reroll allowed if no stat is 14+. Stats may not be rearranged. We will use FoundryVTT for character sheets and dice rolling. All characters are outsiders to the Gloaming, arriving under unclear circumstances. During Session Zero, we'll briefly define where you came from, your last memory before arrival, what drives you, and which party member you trust. We will also establish meaningful connections between the characters so the group begins play with shared history and reason to work together. This is a dark fantasy survival campaign. Combat is deadly, resources matter, and the forest does not scale to you.

Preparing for the session

To participate in this campaign, players must complete the following before Session Zero: 1. Discord for all voice and video communication. Each game has its own locked text and voice channels to keep sessions organized and private. An invite link will be provided prior to Session Zero. Please ensure your microphone works and your connection is stable. A webcam is welcome but not required. 2. FoundryVTT for all Shadowdark gameplay, including character sheets, maps, dice rolling, and handouts. Foundry runs in your web browser, and no installation is required. A connection link will be provided before the session. Please test access ahead of time if possible. 3. Players should review the Shadowdark Core Rules or Quickstart before Session Zero. A link to the Quickstart will be provided completely free to you. You do not need to master the system, but you should understand basic mechanics such as ability checks, combat flow, and the importance of light. 4. Do not read Cursed Scroll Vol. 1: Diablerie!, as it contains major spoilers for the Gloaming hexcrawl. 5. Arrive at Session Zero ready to create your character in Foundry, collaborate with the group, and establish connections between party members. 6. Mode of Play... We're going to mix Pulp & Chaos Mode. - Reroll initiative at the start of every combat. - There are no maximum luck tokens a player can have. - Players start every session with 1d2 luck tokens. - You can use a luck token to turn a hit into a critical hit (before you roll damage). - You can use a luck token to take an extra action. - You can use a luck token to force the Gamemaster to reroll a roll.

What Mr. Dragonbane brings to the table

I run games where your choices actually matter. We build living worlds and yes oh yes, the consequences will play out. I’m the Chief Gamemaster of a professional gaming group, and I bring that same level of preparation and structure to every session. I come ready. I know my material and even if I don't, I keep things moving. My style is mostly atmospheric and immersive. What does that mean? I run mostly "Theater of the Mind" with interesting sounds and distinct NPCs even if the voices themselves are… questionable or even sound the same. Combat can be tactical and will be dangerous. Some enemies think and some enemies are dumb. Retreat is viable and super smart to do. I love the rules and use the Rule of Cool when it heightens the moment, especially when it is to risk it all. Whether you’re brand TTRPG rookie, a TTRPG veteran or you are a TTRPG legend!!!... you’re welcome at my table. We’ll play hard, we’ll laugh often, and we’ll tell a dangerous story worth remembering.

Homebrew rules

Deal with the Gamemaster: You may strike a bargain with me for almost anything but when I call in my marker, you can’t refuse. Deal with a Demon: You may call on a demon’s aid to succeed at what you’re attempting but when the demon calls in its marker, you can’t refuse. Brutal Blows: Any attack that deals 15+ damage to an enemy allows for a dismemberment. Death Rolls: I roll all death timer rolls behind the screen to keep the tension high. Enduring Wounds: If a PC survives going to 0 HP, the PC must roll a d20 and take an Enduring Wound from pg.26 of Cursed Scroll 2. Character Death: If a PC dies, the new PC joins the party at same level with experience starting over.

How Mr. Dragonbane creates a safe table

At any time, any player or I can say “pause for a minute.” We immediately step out of the scene to clarify or address concerns. Use it freely — it keeps the game comfortable and aligned. This campaign includes dark fantasy themes: grim lives, body horror, human sacrifice, corruption, and death. Torture, bondage, and slavery may exist in the setting but remain off-screen and are only actions of villains. The following will not appear: - Non-consensual sexual content - Sexual harassment - Player-initiated slavery - Graphic torture - Racism, misogyny, transphobia, or homophobia This is a dangerous world, but it is not a hostile table. Characters work together. Disagreements are fine, but there is no PvP, no stealing from the party, and no sabotage. The forest is dangerous enough without turning on each other.