Halloween One-Shot: The Tomb Beneath the Black Sand
🎃 A Halloween one-shot of cursed tombs and pulpy horror where every step deeper brings the expedition closer to doom. 🎃
$31.00
/ Session
Details
Once / Friday - 11:00 PM UTC
Oct 30
Session Duration / 3–4 hours
0 / 5 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
The Tomb Beneath the Black Sands, is a Halloween One shot which continues a five year tradition of spooky Halloween adventures built around classic horror themes. (First time online!) This year’s story is set in the 1920s during an archaeological expedition into the Egyptian desert, where a newly uncovered tomb promises fame, fortune and ancient secret. Players will take on pre made characters created specifically for the scenario: scholars, explorers, specialists, and patrons whose goals may overlap... or conflict. Each character comes with their own relationships, private information, and personal motivations, but there is plenty of room to make the role your own. These are not perfectly balanced adventurers, and they are not guaranteed to trust one another. Sometimes cooperation will be essential. Sometimes self preservation may point in a different direction. Expect a mix of investigation, exploration, roleplay, danger, dark humor, and classic Halloween horror. The game uses a loose interpretation of DnD 5e (2024), but rules take a back seat to atmosphere, character decisions, and keeping the story moving. Combat can be deadly, clever choices matter, and death does not necessarily mean the end of your involvement in the game. This is a one shot for players who enjoy pulpy adventure, old school horror, secret agendas, dramatic character moments, and the occasional terrible decision made in a dark room full of ancient things. Whether you approach the tomb as a skeptic, a treasure hunter, or an academic, come prepared to play your character boldly and see what waits beneath the black sand.
Game style
Combat Lite
Roleplay Heavy
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Puzzle / Mystery Focused
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(7)
4 years on StartPlaying
3 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Storytelling, Inclusive
Average response time: Under 1 hour
Response rate: 100%
About me
I have been running tabletop RPGs for more than 17 years, beginning with Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 and later expanding into Pathfinder 1e. GMing is my favorite side of table because I get to build a world with my players. My campaigns focus on immersive storytelling, meaningful character development, and choices that leave a lasting mark on the world. I enjoy helping players turn ambitious character ideas into people who feel connected to the setting and the larger story. Expect memorable NPCs, distinct character voices, challenging encounters, exploration, and plenty of opportunities to take the campaign somewhere I did not expect. I prepare carefully, but I never assume the players will follow a predetermined path. New to the system or to tabletop roleplaying in general? You are welcome at my table. I provide patient guidance with character creation and teach the rules through play. Experienced players are equally welcome, especially those who enjoy creative characters, open worlds, and stories shaped by player decisions.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Character's who fit the theme's tropes are pre made and randomly assigned.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
I will send you a little info about your character and give you access to your sheet on Roll20. As well as a brief summary of how this game will differ from conventional DnD. Please review all 3 docs before the game :)
What Kurtis brings to the table
I run my Halloween one shots as fast moving, character driven horror games where atmosphere and player choices matter more than perfect rules mastery. You’ll receive a pre generated character built specifically for the scenario, including a clear personality, relationships, useful abilities, private information, and personal motivations. These characters are intentionally not combat balanced, each is designed to fill a particular role in the story rather than an equal tactical niche. You’ll have plenty of freedom to interpret your character and decide how far you want to take their goals, secrets, rivalries, and relationships. Mechanically, I use a loose interpretation of D&D 5E. I favor quick rulings, cinematic problem solving, and the Rule of Cool when it makes the game more memorable. Combat can still be tactical, but this is horror: your characters are vulnerable, resources matter, and fighting the monster head on is not always the smartest solution. Investigation, negotiation, running away, betrayal, improvised plans, and spectacularly bad decisions are all equally valid approaches. In these one shots, I emphasize descriptive narration, suspense, and giving players meaningful choices. Expect hidden information, conflicting objectives, unexpected developments, and plenty of opportunities for roleplay between characters. Some or all of the characters will assuredly die, but it will not leave you sitting on the sidelines I design ways for eliminated players to return to the story in a new role whenever possible. Above all, the goal is a memorable Halloween evening. The game may become tense, creepy, dramatic, ridiculous, or all four within the same ten minutes. Lean into your character, make bold choices, and don’t assume that surviving is the only way to win.
Homebrew rules
Not many homebrew rules, but most characters are the equivalent of human NPC classes rather than conventional heroic classes. This game is meant to feel you're characters in a horror movie!
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Kurtis creates a safe table
Content warnings have been provided as well at the use of "red, yellow and green cards" privately messaged.
Content warnings
Safety tools used