Shadowdark RPG

Shadowdark RPG on Owlbear Rodeo

About the adventure

Immediate dungeoneering with a focus on whimsy, lethality, and player agency. Session 1 begins with live character generation and instant insertion into the Shadowdark for an "in medias res" approach, with backstories filled in during gameplay or between sessions later on. Players must agree to work together for the common good, but are free to waste precious torch-time arguing about every decision. Every decision matters in the Shadowdark, where fates and fortunes are divided by a blade width... Upon completeing the dungeon, the player characters will find an entire sandbox world at their disposal, with their ambitions as the only limit. Play to discover!

Additional Details

How to prepare

No prep necessary. Players will need Owlbear Rodeo, will be given access to a shared Google Slide for Character Sheets, and are encouraged to take notes and share a Group Journal on Jamboard, Google Docs, or a similar collaborative space.

What I provide

Owlbear Rodeo will be used for rolling dice and to display game-related images (sometimes even diegetic MAPS!). GM will draw characters upon request between sessions. Cartoony but evocative.

Gameplay details

Players can expect a streamlined approach to descriptions and rules systems, with a focus on player decisions and ingenuity. Rulings over rules means the GM will create subsystems for novel situations (you want to spit the potion into the pipe?). Also I do voices and use soundscapes to create immersion. Players are welcome to do the same!

Content warnings

Violence
Character Death

Safety tools used

Breaks
Debriefing
Open Door

How will character creation work

Session 1 will include a very brief character creation process, during which rules will be glossed. Characters are rolled randomly (leveling is random, too!), so it must be done live.

Players can expect

• Find a game to join solo or search for a professional game master for you and your friends/coworkers/family.
• Book your session and wait for the Game Master to approve you.
• If you don't have a blast with your first game, your next game is on us.