“The Gloaming: War of the Damned”

About the Game

The good folk of Honeykeep barely had two weeks’ reunion with their young’uns, rescued from Old Alice and the Everfen Swamp, before one’a them Cursed Knights of St. Ydris showed up on our doorstep.

Sir Mordrain, he called himself.

Came lookin’ for the brave souls what brought our children home.

Said he needed heroes.

Wanted ‘em to leave Honeykeep behind and head out into the Gloamin’.

Truth be told, most folk figured he’d taken one too many knocks to the head. He stood there in blackened armor, carryin’ on ‘bout fragile bastions of mankind huddlin’ behind torchlit palisades while the Dark closed in from all sides.

He spoke of demons hatchin’ from the forest’s infernal Marrow-Trees.

Spoke of ancient woods where black trunks rise higher’n church steeples and moss-covered standin’ stones mark graves so old nobody remembers who lies beneath ’em.

Spoke of bloodstained maws hidden among the roots, waitin’ for the unwary to wander too close.

Most of us reckoned it was madness.

Then we looked into his eyes.

Ain’t many men wear the look of somebody who’s watched the end of the world comin’ and lived long enough to see it draw nearer.

Sir Mordrain says his Order’s losin’ their war with the Dark.

Says every mile of forest they reclaim costs blood.

Says every village they save leaves another to burn.

And despite all’a that, he says there’s still innocents in the Gloamin’.

Good folk.

Children.

Families.

People trapped beyond the torchlight, prayin’ somebody comes for ’em.

Sir Mordrain says they need brave souls willin’ to stand on the frontlines of a losin’ war.

Truth be told…

After hearin’ him speak?

Startin’ to think he might be right…

 

•What to expect:

“The Gloaming: War of the Damned” is a dark fantasy game with mature themes for players who enjoy immersive storytelling, meaningful choices, and real stakes where clever thinking is paramount. Players can expect to walk away with a story which lingers, as well as the in-game consequences of the choices made.

•System: Shadowdark RPG

This game uses Shadowdark RPG–a fast, intuitive fantasy system with old-school roots and modern design.

If you’ve played Dungeons & Dragons 5E, you’ll feel right at home. If you’ve never played anything like D&D before, no worries: the rules are streamlined, easy to learn, and quick to pick up at the table–no prior experience needed!

Shadowdark emphasizes exploration, danger, and meaningful choices. Resources matter. Light matters. And when things go wrong, they go wrong fast.

Bring your wits, your courage… and maybe an extra torch.

•Logistics:

I will have dice, character sheets, pencils, and scratch paper for all reserved players; all you need to bring is you!

Player character creation will take place at the beginning of the session, which, thanks to Shadowdark’s system, is quick and easy.

Coastal Fermentory (Downtown) does not have food trucks scheduled on Sundays, so outside food is welcome!

About the Game Master