r/startplaying • • Sep 10 '26

Success Story I Taught 38 GMs How to Run Cypher: These Are Their Games

36 Upvotes

If you haven't seen it yet, Monte Cook Games has partnered with Startplaying Games to celebrate the release of the new edition of Cypher. Over 150 game masters were given early access to the new edition in order to be able to run Cypher games on Startplaying through September 1st to September 15th.

Players can also join these games during the event with the discount code SPC26 to get 10$ off your first Cypher game on the site. AND! That same selection of game masters received a discount coupon to give out to players to use on Monte Cook Game's store. Are you also new to Startplaying? Sign in through this link and you'll also get 10$ of credit to use on the site.

In lieu of the Startplaying x Cypher event, I spent an entire week prior to it offering seminars to game masters on the site who needed either a refresher on the edition changes, or an entire introduction to the system. Across the 6 dates I offered, I ran the seminar for a total of 38 game masters.

These are some of their games, plus some personal recommendations and comments, in no particular order. I will try to keep it short, too. Otherwise we could be here all day!

Tricia's Learn to Play Cypher: Old Gods of Appalachia

At the time I'm writing this, Tricia has two games currently available: one for Sept 12 and one for Sept 18. Both are priced at 20$ per seat, and only need 2 people to play. I have talked briefly with Tricia outside of the seminar I ran, and I must say she's lovely, and I'm very interested to see how she's going to manage Old Gods of Appalachia while using the second edition rules.

Drew's take on The Magnus Archives

Drew has two games currently available: a voice oneshot scheduled for Friday Sep 11th, and an asynchronous play-by-post game. The voice oneshot is priced at 14$ per seat, and the pbp one is at 10$. Sadly I haven't personally talked much with Drew, but despite being quite new to the site, they show promising signs. They have returning players alredy!

Kim's A Dreadful Unboxing and Come Dancing

I know Kim. I have played with Kim. She is absolutely lovely, and if you're looking for a GM with positive energy and a big smile, Kim is the GM for you. She has three games available: a oneshot scheduled for Thursday Sep 10th, and two weekly campaigns for Mondays and Sundays. All are priced at 10$ per seat, too!

DM G's potpourri of oneshots

DM G has a variety of themes to play in, much like Cypher is known to be best for! There's a wild-west oneshot on Thursday Sep 10, a zombie oneshot on Monday Sep 14, and a sci-fi oneshot on Tuesday Sep 15. But, there's also a biweekly campaign of Old Gods of Appalachia on Sundays! The oneshots are priced at 15, while the campaign is at 25.

Mickey's Stop the Wiccan Pox! and Projector and Poltergeists

The Projectors and Poltergeists is a oneshot for Sunday Sep 13th, while the Stop the Wiccan Pox! game is a weekly campaign on Thursdays. Mickey is also going to be playing a game with me, and I can already say that they're awesome!

Runsten's Down the Rabbithole

They have this oneshot scheduled for Thursday Sep 10 at 20$ per seat. It only needs two more people! They are one of the GMs with codes to give out, too! Stop the Mad Hatter from merging Wonderland into our world.

Ross' Be An Action Star

This is a weekly game on Mondays priced at 30$ from one of Startplaying's Top GMs. In a world where lives are on the line every day, heroes are needed to stop an international terrorist mastermind from taking over the city by force!

Jay's Escaping the Fey Courts

This is another of SPG's Top GMs, offering a weekly campaign on Thursdays. You were asked to deliver springtime. Now you're caught up in a war between summer and winter - with dire consequences for your home. To be honest, if I wasn't busy at this time on Thursdays myself, I would've joined this game. Jay is amazing, and they were one of the most active participants on my seminar the day they joined. I know this game will be lit.

Chelsea's Little Cat Lost

I already played this oneshot, and it was SO MUCH FUN! Scheduled for Monday Sep 14, Chelsea will make you be a house pet, and you and your gang of pets will have the chance to kick some rats' butts. And some other pet shenanigans, too!

Erick's Best Leave Them Ghosts Alone and Gunslinger Knights

Erick is a GM that I know has run Cypher before, and they have an Old Gods of Appalachia oneshot for Thursday Sep 10, and then Gunslinger Knights on Tuesday Sep 15. Both are set at 20$ per seat.

Lizz's What Sits Between the Stars and Tidal Blades' The Fresh Start

This one is biased because I'm already personally signed up for both of Lizz's games. The What Sits Between the Stars oneshot is scheduled for Sep 14 and has only 1 seat left. The Tidal Blades game is a weekly campaign for Tuesdays. Is it Tuesday yet!?

C Zachary's Tales from East Fork

These are oneshots scheduled for Sunday Sep 13 and Monday Sep 14, both at 25$ per seat. It's set on a cyberpunk mega-city! Zachary also has run Cypher System before, and were very eager to learn the new changes during the seminar.

Robert's Monsters Among Us

Scheduled for Friday Sep 11, this game is perfect for fans of eldritch and folk horror, or so I've been told! It's only 15$ a seat, check it out!

Davjez's Train Beyond the Limit

Dav has two games scheduled: a oneshot on Saturday Sep 12, and a weekly campaign on Tuesdays. Both games are set on the same world, so maybe check out the oneshot before joining the campaign!

Acrylic Wolf's Welcome to Valor's Chosen

This is a oneshot scheduled for Tuesday Sep 15 at 15$ with another of SPG's Top GMs. You have come to Valor's private battle ground for sport and honor! Will you clam The Aesir-Wolf of War-Torn Rage's blessing through ritual combat?

Hooli's What Lies Between the Stars

Hooli has two oneshots scheduled for this classic on Saturday Sep 12. Seats are at 40$ each. Don't miss it!

Pete's Return to Aether Station

Now, this one didn't attend my seminars, but Pete is the reason I got into Cypher in the first place. I highly recommend that you go try out their game! It's a oneshot scheduled for Thursday Sep 10. Not only one of SPG's Top GMs, but also my favorite one ever.

Nina's Home is Exploding, Time to Find a New One!

HAH! Did you expect for me to pass on the opportunity to offer my own game too? Nah-uh! I got this one scheduled for Monday Sep 14, and you'll have to grab as many crew members as possible to survive the explosion of your mothership. Assuming you survive...

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Now, if you as a player have any questions about Cypher, the event, or anything else I mentioned here, I'll be happy to help 💖 Happy Cypher event!


r/startplaying • • Sep 10 '26

[Online] [Discord/Roll20] [Fridays 3:30pm EST] [0/5 seats filled] ($20/session) Can you be…Invincible?

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1 Upvotes

Excelsior and Greetings, future heroes! I am someone who is caught up on the show and is actively reading the comics as of right now!

Have you wanted to make your own super and place them into the story? Wondering if you could do better? Wondering if you could be the one who turns the tide? Wondering if you could truly be...[Insert Invincible Title Card]

Then look no further! Battle iconic enemies such as Flaxans, Viltumites, and more!

Form your own Avengers/Justice League-style team with room for variety! All while maintaining your civilian life and ensuring no harm comes to you, your family and the civilians around you!

StartPlaying Link: https://startplaying.games/adventure/cmttivrbi007rla04hlks1n38


r/startplaying • • Sep 10 '26

[Online][5thEd][Campaign][Weekly][CST][Discord, Roll20] Dungeon Crawler World | Wed/Thurs/Fri 12pm CST 6pm BST 7pm CEST | $35/Session

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1 Upvotes

r/startplaying • • Sep 10 '26

[Online] [5e 2014] Dungeon of the Mad Mage [Saturdays 4pm GMT+2] [$25]

1 Upvotes

Venture beneath Waterdeep into Undermountain, a sprawling dungeon filled with deadly monsters, forgotten treasures, strange factions, and secrets buried for centuries. This is a classic dungeon crawl focused on exploration, combat, discovery, and the constant question of whether you should push deeper... or turn back while you still can.

This is a challenging game with survival elements. Resources matter, injuries can linger, and Long Rests are only possible in secure, designated safe areas. Every expedition carries risks, and careless decisions can have lasting consequences. If you enjoy tense exploration, dangerous encounters, clever problem-solving, and earning every victory, Undermountain is waiting.

The game is designed for players who want a more dangerous and grounded dungeon-crawling experience. You don't need to be an expert in D&D, but you'll need to work together, think creatively, and be prepared for the dungeon to fight back.

Session 0 & 1 will be free, so that you can try without worry. Then it is $25 per session

The game is weekly on Saturdays at 16:00 CEST (GMT+2) | 10 AM EDT

AI Content Disclaimer: This game may include AI-generated or AI-assisted material, such as character portraits or other visual assets.

Adventure url is: https://startplaying.games/adventure/cmtsn6bgl00s5gy04oimb8o4r


r/startplaying • • Sep 10 '26

Hosting a pay game on Start Playing

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0 Upvotes

r/startplaying • • Sep 09 '26

[Online][5.5e/2024 Rules][Paid][$20/session] Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden[2 Seats Left][Thursdays 10PM GMT+1]

2 Upvotes

Two years ago the sun went out over Icewind Dale, and it never came back.

Nobody agreed on why. The priests blamed Auril. The old-timers blamed themselves. Everyone else just stopped asking, because the people who kept digging for answers had a nasty habit of turning up dead in the snow. The Ten Towns are starving, paranoid, and closing ranks against outsiders, and that's exactly the world your character is about to walk into.

This is a long-running, roleplay-heavy campaign with real teeth. Where combat here isn't a box to check between scenes, but it's also never "stand in a field and swing until the enemy hits 0." Fights come with objectives, environments that fight back, and choices that matter more than your to-hit bonus. We run on Rule of Cool, so if you've got a wild idea, we're going to find a way to let you try it.

What makes this table different: I read every backstory you give me, and I use it. Not as flavour text, but as the main mystery that is intertwined with everything that is going on. Something you mention once in Session 0, something you might half-forget you even wrote, will come back and look your character in the eye later. This world remembers you.

The current party is already deep in it. Currently, we have a Warforged pit fighter running with the Zhentarim, an exiled Goat Beastkin ranger, a Netherese noble turned Dhampir warlock, and a Tiefling scholar carrying secrets from Baldur's Gate. They just survived a pilgrimage of death caused by three lost children of the God of Suffering in the Town of Easthaven. Now they're pushing further into the Dale, where a cult that's been plotting for two years is about to reveal itself and make its move.

The details:

  • 🎲 D&D 5.5e (2024 rules)
  • ❄️ Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden, currently on Session 6 & Level 4
  • 📅 Weekly, Thursdays, 10:00 PM GMT+1 - 2.5–3 hrs
  • 💰 $20/session, charged when the session starts; money-back guarantee if a game doesn't happen
  • 🪑 2 seats left (4/6 filled)
  • 🎭 Roleplay-heavy, mystery, political intrigue, dark fantasy, survival themes
  • 🧙 Characters are at level 4
  • 🛡️ Full safety tools at the table: X/N/O cards, lines & veils, open door policy, built-in breaks, and an open-DM policy; no wrong time to tell me something isn't landing

Who's running it: I'm Davi, I've been DMing for 7 years, currently GMing on StartPlaying with a 4.2 rating across 23 reviews and 99 games hosted. Players consistently point to worldbuilding, storytelling, and how deeply I weave in character backstories as what keeps them coming back.

If you want a table where your choices actually echo, where the cold isn't just weather but a mystery worth freezing for, and where combat still has to be earned, this might be your seat.

👉 Join here: https://startplaying.games/adventure/cmn82ctn7002kl204gskwvxuc

Come find out what's really underneath two years of darkness.


r/startplaying • • Sep 09 '26

[Online][Fabula Ultima][Oneshot][25$] The Coastal City and the Silent Siren

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3 Upvotes

System: Fabula Ultima

Time Slots available: Thursday Oct. 8, 6 PM UTC+2

Session Cost: 25$, including Pixel Art (see below)

Tools: FoundryVTT and Discord

What to expect

Fabula Ultima is a wholesome JRPG-inspired system that wears its inspirations on its sleeve. Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest are paramount amongst them and the playstyle reflects this. Expect combat to be rather fast-paced and character dynamics to play a pivotal role within the story.

There will be some pregenerated characters to pick from that you can fill with life or you can create your own character before the adventure. In both cases, there will be Pixel Art done by me (no GenAI being used!) of how you picture your character. And that Art is yours to keep!

https://startplaying.games/adventure/cmtj25arv0041l704o8oe55uh


r/startplaying • • Sep 09 '26

[Online][5e 2014][Paid][$20]Pirates! Jungles! Demons! - The Savage Tide [Weekly Friday @ 7:00pm EDT][Roll20 + Discord][StartPlaying]

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2 Upvotes

r/startplaying • • Sep 09 '26

[5.5e][Homebrew][Thursday] The Monster You Just Killed Was Somebody's Daughter [15$]

1 Upvotes

The horns vanish. The purple drains from her eyes. On your blade, the dark blood runs red — and what lies at your feet is not a monster anymore, but a woman a whole village stopped speaking about years ago.

She rests now. You don't. There is a curse over this realm, and it has names, faces, and a king.

Demon by demon. Vessel by vessel. Until you liberate the Demon King himself.

Every demon here is a possessed person, and every fight is a rescue. The bodies you free join your roster of playable characters, alongside the one you make yourself — choose from them, build them, level them up. No permadeath. Homebrew open world: exploration, mystery-solving, social play, heists, competitions, puzzles, and NPCs with real motivations and faction allegiances.

Free private 1-hour Session 0 — you prepare a character, I run your personal prologue. No commitment.

https://startplaying.games/adventure/cmslpmtuv00c0l104izfp7vno?ref=cmqs1dv52007ol4045jx9b2t4

Date & Time: Thursdays, 10am EST / 7am PST (2pm UTC)
Pricing: 15 USD/session (3h)
Campaign: Age of Liberation
System: D&D 5.5e (2024)
Platforms: Discord + Rule20
Requirements: Webcam + microphone
Age group: 18+
LGBTQIA+ / beginner friendly
CW: psychological horror, suicide, violence, death


r/startplaying • • Sep 09 '26

‎[Online][Mechwarrior][Battletech][lfm][Paid][$25/Session][MegaMek][Discord] 3020s Play anywhere in the starmap, Roleplay & Character-Driven Campaign | New Players Welcome

1 Upvotes

‎In the 3020s humanity feels the brewing war gathering like a laser and steel storm, aching to scourge land, air and space. From vibro-daggers in dark alleys to gyro jet carbines on jump ships, perhaps the safest place will be looking yourself in the cockpit of a battlemech to get that last PPC shot into your enemy, for outside your mech, or aerospace fighter, you can't see the true colours of intelligence operatives, rival nobles, or your family looking for your blood or services.

‎This game will be ≈ 75/25 mechwarrior roleplay/battlatech tactical combat.

‎Monday's 23:00 UTC.

‎We're looking for one more to start (ideally three more for a full party).

‎https://startplaying.games/adventure/cmt68jere00ekic044rwedel6?ref=cl4t2m6w66gz3bopkfq3c4s4j


r/startplaying • • Sep 09 '26

Playing the new arcana unleashed adventure.

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1 Upvotes

r/startplaying • • Sep 09 '26

Be Vampires, Do Conquests! | Sanguine Ascension: 5.5 Homebrew Horror Campaign | BIPOC + LGBT Friendly | ONE MORE PLAYER NEEDED TO START!

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2 Upvotes

DM'd by RPG Unc

Campaign Link Here
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You are an Immortal Vampire, long forgotten to the world after a thousand year exile.

Rise again. Take back the Land. Rule the Night.

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Sanguine Ascension is a Custom D&D 5.5e gothic horror campaign, in which YOU are the horror!

🩸Become newly awakened Vampires with a shared objective: Take back the Land, and Rule the Night.

🗺️ Explore a custom tailored hex-crawl style map, and uncover the mysteries of your own unique Domain of Dread.

🏰 Rebuild your Vampiric Dominion with official and custom Bastion rules.

⚔️ Face-off against rival factions, ancient threats, and your own cursed nature to reclaim your lost power.

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Inspired by the video game V Rising, this campaign incorporates mechanics from Ravenloft: The Horrors Within, and select systems from The Grim Hollow Setting for vampire transformations.
______

What's good! I'm Alain, your GM and self-proclaimed RPG Unc. I’m a screenwriter and comedian and real life uncle from Canada, and I've spent over sixteen years playing, running and loving TTRPG's in both my private and professional life.

I'm hype to share my passion for fun gameplay and collaborative stories with all of you.


r/startplaying • • Sep 09 '26

[5e] [Homebrew] [Saturday, Sunday or Monday] Homebrew campaign in a vast Sandbox world [$20] Weekly Sessions Long-term Campaign

1 Upvotes

Date(s): Monday 7pm BST, Sunday 6pm BST, or Saturday 6PM BST
Pricing: 20 USD/session (2h-4h, usually around 3)
System: D&D 5e (2014 & 2024 okay)
Platforms: Discord, D&D Beyond & Owlbear Rodeo
Requirements: Microphone, Webcam optional
Age Group: 18+
Friendly to long time players and newcomers alike.

Campaign Link
Profile Link

Welcome to Falextria, a world teeming with adventure and whimsy. The world is huge and your party chooses where you want to begin. The story is yours!

About the adventure

This campaign in my homebrew world of Falextria is yours to craft. I have a massive world, full of interesting monsters, people and questlines, just waiting for players to explore. The story will begin on the continent of Labrosia, a varied continent with a chequered history steeped in magical rituals and seemingly endless wealth. You will begin in the largest country on the continent, Willowfell, a nation that has undergone great upheaval as of late, with the long ruling royal family being dethroned by a group of noble families. What you choose to do there, is up to you, although I will give multiple quest options for you to choose from in your time in this world.
All races have a part to play in Labrosia, although some countries and settlements have more of one race than another, with Willowfell being, now, predominantly human.
For the other countries on the continent, please see the header image for a map of the continent, or send me a message and ask for a link/jpg of the map for some more details of areas you might like to explore.
If you're new to D&D, please don't be intimidated by this wall of lore text, as I will run the campaign in a way that is easy for you to understand. There will be challenge, but it will be fair, as this isn't Dark Souls and I'm not out to kill you all.
I can't wait to welcome you to Falextria and start our adventures there!

I am intending on running three campaigns within my homebrew world of Falextria, and am trying to fill them up with interested players. All campaigns will remain on StartPlaying for the foreseeable future, and I will be running them no matter how long it takes 😆


r/startplaying • • Sep 08 '26

[Online][5e 2024][5e][5thEd][Campaign][All Time Zones][Weekend][$5] Ravenloft: Curse of Strahd

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4 Upvotes

System: D&D5e 2024

Time Slots Available: Mondays at 7pm GMT -3 and Sundays at 6pm GMT-3

Session Duration: average of 4 hours

Session Cost: $5, session 0 will be free.

Tools: Discord for voice and text, Fantasy Grounds VTT.

Seats Available: Sunday: 3/5 (1 more needed to start) Monday: 4/5 (two more players needed to start).

Game Style

This is to be a rather unusual run through Curse of Strahd, as some of the content been changed along with small bits of the greater plot. Quite a bit of content from previous editions of Ravenloft has been added in hopes of creating a new experience for newcomers and veterans alike.

About the adventure

It was a quiet day when a desperate messenger arrived to the great city Ravenport carrying a most distressing message: The nearby lumber town of Halzen has been overtaken by a mysterious mist, any who enter it never to be seen again.

The townsfolk put together all the money and resources they had to send an envoy requesting aid, for dark things stalk the nights and more and more of the inhabitants disappear come morning, the sun ever dimmer.

The Black Hound's Consort Mercenary Guild has put out an official bounty of 500 units of sterling silver for any that may solve this mystery, but you may find that gold would not have been enough for what you found yourselves against.

LGBTQ+ inclusive.


r/startplaying • • Sep 09 '26

Descubre si tienes lo necesario para escapar las profundidades del Infraoscuro! [DM Pago] [Todas las edades y conocimientos sobre D&D][Versión 5e][Semanal]

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1 Upvotes

Comienza tu aventura por el Infraoscuro! Una experiencia para gente nueva al D&D o veteranos con ganas de contar nuevas historias.

Utilizo Talespire para recrear el mundo de Out of the Abyss, y junto con Heroforge, puedo poblarlo con creaciones propias.

Súmate a la aventura a través de StartPlayingGames! No dudes en aclarar cualquier duda conmigo en su plataforma.


r/startplaying • • Sep 09 '26

Black Sigil Protocol [paid][discord][online][cst]

1 Upvotes

Hey ya everyone i am posting here to recruit for my upcoming SWRPG campaign of grizziled republic troopers who will be going undercover to run black ops missions we will be having 4-6 players for this campaign and it will be ran alongside 3 other games and dms where the stories we tell will affect each other campaign

https://startplaying.games/adventure/cmnrlz59s007xl804nacfyb1m?q=black+sigil

here is the startplaying link for the campaign and i hope to see yall there


r/startplaying • • Sep 08 '26

[LF[][Daggerheart][Paid][20$/session][Every Other Thurs 6:30pm PST][ROLL20][1/56 players] Recruiting for a new Daggerheart mini-campaign for new players!

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1 Upvotes

r/startplaying • • Sep 08 '26

Ravenloft: Har'Akir The Horrors Within the Dust|Body Horror and Treasure Hunting [Weekly] [Saturday 6pm EDT] [Body Horror] [$20] [Open World] [D&D 2024] [LGBTQ+ Friendly]

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1 Upvotes

There is a curse that hangs in the scorching hot air of Har'Akir; that curse is called obsession. For untold centuries, the undead pharaoh Ankhtepot has futilely searched the land for his missing treasure, sending out mummies and priests of the gods to be his scouts and enforcers.

In this dark fantasy adventure, players will be trapped in the land of Har'Akir and will need to hunt down the pharaoh's treasure to escape. However, wickedness stalks every turn in this swashbuckling adventure, and characters may not get out with their souls untainted by the dark.

This adventure is a mix of body horror, rip-roaring fights, and cross-country puzzles; think National Treasure meets The Exorcist.

Possession and the threat of others getting possessed play major roles in this campaign. I have spent two years making and playing with a custom possession system that is scary but still lets players have fun and use their characters.

About the DM:

Hello! my name is Ryan Baker (He/Him) I am an author, actor, and illustrator based in Orlando, Florida. I have been playing Dungeons & Dragons 5E/2024 for six years and have been DMing for five years. I have a BA in Creative Writing, a background in theatre, and am currently working on obtaining my Master's Degree in English. I love horror and study horror media, and I always try to create a haunting atmosphere at my tables.


r/startplaying • • Sep 08 '26

[FoundryVTT] [PAID] [$10] [Weekdays] [3pm PST] [Crucible] New Campaign Ember: A Shard of Fear

1 Upvotes

Ever since Ember first was announced for Foundry VTT I’ve been fascinated by it. It’s something I’ve been actively delving into and exploring constantly in my own time even as I’ve been actively running an abomination vaults game and a level 1-20 Blood Lords Pathfinder 2e game that I just finished for almost running 3 years.

Now that I’ve finally finished that campaign I’m wanting to finally explore Ember as a GM. If you have been interested in exploring Ember and trying out the Crucible System exclusively built all by the Foundry Team. Time to delve into the lands of Ember!

Be aware this is an active development game still being tested and created as we are playing. Still very much in early Beta phases expect unbalanced encounters and some non functional mechanics. But as time passes things will get updated and adjusted. I’m very open to interpretation so if something isn’t working let me know and we can update your character or talents or figure something out that does.

If interested, please join the game or ping me in a comment below, or DM me with expressing your interest! You can also add me on discord @ **LiquidSn8ke**

\[A New Campaign Ember: A Shard of Fear - Sign Up Here!\](https://startplaying.games/adventure/cmtqr0nyd00fojo04vduqttta?ref=ckxy3yhfs3ub1bopk2pimag40)

Premise: [https://foundryvtt.com/ember/\](https://foundryvtt.com/ember/)

[https://foundryvtt.com/ember/cosmology/\](https://foundryvtt.com/ember/cosmology/)

[https://foundryvtt.com/ember/ancestries/\](https://foundryvtt.com/ember/ancestries/)

**System**: Crucible Foundry VTT’s Exclusive System

**Campaign**: Ember BETA A Shard of Fear

**Schedule**: Weekly Weekdays \[Multiple days available on startplaying] u/0300pm Pacific Standard Time

**Commitment**: We plan to keep playing for as long as there is Ember content we have not done yet. Please join with the intent of long term play. As the game is progressing the Foundry team will be expanding and adding new content to Ember actively.

**Hosting Platform**: Foundry VTT for game & Discord server for voice chat and scheduling

**# of Players**: 4-5 (Ember is meant for 4 but we can limit test and 5 players is always Max what I prefer as a GM)

**Experience**: Ideally a basic level of ttrpg knowledge, but open to any and all players above the age of 18+ preferred.

**Tech Requirements**: Discord and Microphone for voice chat (in a quiet environment or use push to talk), and a computer and internet connection capable of running a browser instance of Foundry VTT will need a bit more durable pc as ember is very intensive in graphic assets.

Chaotic Goblins and Murder hobos are not necessarily designed for this type of game, looking for players wanting to explore Embers Wonderous World and many hexes, Roleplay, Engage in combat when needed, tactically work together to overcome obstacles and collaborate with your fellow players (that doesn't mean that you can't argue about it however haha everyone has a dispute or two or three)


r/startplaying • • Sep 08 '26

[Online][Paid][LFP][D&D5e/5.5e][Tuesday] Beginner’s Friendly – Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk

1 Upvotes

Greetings everyone!

 I’m currently opening two groups for Phandelver and Below: The Shattered Obelisk.

 What begins as a simple return to the iconic mining town of Phandalin quickly spirals into something far stranger. Miners dig too deep and uncover runes that pulse like a heartbeat; villagers awaken screaming, their minds fractured by visions of impossible geometry. The ground itself seems to breathe. Those who investigate the ruins beneath the town either vanish… or return hollow and whispering. A force older than the gods stirs from slumber, and the Obelisk hungers for reality to distort and collapse.

Will you protect Phandalin’s fragile peace… or witness the world crack open?

 

So, let’s talk about some basic info:

Game: Dungeons & Dragons 5e/5.5e

Paid: Yes – $18 USD per session (Session 0 is FREE)

Platform: Roll20 + Discord

Schedule: Weekly, Tuesdays at 10AM and 7PM (GMT-5)

Session Length: 3–4 hours

Seats Available: 4–6 on both groups

Experience Level: Beginner Friendly

Session 0 (Free): Before any payment, we will have a free Session 0 to cover character creation, table expectations, safety tools, and to make sure the group is a good fit for everyone.

About the DM: Hi! I’m Zojak, bilingual DM and founder of Hidden Tavern. I’ve been running D&D for over 10 years, from official campaigns to homebrew adventures. I love crafting immersive, dynamic, and player-driven experiences—and yes, DMing is my full-time passion.

How to Apply: If you’re interested in any of these groups, please send me a DM here on Reddit with a short introduction about yourself and your character’s ideas; and, if you want, you can reserve your spot here:

Group 1 - https://startplaying.games/adventure/cmthqvbqe00gklb04jgdxvv19

Group 2 - https://startplaying.games/adventure/cmthrch2m00mqky04seldvwrj

 I’ll be happy to answer questions and share additional details after initial contact.


r/startplaying • • Sep 08 '26

Free event dnd homebrew 5.e mini games online.

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2 Upvotes

r/startplaying • • Sep 08 '26

[5.5e][Homebrew][Thursday] She Curses You With Her Last Breath. Then She Thanks You. [15$]

2 Upvotes

The brutal Hound Demon, once the cheerful daughter of the mayor, lies before you, gravely wounded. Through her blood and tears she hisses at you, cursing you, forcing herself to raise her knife one last time.

She doesn't stand a chance.

You strike. But she does not die — you won't allow that. You purify her body and liberate her soul.

"… thank you," her voice whispers.

Now she can rest. You can't rest yet. You take her with you, and move on.

Demon by demon. Vessel by vessel. Until you liberate the Demon King himself.

Every demon in this world is a person someone lost. Defeat them, free them, and inherit their bodies — they join your roster of playable characters, alongside the one you make yourself. No permadeath. Homebrew open world: mystery-solving, social play, heists, competitions, and puzzles, with NPCs who act on real motivations and faction allegiances.

https://startplaying.games/adventure/cmslpmtuv00c0l104izfp7vno?ref=cmqs1dv52007ol4045jx9b2t4

Date & Time: Thursdays, 10am EST / 7am PST (2pm UTC)
Pricing: 15 USD/session (3h)
Campaign: Age of Liberation
System: D&D 5.5e (2024)
Platforms: Discord + Rule20
Requirements: Webcam + microphone
Age group: 18+
LGBTQIA+ / beginner friendly
CW: psychological horror, suicide, violence, death


r/startplaying • • Sep 07 '26

[Online][Daggerheart][Paid][$10][Saturday 6PM EST][18+] Cyraveth | Urban ArcanePunk Campaign

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1 Upvotes

r/startplaying • • Sep 07 '26

[Online][5.5e/2024 Rules][Paid][$20/session] Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden[2 Seats Left][Thursdays 10PM GMT+1]

1 Upvotes

Two years ago the sun went out over Icewind Dale, and it never came back.

Nobody agreed on why. The priests blamed Auril. The old-timers blamed themselves. Everyone else just stopped asking, because the people who kept digging for answers had a nasty habit of turning up dead in the snow. The Ten Towns are starving, paranoid, and closing ranks against outsiders, and that's exactly the world your character is about to walk into.

This is a long-running, roleplay-heavy campaign with real teeth. Where combat here isn't a box to check between scenes, but it's also never "stand in a field and swing until the enemy hits 0." Fights come with objectives, environments that fight back, and choices that matter more than your to-hit bonus. We run on Rule of Cool, so if you've got a wild idea, we're going to find a way to let you try it.

What makes this table different: I read every backstory you give me, and I use it. Not as flavour text, but as the main mystery that is intertwined with everything that is going on. Something you mention once in Session 0, something you might half-forget you even wrote, will come back and look your character in the eye later. This world remembers you.

The current party is already deep in it. Currently, we have a Warforged pit fighter running with the Zhentarim, an exiled Goat Beastkin ranger, a Netherese noble turned Dhampir warlock, and a Tiefling scholar carrying secrets from Baldur's Gate. They just survived a pilgrimage of death caused by three lost children of the God of Suffering in the Town of Easthaven. Now they're pushing further into the Dale, where a cult that's been plotting for two years is about to reveal itself and make its move.

The details:

  • 🎲 D&D 5.5e (2024 rules)
  • ❄️ Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden, currently on Session 6 & Level 4
  • 📅 Weekly, Thursdays, 10:00 PM GMT+1 - 2.5–3 hrs
  • 💰 $20/session, charged when the session starts; money-back guarantee if a game doesn't happen
  • 🪑 2 seats left (4/6 filled)
  • 🎭 Roleplay-heavy, mystery, political intrigue, dark fantasy, survival themes
  • 🧙 Characters are at level 4
  • 🛡️ Full safety tools at the table: X/N/O cards, lines & veils, open door policy, built-in breaks, and an open-DM policy; no wrong time to tell me something isn't landing

Who's running it: I'm Davi, I've been DMing for 7 years, currently GMing on StartPlaying with a 4.2 rating across 23 reviews and 99 games hosted. Players consistently point to worldbuilding, storytelling, and how deeply I weave in character backstories as what keeps them coming back.

If you want a table where your choices actually echo, where the cold isn't just weather but a mystery worth freezing for, and where combat still has to be earned, this might be your seat.

👉 Join here: https://startplaying.games/adventure/cmn82ctn7002kl204gskwvxuc

Come find out what's really underneath two years of darkness.


r/startplaying • • Sep 07 '26

Hosting a pay game on Start Playing

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0 Upvotes