Steamy (?) Tales of Teens, Terrors, and Treachery


When you were young, you thought the great walls of Barrow Keep would keep you safe. But now you’re coming of age, and you realize how many troubles have been inside these walls all along: duplicitous courtiers, treacherous kin, and puritanical heresy-hunters. How will you protect yourself and your friends?

Inspired by gothic, young adult, historical, and romantic fantasy (including Ellen Kushner, N.K. Jemisin, V.E. Schwab, Lois McMaster Bujold, Tamora Pierce, and Mercedes Lackey) Barrow Keep uses a restrained fantasy-steampunk aesthetic to create a world of intrigue, treachery, and mystery.

Our game will be anchored by three elements.

  • Barrow Keep by Richard Ruane will provide the setting;
  • Troika! by the Melsonian Arts Council will drive the game mechanics;
  • Dungeons and Dilemmas by Jesse Burneko will supply the adventure architecture.

But all rules will be taught,. No prior experience is necessary, and this will be a beginner-friendly game.

Each session will be three hours, with much of our first session devoted to creating characters, relationships, and the map of Barrow Keep and its environs. Attendance at all sessions is encouraged, but not required. You must RSVP to each session you wish to attend. Rules will be taught. Sessions will be recorded with everyone’s permission.

We will have a pregame discussion of lines and veils as well as employ the X-card during sessions. We will observe the Gauntlet Code of Conduct.

Content Warnings: We are aiming for a PG-13 rating. Most characters will be teenagers beginning to find their way in a world filled with mystery, duplicity, and hidden threats. While there will be moments of charm, bonding, and levity, the game will also introduce situations where children might be endangered, bullied, abandoned, harmed, or kidnapped.

Session 1: 2021-07-07T00:00:00Z2021-07-07T03:00:00Z
Session 2: 2021-07-14T00:00:00Z2021-07-14T03:00:00Z
Session 3: 2021-07-21T00:00:00Z2021-07-21T03:00:00Z
Session 4: 2021-07-28T00:00:00Z2021-07-28T03:00:00Z

1 Like