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Mystery / HorrorOne-ShotSeats Available

The Crimson Masquerade

hosted byDM Lysandra V.(4.9 · 47 sessions)

~4 hours3–5 playersLevels 5–10Discord + Foundry VTT

The Adventure

Duke Alaric Voss has invited the realm's most distinguished guests to his annual masquerade — an evening of dancing, wine, and whispered secrets inside the candlelit halls of Ravenmoor Manor.

But beneath the gilded masks, something wicked stirs. When a guest is found dead in the east wing with a crimson rose clutched in their hand, the manor's doors seal shut. No one leaves until the killer is unmasked.

Navigate a web of feuding noble houses, decipher cryptic clues hidden in the duke's art collection, and confront a villain whose motives cut deeper than revenge. Your choices shape the story — will you broker alliances, play the suspects against each other, or kick down doors and demand answers?

Content Notice

Themes of murder mystery, mild gothic horror, political intrigue. No graphic violence. Suitable for ages 16+. Safety tools (X-card, Lines & Veils) used at every table.

What to Expect

Heavy Roleplay

60% social/investigation, 30% puzzles, 10% combat. Dialogue drives the story.

Atmospheric Audio

Custom soundscapes, ambient music, and sound effects for every scene.

Beginner Friendly

New to D&D? No problem. Pre-generated characters and rules coaching included.

Player Agency

Multiple paths to the truth. Your approach changes the outcome.

What's Included

  • 4-hour guided session via Discord voice + Foundry VTT
  • Pre-generated characters (or bring your own, levels 5–10)
  • Custom maps, handouts, and interactive clue board
  • Atmospheric soundtrack & ambient sound design
  • Post-session recap and shareable story summary
  • Calendar invite with session link and prep instructions sent 48h before

Player Reviews

4.9 avg · 47 sessions
MT

Marcus T.

February 2026

Lysandra's mystery sessions are the gold standard. Every NPC felt alive, every clue mattered, and the final reveal genuinely shocked our table. My group immediately asked when the next one was.

Played The Crimson Masquerade
JK

Jess K.

January 2026

I'd never played D&D before and was nervous about joining strangers. Lysandra made it so welcoming — she walked me through my character, explained everything patiently, and by the end I was fully in-character accusing an NPC of murder. 10/10, booking again.

First-time player
RO

Ryan & Olivia

January 2026

We booked this as a date night and it was genuinely one of the most fun evenings we've had. The sound design is incredible — felt like we were actually in a haunted manor. Worth every penny.

DP

Devon P.

December 2025

Great atmosphere and storytelling. The puzzle in act two was tricky in the best way. Only reason it's not 5 stars is we ran slightly long (4.5 hours), but honestly nobody wanted it to end. Already signed up for her next one-shot.

Repeat player

About Your DM

L

Lysandra V.

Tavernly Verified

Professional DM · Portland, OR · she/her

4.9

Avg Rating

47

Sessions Run

92%

Repeat Players

<1hr

Response Time

Lysandra specializes in gothic horror and intrigue one-shots where player choices genuinely shape the story. With a background in improv theater and three years of professional DMing, she builds sessions that feel like stepping into a dark fairy tale — complete with branching narratives, atmospheric sound design, and NPCs you'll remember long after the dice stop rolling.

Outside the screen, she writes horror fiction, runs a small Etsy shop for handmade dice trays, and is raising a cat named Strahd.

MysteryHorrorRoleplay-HeavyAtmospheric AudioBeginner-FriendlyLGBTQ+ FriendlySafety Tools

Frequently Asked Questions

I've never played D&D before. Can I still join?

Absolutely. This session is designed to be beginner-friendly. Lysandra provides pre-generated characters with backstories already woven into the adventure, and she'll explain rules as you go. About 40% of her players are first-timers.

What do I need to play?

A computer with a mic (webcam optional), a free Discord account, and a web browser for Foundry VTT. Lysandra sends a setup guide with your booking confirmation — it takes about 5 minutes. No books, no dice, no prior purchases required.

What if I need to cancel?

Full refund if you cancel at least 48 hours before the session. After that, you can transfer your seat to a friend or receive Tavernly credit for a future session.

Can I bring my own character?

Yes! Bring any D&D 5e character between levels 5–10. Lysandra will work with you before the session to tie your backstory into the adventure. If you'd rather use a pre-gen, that's totally fine too.

Will I be playing with strangers?

Most tables are a mix of friends and solo players. Lysandra is great at making everyone feel comfortable and getting the group gelling quickly. You can also book multiple seats if you want to bring friends.

$25/ seat

Next: Sat, Mar 21 · 7 PM EST

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