… but love is always selfish; the more ardent the more selfish . - Sheridan Le Fanu (Carmilla) The night hangs thick with oppressive warmth, stifling and foreboding. A storm is brewing, the damp air signaling its imminent arrival. Your journey has taken an unexpected turn; though the countryside is breathtaking in its lonely beauty, it has not been kind to you. Your carriage lies stranded, one wheel broken beyond repair, and a replacement will not arrive until next week. The only inn in a nearby, sleepy village is filled to bursting with guests for a local festival, and none will open their doors to strangers. A villager suggests you try the next town—"Not far," they say. You might arrive in time for a late supper if you set out immediately. With no other choice, you begin the walk down the darkening road. Overhead, thunder rumbles ominously, and the sky unleashes a downpour that soaks you to the skin. Frantic for shelter, you cast about in the shadows until a flash of lightning reveals the silhouette of a castle not far off, rising like a dark promise against the storm. You hasten toward it, hoping to find refuge for the night—but what sanctuary can truly be found within walls shrouded in secrets? The Portrait of My Lost Love is a gothic horror one-shot that draws you into the heart of this mysterious castle, where its tragic past seeps into every stone. Will you uncover the secrets that haunt its halls, or will you, too, become part of its sorrowful tale? TSL is a game of passionate duels and tangled hearts, where high fantasy and thrilling action come together to tell vibrant, queer-centered stories. It celebrates queer identity and experience with tales of intense emotions, profound journeys, hope, and the pursuit of authenticity. How to prepare You’ll need a working mic and a Roll20 account to join in. Before we begin, feel free to glance through the playbooks to get a sense of the kind of sapphic sword-wielder you’d like to embody! We'll go over the rules together at the start, and I’ve prepared some handy cheat sheets for easy reference throughout the game, so no need to memorize everything in advance. What I provide I have all the resources you need to make a spectacular woman with a penchant for swords and well other women. Gameplay details We will use aftercare to check after the game to ensure that everyone is okay. If anything happens during the game, you are more than welcome to DM me, and we will take a short break. Content warnings • Alcohol Use • Character Death • Child Abandonment • Fire • Hangings • Language/Cursing • Murder • Nightmares about Traumatic Events • Paralyzation • Trauma Safety tools used • Aftercare • Open Door • X, N, and O Cards How will character creation work We'll be making the characters on Roll20 and since this is a one-shot it would be great if you have a character concept before we start the game. I will be in the server before the starting time to help work out any kinks and answer any questions that you might have. Players can expect Combat/Tactics - Low Roleplay - High Puzzles - Low Experience level - Open to all Players Needed 1-5 Links <a href="https://app.roll20.net/join/18660618/YSAgfA" rel="nofollow">https://app.roll20.net/join/18660618/YSAgfA</a> <a href="https://discord.gg/Np7GQr9s" rel="nofollow">https://discord.gg/Np7GQr9s</a>