Red by Morning is a universe blending maritime traditions, folklore, dark magic, and political and religious intrigue, inspired by early 1800s New England.

Central to RED is the rich maritime history and haunting folklore of small settlements and shipboard communities. Players delve into close-knit environments where everyone's stories are known, yet personal struggles remain private, exploring the balance between community support and individual isolation. The blurred lines between the living and spirit worlds lead to eerie, supernatural encounters with ghosts, hauntings, and curses.

RED prioritizes deep, immersive role-playing with characters rich in backstory, engaging in storytelling that brings the lore to life. The slower pace emphasizes atmosphere, mood, personal stories, and the gradual unfolding of mysteries, driven by emotional and psychological depth rather than constant action.

Tradition and duty are pivotal, with characters deeply aware of their roles and responsibilities within their community, adhering to civil expectations. While collaboration is essential for survival, competitive elements like social standing, survival prioritization, wealth, and social conflicts also play a part, potentially leading to long-term vendettas or duels.

Designed for a focus on immersion and mechanic light design, RED is treated more as a “reenactment experience of a fictional place”. Combat is lethal, family wealth and health is based on your actions, and being accepted as part of the community often means the difference between life and death. Characters have a greater endurance than regular day-to-day people, but are not cinematic action heroes.