The Dark Tide
Dungeons & Dragons 5e | Campaign
About the adventure
Join the Fight in Calier! Step into my custom world of Calier, where high-stakes adventure awaits. This campaign will challenge you to negotiate with NPCs, face off against dangerous bandits and cutthroats, and more. Plus solve cunning traps and puzzles. Starting at level 11 and wrapping up at level 15, you’ll need a solid understanding of D&D mechanics and high-level play to thrive. The story unfolds in the city-state of Onskell, once a thriving capital now overrun by the tyrant King Vladin the Butcher. After seizing the throne, Vladin’s arenas became the city’s heart, consuming its citizens and soon dragging travelers from the roads into his bloody spectacles. As the king’s forces faltered, roaming bands of bandits and cutthroats began kidnapping anyone they could find, raiding towns, and disappearing hundreds into the arena’s madness. Oliver Trent, a wealthy merchant from the city of Kreton, seeks a group of seasoned adventurers to end Vladin’s reign of terror. Your first mission: stop the bandits raiding towns and highways, and uncover the true purpose behind the arenas. Are you ready to face high-level danger and stop a mad king? The fate of Calier is in your hands.
The campaign takes place in my own custom world full of lore and excitement. Players will start the adventure at level 11 and battle their way in the twisting tunnel to rout out groups of raiders plaguing the land. The party will then need to make the harrowing journey to the city of Onskell where they will need to climb the mad kings arcane pyramid battling more and more deadly traps and monsters. This campaign will be heavy on combat and RP and will require players to use good tactics and and team work many parties have met their end in Vladin's pyramid. can you make it to the top.
5.0
(8)
Less than a year on StartPlaying
2 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Rule of Cool, Inclusive
Average response time: 1 hour
Response rate: 100%
Game Master Reviews (8)
Proficiencies
Players say this GM is great at:
Creativity
Rule of Cool
Inclusive
doug
Played 1 sessions
This was a great game. I had been wanting to try dungeons and dragons again for the first time in 30 years and I really didn't know how to start. Alex was good and patient with us beginners and even with a problem I had with getting discord to work (mike issue).
Travis
Played 1 sessions
I ran a heist oneshot with Alex and he put on a great game. He was very familiar with the material which was really helpful in a game where the group was going back and forth to figure out a plan.
Samhein
Played 1 sessions
Highly recommend Alex! I did one of his one shots and felt in only just a 4 hour session there was allowed a lot of ability for puzzle solving and roleplaying, whilst still having some murder and mayhem to engage with.
Rory Mitchell ii
I’ve had the pleasure of playing in a homebrew D&D campaign with Alex as the Dungeon Master, and I can confidently say he’s one of the best DMs I’ve encountered. His storytelling ability is top-notch, weaving immersive narratives that keep everyone engaged while leaving plenty of room for player creativity. Alex has a natural talent for balancing detailed world-building with the unpredictable chaos of a D&D session, ensuring that every moment feels meaningful and fun. What truly sets Alex apart is his flexibility. He has a remarkable ability to adapt to the group’s preferences, creating a fun, casual atmosphere without sacrificing the depth of the story. Whether it’s making space for silly character antics or pivoting the plot based on unexpected player decisions, Alex ensures that everyone feels included and valued in the campaign. If you’re looking for a DM who can bring your D&D sessions to life with engaging storytelling and a laid-back, fun vibe, Alex is the one to call. I’m grateful to have experienced his campaigns and can’t wait to see where his stories take us next!
Colin Testa
This campaign is a brilliant blend of epic battles, cunning plots, and lol moments thanks to Alex’s personality. Our DM deserves kudos for turning what could have been a typical villain encounter into an entertaining comedy goldmine. I can’t wait to see what surprises lie ahead with Vladin.
Sam Thomas
This is a friend of a friend that I hadn't truly gotten to know until our first session. This was my second campaign I had been apart of and it was an absolute treat. Alex was knowledgeable and accommodating to all 6 players about skills and options available throughout the campaign. He not only had a laid out plan for everything but took the time to write new possibilities for variations created by the players. Everything felt in world and cannon. Also he does fun voices 👍
Additional details
How to prepare
Players should have accounts discord, d&d beyond. Players should come to session 0 with at least a character concept. And a working mic
What I provide
With nearly a decade of experience as both a DM and a player, I bring a wealth of knowledge and dedication to creating an unforgettable experience. To enhance our campaign, I’ll be utilizing a dedicated D&D server on Discord, providing a central hub for all campaign-related discussions and resources. Through D&D Beyond, I will share access to all the D&D books I own, ensuring players have everything they need to fully engage with the game. To elevate the atmosphere, I will also incorporate immersive music via Discord, helping to set the mood for key moments throughout our sessions. For visual aids, I will use customized maps on owlbear rodeo to bring the world to life, along with personalized tokens for each player to represent your characters on the battlefield. All of these elements are designed to immerse you in the adventure and ensure that every session feels dynamic, engaging, and memorable.
Gameplay details
Our first session will be dedicated to Session 0, where we’ll establish clear expectations, both from me as the DM and from you as the players. We’ll begin with a discussion on safety tools, ensuring everyone feels safe and comfortable, and outline any topics or themes that should be avoided. This is key to creating an environment where everyone can enjoy the game without concerns. We’ll then review the homebrew rules I incorporate into my campaigns, ensuring everyone is familiar with the system and expectations before we dive into the adventure. Following that, we’ll finalize character creation together, making sure each character fits within the narrative while allowing for adjustments or troubleshooting as needed to ensure everyone is ready to play. Throughout the game, I will implement 1-2 scheduled breaks based on session length and player input, allowing for a comfortable pace. Additionally, I have an open table policy—if a player ever needs to step away or pause a scene, that is absolutely fine. They can return whenever they’re ready, and there will be no issues or disruptions. I strive to maintain a safe, welcoming atmosphere, and I work hard to avoid any content that could make anyone feel uncomfortable. My goal is for every player to feel at ease, both during and outside of sessions. Finally, I will host a debriefing after each session, gathering feedback to improve the campaign and the overall experience, ensuring we’re always moving in a direction that works for the entire group. Let’s work together to create an incredible adventure!
Content warnings
• Blood
• Character Death
• Cults
• Death
• Devils / Demons / Fiends
• Fire
• Freezing
• Murder
• Torture
• Violence
Safety tools used
• Breaks
• Debriefing
• Open Door
• Session 0
How will character creation work
Character creation will be done in D&D beyond, I have a link to join my D&D beyond campaign, where i share access to several source books i own that players can use for character creation. I ask players to bring a character concept at a minimum to session 0. after discussing our session 0 information we will work together to finalizing characters.
Players can expect
Combat / Tactics
High
Roleplay
High
Puzzles
Medium
Experience level
Intermediate
Platforms used
• Discord
• D&D Beyond
• Owlbear Rodeo
$25.00
/ Session
Each player will be charged when a session starts.
Details
Weekly / Wednesday - 11:15 PM UTC
4.5-5 Hour duration
0 / 5 Seats filled
Requirements
Experience required: Intermediate
Age: All Ages