Hot Springs Island | Rogue-Like Open World D&D Adventure
Dungeons & Dragons 5e | Campaign
About the adventure
Hot Springs Island: Glory Awaits Those Who Don’t Die First System: D&D 5E (2024 Rules) Style: Open-world hex crawl, sandbox, high-risk high-reward Tone: Survival fantasy with roguelike elements Experience Level: Intermediate (You’ve played a few sessions, understand core mechanics, and are comfortable managing your character during combat and exploration.) ~~~ About the Game Looking for treasure? Glory? A quick and horrible death at the hands of volcanic crab monsters? Hot Springs Island is a system-neutral sandbox full of ruins, relics, and things that would very much like to eat you. In this open-world hexcrawl, players explore a mysterious jungle island one hex at a time — uncovering secrets, dodging (or engaging) terrifying creatures, and shaping their own emergent story. There’s no linear plot — just a dangerous map, your wits, and whatever you’re brave or foolish enough to chase. ~~~ What to Expect 25 hexes of exploration, each packed with dynamic encounters Randomized challenges = no two sessions are alike Permadeath is real — treat it like a roguelike Smart choices & resourcefulness are key to survival Pre-gens available, or build your own (Level 3 start) ~~~ Why Play? This is one of my all-time favorite modules to run. It’s weird, wild, and full of “oh crap” moments you’ll talk about for weeks. Whether you're chasing loot, uncovering ancient secrets, or just trying to survive long enough to make it to the next hex, Hot Springs Island is about player-driven adventure in a living, reactive world. So bring your best ideas, your boldest moves, and maybe a backup character.
Game style
Rule of Cool (RoC)
“Rule of Cool” emphasizes creative story beats over sticking to a system’s rules as written. Players have the ability to push the limits of the rules or even break core rule mechanics at times if the Game Master thinks it is interesting, fun, or cool enough.
West Marches
West Marches games are typically ran as “drop-in / drop-out” campaigns, where a pool of players hop into sessions as they are available or as sessions align with their schedules. These games focus on a player-led story and exploration, with each session acting as a self contained adventure, allowing for players to experience a variety of stories within an overarching campaign.
Dungeon Crawl
A “Dungeon Crawl” is a scenario where players navigate a dungeon or labyrinth-like environment for the entirety of the adventure. It emphasizes battling monsters, collecting loot, and avoiding traps to survive to the end!
Combat Heavy
“Combat Heavy” games emphasize the combat mechanics within their systems over roleplay or puzzle solving. There are frequent and longer battles with enemies and a greater emphasis on tactical game play.
~Adventure-Focused~ Explore a dangerous jungle one hex at a time Treasure, monsters, and mystery around every corner Make your own story in a reactive, open world ~Tone-Setting~ High-stakes survival with a tropical twist Death is permanent. So is glory. Where the loot is hot and the monsters hotter ~Roguelike Vibes~ Permadeath + random encounters = no two sessions the same Smart play or reroll — your choice Come for the treasure, stay because you died ~Gameplay Style~ Sandbox exploration & emergent storytelling No set plot — the story is yours to forge Old-school adventure with modern tools
5.0
(5)
Less than a year on StartPlaying
1 game hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Inclusive, Knows the Rules
Average response time: Under 1 hour
Response rate: 100%
Additional details
How to prepare
You'll need accounts for Roll20, D&D Beyond, and Discord. I highly recommend installing the Beyond20 browser extension — it makes rolling from D&D Beyond into Roll20 fast and seamless. A working microphone is required for voice chat via Discord. Webcams are totally optional — I’ll have mine on, but no pressure if you prefer to stay off-camera. While deep expertise isn't required, a general familiarity with D&D 5E (especially the 2024 updates) is encouraged. I’ve been running 2014 for years and am making the transition myself — so we’ll be learning the finer points of the new rules together!
What I provide
I bring a fully equipped digital table to every game: D&D Beyond Master Tier — I’ll share all my resources with players to make character creation and rules access seamless. Roll20 Pro — Expect smooth gameplay with dynamic lighting and custom maps when prep time allows. Dedicated Discord Server — Each campaign gets its own private channels for voice chat, handouts, and player coordination. Immersive Ambience — I use a custom Discord bot for mood music, so you'll have soundscapes that match the vibe — from brooding jungles to blazing lava vents. Whether you're here for the exploration, the roleplay, or the tactical choices, I aim to create a smooth, atmospheric, and engaging experience from start to finish.
Gameplay details
We'll start with a Session Zero to establish group norms, talk about expectations, and discuss how we want to handle in-game and out-of-game conflicts. It’s important to me that everyone feels respected, heard, and safe at the table. Players are always welcome to step away at any time for any reason — no explanation needed. Breaks will be taken as needed, and I’ll check in periodically during longer sessions. If something ever makes you uncomfortable, you’re encouraged to DM me privately — I’ll take it seriously and address it discreetly. I'm open to using any specific safety tools you're familiar with (Lines and Veils, X-Card, Open Door, etc.) — just let me know what works best for you. This is a collaborative space, and I want it to feel welcoming to everyone at the table.
Content warnings
Safety tools used
• Breaks
• Debriefing
• Open Door
• Session 0
How will character creation work
Characters will begin at Level 3, and there will be pre-generated characters available if you want to jump right in. If you'd prefer to bring your own, we can go through character creation together during Session 0, or you can submit your character for approval ahead of time. D&D Beyond Settings - Sources: Expanded Rules + 2014 Core Rules (2024 materials welcome — we're easing into the new era) - Partnered Content: All (if it’s on D&D Beyond, it’s fair game) - Advancement Type: XP-based (900 XP to start at level 3) - Hit Points: Fixed - Use Prerequisites: Enabled - Encumbrance: Enabled (coin weight does count) - Ability Scores: Point Buy ~~~ Roleplay Hook Beyond the mechanics, I ask each player to answer one important question: "Why is your character willing to risk life and limb to explore this dangerous island?" This will help ground your character’s motivations and give us juicy roleplay opportunities as the mysteries of Hot Springs Island unfold.
Players can expect
Combat / Tactics
Medium
Roleplay
Medium
Puzzles
Low
Experience level
Intermediate
Platforms used
• Discord
• Roll20
• D&D Beyond
$10.00
/ Session
Each player will be charged when a session starts.
Details
Bi-weekly / Tuesday - 11:00 PM UTC
Jun 24 / Session 1
2-3 Hour Duration
4 / 5 Seats Filled
Schedule
Requirements
Experience required: Intermediate
Age: 18+