ST-1: The Buried Secrets of Emberdeep

ST-1: The Buried Secrets of Emberdeep

A sinkhole has opened up on a nearby farmer's land. what has the sinkhole unearthed and who else knows about the secrets which await below?

TYPE

One-Shot

LEVELS

1–1

EXPERIENCE

Beginner

AGE

18+
4 NEEDED TO START
$20.00

/ Session

Details

Once / Monday – 11:00 PM UTC

Jul 28

3–4 Hour Duration

0 / 6 Seats Filled

Report Adventure

About the adventure

When the earth cracked open in the back fields of Garren Feld's Barley Farm, no one expected what lay beneath. At first it was just a sinkhole, a nuisance to fence and fill. But then came the strange lights in the nearby treeliness, the silence of birdsong, and the low, droning music that sometimes drifted across the valley at dusk. Livestock vanished. Dreams turned sour. The locals say the land is cursed from the apocalyptic downfall of the Emberdeep Dwarves, once proud scions of the five kings, but old miners speak of something deeper: that the sinkhole has uncovered a dwarven ruin, and now it’s waking up. Beneath moss-covered stone and root-choked passageways lie the remnants of an outpost of Emberdeep, a forgotten mining hold turned shrine, once proud in its worship of Torag and the sacred flame. Its halls are cracked and flooded, littered with rusted tools and collapsed tracks. But signs of recent movement abound—cleared debris, strange markings, flickers of firelight where none should be. Something else has been investigating the echoes of the Dwarven kingdom. The forest above is no less strange. Paths loop back on themselves. Trees seem to listen. Small, clever things leave offerings - or warnings. The deeper one ventures, the more the woods seem to test them: not just with claw and fang, but with riddles, illusions, and feelings hard to name. Someone, or something, is watching from between the branches. This module offers a classic descent into the unknown, balancing the grit of ancient dwarven ruins with the enchantment and trickery of a wild, living forest. It’s a story about pride, balance, and things long buried: some of them treasures, others the secrets of a King's last moments, and a few better left undisturbed. Intended for characters of levels 1–2, this adventure is perfect as a standalone mystery or a springboard into a larger campaign exploring ancient powers, shifting alliances, and the thin veil between the mortal world and the realms of the fey.

Meet the Game Master
Indigenous
Hispanic/Latinx
Neurodivergent
Published Writer
Game Designer

Less than a year on StartPlaying

Highly rated for: Storytelling, Creativity, Inclusive

Average response time: 8 hours

Response rate: 100%

About me

My style blends rich, immersive storytelling with clean, intentional mechanics - balancing evocative roleplay and tactically satisfying combat. I gravitate toward myth-rich fantasy: worlds like my own Caelmourne Setting, where forgotten empires, moral ambiguity, and flickers of fragile hope wind through every shadowed alley and sunlit glade. But I also make space for the things that make the adventure multidimensional: the campfire confessions, the inside jokes, the odd tavern cat named something regrettable. I want the world to breathe alongside your characters as they grow and evolve. I want players who are creative, collaborative and have the same quiet reverence for the experience of sharing imagination. As the designer of Essentia, a modular, classless RPG system, I bring a deep appreciation for player agency and creative problem-solving. I love watching players stretch the boundaries of a story, surprise themselves, and find their voice at the table. I’m collaborative, patient, and always rooting for your character to do something bold, clever, or heartbreakingly human. My goal is to build worlds where you feel both safe and significant; where the table becomes a shared stage for wonder, connection, and the beautiful chaos of a natural 20.

View Profile →
Character creation

Creating your character

Create Character before 1st Session Core Pathfinder Rules 20 point buy Max HP first level traits Either take average wealth or roll (Honor System, please) Pre-Made Characters available. We'll begin in medias res, so not much of a session zero. This is designed for players to jump in and run a satisfying one shot in three sessions. Message me with any questions.

What to expect

Preparing for the session

We'll play on Roll20 with chat in Discord, Using the PFSRD as reference. I use PCGen for character creation but feel free to use any 1e character building tool.

What zer0charisma brings to the table

This is going to be slightly more combat than RP, but it is a narrative set piece, that can be used as a launch for a campaign or just to get a few satisfying sessions in. I'm not much of an "actor" but I hope I am a vivid storyteller and create marvelous content that shines in ingenuity, yet is approachable and fun for many players.

Equipment needed to play

Internet

Computer

Microphone

Platforms used
Safety

How zer0charisma creates a safe table

We'll have a brief discussion before beginning during our first session and I will hold all players accountable for approaching the game with honour, integrity and compassion. I will always be available to players if they have a concern or are excited about a certain dynamic. I believe in transparency and communication within the group. I want everyone to enjoy themselves and feel like this is a safe space to pursue the game.

Content warnings

Safety tools used

Frequently asked questions