Image by Caio Fernando
Heroes of the Borderlands [DnD] Bite-Size One-Shot (level 1, 3h)
A cult whispers in the dark. Chaos swells beyond the walls. Gold, glory, and doom await heroes across the untamed wilds—will you forge your legend?
$15.00
/ Session
Details
Once / Monday - 12:00 AM UTC
Nov 24
Session Duration / 3–4 hours
0 / 6 Seats Filled
Report Adventure
StartPlaying Money Back Guarantee
If your game doesn't happen, we guarantee a refund. Just reach out to StartPlaying Support. Refund Policy
About the adventure
Want to dive into DnD without committing to a months-long campaign? Tired of missing a week and struggling to catch up when you return? Heroes of the Borderlands – Bite-Size One-Shot is built for real life: fast, flexible, and always ready when you are. This West Marches–style adventure turns the new Starter Set into bite-sized one-shots you can join anytime. In every session, you’ll explore the Keep on the Borderlands, lead expeditions into the untamed Wilds, and venture into the infamous Caves of Chaos. Together, they form an evolving sandbox where every choice leaves a mark. Show up when you can, jump straight into the action, and shape an unfolding campaign at your pace—play once for a self-contained adventure or return again and again to see your character’s story grow. *** On the edge of civilization stands the Keep on the Borderlands—a fragile bastion of order against a vast, untamed wilderness. Beyond its walls, the Wilds stretch into ancient forests, hidden trails, and monster-haunted ruins. Whispers speak of a sinister cult stirring in the shadows, drawing creatures to the infamous Caves of Chaos and plotting the Keep’s fall. As danger brews and the frontier trembles, heroes like you are needed to defend the light of civilization—or see it snuffed out forever. *** Explore uncharted frontiers, parley with denizens, uncover plots, and confront chaos through wit, steel, and daring choices. 🏰 Patrol a frontier keep where rumors of threats spread like wildfire. 🌲 Brave untamed wilderness where travelers, beasts, and ancient secrets await. ⚔️ Face chaotic hordes in monster lairs where treasure and terror lie side by side. 🧠 Turn rival factions against each other with cunning diplomacy—or crush them in decisive battle. 🐍 Unravel the schemes of a shadowy cult as its influence creeps deeper into the region. 🪶 Shape the fate of the keep, the wilds, and the frontier itself. *** Join a fast-paced sandbox with a cinematic blend of adventure, mystery, and comedy, where your choices drive every encounter. Expect dynamic combat and colorful NPCs—perfect for drop-in adventurers. 🎲 Every session blends all pillars of DnD: meaningful choices, dynamic combat, and rich opportunities for exploration and roleplay. 🗺️ A West Marches sandbox that lets you pick your path—from lively encounters at the keep to expeditions through the wilds and dangerous ventures into the Caves of Chaos. 🧙♂️ Bring your character or choose from four pre-gen Starter Set heroes and jump straight into the action—no prep, no pressure, and no commitment to attend every week. 🔁 Play once for a full, satisfying adventure, or return again and again as the world evolves and new challenges rise across the Borderlands. Whether you’re new to DnD or a veteran seeking quick, high-impact sessions, there’s a seat for you—just bring your imagination and dive in. Monsters stir, cults conspire, and destiny calls. Step into the Borderlands and write your name into legend.
Game style
Combat Heavy
Hexcrawl / Exploration
Roleplay Lite
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Sandbox / Open World
West Marches
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
About me
My DM journey began at 12, leaning over the Black Box DnD set and sketching dungeons in school notebooks with friends. Thirty years later, I’ve turned that spark into a full-time path as a game designer and storyteller—creating immersive campaigns that players talk about long after the dice stop rolling. A few years ago, I left a career in strategy consulting and moved to Barcelona. That background trained me to craft layered narratives, design balanced systems, and navigate complexity—skills I now channel into building stories that balance freedom with structure. I’ve built The Deep Dice page on Instagram, where 10,000 DMs and players exchange ideas about deep-immersion play. I’ve published books on Dungeon Masters Guild with over 8,000 downloads—including The Ultimate Guide to Characters That Matter—and my upcoming campaign Murder in Arabel pushes the boundaries of character-driven storytelling in DnD. I’m drawn to themes of mystery, political intrigue, betrayal, and redemption—stories that feel human, nuanced, and emotionally powerful. My goal is always the same: to create that moment when players lean back, smile, and say, “Wow, that was incredible.” So pull a chair, roll some math rocks, and let’s craft those moments together.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Heroes of the Borderlands – Bite-Size One-Shot uses DnD 5E 2024 rules. Characters start at 1st level. When you join, you’ll receive a link to select from four pre-gen Starter Set characters. Alternatively, you can add or build your own character in DnD Beyond OR Roll20, using any options available in the Core and Expanded rules. Determine your ability scores through the Point Cost approach.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
When you join, you’ll receive links to these FREE resources: • Roll20 Campaign: Select your pre-gen character—or add or create your own. • DnD Beyond Campaign: Add or create your own character. • Beyond20: Connect DnD Beyond and Roll20 with this browser extension. • Lines & Veils Survey: Set your hard and soft limits. • Discord Server: Meet your party, join our audio/video channel to play, and message me with any questions. New to StartPlaying? Get $10 off by signing up with this link: https://startplaying.games/referral/cm798mjt70005czy48dke2gc7
What The Deep Dice brings to the table
❤️ Inclusive, Respectful, and Collaborative Table • Everyone is welcome • We share the spotlight and make the story together 🎭 Ready to Play • Select among four prebuilt characters on Roll20 • Or create your own on DnD Beyond (shared access to Core and Expanded rules) 🎬 Cinematic Storytelling • Open outcomes: the world bends to your choices without breaking • Foreshadowed twists that land with impact • Mysteries that ripple—intrigue, betrayal, and redemption • NPCs with layers—harrowing, heartfelt, or hilarious • Tactical combats that reward smart planning and creativity 🎨 Stunning Visuals on Roll20 • Scenes and NPC illustrations • Tactical maps with dynamic lighting ⚔️ The Deep Dice • 10k followers on Instagram • 8k downloads on DMs Guild • Author of The Ultimate Guide to Characters That Matter
Equipment needed to play
Computer
Headphones
Internet
Microphone
Webcam
Platforms used
Safety
How The Deep Dice creates a safe table
Content Warning: PG-13 LINES & VEILS SURVEY When you join, you’ll receive a link to a short Lines & Veils survey (hard and soft limits). Please complete before the game. I’ll compile an anonymized summary as a handout on our VTT and briefly review it with the group before we start. BREAKS We’ll take a 10-minute break halfway through the session. At any time, if a line is crossed or anyone feels uncomfortable, any player—or I—can call a break. We’ll pause to reset and discuss adjustments. I’ll speak with players privately if needed.
Content warnings
Safety tools used