The Sunless Citadel | Learn to Play D&D | Short Adventure
A once proud fortress, buried deep. Its echoing, broken halls now house malign creatures, unsolved mysteries, and perhaps even great treasures...
$20.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Friday - 2:00 AM UTC
Session Duration / 2–3 hours
0 / 5 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
Beneath the earth lies a ruin long forgotten—its halls swallowed by time, its walls choked with creeping roots and whispered curses. The locals call it The Sunless Citadel, a place where only fools and the desperate dare to tread. Yet, every year, strange fruit from its depths appears in nearby markets—fruit that heals any wound and grants unnatural vitality. No one knows who grows it. No one who’s gone seeking its source has ever returned. Until now. This adventure is perfect for both new and returning players looking to dive into a classic Dungeons & Dragons dungeon crawl. Expect mysterious ruins, unexpected allies, and the creeping dread of what lurks in the dark below. Players will face goblins, traps, and ancient magic—all while uncovering the secret that has kept this citadel buried in shadow for centuries. The game begins in a small frontier village on the edge of civilization, then quickly descends into the dungeon beneath. It’s a mix of exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving, with moments of roleplay that let your characters grow beyond simple adventurers into heroes—or survivors. Whether you’re a first-time player learning the ropes or a seasoned veteran revisiting a legendary tale, The Sunless Citadel offers an adventure filled with danger, discovery, and the thrill of delving where light dares not reach.
Game style
Combat Heavy
Dungeon Crawl
Roleplay Heavy
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(8)
1 year on StartPlaying
7 games hosted
Highly rated for: Teacher, Sets the Mood, Creativity
About me
I’ve been playing and DMing TTRPGs for over 16 years, and I love helping players create unforgettable stories together. My deepest experience is in Dungeons & Dragons 5e, but I’ve also run and played in a variety of systems including Daggerheart, Masks, D&D 4e, Epyllion, and more. At my table, the focus is on collaborative storytelling, immersive roleplay, and exciting encounters that challenge both characters and players in fun, memorable ways. Whether you’re a brand-new adventurer or a seasoned hero, I want to make sure everyone has a chance to shine. My games are inclusive, beginner-friendly, and LGBTQ+ friendly — I want players to feel welcome, comfortable, and celebrated for who they are. I love running for a mix of play styles, from tactical combat lovers to roleplay-heavy storytellers, and I tailor each game to the group’s vibe. If you’re looking for a DM who brings energy, flexibility, and a love of cinematic storytelling, I’d be excited to roll some dice with you!
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Characters will begin at level 2 Characters will be made on D&D Beyond. The campaign link will be sent to you after signing up, and my books will be available to use Ability scores will use Standard Array method No magic items If you need help making your character, we can set up a time to do so Post character art in the Roll20 Game Discussion so I can make a token for you I will have premade characters available
What to expect
Preparing for the session
You will need the following accounts: Roll20 (for game map & music): roll20.net D&D Beyond (for character sheets): dndbeyond.com Discord (for voice & video): discord.com Please create a character before the first game Make sure you have a working camera and microphone
What Johnathan brings to the table
I have a Master Tier D&D Beyond subscription providing you with all of the books in my library, as well as a Pro subscription on Roll20 to do the same there. I play music to provide ambience during the game session to immerse us more fully. I enjoy the Rule of Cool when it is fitting. I want to create awesome stories with you! I try my best to make unique voices for my NPCs.
Homebrew rules
1) Death saves are replaced by levels of Exhaustion. When you fail a Death Save, you gain a level of Exhaustion. If you succeed three Death Saves, you are still stable at 0 hp. 2) Natural 20/Natural 1 on skill checks give a conditional +2/-2 on the final result of the roll. 3) When a creature rolls a Natural 1 on an attack roll, enemies within melee range of them can make an opportunity attack. 4) If you roll a critical hit, you double your damage done including modifiers. 5) Using a healing potion as an Action heals you the full amount. 6) I do not require multiclass requirements. Just a roleplay reason for the multiclass. 7) You can choose to give yourself Heroic Inspiration during a d20 test, but doing so gives me Villainous Inspiration. I can spend it to have you reroll a d20 test. 8) Counterspell: You make a spellcasting check (DC 10 + the spell's level) to interrupt the casting of the spell rather than the creature making a Constitution Saving Throw. 9) Hunter's Mark: When casting this using the Ranger's Favored Enemy feature, it does not require concentration, but is cast at level 1.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Johnathan creates a safe table
You will need to fill out a Deck of Player Safety (DOPS) at session 1. This is anonymous and just lets me know where the hard lines of things that you do not even want in the game, and what might be hinted at but not outright said. I will discuss these with everyone, just to make sure I have everything in order. My X, N, & O cards are digital on Roll20, so they are pretty easy and obvious to use. After each session, I'll make sure everyone is doing okay, especially if any big emotions occurred doing the game. I don't want something that could have easily been avoided be something that drives you away from the game.
Content warnings
Safety tools used