Xanthorias Grove of Horrors - Level 17 One Shot - Dungeon Crawl
You follow a lead into a rotting blight, descending into a spore-choked cavern where a hidden druid waits. Fungus breathe around you, watching you.
$20.00
/ Session
Details
Once / Thursday - 5:30 PM UTC
Feb 5
Session Duration / 4–4.5 hours
2 / 5 Seats Filled
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Meet your party members
2/5
About the adventure
The land is dying. Forests slump into pale rot, animals bloat with creeping fungus, and villages whisper the same word through fevered breaths: Xanthoria. Every infected soul mutters it, as if the name itself is a spore carried on the wind. Through desperate investigation and half-burned records, you learn the truth, this is no natural plague, but the work of a powerful spore druid. Their hollow has been found, deep within a corrupted expanse, and you are sent to descend into it, to uncover what Xanthoria has become and whether the world can still be saved. This is a level 17 adventure from Candlekeep Mysteries, designed as a high-level dungeon crawl filled with environmental horror, brutal encounters, and a climactic confrontation with a uniquely twisted foe. Expect a dangerous, atmospheric delve where knowledge is as vital as steel, and every step deeper brings you closer to the heart of the rot.
Game style
Combat Heavy
Dungeon Crawl
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
4.9
(58)
1 year on StartPlaying
201 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Rule of Cool, Teacher
Average response time: 1 hour
Response rate: 100%
About me
Hi, I’m Chris — and I have a serious addiction to D&D. Since I first started playing around 2010, I’ve never looked back. I began GM-ing in 2017, and it quickly became my passion. With my friends, I helped grow our group to about 10 players, rotating GMs every week. One of my favorite traditions was hosting an annual awards evening where all the GMs ran mini-adventures — a night full of fun, surprises, and great memories. Originally from the UK, I married a South African and now run immersive D&D Weekends out in the wilds of South Africa. Check out what it’s all about at https://waterberg-dnd.co.za. I’m all about the rule of cool over strict rules, crafting epic, player-driven stories that really bring the adventure to life. My greatest strength? Off-the-cuff improvisation — but don’t worry, my worlds are rich in detail with pages of notes for every session. I can’t wait to share some unforgettable adventures with you!
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
When creating your character on D&D Beyond, under sources please select Core Rules, Expanded Rules & 2014 Expanded Rules, also please use point buy/standard array for stats and standard equipment. We are playing level 17 characters using either standard array or point buy, on top of that if you would like you can have a very rare, a rare and an uncommon magic item + 1,500gp. Only official content without discussing first, also avoid anything with a 'legacy' tag.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Join the D&D Beyond Campaign, Roll20 Game & Discord Server, create your character and make sure you're internet and mic is working!
What Chris brings to the table
This game has maps (via roll20), my DM style is very rule of cool. I do limited voices (best to my ability) and am very good with ad-libbing content, so lets be creative!
Homebrew rules
My playstyle leans toward Rules as Fun - I value creating an engaging experience over strict rule adherence. I'm always open to bending the rules if it makes the game more enjoyable. That said, here are a few common homebrew rules I use: - You can use a bonus action in place of a regular action. - Failed death saves carry over during combat. - When unsure if something should work, I'll often roll odds/evens to decide.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Chris creates a safe table
My style is often lighthearted and straightforward, but I'll be available and very receptive before, during and after game play incase there is any content or themes you'd like to discuss or avoid. This game involves signs of dark experiments of body modification to animals, and child kidnapping, this will be described at a high level and handled delicately.
Content warnings
Safety tools used