The Arcanum of the Vein
Chosen by your teacher, you sail toward a drowned ruin—where pirates circle, secrets stir beneath the waves, and nothing buried wishes to stay lost.
$15.00
/ Session
Details
Once / Wednesday - 8:00 PM UTC
Feb 11
Session Duration / 3–4 hours
0 / 5 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
Arcanum of the Vein is a dark fantasy one-shot set in a world where ancient history bleeds into the present. The adventure begins within the halls of the Arcanum of the Vein, a drow academy devoted to magical study and dangerous discovery. Selected personally by their instructor, the characters—students on the edge of real responsibility—are sent beyond the safety of stone and spell, out onto the open sea, to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a respected researcher exploring a newly uncovered underwater ruin. The tone of the game is ominous, moody, and exploratory. The ruin predates modern kingdoms and whispers of forgotten wars, lost knowledge, and powers that were never meant to resurface. Pirates prowl the waters, drawn to the same site for reasons that are anything but mundane, and the deeper the characters delve, the more the line between scholarship and survival begins to blur. This is a story about curiosity, consequences, and what happens when ambition sails too close to something ancient and patient. This adventure is ideal for players who enjoy investigation, atmosphere, and narrative-driven play alongside moments of danger and tension. Combat is present, but it serves the story rather than dominating it. Players who like uncovering lore, piecing together mysteries, and navigating morally gray situations will find plenty to engage with. Knowledge is as powerful as steel here—and sometimes far more dangerous. As a Pathfinder 1e one-shot, Arcanum of the Vein is well-suited for groups looking for a tight, self-contained story with room for roleplay, clever problem-solving, and memorable revelations. Whether you’re a table that loves creeping dread, academic intrigue, or the thrill of sailing toward the unknown, this adventure invites you to ask a single question: should unburying something be worth your life?
Game style
Combat Heavy
Roleplay Lite
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Tactical / Crunchy
Meet the Game Master
4.7
(12)
4 years on StartPlaying
12 games hosted
Highly rated for: Storytelling, Creativity, Teacher
Average response time: Under 1 hour
Response rate: 100%
About me
Hello! My internet handel is Zantilis but my name is Branden. I'm 36 years old and have been playing dnd since I was a kid. My grandfather was my first gm and we played second edition with myself and my mom as players. Funnily enough in each game I dm or gm I usually have a small Easter egg of my mom and grandpa in the game, usually they're merchants of some kind. Speaking of dming; I have been a dm since 2006 and have run numerous games set in the same world. I usually have at least 3 players in a group or at max 6 people. My experience with tabletop games is varied. I have experience with: pathfinder 1st edition, dnd 2nd edition, 3rd edition, 4th edition, 5th edition, fallout 2d20, The alien rpg system, star wars 5e, and fantasy flights star wars rpg. If there's a system my players want to play that I don't have experience with, I will go out and learn the system for the players benefit because we're all here to enjoy a fun and exciting game.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
We will make characters over on roll20 for the game. We will do either standard array or 4d6 drop the lowest for stats. We will start at level 3 for this one shot
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Have a roll20 account, a discord to use for voice, and a winning personality.
What Branden brings to the table
I will bring a world full of lore and exploration, a fleshed out adventure with plenty to fight and find. I will bring my sub par voice acting to add as much depth as I can to the game.
Homebrew rules
A potion will be a minor action to drink and a full action when applying it to another player/person.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Branden creates a safe table
I will always check with the players and see if there is some thing that crosses a line, or I will approach the group after the session and ask how the session went and what I can change about it to make it a better experience for everyone
Content warnings
Safety tools used