Phandelver & Below | Hardcore Mode: Darkness, Depths, Descent
Step into the dark beneath Phandalin, where the promise of gold lures you deeper into twisting tunnels, and ancient horrors wait in the depths.
$24.00
/ Session
Details
Bi-weekly / Monday - 7:00 PM UTC
Session Duration / 2.5–3.5 hours
1 / 6 Seats Filled
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Meet your party members
1/6
About the adventure
Phandelver & Below is adventure and darkness entwined. Descend beneath Phandalin, where gold glitters in the dark and ancient horrors stir in the deep places of the world. ⛏️🕯️ Hardcore Mode 🎒 Supplies: A degrading supply die tracks rations and water. Poor planning has consequences. ⚡ Stress: Fear and pressure accumulate over time, influencing decisions and fraying resolve. 🛠️ Degradation: Weapons, armor, and equipment wear down through use, damage, and neglect. ⏳ Wilderness Turns: Overland travel is resolved in structured 8 hours turns. Navigation, weather, fatigue, encounters, and rest are all meaningfully tracked. Safety is never assumed. 🕯️ Dungeon Turns: Time is measured in ten minute turns. Every action costs time. Wandering monsters are checked regularly, with rising danger as noise, light, and conflict increase alert levels. If it is not declared, it does not happen. 🔮 Magical Burnout: Overexertion carries risk. Spellcasting beyond safe limits may result in exhaustion, injury, or lasting consequences. 💀 Unforgiving Immersion: Systems reinforce tension and consequence. Every choice matters. Survival is earned, not guaranteed. Uncover buried secrets. Face what lurks below. Or join the countless souls lost to the dark. 🕳️⚔️
Game style
Tactical / Crunchy
Roleplay Heavy
Hexcrawl / Exploration
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(11)
1 year on StartPlaying
115 games hosted
Highly rated for: Knows the Rules, Creativity, Teacher
About me
Hi, I’m Max. My TTRPG journey began during the pandemic as a way to stay connected with friends, but it quickly grew into a lasting passion. Since then, I’ve run countless one-shots and full campaigns in Dungeons & Dragons 5e, spanning hundreds of sessions and hours of adventure. While 5e is my primary system, I explore other games to broaden my perspective and sharpen my storytelling. Inspired by fantasy, sci-fi, video games, and board games, I bring immersive worlds, dynamic encounters, and memorable characters to every table. Whether it’s a gritty low-fantasy survival campaign or a sweeping high-fantasy epic, my focus is always on delivering rich, player-driven experiences.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
Character creation will be completed prior to session 0. All players will use D&D Beyond to create their characters and keep them updated as we progress through the story.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Prior to the first session, you will have access to my library of D&D Beyond content. I recommend reading the Player's Handbook as it provides a good basis for understanding the rules. However, this isn't mandatory, and I will happily go over how to play. Before joining, please check the list of requirements below. If you have any concerns, feel free to reach out to me. Requirements: 🎙️ Microphone (Required) 📷 Camera (Optional) 📚 D&D Beyond Account (Required) 💬 Discord Account (Required) Note: Foundry VTT and Discord do have some PC requirements, though a relatively modern system should have no problem running them. For further guidance, please see: https://foundryvtt.com/article/requirements/
What Death's Door DM brings to the table
All necessary materials for participating in the game will be provided electronically through Discord, D&D Beyond, and Foundry VTT. Here's what you can expect: 📚 Access a comprehensive library of resources via D&D Beyond. 🗺️ Explore meticulously crafted battle maps. 🎶 Enjoy atmospheric music to enhance your gameplay experience. 🎮 Experience fully utilized gameplay within Foundry VTT. 🧙♂️ Your character's background will be intricately woven into the narrative. 🪄 Discover custom magic items tailored for your adventure. 💬 Join a thriving Discord server filled with like-minded gamers.
Homebrew rules
A homebrew rules document can be provided at request and is also accessible once the campaign has been joined.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Headphones
Webcam
Platforms used
Safety
How Death's Door DM creates a safe table
We will start with a Session 0 to cover general playing etiquette and introduce key systems, ensuring you're well-prepared for Session 1. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, we will use several safety tools, including the Luxton Technique Discussion, the Open Door policy, and Stars and Wishes. These tools help create a respectful and comfortable gaming environment for all participants.
Content warnings
Safety tools used