Into the Unknown: Learn Basic D&D Through Classic Adventure
A forgotten stronghold hides untold riches and deadly secrets. Enter the unknown, map its halls, and learn D&D the old-school way.
TYPE
SYSTEM
LEVELS
LANGUAGE
EXPERIENCE
AGE
$15.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Wednesday - 12:00 AM UTC
Session Duration / 1.5–2.5 hours
Campaign Length / 6–12 Sessions
1 / 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
Meet your party members
1/6
About the adventure
Step back to the roots of the hobby with In Search of the Unknown, a classic Basic Dungeons & Dragons adventure focused on exploration, problem-solving, and player choice. You are novice adventurers drawn to a long-abandoned stronghold—an unfinished dungeon rumored to contain forgotten treasures, lurking monsters, and secrets waiting to be uncovered. The setting is deliberately open-ended, encouraging careful mapping, investigation, and creative thinking rather than scripted outcomes. This live streamed actual play is ideal for new players who want to learn D&D from the ground up as well as veterans curious about old-school play. Rules will be taught clearly and at the table, with an emphasis on understanding how decisions, preparation, and teamwork shape survival and success. Expect a slower, more deliberate pace than modern editions, where danger is real, resources matter, and clever ideas often matter more than combat prowess. My GM style emphasizes clarity, fairness, and discovery. I run the rules largely as written for Basic D&D, while explaining the “why” behind rulings so players can quickly gain confidence with the system. Combat is tense and meaningful rather than constant, exploration is rewarded, and player ingenuity is always encouraged. If you want a true introductory experience—or a nostalgic return to the foundations of fantasy roleplaying—this adventure offers a welcoming but uncompromising journey into classic D&D.
Game style
Dungeon Crawl
Combat Heavy
Roleplay Lite
Rules as Written (RaW)
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(10)
Less than a year on StartPlaying
11 games hosted
Highly rated for: Knows the Rules, Creativity, Storytelling
About me
With over 30 years of experience in tabletop roleplaying games, I bring a deep love of classic systems and immersive storytelling to every table I run. My roots are firmly planted in old-school gaming—especially AD&D—but I also actively run and enjoy modern systems, including D&D 5e (2024). I have a strong preference for rich, lore-driven settings. When using established fantasy systems, I most often run games in Dragonlance or within my own original DireLands campaign world, both of which emphasize character-driven narratives, meaningful choices, and long-term consequences. In addition to fantasy, I specialize in darker, more atmospheric campaigns. I run a fully homebrewed cosmic horror setting using the In Nomine system, inspired by World of Darkness themes and infused with elements of Clive Barker and classic monsters. These games focus on moral tension, surreal horror, and unsettling mysteries. Whether guiding epic heroes or exploring the shadows of the unknown, my goal as a Game Master is to create memorable stories, collaborative worlds, and engaging experiences for every player at the table.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
No prior preparation is needed! For this adventure, we will be using pre-generated characters. During the first session, players will choose their character on a first-come, first-served basis, with a little randomness to make things fun. You do not need to create stats, consult rulebooks, or prepare anything in advance. Your character will start at level 1, ready to explore dungeons and face the challenges ahead. This makes it easy for new players to jump straight into the adventure and focus on learning the game while having fun.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
This is a live-streamed actual play! Make sure your camera and microphone are connected and working. No special preparation is needed for this adventure. Players simply need to join my Discord server (https://discord.gg/STm75nYU6D) and have access to Roll20, which we’ll use for maps, character sheets, and gameplay. Everything else—including character selection and rule explanations—is handled during the first session. Bring your curiosity, creativity, and willingness to explore—this is a beginner-friendly adventure designed to introduce you to BD&D without any prior experience or preparation.
What AdamPC brings to the table
As your GM, I create an immersive, beginner-friendly experience designed to make your first BD&D session fun and easy to follow. I guide you through the rules as we play, so you can focus on story, exploration, and teamwork. I use ambient music, sound effects, and descriptive narration to bring Harrow Hill and its ghostly inhabitants to life, and I encourage creativity and clever solutions—embracing the Rule of Cool whenever it makes the game more exciting. Combat is clear and structured, but never overwhelming, and I ensure every player has a chance to shine. Whether you’re rolling dice for the first time or stepping back into classic D&D, you can expect a friendly, engaging, and story-driven adventure.
Homebrew rules
We are adjusting the turn process so that you do not have to declare your actions ahead of time, and be locked into them.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Webcam
Platforms used
Safety
How AdamPC creates a safe table
All of my games are designed to be welcoming and inclusive for players of all ages and experience levels. I use the X, N, & O check-in system to ensure everyone feels comfortable with the content, and we take regular breaks for sessions longer than two hours. After each session, we follow up with a Stars and Wishes feedback check-in to hear what worked well and what could be improved. My goal is to create a safe, fun, and supportive environment where players can focus on story, exploration, and collaboration without worry.
Content warnings
Safety tools used