Image by Grayson Towler
Dungeons of Drakkenheim | Eldritch Horror & Faction Intrigue
The city of Drakkehneim lies in ruins. In this deadly metropolis, you’ll find riches, power, and glory… or possibly death. That happens a lot, too.
$25.00
/ Session
Details
1 player following this game
Weekly / Friday - 9:00 PM UTC
Session Duration / 2–3 hours
0 / 6 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
When the meteor fell, everything changed. The city of Drakkenheim, capital of the great nation of Westemar, was shattered by the impact. Yet that was just the beginning. The uncontrolled magic that seeped from this fallen stone generates twisted horrors and spreads chaos in the fallen city. Can this plague of mutations and monsters be contained? Could the power of the meteor be turned to benevolent purposes? Can anyone bring together the fiercely divided factions of Drakkenheim? It will take some pretty bold (or perhaps insane) adventurers to find out. Dungeons of Drakkenheim is an adventure that lives at the intersection between H.P. Lovecraft and George R. R. Martin. Equal parts eldritch horror and political intrigue, this setting offers a unique take on D&D lore where magic is met with suspicion, the gods are distant and silent, and your choices have long-term consequences. It’s perfect for players who like both their combat and moral choices to be challenging. If you’re looking for a long-form campaign in which your characters will grow from humble novices into mighty champions, pursue unique personal quests, and face dangers the likes of which you’ve never seen, then the city of Drakkenheim is waiting for you. WHAT TO EXPECT • An Adventure from Levels 1 to 13+: What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger on this sweeping, long-form quest. • Setting-Specific Classes, Subclasses, and Feats: Each major class in 5e gets at least one new subclass you can choose. Or you can try out the Apothecary, an INT-based occultist who exploits forbidden knowledge. • Compelling Story-First Play: Step into an epic tale of mystery, drama, and escalating stakes. As you explore the haunted city, dark secrets and startling revelations tell a vast and majestic story. • Personal Quests: Your PC’s background and history lead to a unique personal mission that will be instrumental in the overarching plot. • Vast Sandbox: Explore Drakkenheim the way you want to. Your actions drive the unfolding plot in this non-linear adventure. • A Living World: Experience a coherent, brilliantly conceived setting with deep lore. You’ll meet distinctive NPCs with their own personalities, motives, and stories that bring this world to life. • Unique Adversaries: The setting pits you against unknown horrors twisted by magical contamination… and your GM loves to homebrew monsters, too! • Political Intrigue: Five factions compete for dominance in the city, each with their own agenda. You’ll need to decide who you trust and who you oppose in the ever-shifting political landscape. • Many Surprises: Even if you’re familiar with the campaign, expect new twists and custom homebrew content that will make this journey through Drakkenheim fresh and exciting.
Game style
Sandbox / Open World
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Roleplay Heavy
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(9)
Less than a year on StartPlaying
1 game hosted
Highly rated for: Storytelling, Teacher, World Builder
Average response time: 24+ hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
I began playing Dungeons & Dragons in 1979, and knew even then that I would be a lifelong GM. TTRPGs have been a part of my life ever since, and have shaped who I am in so many ways—as a writer, reader, storyteller, history buff, and lover of mythology. Wherever I’ve lived and whatever I was doing, I’ve always been part of an active gaming group. I’ve played a number of different systems, including Call of Cthulhu, Traveler, Gamma World, Toon, Paranoia, GURPS, Vampire: The Masquerade, Daggerheart, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. My two great loves in the TTRPG world are the Marvel Superheroes FASERIP game, and of course Dungeons & Dragons. These days, 5e is my primary focus. Even after all these years, I am continuously amazed by the power of TTRPGs. Gaming is a unique creative field of its own, a shared playground of the imagination in which we create stories and excitement together. I would love to be able to share the joy of gaming with more people.
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
We’ll be working on character creation in Session 0. Feel free to work on your own character concept ahead of time! The specifics of this setting will shape how you create your backstory. I have a flexible approach to stat generation. You’ll be able to roll stats first, rolling 4d6 and excluding the lowest roll for each. I’ll give you a do-over for one stat under 8. If you ended up with stats that didn’t work, you can use standard array or point buy. Everyone gets 3 ASI to spend as they see fit regardless of species or background. And you can choose from the 5.5e starting feats, also irrespective of background. NOTE: There are lots of setting-specific options for this campaign. You’ll have new backgrounds to choose from. There’s a new class called the Apothecary, which is an INT-based “mad scientist” with six subclasses. There’s also at least one unique subclass for each of the standard eleven 5e classes. Once you join, I’ll invite you to the Discord server, where I’ll provide more setting information to help you come up with your character.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Players just need an account to these free websites: Roll20 Discord If you've played this campaign before, or if you have watched/listened to the Dungeon Dudes' actual play series, don't worry! This version of Drakkenheim will have plenty of surprises in store. Please just let me know beforehand. If you’d like to know more about the campaign, check out this video by Drakkenheim creators Monty Martin and Kelly McLaughin, aka the “Dungeon Dudes”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wnGvCvIkq8
What Grayson brings to the table
My games focus on roleplay and story, and my goal is to make each combat advance the story and your characters’ personal growth. I utilize a lot of voice acting to embody a diverse cast of NPCs. I put a lot of work and creativity into my preparation to make the game world come to life. My GMing style is both “Rule of Cool” and “Rule of Reasonable Verisimilitude” (which is a fancy way of saying I try to make gameplay make sense). I’ve built in time-tested homebrew rules meant to encourage creativity and make the game more engaging. I’m a “yes-and” GM who will work with you to create a fun, challenging, and unforgettable game experience. I’ll be hosting a Discord community for the game for questions, fun, and updates. All aspects of my campaigns are created by humans, with no gen-AI.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Grayson creates a safe table
Before Session 0, I’ll send you the Monte Cook RPG Consent Checklist. You can choose to use this to tell me how you’d like to handle any triggering topics. Session 0 is always free. We’ll go over expectations, including lines and veils. I’ll share an overview of the adventure, assist with character creation if needed, answer questions, and talk about personal quests. In game, you’ll always be able to signal me privately for breaks or table safety needs. Between sessions, you can always reach me through our Discord and by direct message.
Content warnings
Safety tools used