Where Gods Fear to Tread
An unlikely band of prisoners is all that stands against a demonic invasion. You must unite the Underdark or become its eternal ghosts.
$15.00
/ Session
Details
Weekly / Friday - 8:00 PM UTC
Session Duration / 2–2.5 hours
Campaign Length / 23+ Sessions
0 / 5 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
Here is a game description tailored for a campaign listing (like Roll20 or StartPlaying), written to hook players who love high-stakes survival, dark fantasy, and immersive roleplay. --- **Welcome to the Underdark.** Captured by the cruel Drow, you are trapped in a subterranean world of eternal night, far beneath the surface realm you once called home. The heavy iron collars chafing your necks are nothing compared to the true horror of this place: the very fabric of the Underdark is fracturing. Legendary Demon Lords have broken through from the Abyss, dragging madness, chaos, and nightmare beasts into the deep. Your first challenge is simply to break your chains and escape—your second is to survive a living labyrinth that actively wants to consume your mind and body. This campaign is a dark fantasy survival epic designed for players who love high-stakes tension, rich exploration, and deep roleplay. If you enjoy the desperate scramble of starting with nothing, the thrill of managing scarce resources in a hostile wilderness, and the psychological horror of fighting cosmic evils, you will feel right at home. We will lean heavily into the themes of camaraderie in the face of despair, the psychological toll of madness, and the triumph of turning from desperate captives into legendary heroes. As a Dungeon Master, I favor a cooperative, narrative-first style of play. You can expect a healthy 40/30/30 split between Roleplay, Exploration, and Tactical Combat. While the Underdark is lethal and your choices will have real consequences, I am not a "DM vs. Players" referee; my goal is to facilitate an unforgettable, cinematic story with you. We will use tactical maps for combat, but the focus will always be on your characters' growth, their bonds, and how they navigate a world where even the light can be an enemy. Grab your rations, check your torches, and prepare your mind. The Abyss is watching, and it’s time to find a way out.
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(15)
5 years on StartPlaying
10 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Beginner Friendly, Knows the Rules
Average response time: 2 hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
Hark, O ye noble denizens of the realms both tangible and ethereal! Attend and hearken to the grand saga of The Nobel Ergo Ironfist, a luminary whose footsteps traverse the very annals of Dungeons & Dragons, commencing with the legendary Chainmail in the bygone days of 1972. Lo, more than four decades past, Ergo took upon the mantle of Dungeon Master, a maestro weaving the tapestry of tabletop sagas, offering not mere campaigns but realms where laughter echoes and camaraderie flourishes. With a steadfast commitment, the call resounds—creating an environment not just of fantasy, but one that is safe and joyous for every gallant soul who treads upon the paths of Ergo's adventures. As the ink of a bard's quill graced the parchment, Ergo, a published author of yore, scribed tales for Chaosium in the early eighties, casting enchantment upon the realm of King Arthur Pendragon. A harbinger of joy, Ergo stood as a guardian of role-playing revelry in the famed RPG conventions of the Bay Area. Behold, the favored realms that Ergo traverses with the might of imagination! Dungeons & Dragons, Dragonquest, Pendragon, and the eldritch landscapes of Call of Cthulhu—all embraced as cherished realms of exploration. In the realm of board games, the master tactician revels in the mysteries of Mansions of Madness and the Return to Dark Tower. Yet, beyond the realms and games, Ergo declares with unwavering resolve, echoing through the ages: "YOU MUST HAVE FUN!!!" Thus speaks the herald, and so it is decreed—an oath of joy that binds every adventurer in Ergo's company. In the grand symphony of tales and quests, Ergo stands as an exemplar, a guardian, and a purveyor of mirth. So, let it be known across the lands that Ergo, the indomitable herald of joy, beckons all to revel in the enchantment of shared narratives, in the laughter echoing through ancient halls, and in the camaraderie that makes every campaign truly legendary!
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
You may create your character any way you want, even just picking the stats. The goal is for you to have fun playing. I’m OK as long as you don’t create a superhero. No more then one 18 and keep everything else reasonable. I do reserve the right to request changes if I don’t think it will work. Characters will start at Level 1.
Session 0 is free. See how to make a character in the main listing. Here a couple of party makeup recommendations: 1. The "Underdark Reclamation Force" (The Ultimate Balance) This 6-person squad covers every single pillar of D&D 2024 perfectly: two frontline walls, two versatile mid-line supports, and two backline powerhouses. Battle Master Fighter: The tactical anchor. With the 2024 Tactical Mind feature and upgraded Maneuvers, they control the immediate frontline space. World Tree Barbarian: The crowd controller. They use their massive reach and the Push or Topple Weapon Masteries to bully enemies, while granting temporary HP to the massive frontline. Gloom Stalker Ranger: The scout and survivalist. Absolutely essential for navigating dark, hostile environments, providing high first-round burst damage and tracking. Thief Rogue: The skill monkey and item interact-er. The 2024 Cunning Strike lets them debuff enemies on the fly, while their high skills ensure no trap or lock blocks the party. Life or Light Domain Cleric: The divine engine. With 2024 Divine Intervention functioning as a reliable panic button and Bonus Action healing keeping the two frontliners upright without wasting a turn. Evocation or Abjuration Wizard: The arcane Swiss Army knife. Brings the massive area-of-effect damage, ritual casting, and utility spells needed to solve complex magical puzzles. Why it works with 6 players: With six people, turn economy can get crowded. This setup creates a distinct "front, middle, and back" row. The Fighter and Barbarian lock down the threat, the Ranger and Rogue navigate the flanks, and the Cleric and Wizard orchestrate the battlefield from safety. 2. The "Chaos & Control Matrix" (The Synergy Engine) Built for players who love combos. This party thrives on creating environmental hazards, manipulating movement, and stacking debilitating conditions on enemies. Vengeance Paladin: The boss-killer. Takes advantage of the 2024 Bonus Action Lay on Hands for efficient healing while using Vow of Enmity to fish for massive Smites on high-threat targets. Shadow Monk: The ultimate skirmisher. Fully overhauled in 2024 with incredible mobility, they can manipulate darkness, teleport constantly, and stun dangerous enemy spellcasters. Sea or Land Druid: The terraformer. They drop massive battlefield hazards like Spike Growth or Sleet Storm. In the 2024 rules, they can freely cast and speak while in Wild Shape. Archfey Warlock: The elusive blaster. Utilizing 2024's early access to Eldritch Invocations, they can repeatedly teleport out of danger as a Bonus Action while using Eldritch Blast to physically push enemies around. Lore Bard: The director. Uses Cutting Words to ruin enemy attacks and spells like Dissonant Whispers or Command to force enemies to move exactly where the party wants them to. Vengeance or War Cleric (or a Draconic Sorcerer): The secondary anchor/blaster. Adds an extra layer of heavy armor to the frontline or provides massive, metamagic-fueled arcane firepower to clean up whatever survives the hazards.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
You will need a microphone, video camera (optional), and headset. Discord (Free) to voice chat and Roll20 (Free) for playing. DndBeyond if you want to use it.
What Ergo brings to the table
I will bring the maps, tokens, pre-generated characters, and 50 years of experience. An experience where fun is the major objective. Sounds and Music A warped sense of humor An imaginative adventure
Homebrew rules
Drink potions as a bonus action. Others will be voted on in session zero.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Ergo creates a safe table
XNO cards, Session 0.
Content warnings
Safety tools used