Ink that Binds Presents a Dungeon Crawler World

Creating your character

Character creation begins before the campaign with a private conversation and questionnaire about who your crawler was before the world ended. We will discuss their work, hobbies, practical experience, personality, relationships, fears, and the strange little talents nobody expected to matter during an apocalypse. You do not need to arrive with a character sheet, choose a class, or search through sourcebooks. We will build your starting crawler together. Your crawler begins at Level 1 as an ordinary person, not an established adventurer. Their starting stats and fifteen recognized skills will be created from their history and genuine abilities. Everyone uses the same overall distribution, so no one is rewarded for claiming they were secretly an Olympic surgeon with military training. Once the tutorial is complete, the System grants additional stat points, allowing you to strengthen natural talents, compensate for weaknesses, or begin becoming something beyond human. During the First and Second Floors, you remain an Unclassed Crawler. You will still gain levels, abilities, equipment, achievements, and new skills, but you will not select a traditional D&D class. The System watches how you fight, solve problems, treat other people, respond to danger, and misuse anything foolishly left within reach. When you reach the Third Floor, the System uses those choices to create several personalized class offers. These are custom classes designed around the crawler you have actually become, including at least one option you probably did not realize you were earning. Later floors introduce further opportunities for specialization, transformation, and deeply irresponsible personal growth. D&D experience is helpful but unnecessary, and no knowledge of Dungeon Crawler Carl is required. Standard 5e rules provide the foundation, but character creation, progression, equipment, skills, and many other systems have been customized for this campaign. I will handle the mechanical construction and make sure you understand every option placed in front of you. Bring me a person, not a build. The Dungeon will take care of turning them into something dangerous.

Preparing for the session

Before the world ends, please complete the following extremely demanding survival preparations: You will need free Discord and Roll20 accounts. Discord is used for voice chat, scheduling, campaign information, and your private crawler channel. Roll20 handles maps, handouts, dice rolls, and gameplay. You will also need a reliable microphone, stable internet connection, and a reasonably quiet place to play. Webcams are welcome but not required. The audience will survive without seeing your face. Before your private character-creation meeting, you will complete a questionnaire about the person you want to play. We will use your answers to determine their starting stats, skills, history, and personalized introduction. You will then play through an individual onboarding session covering your crawler’s final moments on the surface and their descent into the Dungeon. You do not need to purchase any books, memorize the homebrew rules, or arrive with a completed character sheet. New mechanics will be introduced as they become relevant, preferably moments before they become urgently relevant. Come with an idea for someone you would enjoy putting through the apocalypse. Consider who they were, what mattered to them, what they were genuinely good at, and what they might have been carrying when the world ended. You do not need a class, an optimized build, or a sensible survival plan. SYSTEM NOTICE: Humanity’s preparation period has officially ended. Yours has not. Please complete these requirements before civilization collapses, or Session Zero, whichever occurs first.

What PUN brings to the table

Expect a character-driven game where your choices, relationships, and terrible ideas genuinely shape what happens next. I use distinct NPC voices, ambient music, custom maps, handouts, clues, achievements, and System messages to make the Dungeon feel alive and uncomfortably attentive. Combat is dangerous and tactical, but creative plans, clever exploits, negotiation, and teamwork are often stronger than brute force. I use the rules as a foundation while embracing the Rule of Cool when it creates a memorable moment without undermining another player. You will also receive collaborative character creation, a private onboarding session, organized campaign resources, recaps, and an active Discord. New and experienced players are welcome, and player boundaries will always be respected. SYSTEM NOTICE: I prepare extensively. You are encouraged to ruin those preparations creatively.

Homebrew rules

D&D 5e provides the foundation, but the Crawl adds custom character progression, skills, achievements, classes, loot, crafting, inventory, and other systems designed to make the Dungeon feel alive and responsive. Each floor may also introduce its own rules, hazards, and deeply questionable ideas about fair play. You are not expected to learn everything upfront. New mechanics are introduced as they become relevant, and any major rules or changes will be clearly explained. I may refine homebrew as the campaign develops, using player feedback to keep it consistent, understandable, and fun. SYSTEM NOTICE: If the rules appear to be changing around you, congratulations. You have correctly identified the Dungeon.

How PUN creates a safe table

Before you start out in a game I send you a link to a google form for lines and veils that is amalgamated anonymously for the group to see its lines. Players are encouraged to stop the session or message me if there is something in the game that is problematic. My main goal in these games is to have a fun, safe, and healthy table. During Session Zero, we'll discuss boundaries, expectations, and any topics players would prefer to avoid or keep off-screen. We will establish safety tools and ensure everyone understands how to use them throughout the story. Dungeon Crawler Carl explores many mature themes, and I do not want to shy away from them. However, player comfort always takes priority over the story. No one should feel pressured to engage with content that makes them uncomfortable. This game is intended to facilitate exploring dark themes, not to make players feel unsafe. Communication, respect, and consent are expected from everyone at the table. If an issue arises during play, we will address it promptly and respectfully so that everyone can continue enjoying the game. The goal is for players to feel comfortable exploring uncomfortable stories together.