Image by Malachi Draven
Arcana Unleashed: Deadfall | 11-20, 5.5e đ
Behind enemy lines in Thay, every secret has a price. Spy, scheme, and survive long enough to stop Szass Tamâs undead apocalypse.
$30.00
/ Session
Details
7 players following this game
Weekly / Tuesday - 11:00 PM UTC
Session Duration / 3â4 hours
Campaign Length / 10â30 Sessions
0 / 5 Seats Filled
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About the adventure
đ˛ A High-Level Magical Spy Thriller in the Heart of Thay The most dangerous nation in the Forgotten Realms is beginning to fracture. Deep inside Thay, the Red Wizards scheme against one another while secrets change hands, alliances form in the dark, and a threat powerful enough to reshape the world moves quietly toward completion. At the center of it all stands Szass Tam, the immortal lich whose plans are measured in centuries. Arcana Unleashed: Deadfall is a high-level campaign of espionage, infiltration, political intrigue, forbidden magic, and explosive battles. Youâll operate behind enemy lines, navigate rival factions, decide who can be trusted, and take on missions where brute force is rarely the safest answer. Expect disguises, clandestine meetings, magical security, betrayals, dangerous alliances, and the constant possibility that someone in the room knows more than theyâre saying. This is D&D where powerful characters are finally allowed to be powerful. At levels 11â20, your abilities can reshape encounters, bypass ordinary obstacles, and change the fate of nationsâso the threats will rise to meet you. Your choices matter, your enemies learn, and clever plans can alter the campaign just as dramatically as a critical hit. When espionage finally fails, expect battles worthy of legendary heroes. â What You Can Expect: âď¸ Level Range 11â20: Begin as established heroes and rise into legends capable of challenging the deadliest powers in Thay. âď¸ Homebrew Enhancements: Enjoy custom twists, new gear, upgraded encounters, and personalized touches tailored to your party and playstyle. âď¸ Immersive Storytelling: Enter a magical spy thriller filled with shifting loyalties, dangerous secrets, hard choices, and cinematic high-level fantasy. âď¸ Visually Stunning Artwork: Explore animated maps with dynamic lighting and effects, and encounter beautifully curated art that brings each setting and character vividly to life. âď¸ Curated Soundscapes: Immerse yourself in carefully chosen ambient tracks, cinematic music, and dramatic sound effectsâplus player-triggered SFX for those perfect moments. âď¸ Unique NPC Voices: Interact with characters who each speak in their own voice or accentâdistinct, memorable, and crafted to make the world feel alive. âď¸ Challenging Combat: Face enemies that think, flank, and adapt. Expect fights that reward smart tactics, teamwork, and creative problem-solving. âď¸ Puzzle-Rich Gameplay: Expect magical locks, misdirection, traps, layered clues, and obstacles that require brains, not just brawn. âď¸ Player-Driven Focus: Shape the story through your actions. I adapt the world and narrative to reflect your choices, goals, and evolving character arc. âď¸ Bonus Level 1 Feat: Start with a free feat to give your character that extra edgeâyouâll need it where youâre going. Reserve your spot nowâenter Thay, uncover its secrets, and survive Operation: Deadfall.
Game style
Roleplay Heavy
Rule of Cool (RoC)
Rules as Written (RaW)
Meet the Game Master
About me
Greetings, adventurersâand welcome to the table where stories come alive and legends are born. đ˛ I am Lord Malachi Dravenâyour dedicated Game Master for hire, storyteller, and architect of realms where legend, danger, and desire entwine. Whether you're seeking epic fantasy, seductive intrigue, or pulse-pounding encounters, Iâll be your guide through adventures forged in fire, fate, and imagination. đ§ââď¸ My love of worldbuilding was shaped by the sprawling landscapes of The Elder Scrolls and the rich, character-driven narratives of Baldurâs Gate, Dragon Age, and other legendary RPGs. These games didnât just entertain meâthey taught me the power of choice, consequence, and collaborative storytelling. That same philosophy fuels every game I run. đŽ At my table, the dice tell storiesâones that test your courage, tempt your curiosity, and leave your party begging for "just one more hour." Every session is tailored to your groupâs playstyle, whether you crave deep roleplay, tactical combat, or cinematic storytelling with a flair for the dramatic. âď¸ I welcome all playersâfrom first-time adventurers to grizzled veterans. My sessions are inclusive, immersive, and designed to give everyone a moment to shine. Whether you prefer kingdom-shaking politics, monster-slaying dungeon crawls, or roleplay-rich character drama, youâll find a story worth tellingâand remembering. đ The table is set. The dice are ready. Adventure awaits. Letâs roll!
View Profile âCharacter creation
Creating your character
You can build your character on your own or during Session 0âweâll set aside time for it. Iâm happy to answer questions or walk you through the process at any point. đ§° Where to Create You can build your character in D&D Beyond or directly in Foundry. Foundry is recommended if you're using third-party content, as D&D Beyond doesnât support everything we allow. đ Allowed Sources âď¸ All official WotC content. We use the 2024 rules. Subclasses can be updated if needed. âď¸ All Critical Role content. âď¸ Valda's Spire of Secrets. âď¸ Other published sources may be approvedâjust ask! đ˛ Ability Scores âď¸ Point Buy (27 points) âď¸ Standard Array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) âď¸ RollingâRoll 4d6 and drop the lowest die. Rolls must be made on Foundry. đ§ Starting Level & Feat Characters begin at Level 11 and gain one free feat at character creation. đ Backstories I encourage writing at least a short backstoryâjust 1-2 paragraphs is plenty. But hey, if you want to write a novel, go for it! I read everything and love weaving it into the world. ------ If youâre unsure about anything, Iâm always happy to help. You can message me with questions, ask for guidance, or even request a pre-made character.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
To join this game, you'll need the following: âď¸ Sqyre account (free) âď¸ Legend Keeper account (free) âď¸ Discord account (free) âď¸ Microphone (headphones or earbuds recommended) âď¸ Computer and stable internet You don't need to read all the rules ahead of timeâjust come prepared to learn and have fun. If youâre new to D&D or online tools, Iâll walk you through everything during Session 0. Character creation can be done on your own or during Session 0, and youâre always welcome to ask for help or request a pre-made character.
What Malachi brings to the table
â Discord server for voice, updates, and coordination. â Legend Keeper campaign notebook with shared world info and session notes. â Extensive D&D Beyond library access. â Foundry VTT with 50+ modules, animated maps, dynamic lighting, and more. â Custom battle maps and curated visuals. â Ambient music and sound effects, including player-triggered SFX. â Original songs. Yes, I write theme songs. Yes, yours could be next!
Homebrew rules
đ Free Feat at Level 1 â All characters begin with one feat at 1st level. đ Inspiration â You can hold up to three points of Inspiration at once. đ Expanded Combat Options â We use the optional Action Options from the Dungeon Masterâs Guide, including Climb Onto a Bigger Creature, Disarm, and more. đ Flanking â Grants a +2 bonus to hit, with +1 for each additional flanker beyond the first. đ Shifting â You can move 5 feet without provoking opportunity attacks. This uses all of your movement, but is separate from the Disengage action. đ Death & Resurrection â Resurrecting someone is difficult. Dying and coming back to life carries long-term narrative and mechanical consequences. These homebrew rules are designed to support creative play, tactical depth, and long-term storytelling. Weâll go over the full details in Session 0.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Malachi creates a safe table
Before Session 0, each player fills out a Player Questionnaire, which includes a Consent Checklist and a Lines & Veils form. This helps me tailor the campaign to your comfort level, flag sensitive topics, and highlight themes you enjoy. Weâll begin with a full Session 0, where weâll go over safety tools, tone, boundaries, and what to expect at the table. This is also where we discuss communication preferences, table culture, and character creation. During play, we follow an Open Door Policyâyouâre always free to step away at any time, no explanation needed. We also schedule short breaks during longer sessions to help everyone stay sharp and relaxed. After each session, I invite feedback through Stars & Wishes, where you can share what you loved and what you'd like to see more of in the future. This helps me adapt the game to better suit the group over time. These tools arenât just for emergenciesâtheyâre how I ensure the table stays respectful, responsive, and fun for everyone involved.
Content warnings
Safety tools used