MegaDungeon! Delving Deep within the Dungeon of the Mad Mage

About the adventure

Far below the surface of the civilized world and deep beneath the fertile soil of the wondrous lands you call home lies Undermountain. This monstrously large dungeon was once the site of the magical city Karnimris, the ancient capital city of the elven kingdom of Illefarn. When the elves left, nearly a thousand years ago, they tried to erase all traces of their society so as to leave nature how it was prior to their arrival. This monumental task was made possible by an outsider, a mage who, over decades, had earned their trust. This wizard, a man named Halaster Blackcloak, performed the rites necessary to fulfill the elves' goals. Powerful magic can be fickle, however, and while the intended effects were carried out, unintended side effects were unleashed beneath the mountains of Karnimris. Halaster unknowingly created a permanent knot in the Weave, the fabric through which all magic is channeled. This knot now lies deep underground and isn't something that can be seen, felt, or undone, but it can cause madness to bloom in the minds of mortal beings who dwell near it for too long. The knot permeates Undermountain, and the madness it causes typically manifests as an obsession with the dungeon itself. Those affected by the knot in the Weave exhibit a subconscious desire to remain in or near the dungeon. Halaster and several of his apprentices fell prey to this obsession, as did many Melairkyn dwarves and Durnan, the proprietor of the Yawning Portal. Not all creatures that dwell in Undermountain succumb to its madness, and those who do aren't even aware that the dungeon has them in its clutches. Perhaps you heard tales of the treasures that lie unclaimed deep within Undermountain. Maybe you yearn for greatness and believe that securing your place in history requires a story from the most famous dungeon in the world. Maybe you simply need a paycheque, or perhaps you seek to unravel the arcane mysteries that lie within the Dungeon of the Mad Mage. Whatever your reasons might be, you know one thing is for certain– if you go in alone, you will surely perish. Thankfully, you've got just the right adventuring party willing to brave the depths of Undermountain with you. And, if you're lucky, you might just all make it out alive. If you like dungeon crawling, adventuring, a healthy mix of combat and roleplay, working together with fellow heroes, and living dangerously, this is the game for you! My name is Will and I'll be running Dungeon of the Mad Mage using Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition. I hope you are as excited as I am to get started!

Additional Details

How to prepare

I highly recommend being somewhat familiar with how D&D 5e works on a basic level before coming to session 0, but I am more than happy to help folks who are very new to learning the game. This usually requires a separate session before session 0 to discuss how the game works, where to find resources, etc so that session 0 is not overwhelming (I provide this free of charge!). You should also have access to a microphone and a stable internet connection for Discord and Roll20; webcams are entirely optional but recommended! Pencil and paper character sheets are more than welcome, and if you don't have access to those then several digital options are available too. Lastly, you should make a free account on roll20.net. Any paid resources I have access to will be usable during the game, so you will not need a paid account for this campaign.

What I provide

With this game being digital, I will be providing maps in Roll20 and will provide any additional visuals in Discord. I will also provide links to the Discord server and links to the Roll20 game. Most importantly, however, what I bring to the table is a space where folks feel comfortable engaging in a shared storytelling experience. Making sure everyone feels good about the story and its contents is an ongoing conversation, and I strive to make this the paramount goal in facilitating the game!

Gameplay details

Characters can be created and maintained in a variety of ways. The character sheet tool that is directly in Roll20 is easiest for some folks, but many people prefer using a tablet/PDF or classic pencil and paper. Roll20 will be the "default" for this game, but if you would prefer another method that is fine by me! All I ask is to see a copy of the sheet at each level up so I can be aware of your character's capabilities. Session 0 and beyond will use Discord for voice (and video to your preference) and session 1 and beyond will use Roll20. X, N, and O cards are done via private messaging in Discord or out loud by voice if preferred (the best method for the table will be decided at session 0). Debriefing is one of my favourite parts of the game; at the end of the session, everyone recounts their favourite moment from the game and/or their favourite thing another player did! This promotes collegiality and collaboration, and it's fun to have a little compliment circle at the end of the game :)

Content warnings

(none)

Safety tools used

Breaks
Debriefing
Open Door
Session 0
X, N, and O Cards

How will character creation work

Characters will begin at level 5 and we will create a party together during session 0. Please feel free to bring pre-formed ideas to session 0 still! The only reason we will create the party together is to make sure there is some level of cohesion prior to entering the dungeon. How do your characters know each other? How long have they been adventuring together before this? Questions like this will be answered together at session 0!

Players can expect

• Find a game to join solo or search for a professional game master for you and your friends/coworkers/family.
• Book your session and wait for the Game Master to approve you.
• If you don't have a blast with your first game, your next game is on us.