Level one adventures are challenging to design, because level 1 PCs suck. Few hit points, limited spell slots, and most classes lack their signature capabilities.
The Curse of Deltor’s Hold recognizes these limitations by focusing on story and exploration, while still granting exciting opportunities for heroism and dungeon crawling.
Lovecraft, Cthulhu, and cosmic horror are popular sources of inspiration for horror and mystery-themed D&D adventures. When Madness Calls revels in its Lovecraftian tones – even using the author himself, in this cult-filled mansion adventure for level six.
Starring:
Kaelan, level 17 tiefling Monster Slayer Ranger/Fiend Warlock
Scarlet, level 17 human Oath of Devotion Paladin
Gillian, level 17 triton Champion Fighter, College of Lore Bard
Kethra, level 17 half-elf Assassin Rogue
TIM, level 17 warforged War Domain Cleric
Before I make it two steps into the dark hallway, a loud voice rings out, “Get out of Mistrivvin’s home! Mistrivvin is going to hurt you!”
I recognize the name, the one the stone giant warned us about. Still in my magical disguise as the Creator, I throw open the door to the courtyard, seeing Scarlet heal TIM of the magical polymorph. The creature remains out of sight.
“Mistrivvin! Come down here,” I shout. “I have returned.”
“You’re dead,” she replies, her sing-sing voice growing with concern.
I hesitate, unsure of how much this creature knew of the Creator’s recent demise.
“Now, why would you say that?”
“I felt you die! You can’t control me anymore.”
I think for a moment. “In a… moment of powerful battle, I had to sever my connection with you. That is what you felt.”
“Well, now I can kill you! This is my home now.”
Scarlet calls out, “Okay!”
I smile. “Well now, I don’t disagree. I’m here to officially give you this home, as a gift for your services. I only need one thing in return.”
I had the privilege of seeing The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway over twenty years ago, and it was a transformative experience, with music that I still hum and sing to this day. The Phantom of Music: An Adventure of Love and Death adapts the beloved musical into a D&D mystery-adventure for 4th level.
While we’ve yet to see a proper published 5e adventure starring faeries and the Feywild, plenty of excellent DMs Guild adventures and supplements have picked up the slack. Designed for level two parties, Away with the Faeries is easily my new favorite Feywild adventure.
Starring:
Kaelan, level 17 tiefling Monster Slayer Ranger/Fiend Warlock
Scarlet, level 17 human Oath of Devotion Paladin
Gillian, level 17 triton Champion Fighter, College of Lore Bard
Kethra, level 17 half-elf Assassin Rogue
TIM, level 17 warforged War Domain Cleric
I hide in darkness, sweat pouring from my brow, hands clenched, keeping the demon banished. I had never wielded such arcane power before. The slightest provocation may break my resolve. And I was being hunted.
I risk a glance around the corner. Magical darkness poured out of the last remaining demonic dragon, rendering it invisible once again.
But Kethra is in there with it. Seconds later, a triumphant Kethra strides out of the darkness, the black beast struggling in its grip, as she purposefully drags it toward Scarlet.
The shining paladin hefts her sentient sword, and with one lightning-fast swing, decapitates the abishai.
Dread of the Ice Devil is a one-shot adventure for 5th level parties, taking place in the frosty regions of Icewind Dale. Before you get too excited, the adventure predates the release of Rime of the Frostmaiden, but it’s still a solidly built, combat-heavy one-shot adventure.
Three Warlock supplements provide variants for Archfey, Fiend, and Great Old One patrons.
Review copies of “Dramatis Personae: Great Old One Patrons” as well as “Archfey Patrons” and “Fiend Patrons” were provided by the publisher. Find more DMs Guild Reviews on my website and YouTube channel.
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The Dramatis Personae series includes dozens of Warlock patron variants, with a separate supplement for each of the three otherworldy Warlock patrons in the Player’s Handbook: Archfey Patrons, Fiend Patrons, and Great Old One Patrons. All three can also be purchased together in the Bewitching Trilogy bundle.
Starring:
Kaelan, level 16 tiefling Monster Slayer Ranger/Fiend Warlock
Scarlet, level 16 human Oath of Devotion Paladin
Gillian, level 16 triton Champion Fighter, College of Lore Bard
Kethra, level 16 half-elf Assassin Rogue
TIM, level 16 warforged War Domain Cleric
The brief rest helps, but we still look at each other with pained expressions. The Creator is dead, and those demons may have ended us if not for a damn magic rug.
My thoughts are dark as we swim back through the waterlogged temple, emerging into sunlight. Styx sputters – the only one not affected by Kethra’s water breathing, then squeaks in terror and darts under my hat. In all our time together I’ve never seen him scared before. I look up and see them.
Dozens, maybe hundreds of winged beings hover over us, including a giant golden unicorn, and the celestial dog who had spoken to us after the waterfall.
In the middle of them all is Rahmael, the leader of the celestial forces. His voice booms and echoes with absolute authority.
“Your time is at an end, little mortals. But you can do one last good thing before I cut you down. Tell us what you were told. Where is the home of the Creator?”
We’re all hoping for a better year in 2021. This will be our first full year with the next generation of consoles courtesy of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, with confirmed sequels like Horizon Forbidden West and Halo Infinite, and not-so-confirmed sequels like the next God of War, and the sequel to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Here are the top ten games I’m most excited about as of January 2021, including a few delayed games you may recognize from last year’s list.
