Dolmenwood — Runes of the Cold Prince

Dolmenwood is a dark fantasy game of mortals and fey, of dark and twisted woods and fungus-encrusted marshes, of the adventurers who dare to venture out into those places in search of treasure, saintly icons, and deep magic. Built on top of the Old-School Essentials restatement of B/X DnD, players take on the role of adventurers seeking to make their fortune by navigating the setting's intriguing factions and slaying its chaotic monsters.

If you're a fan of Pan's Labyrinth, Johnathon Strange & Mr. Norrel, Over the Garden Wall, The Green Knight, or just like the idea of a DnD game set in a grim-whimsical fairy story, Dolmenwood is a setting that will interest you.

If you want a greater idea of what the setting is like, you can find a free intro PDF here:

https://necroticgnome.com/products/welcome-to-dolmenwood

And an open SRD is hosted here:

https://www.dolmenwood.necroticgnome.com/rules/doku.php?id=start

The full Player's Guide is available for sale at DriveThruRPG:

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/497353/dolmenwood-player-s-book?affiliate_id=516538

Our adventure begins with a company recruiting in the castle-town of Brackenwold, home to just under 9,000 souls. It sits just four miles away from the eaves of the Dolmenwood. Here, the Duke of Brackenwold, Thespian III -- the most powerful man in the land -- holds court, and the Pluritine Church has its seat in the great Cathedral of Saint Signis. Enjoy your creature comforts and city life while you can, because once you pass the Henchgate and enter the Dolmenwood, you may as well have entered another realm.

There are many riches and much to be gained from a jaunt through the forest, but very few manage to leave unchanged. This is not a place where adventurers are free to trample as they please.

This journey begins on the 1st of Haelhold, the final month of the hot and humid summer season...

Details of our adventure will be semi-obscured from the players. An hex map will be presented for players to make decisions on where to travel, with fog of war revealed depending on their elevation and the party's perception. Travel and camping rules will be in use, as well as random tables for encounters and monster turns to simulate a dangerous wilderness. Role-play is the #1 priority and when these systems get in the way of an emerging story we can safely abstract them. Don't expect me to be absolutely hidebound to what the book says 100% of the time.

Players should not be afraid to propose potential actions that their character wants to take. I will not overly punish you without warning, so I encourage you to explore the environment and touch everything with a ten-foot pole.

I expect players to make at least one post per 2-3 days when reasonable. If you have an issue that will cause you to be inactive for a while, just post that you won't be able to play for a that time period and we'll hold a space for you. If you've been inactive for over two weeks without any indication, we'll find a replacement for you.

If you have any issues or questions, please shoot me a PM or send a message in the Questions thread.