Hi everyone!

I’m transitioning from 5e to Shadowdark, and I’m looking to run my first ever Hexcrawl. Since I’ve never played or GMed OSR-style exploration before, I want to read a few short campaigns or modules to understand how a "sandbox" is structured, how to handle travel, and how to seed interesting encounters across a map.

I’m particularly looking for settings that lean into a Grimdark / European Folklore aesthetic—think The Witcher or Cursed Scroll 1. I love the vibe of dark forests, isolated villages, hags, and monsters inspired by European myths, but with a bit less of the "heavy demon" focus.

Specifically, I’m looking for:

1. Short/Introductory Hexcrawls: Something not too overwhelming for a beginner to digest.
2. Well-Structured Maps: Modules that show me how to prep the hexes and the "crawl" itself.
3. Atmospheric Settings: Dark, muddy, and dangerous.

I've heard of things like The Black Wyrm of Brandonsford or Dolmenwood, but I’d love to hear your recommendations for something that fits that "cursed woods and monsters" vibe and is easy to pick up for a first-timer.

Thanks for the help!

¡Hola a todos!

Soy usuario de Roll20 desde hace mucho tiempo (versión gratuita) y actualmente me estoy cambiando a Owlbear Rodeo para mi próxima campaña de Shadowdark. Busco una experiencia más sencilla y fluida, y me entusiasma especialmente usar las funciones de niebla de guerra para explorar mazmorras sin tener que pagar por Roll20.

Como soy nuevo en el ecosistema de OBR, me encantaría recibir recomendaciones sobre extensiones imprescindibles para Shadowdark. En concreto, busco:

1. Extensiones específicas para Shadowdark: He visto extensiones como Shadow Crawler y Shadow Sheet, pero me gustaría saber cuáles les parecen más estables o útiles para controlar las antorchas y las rondas de exploración.
2. Lanzador de dados: Necesito una extensión de dados que facilite y haga más intuitiva la adición de modificadores (como +2, -1, etc.) para mis jugadores.
3. Utilidad general: ¿Alguna joya oculta para OBR que ayude con la investigación, la imaginación o el seguimiento de condiciones/HP?

Además, ¿dónde sueles buscar nuevas extensiones aparte de la tienda oficial?

¡Gracias de antemano por la ayuda! Tengo muchas ganas de dejar atrás la incomodidad de mi antiguo VTT.

Hi everyone!

I’m a 5e DM making the jump into the OSR world, and I’ve chosen Shadowdark as my gateway. I'm planning to run a hexcrawl-focused campaign, but coming from the 5e "heroic" mindset, I’m feeling a bit lost regarding hexploration.

I want the wilderness travel to feel meaningful and dangerous, but I don’t want to break Shadowdark’s elegant simplicity. I have access to other systems like Knave 2e, Cairn, OSE, and Dragonbane, and I’m looking to "steal" or kitbash the best travel procedures from them.

I have a few specific questions:

1. Hexploration Procedures: Which game has the best "Travel Turn" or "Exploration Cycle" that fits Shadowdark? I’m looking for something that tracks time, resources (torches/rations), and navigation without becoming a spreadsheet simulator.
2. Random Encounters: I’m not used to random tables. How do you prepare them? Do you roll everything at the table, or do you pre-roll and "flavor" them beforehand?
3. 3rd Party Content: Are there any specific Cursed Scrolls, zines, or third-party supplements (like Unofficial Guide to Shadowdark, etc.) that focus specifically on making hexploration deeper?
4. Advice for a 5e Convert: What is the biggest mistake 5e DMs make when running a hexcrawl in the OSR style?

I’m open to any advice, homebrew rules, or resources you can share. I love the "deadly and dynamic" vibe of Shadowdark and want to make sure my players feel the tension of the wilderness.

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,

I’m moving my new campaign over to Shadowdark and plan on using a homebrew setting. I have a few questions regarding custom ancestries and starting with a Level 0 "Gauntlet/Funnel."

1. Custom Ancestries (Mythological Roots)

I want to create my own ancestries to reflect a more "mythological" vibe rather than standard high fantasy. It seems straightforward enough, but I wanted to ask:

• Are there any existing guides or community guidelines for balancing custom ancestries?
• Has anyone here experimented with this? I want to keep the game's core balance intact while shifting the flavor back to original folklore.

2. Balancing Random Level 0 Characters

I’ve been using Shadowdarklings to generate random Level 0 characters. While I love the randomness, some results feel significantly underpowered compared to others. I’m a bit worried my players might find it frustrating or "unfair" depending on which character happens to survive.

• How do you handle the power gap between random Level 0s?
• Do you have any house rules or methods to ensure everyone feels they have a fair (if lethal) shot?

3. The "Torchbearer" Funnel Hook

For the Level 0 adventure itself, my idea is to have the players start as humble torchbearers hired by a group of "real" high-level adventurers. Mid-mission, the heroes are wiped out, and the players are forced to step up and finish the job (or just survive).

• Have you tried a similar setup?
• Do you have any tips for Level 0 missions, or perhaps recommendations for funnels that fit this specific "succession" theme?

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences!