D&D DM Challenge Information
Horrors of the Underdark Rules
Adventure Design
DMs must create an adventure suitable for five 6th-level characters (actual group size may vary from 4-6 players) that spotlights areas of the Underdark, using the material in the Underdark book (released just this past January) as a guide.
The adventure should play in about 5 hours. You should write approximately 4 combat encounters for your adventure; you must write at least 3 combat encounters, but no more than 5. Levels for the encounters should not be lower than 4 or higher than 9; you should endeavor to write a total of about 26 levels' worth of combat encounters (that would parse out into two 6th-level fights and two 7th-level fights). You can, of course, add skill challenges and roleplaying encounters to your adventure to give it a cool story.
Materials
The characters provided will be pre-generated ones used during PH3 Game Day. They consist of a githzerai monk, a half-elf ardent, a shardmind psion, a wilden battlemind, an elf seeker, and a minotaur runepriest.
You are required to bring all materials with you that you'll need to run your adventure - maps/tiles, minis/tokens, etc. You don't need to bring any player characters; we'll provide those for you.
Judging
Each player at your table will be given a form to complete after they finish playing. On the form, they'll be asked to rate you on the following categories:
Presentation
Story
Combat
Fun Factor
Rewards
Because we love our DMs so much, and know you put a lot of hard work into your adventure, just for showing others a good time you'll get a recent hardcover book release as a thanks for participating! In addition, the DM with the best overall rating in the categories above will be awarded a SWEET PRIZE, which will be unveiled at the show. It will be cool, I promise.
Just Want to Play?
Players should simply show up 10 minutes before the scheduled start time of the event (Saturday at 7 pm). As long as there's room, we'll match you up with a DM eager to show off their skills, and give you a character to play. If you want to guarantee a spot at a table, you can pre-book by emailing our organizer, Willi Burger at RPGAMarshal@aol.com.
