Dungeons of Drakkenheim Video Guide: Part 1 - Creating Characters

[@DungeonDudes]

0:44 Cinematic Trailer 2:20 Welcome to Drakkenheim 3:30 Delerium 4:43 Civil War and the Royal Family 5:59 Personal Quests 7:20 About the Rival Factions 11:00 Character Creation 15:43 Questions for your Character 17:54 Dangers of the Dark City 20:30 Emberwood Village 21:11 Content Warnings

[@kwaksea]

Oh Noes, I only see K instead of Silver Order around 8:55 ! By the way how do I spell Name of Wizard Leader? I only see E around 10:30 .

[@alexinfinite7142]

That trailer never fails to have an effect

[@bemommyb]

Thank you Monty, Kelly, Jill, Joe, and Kyle! The live play convinced me that, because of your inspiration, l can be a DM. Forty years ago, all I wanted was to find a group so I could play. Thirty years ago, my teenage son ran a short-lived campaign on my livingroom floor. Tweny-five years ago, I played in an actual group for several months, until drving at night became an issue. Segue to my retirement in Mexico and I've got an active group and I'm loving every minute of my weekly game, still not willing to take the DM plunge. Enter Dungeons of Drakkenheim! I loved it so much that when the book became available on D&D Beyond, I offered to pay my DM to buy it and let me run the campaign. Six months later, at age 68, I'm kicking off my campaign in 3 days. Watching these videos one more time and blending the stories my players have given me into the world of Drakkenheim. The Dungeon Dudes will continue to be the best resource ever as I take off on a journey a liftime in the making! Thanks for the laughs, tears, suspense, and knowledge. Three days and counting.

[@MichaelBrown-tm5fx]

Dudes, love the video. Mostly commenting to say, I just received the items from the kickstarter, and Holy crap this is awesome. Everything is such high quality. The book is fantastic, maps are amazing, and minis are flawless. The dice bag was top notch as well, the note to go with it was fun as well. The unboxing was a pretty great experience, and overall just stoked with the success of this project. From one dude to another, thank you, and congrats.

[@СтаниславБерезовский-щ5я]

Speaking of wild and off-the-wall ideas for character origins - our half-orc barbarian wears a mimic as his armor. The thing has been “allied” to his tribe for generations, being passed down as “ancestral armor” (hide armor), but offers a set of additional benefits, like requiring no time do be donned and doffed, having no stealth penalties, and NOT interfering with barbarian’s unarmored defense feature - since the mimic moves along with his body and doesn’t restrict movement in any way. The armor is surprisingly peaceful (or at least has been so far) and seems to have acquired a particular taste for the mutated flesh of contaminated monsters and mutated humans of Drakkenheim. Also, we think it’s getting stronger the more monsters it eats, but those growth effects are yet to manifest. XD

[@Yoshi278]

What ended up happening with the half-orc and the mimic armor? :O

[@jessetimmermans8456]

Just received my copy of Dungeons of Drakkenheim and extras, and I must say: you did a fantastic job! The quality of everything is great. The book feels like a 5e official book, the minis look great, the battle maps are large and detailed, and all the little extras are a ton of fun and look great! I love your actual play and was excited when you announced the kickstarter, and I am happy to say you exceeded my already high expectations. Great job guys! I can’t wait to take a closer look through all the items!

[@Brannen666]

Error report 8:57 The Knights of the Silver order are listed simply as "K" Error Report 10:23 Elrich is listed as "E"

[@johnhall3570]

Also, “MONSTEROUS” should be spelled “MONSTROUS”.

[@chriswhitefield3026]

The nature of delirium sounds like a fantastic trigger to create an Aberrant Mind Sorcerer...

[@jameswilmshurst6973]

I played an aberrant mind sorcerer in my drakkenheim campaign and it was perfect. Especially cause I fitted the character out with a lot of psychic based attacks that relied on Int saves and so many of the enemies are corrupted monsters with barely any intelligence so a lot of the time the enemies had like no chance of succeeding the saves 😅

[@lubulordofkhone4491]

also for a wild magic sorcerer since geodes cause what is in essence a wild magic effect when destroyed

[@tylerlabombard9092]

I’ve been watchin y’all for a few years now. I’m so proud of ya both for gettin this far! It’s so awesome to see my favorite D&D KZbinrs so happy about their own franchise pretty much lol. Much love, fellers.

[@arthwollipot]

Starting a new Drakkenheim campaign shortly. Very excited.

[@MageLeaderInc]

Just got my kit and everything looks absolutely amazing! The Rat King Plushies are larger than expected and I love it. You guys really out did yourselves. I can't wait to run this campaign!!!!

[@hunterfenryr9680]

I've given this video to each of my players so far and all of them have come up with fantastic and integrated character designs as a result. I can't wait to get this game going.

[@jameswilmshurst6973]

I just finished playing in my Drakkenheim campaign and my Aberrant mind sorcerer was such an amazing and perfect build for the campaign, both mechanically and thematically

[@DoctorDucky250]

I'm still super hyped to receive my book. I want to implement some of the ideas here into the Eberron setting to make the Mournland seem even more dangerous and scary. There's more than one city in the Mournland and they could all be ruined like Drakkenheim was, in varying degrees depending on the distance from the epicenter. Muhuhahahwaaaaah!

[@paulsavas2394]

Dr. I’m doing this right now! Check out my most recent post @PalindromeRPG

[@Dani_Saurusrex]

This is amazing and so helpful! Can't wait to get my hands on Dungeons of Drakkenheim. It is mind-blowing what you guys have created. And that cinematic trailer, OMG so good. One quick note on the video in case you want to fix it - seems with The Knights of the Silver Order and with Eldric, the text just says "K" and "E". All the best to you and thanks for sharing your creativitiy. I am so in awe with the world you have created.

[@nightflame69]

im trying to set up my work schedule so im able to start a drakkenheim campaign, im excited to run this campaign

[@utopia2112]

Drakkenheim sort of strikes me as fantasy version of Escape TO New York. I really enjoy the grim dystopia and the factions. Great world-building.

[@F2t0ny]

Man, I was gonna step away from DnD and focus on a different system but I just got my book and this gets me excited

[@MythicalWombat]

I know this comment is old but I assume you meant Pathfinder 2e? If so, have you adapted the monsters to Pf2e and can I have it? XD

[@F2t0ny]

No, sorry. I'd love to get into pf2 but it's too much for the people I GM for and I don't know anyone who runs it. And I'm also not really interested in medieval fantasy anymore.

[@lobeargaming2610]

Strong vibes of WH:Mordheim and Wyrdstone. I've been looking to do a campaign that included Skaven for the big bad and this can be the perfect precursor for the rise of the skittergate and Ikit. Thanks!

[@lubulordofkhone4491]

i have a gut feeling Dungeon Dude took inspiration from said Mordheim and Warpstone. which isn't a bad thing, mind you

[@KnicKnac]

That intro is AMAZING! Such a great intro video. Cannot wait for the next five. Drakkenheim gives a domain of dread feel too. It could even be used in a horror style campaign.

[@johnny88j9]

Okay this is one of the best edited and produced books for 5e D&D I ever bought! so glad I did! Oh you also put a scale on the main map! something far too overlooked in a few published modules!

[@schaughtful]

Prebuilt personal quests within modules is an EPIC idea!

[@hamishcurrie220]

Never before have I seen so much support and resources for a campaign. Brilliant. I've already started my guys using the Alpha PDF. They've fought and won against the Rat Prince (who begged and pleaded for his life in exchange for information). They haven't seen any of your campaign, so it's all new to them, and they are loving it.

[@dylanstock7090]

Got my book yesterday, it's so cool to look through and compare to what I've watched on your channel. Bloody good work!

[@JERKIMBALL1]

That trailer is AMAZING- awesome work!

[@SokiHime]

You guys are incredible, I am super excited for drakkenheim

[@jthompson7024]

Thanks for making this series! I don't have the time to watch your campaigns but knowing you guys, Drakkenheim is an extremely fascinating setting and I'm glad I can get a bit of an insight into it

[@Canvusgoodwin]

I just signed up for Dungeons of Drakkenheim campaign & I am so beyond stoked!

[@chadaga8159]

Truly a beautiful book. Reading it now excited to a run a game in this world!

[@nathanschmaltz672]

Man, I just keep getting more and more impressed and excited about this kickstarter and the fulfillment. Everything so far has been awesome! I can't wait for the next kickstarter from you guys.

[@brackstubblefield1932]

My back box came this weekend!!! Thanks for the well timed video series on running the campaign.

[@martinmills284]

Ah yes my favorite faction the K

[@audiorage82407]

Perfect timing! I’m about to send my friends into Drakkenheim tomorrow lol. Gonna be lots of Academy shenanigans and life changing discoveries in there

[@BlackShadow1991]

Congratulations, Dudes :D I think it's a dream come true to release your setting book based on the campaign you made ;) Also, the cinematic trailer kicks ass!

[@angelnoel5464]

THAT INTRO!!! i havent been here in a while but dang!!!!! ok back to actully watching the video

[@maxonplayzgamez7954]

Been waiting for this!

[@zionsgatesmedia]

I always imagined a warforged construct prototype that was being worked on deep underground for defense but was sealed away by the calamity, yet remaining uncorrupted all that time. Awoken by the other pc's its primary objective is to protect the royal family at all costs, and is completely obedient to the royal family(having to contend with dominate person rules if they try to resist).

[@codybeck371]

Im going to run this for my group! our session 0 is in 2 weeks! just want to say how excited I am to run this! thanks kelly and monty!

[@darrylviljoen6227]

Huge fan of the "lord of the feast" Can't wait to see more of mordheim in the next book.

[@specter324thefallen6]

Very excited, I got the deluxe edition being a back, I cant wait to dm a campaign for my friends in this epic adventure.

[@austinjeral1201]

Just got my package today. Just a bit late for my birthday, so thank you for the belated birthday gift!

[@Fa6ade]

I’ve never watched your streamed game, I don’t really enjoy watching people play D&D but I have followed your channel since I started playing 5E a couple of years ago. I’m running a similar ruined city campaign very loosely inspired by Destiny, and I’ve found it fascinating how many similar ideas we’ve arrived at independently. Now that we have the PDF, I’m incorporating ideas from your monsters and I’m trying to figure out how to use the Haze. I’m also really enjoying the Delirium rules and introducing it as “chaos crystal”. I’m also finding your info on how you designed your factions quite helpful in fleshing out my own factions in my setting. Thanks again for all this, the book is clearly a real passion project and you’ve outdone yourselves. I look forward to getting my physical book!

[@timothyallen3218]

Yay! Great intro! I'm excited to DM this campaign!

[@Kyle-6969]

my dm is playing this with us next year at school! I'm really excited to so this campaign, it seems super fun. My character in this campaign is a thief who will do anything and betray anyone for money and materialistic goods. he grew up poor, so he has a yearn for these things. I made him a few months back and I think he'll be perfect for this!

[@mattdodson1272]

This is amazing! Just shared with my players who are currently staying in the Hooded Lanterns' barracks and had an interesting encounter with a certain prince "yes yes yes!"

[@kristagreen1223]

This is perfect. I think it gives the right amount of information to newbies to Drakenheim. And also helps with some of the concerns that some at our table have.

[@masensmith4226]

08:54 - the dreaded "K"

[@braddalrymple8615]

The ominous floating K got me, just ran my session 0 for Drakkenheim still waiting for my pre-order to start the actual campaign. Very excited

[@poneal666]

My Friday night group just rolled up characters last week! We did a great session zero, and tied the PCs together. All of them have interesting personal quests and some will dovetail together nicely. We are all excited to play!!!

[@_JusDavid_]

I only got one appendix personally but it's cool that yall got multiple

[@Wurgy42]

I finally get time to dig into everything and oooh what an entry. So many things all free time filled. :)

[@Slackarius]

Sick trailer. Well done lads.

[@LlorDrei]

Something I thought you might find interesting. Only seen one, so far, but may be others. First time I've seen another group on KZbin playing the Dungeons of Drakkenheim campaign, likely from your book.

[@eugenevanlingen5065]

Strarting my Drakkenheim game now! Very excited.

[@christopherbonnett9722]

I just got my drakkenheim book and swag. Everything is so professional and good quality I'm absolutely blown away.

[@calvin_geo]

What an epic trailer!!

[@GrumpyGrobbyGamer]

Great intro boys! I am going to pitch this campaign setting to my table and see what they say.

[@dufcapers]

I really hope some day to see Dungeons of Drakkenheim on a game disc/download. A nice turn based RPG.... Seems like it would be a fantastic place for your IP to land in future. I'm seriously looking forward to digging into this when I receive the books and take my FIRST STEPS into the realm of running the game as DM. (been playing for decades and never ran a game...)

[@Spugedelia77]

Ok, I just found my next campaign after we finish my homebrewed Red Hand of Doom - campaign.

[@mikecarson7769]

AWESOME!!!! Congratulations and thank you for sharing your creativity and enthusiasm!

[@stevelucido266]

Mordheim the D&D campaign!! Great idea!!!

[@xJarlaxle]

I am so hyped to get all of the Kickstarter goodies! I can't wait to run this campaign

[@infinitemind3719]

Are there Aasimar in this setting, and if there are. How are they perceived and treated?

[@Jw87563]

13:45 Wait, does those mean Divine Intervention for Clerics doesn't work?

[@WhiskeyPatriot]

I wager the intervention might manifest due to a Cleric’s sheer conviction

[@badgerpiper901]

Looking forward to playing the adventure. A friend bought it and going to run it . Sent the miniatures to me to paint. I do have a question not sure if you are aware but there's a problem with the quality of the miniatures . Definitely doesn't match the box photos of the miniatures, things missing on parts and lack of detail on one to the point where it's useless. Definitely have a QC problem with the production.

[@pablovegaarroyo5713]

This is Mordheim on steroids! I love it!!

[@captainpuffinpuffinson4769]

That's some crazy intro

[@sanojo2551]

Wow, I've always thought about converting Mordheim to D&D. This has that feel for sure.

[@reinierkwint9419]

Is it just me or does contamination and delirium sound a lot like magical waste and places with a background magic field caused during ancient wizard wars with both being very close analogy to radiation. (really dangerous, but also very usefull if used correctly and cautiously) I note that the radiation paralels in the Discworld novels are not a coincidence, as Terry Pratchett used to work as a press officer for the nuclear power industry.

[@mr.montcalm4474]

Is it overzealous, as a new DM, to hold back on some of this introductory info and have the players learn about mutations and factions (as examples) as they progress through the campaign? Like, being aware that there are probably groups with differing ideals within Drakkenheim, but only through choices and NPC conversations will they discover how many factions there are and what the individual faction goals are. Or the PCs will know of rumours that essences of the meteorite are toxic and harmful but will learn, either through NPCs or encounters or both, about contamination and the effects of the different levels? While I don't want to bury myself in too much extra work, I also am a big fan of holding back spoilers whenever possible. My players aren't familiar with Drakkenheim and I want them to be blown away when certain aspects of "what they've gotten themselves into" are revealed.

[@willmena96]

Well, I'm definitely going to tell them to watch everything but the faction's information. IMO, maybe the Academy and the Sacred Flame (S.O.) are very well known, but I think it would be best if the Queen's Men and the Falling Fire remain kinda like a secret if they don't live in Drakkenheim. On the other hand, I will try to explain the delerium situation so that they're prepared for the worst lol

[@DungeonDudes]

This is a great question! If you're running Drakkenheim, most of the material in this video will come up organically in play through the "Road to Drakkenheim" introduction adventure and the player characters first interactions in Emberwood Village. There's many more mysteries behind delerium and the factions have plenty of secrets in store; you aren't spoiling any surprises by sharing this information with your players. I suggest reading those chapters carefully so you can see how it all fits together. If you don't want to "info-dump" your players during session zero, you'll find that you can introduce all this information into the narrative rather early. Drakkenheim is a challenging campaign, and some of the mechanics around the Haze and Contamination are brutal. Talking about these mechanics during Session Zero helps ensure players won't feel frustrated when they encounter them the first time, and instead gets them past the "this isn't fair" phase and towards thinking "let's find a solution".

[@nidh0egr319]

As a DM and Player o think it is fine to show the things to the players. As a player if i know to little about the world my background feel either to generic or disconncted from the world. The real exiting twist aren't that there are factions but finding out that some faction is secretly not doing what they were expecting. Or knowing from the beggining that there are magical crystals and then finding stuff out about them.

[@drbukowski9490]

“You will undergo a monstrous transformation, and become a horrific abomination … Not the best way for your character’s story to end” … I don’t know, Monty … sounds pretty fucking cool to me, mate!!

[@VoiceNerd]

I'm a homebrew DM. Always have. Always will be. I can't believe I'm tempted to run this as a campaign.

[@lubulordofkhone4491]

there's no shame in running a campaign based on created modules, i do it all the time and my party and i enjoy it

[@Angelfyre.]

Reminds me so much of Mordheim in the Warhammer Fantasy universe... I like it

[@mixmastermike2128]

THE TRAILERRR!!!! YESSSSS

[@AlinaVoropaeva]

loool needed this a week ago before starting our Session 0/1! :D

[@dtczyk8976]

Hahaha same, though I think I did it well enough!

[@punkrockviking]

I'm so excited to run this! I'm being picky with the players I invite to this campaign so that we get a really dedicated group!

[@vincentdaniels2596]

Is it an online game?

[@tesstucker3311]

So excited to play in Drakkenheim for the first time tonight as a Shadow Magic sorcerer with some dark trauma in corrupted religious factions!

[@sassysilk6268]

I got my Kickstarter package over the weekend!! The Rat Prince in a dress plushie was too darn cute. Can't wait to start playing 🐭💕

[@patrickmcathey7081]

I can't wait until my order arrives :) you made such an amazing setting.

[@theparagoncompany]

Awesome video guys. I can't wait to get the physical book.

[@rcschmidt668]

No nicknames at the beginning? And Kelly has Ash on his shirt. 🤓 Nice cinematic!!

[@Brannen666]

Excellent, now to on ramp my players into Drakkenhiem.

[@EmmettBMF]

I am so ready to start this game

[@itribbits633]

It has begunnnnn

[@aliceofspades]

Thank you so much again for trusting us with your campaign setting! I love it!

[@peterevans6661]

My session zero is in two weeks. Stoked.

[@theorycrafters7281]

I'm so glad I got my book!!!!!

[@solar4planeta923]

Great intro, and I'm looking forward to DMing my own Drakkenheim campaign!

[@Billsbury]

Happy 5th birthday Dungeon Dudes! 🎂 🎈 🎉 The best (imo) 5e content producers on You Tube 🙇🏼‍♂️ Thank you so much, for so many hours of fantastic entertainment! Here's to the next five years! 🤟🏻

[@meatybtz]

So DnD version of Mordheim. I like it.

[@dcyphermanplays8233]

Ooooooo session zero on Saturday I'm so excited

[@OrUptotheStars]

So, this whole time I thought the leader of the paladins was the Night Commander and now I feel silly. Thanks for the great video, I'm excited.

[@lubulordofkhone4491]

doh

[@Sw-nn6le]

Dudes! I am so freaking excited for this campaign, minis, etc. I am so torn between wanting DM it and playing it with the right DM. The 2nd one is going to be the hard one to find.

[@kilks95]

Does this mean it’s getting shipped out soon

[@MM-lv7iy]

@@kilks95 I already got my copy, so expect it soon!

[@kilks95]

@@MM-lv7iy hope you have fun I have not gotten it so hopefully it will come in soon

[@RealLordMalphas]

Hello dear dungeon dudes, I'm new to D&D and love your videos. They are really helpful and perfectly balanced between information and entertainment (in my opinion). The only but really annoying thing is the auto subtitle, which I use because I'm German. I don't know if it's feasible for you, but I would be very happy if you could insert a suitable subtitle. Sunny greetings from Bavaria.

[@RealLordMalphas]

(English Subtitle)

[@priestofsyrinx4931]

I think I'm going to play as Sten Jr, looking for revenge against the culprit of my dear dad's grizzly death! RIP Sten Sr

[@simonurban7668]

8:55 K

[@JusRed48]

Is that music from the trailer available anywhere? It's so good!

[@williammcmonagle2609]

Kinda sounds like 28 days later

[@GeminiEarthSnake]

This is a video series I didn't know I needed. Thanks guys.

[@noahmehringer29]

How are Warlocks/Eldritch Knights viewed by the Academy and other factions? Are they outlawed by the Academy and hunted by the Silver Order? Or just mainly cautioned against?

[@MageLeaderInc]

Both are characters in the shadows of Drakkenheim series. So they are completely accepted.

[@noahmehringer29]

@@MageLeaderInc I just wanted to know in a bit more detail. Like are Warlock distrusted because they didn't 'earn' their powers? And are eldritch knights looked down upon for being only partial casters. Those sort of things but thanks for the response.

[@Mourndarkv]

Does your world touch the rest of the D&D universe? The Nine Hells and the Abyss, etc?

[@oniminikui]

I'm looking forward to when my copy of the book arrives.