Making Dungeons for Dungeons and Dragons
In this highly interactive course, we will use the "5-room dungeon" model to write a short fantasy adventure together.
Matthew Messana
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(200)
What's included
1 live meeting
1 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 8 - 10
The 5-room model allows for nearly infinite variations in storytelling. It has been used to great success by game designers and dungeon masters for years. We will work as a class to make an adventure where students will vote for a variety options for thematic elements as well as room details. The model is as follows: 1: Guardian/Entrance - This room contains something that bars the way to the other rooms. This could be anything from a guard to a secret entrance. 2: Puzzle / Roleplay Challenge - This room is for puzzle lovers and adds some needed variety. 3: Trick / Setback - This room creates drama by adding a low point. With it, the climax will be higher and the resolution will be sweeter. 4: Climax / Boss Fight - This room resolves the main conflict of the dungeon. This is where Indiana Jones stole the idol in Raiders of the Lost Ark and where players may fight the evil wizard they've been looking for. 5: Reward / Revelation - This room is the resolution to your story. It can be as simple as a pile of treasure or as complex as new information for an on-going campaign. This can also be a twist where there is another dungeon to go to or another level of this one. Learners will learn these rules and how to bend or break them in order to create an engaging narrative. While doing this, we will use the themes the learners voted for to pull it all together and make it a believable place. Please note: the intention of this course is to focus on the narrative elements of a dungeon. We will be using a fantasy fiction framework for our story, so the final product would be right at home in a Dungeons and Dragons adventure. That said, we will skip much of the "mechanical" aspects (how many of which dice to roll) which would tie our work to any one game. This gives us the freedom to focus on the storytelling within the dungeon.
Learning Goals
Students will learn:
- How to use the 5-room model to make a dynamic frame for an adventure
- How to create a narrative through environmental storytelling.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Being that the aim of this course is the creation of a dungeon in Dungeons and Dragons, there will likely be some discussion of violence. Combat and peril are central to Dungeons and Dragons.
For instance, there may be a monster in the dungeon that would be fought by the party (like a mummy guarding a tomb). Or there may be traps placed throughout the dungeon (such as a collapsing floor or darts shooting from the walls).
However, it is not useful to the class for there to be graphic description of peril. As such, I will ensure any discussion is kept to only that which is necessary for the creation of the room in question.
Language of Instruction
English
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined June, 2020
4.9
200reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Hello! My name is Matthew. I am a cartographer, calligrapher and Game Master who teaches what he knows best: drawing fantasy maps and how to run/play tabletop role playing games (TRPGs) like Dungeons and Dragons.
Over the years, I have taught numerous topics including English as a Second Language and religious classes at a local church. I have also volunteered time watching children for summer programs and non-profit organizations. I've learned it is better for me to act as a guide, not simply a lecturer. Running a game and drawing are journeys to be taken and cannot be learned without practice. In these classes, learners will be given the tools they need to learn and practice their craft.
The classes you will see here will be focused around two topics: drawing fantasy maps and running tabletop role playing games.
Maps:
I have been drawing fantasy maps seriously for a number of years. In that time, I've found the act of drawing a world inspires me to fill it with story. I find myself asking questions like, "Who lives in this forest?" or "Why would someone put a city here?" I hope to inspire learners to not only learn how to draw a map, but feed their curiosity and creativity.
Running Tabletop Role Playing Games:
I started running tabletop role playing games almost immediately after the 5th Edition rules of Dungeons and Dragons were released in 2014. I have run home-brew games (entirely made up by me and the players), official modules/campaigns, and Adventurer's League events. I have taught many people how to play the game and ran in person, online and at conventions. It can be difficult but I find running a game to be the most rewarding experience and I prefer it to being a regular player. I hope to share with learners how fun being a Game Master can be!Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$20
per classMeets once
90 min
Completed by 47 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-16
3-8 learners per class
