Dunes of Glory
A Dungeons & Dragons 5e Campaign
Being a huge fan of TTRPG and storytelling, I wanted to try my hand at worldbuilding and creative writing, so I made Dunes of Glory, a Dungeons & Dragons 5e homebrew setting.
I created this world over the course of 3 years, alongside a 5e campaign titled The Crimson Journey, set in Dunes of Glory’s peculiar universe.
Using the DnD 5e rules and mechanics as a base, I developed all the quests, npcs, locations, items, as well as multiple custom monsters. I also designed numerous combat encounters and dungeons.
Content Design
I will present some of the Characters and Items I made in this project, explaining what inspired their conceptionÂand how players can interactÂwith them.
Factions
To populate the world with a cast of unique and interesting individuals, I started by establishing various factions, each operating in a different part of the world, driven by very different goals and ideals. Afterwards, I determined wich groups would collaborate, and which would become ennemies. Finally, I made unique and memorable npcs to cover the major roles of each faction, and used generic npcs to bolster their ranks.
Characters
Hector Greymane
Leader of the Sentinels, the Tabaxi Lion is respected by all. He is known as a mighty combatant using his tremendous speed and lightning powers to vanquish his foes, but also as a careful and considerate tactician, always thinking about everyone’s safety.
Acting as the main quest giver during the campaign, Hector can help the players select missions that will push their limits and constitute a proper challenge without being too dangerous.
Tip
The young Kenku merchant has been elected by his community as the official host of Echo Tower. While the other Kenku are traveling around Glory City to collect rumors, gossip and information, Tip stays in the tower to greet visitors and sell information to them, when they are able to understand his peculiar speech pattern.
To speak, Tip can only use words he heard during the last minute, making it hard to get a clear answer out of him. Turning information gathering (buying hints) into a puzzle challenging the players provides a fun way to seek guidance during missions and creates hilarious moments out of an otherwise straightforward and boring part of the game.
Xian
The expert thief and potent magician is the leader of the Vultures, a large organization of outlaws residing in Feud Harbor, an old fortified stronghold turned into a refugee camp and a bandit lair. The vultures steal resources to feed and supply all the residents of Feud Harbor, unable to fend for themselves. Xian and the Vultures can become great allies or terrible foes, depending on the players’ actions during the adventure.
As players discover the true nature of Xian, will they stand with the law, or with the people? The unclear morals and goals of Xian will incentivize players to learn more about the geopolitics of the world and take actions to change it. The opportunity to take part in shady missions and daring heists is also difficult to resist.
Magic Items
Ring of the Treant
Rare (attunement by a druid)
This wooden ring looking like roots slowly revolving around your finger.Â
While wearing this magic ring, you gain a +1 bonus to spell attack rolls and the saving throw DCs of your druid spells. In addition, you can use the ring as a spellcasting focus for your druid spells.
Nature’s wrath.ÂYou learn the Thorn Whip cantrip if you don’t already know it. When you cast Thorn Whip, you can add one of the following options:
Pierce. The vines are sturdier, dealing an extra 1d6 piercing damage.
Redirect. The vines burrow underground and appear at a point you choose within 30ft of you, they then lash out at a target within 15ft of that point. A creature hit by the attack is pulled 10ft closer to where the vines emerged instead of towards you.
Spike.ÂThe vines lash out directly at a target within 60ft of you. On a hit, instead of pulling the target 10ft towards you, its movement is reduced by 20ft until the end of its next turn.
Druids usually love to control enemy movement and use terrain features against them during combat. This item improves their most powerful manipulation cantrip, Thorn Whip, now able to slow their foes or move them in any direction (not just towards them), and from a safe distance.
Onyx Core
Legendary (forced attunement)
A jet-black onyx stone continually surrounded by bright flames.
Any creature touching the flaming onyx on the start of their turn takes 1d6 fire damage. One can attempt to crush the stone with his bare fists. (DC 30 STR check. The DC decreases by 1 for each minute spent holding the stone, going back to 30 when dropped). On a success, the stone shatters and fuses with the creature’s own heart, who inherits the following traits:
You gain resistance to fire damage and your strength score increases by 2, to a maximum of 22
3/day: You can cast burning hands requiring no material components.Â
1/day: You can cast stoneskin on yourself, requiring no material components.Â
Constitution is your spellcasting ability for these spells.
Obtained after defeating a dungeon boss, this item needs to be impactful and memorable. Dealing a constant and high amount of damage to anyone trying to claim its powers, it forces the party to plan a strategy and work together for an extended period of time to succeed, leading to an even bigger feeling of satisfaction.
Worldbuilding & Creative Writing
Showcasing the creative writing skills I developed in this project, the following texts summarize the overall story of the campaign and give brief descriptions of important locations.
Story
Ancient History
For as long as history recalls, the desert has always been plunged in chaos. The Redan Empire was the biggest nation at the time, exhibiting unfathomable power and peerless genius. Seeking to increase their territories and establish their dominance over the neighboring nations, they planned to conquer and annex the southern deserts to their lands.
For centuries, the sand shook under the continuous march of thousands of soldiers. The invading forces trampled the nomadic tribes and the wild monsters living across the desert. Far more technologically advanced, the Redan Empire utilized merciless war tactics, nefarious spells and metal constructs to gain the upper hand.
Facing the mighty empire, the people of the desert united. After many sacrifices, they managed to stop the invaders outside of the Silver Plains. The humans, elves, dwarves, thri-kreen and draconians constructed a massive stone wall, turning the Silver Plains into a safe haven and transforming the invasion into a gruelling war of attrition.
At last, during a legendary battle, the three princes of the Empire were slain, leading to the defeat of the imperial army. Grieving the sudden loss of his sons, the Emperor used all of his magic to seal their bodies in a tomb and finally ordered his army to retreat. After that, the Empire lost all interest in the desert, never trying to conquer it again.
Glyphs and old grudges
As the desert entered a new era of peace, the fallen princes were slowly forgotten. Throughout the following years, many adventurers and researchers spent numerous days attempting to enter their tomb in vain, until a foolish wizard attempted to break the ancient seal guarding it. As the magic runes covering the pyramid activated, a tremendous wave of negative energy pulsed outwards, draining the life-force of all creatures around it. Fueled by the stolen energy, the three pharaohs were brought back from the dead.
They were living, but they weren’t proper humans any more. After being mummified for so long, their corpses were rotten, and most of their flesh, gone. Ganaleth, Nekathi and Rakmosis were now undead creatures, consumed by their lust for power and control. Obsessed with their past defeat, the brothers sought to plunge the desert into chaos once again, and started to build a new undying army, starting by turning the adventurers and soldiers killed by the ritual into battalions of skeletal warriors.
While preparing his troops, deathlord Ganaleth works from the shadows, sending his minions in every region and corrupting monsters to his side. He will only reveal himself to the world when his army is ready to conquer the desert once and for all. His brothers are aiding him in his machinations. Nekathi is fostering the strength of the army, and Rakmosis resumed his hunt, bringing the slain monsters and adventurers to Ganaleth’s lair to turn them into new undead servants.
A promising debut
A tournament is about to take place in Glory city. Held by the Sentinels, the protectors of the Silver Plains, the event is scheduled once every year and always attracts aspiring adventurers eager to prove their worth.
To enter the Sentinels’ tournament, each group of contestants needs to acquire three vouchers. Vouchers can be obtained by helping artisans around town during the week prior to the tournament. After a victorious performance during the tournament, the players get to meet the high members of the Sentinels and are recruited into their ranks as guardians of the people, adventurers exploring the desert to uncover its hidden dangers and understanding its mysteries.
One Epic Adventure
The voucher quests and the tournament serve as an introduction to the world of Dunes of Glory, letting the players get used to their new characters, meet their party members and start to unveil the many mysteries of the desert. As they venture further and explore the various ruins and dungeons found throughout the desert, players will eventually discover the presence of the undead menace. To put an end to the impending disaster, our heroes will set out on an epic journey around the desert to gather thrustworthy allies to their side and acquire powerful items, before facing the death-defying pharaos and their followers in a grand war once and for all.
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Locations
Road of Fortunes
The legendary Road of Fortunes is the safest and quickest way across the desert. Connecting most settlements and iconic locations, it quickly became a renowned trade route, used by adventurers, merchants and travelers.
Slumber Mountains
The Slumber Mountains are a circular mountain range enclosing the silver plains. During the Crimson War, fortified borders were built to close off any gaps in the imposing rock formation. Many small tribes and clans live in the mountains, following their own ways, at their own pace.Â
Silver Plains
Surrounded by the Slumber Mountains, the Silver Plains are considered to be the most secure and hospitable location amidst the desert. Under the direct protection of the Sentinels, it quickly became Dunes of Glory’s biggest sanctuary. Once a wide grassland, the area is now filled with gray sand made from a mix of ashes and silver dust. Most of the desert’s population lives here, sheltered from the many dangers one would encounter in the wild.
Blood Canyon
Outside the Slumber Mountains lies the Blood Canyon, a vast chasm filled with wildlife and monsters. Over the years, the ongoing clashes between the various warring groups occupying the canyon caused lots of spilled blood and corpses to nourish the soil. With those nutrients, plant life slowly grew, turning the once barren Blood Canyon into a rich and vibrant land halfway between a savannah and a jungle.
Sinking Sea
Starting from the eastern edge of the Slumber Mountains, the Sinking sea extends eastward. Dried a long time ago, the body of water turned into a vast field of quicksand. Due to the deadly ground, creatures living on the Sinking Sea usually have wings, or developped flying vehicles. Aarakocra nested themselves amongst the tall stone pillars, while bandits traverse the hazardous sandfield aboard hovering ships or atop giant manta rays.
High Desert
Outside of the Blood Canyon and the Sinking Sea, the High Desert extends in all directions as far as one can see. Combined with the lack of water sources, the extreme heat of the sun reflecting on the golden dunes is enough to kill most explorers. Daring adventurers shall find tremendous glory by uncovering the ruins and vestiges of ancient times, if they are strong enough to survive the puzzling dungeons and fearsome monsters hidden
under the sand.
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Ancient History
For as long as history recalls, the desert has always been plunged in chaos. The Redan Empire was the biggest nation at the time, exhibiting unfathomable power and peerless genius. Seeking to increase their territories and establish their dominance over the neighboring nations, they planned to conquer and annex the southern deserts to their lands.
For centuries, the sand shook under the continuous march of thousands of soldiers. The invading forces trampled the nomadic tribes and the wild monsters living across the desert. Far more technologically advanced, the Redan Empire utilized merciless war tactics, nefarious spells and metal constructs to gain the upper hand.
Facing the mighty empire, the people of the desert united. After many sacrifices, they managed to stop the invaders outside of the Silver Plains. The humans, elves, dwarves, thri-kreen and draconians constructed a massive stone wall, turning the Silver Plains into a safe haven and transforming the invasion into a gruelling war of attrition.
At last, during a legendary battle, the three princes of the Empire were slain, leading to the defeat of the imperial army. Grieving the sudden loss of his sons, the Emperor used all of his magic to seal their bodies in a tomb and finally ordered his army to retreat. After that, the Empire lost all interest in the desert, never trying to conquer it again.
Glyphs and old grudges
As the desert entered a new era of peace, the fallen princes were slowly forgotten. Throughout the following years, many adventurers and researchers spent numerous days attempting to enter their tomb in vain, until a foolish wizard attempted to break the ancient seal guarding it. As the magic runes covering the pyramid activated, a tremendous wave of negative energy pulsed outwards, draining the life-force of all creatures around it. Fueled by the stolen energy, the three pharaohs were brought back from the dead.
They were living, but they weren’t proper humans any more. After being mummified for so long, their corpses were rotten, and most of their flesh, gone. Ganaleth, Nekathi and Rakmosis were now undead creatures, consumed by their lust for power and control. Obsessed with their past defeat, the brothers sought to plunge the desert into chaos once again, and started to build a new undying army, starting by turning the adventurers and soldiers killed by the ritual into battalions of skeletal warriors.
While preparing his troops, deathlord Ganaleth works from the shadows, sending his minions in every region and corrupting monsters to his side. He will only reveal himself to the world when his army is ready to conquer the desert once and for all. His brothers are aiding him in his machinations. Nekathi is fostering the strength of the army, and Rakmosis resumed his hunt, bringing the slain monsters and adventurers to Ganaleth’s lair to turn them into new undead servants.
A promising debut
A tournament is about to take place in Glory city. Held by the Sentinels, the protectors of the Silver Plains, the event is scheduled once every year and always attracts aspiring adventurers eager to prove their worth.
To enter the Sentinels’ tournament, each group of contestants needs to acquire three vouchers. Vouchers can be obtained by helping artisans around town during the week prior to the tournament. After a victorious performance during the tournament, the players get to meet the high members of the Sentinels and are recruited into their ranks as guardians of the people, adventurers exploring the desert to uncover its hidden dangers and understanding its mysteries.
One Epic Adventure
The voucher quests and the tournament serve as an introduction to the world of Dunes of Glory, letting the players get used to their new characters, meet their party members and start to unveil the many mysteries of the desert. As they venture further and explore the various ruins and dungeons found throughout the desert, players will eventually discover the presence of the undead menace. To put an end to the impending disaster, our heroes will set out on an epic journey around the desert to gather thrustworthy allies to their side and acquire powerful items, before facing the death-defying pharaos and their followers in a grand war once and for all.
Road of Fortunes
The legendary Road of Fortunes is the safest and quickest way across the desert. Connecting most settlements and iconic locations, it quickly became a renowned trade route, used by adventurers, merchants and travelers.
Slumber Mountains
The Slumber Mountains are a circular mountain range enclosing the silver plains. During the Crimson War, fortified borders were built to close off any gaps in the imposing rock formation. Many small tribes and clans live in the mountains, following their own ways, at their own pace.Â
Silver Plains
Surrounded by the Slumber Mountains, the Silver Plains are considered to be the most secure and hospitable location amidst the desert. Under the direct protection of the Sentinels, it quickly became Dunes of Glory’s biggest sanctuary. Once a wide grassland, the area is now filled with gray sand made from a mix of ashes and silver dust. Most of the desert’s population lives here, sheltered from the many dangers one would encounter in the wild.
Blood Canyon
Outside the Slumber Mountains lies the Blood Canyon, a vast chasm filled with wildlife and monsters. Over the years, the ongoing clashes between the various warring groups occupying the canyon caused lots of spilled blood and corpses to nourish the soil. With those nutrients, plant life slowly grew, turning the once barren Blood Canyon into a rich and vibrant land halfway between a savannah and a jungle.
Sinking Sea
Starting from the eastern edge of the Slumber Mountains, the Sinking sea extends eastward. Dried a long time ago, the body of water turned into a vast field of quicksand. Due to the deadly ground, creatures living on the Sinking Sea usually have wings, or developped flying vehicles. Aarakocra nested themselves amongst the tall stone pillars, while bandits traverse the hazardous sandfield aboard hovering ships or atop giant manta rays.
High Desert
Outside of the Blood Canyon and the Sinking Sea, the High Desert extends in all directions as far as one can see. Combined with the lack of water sources, the extreme heat of the sun reflecting on the golden dunes is enough to kill most explorers. Daring adventurers shall find tremendous glory by uncovering the ruins and vestiges of ancient times, if they are strong enough to survive the puzzling dungeons and fearsome monsters hidden
under the sand.