There was this DND story where a low - level character, a simple peasant - turned - adventurer. He joined a group to explore an ancient tomb. He had dreams of finding enough treasure to support his family back in his village. However, during the exploration, a powerful trap was triggered. The rest of the group managed to escape, but he was too slow. He was crushed by a falling stone slab, and his body was left in that dark, cold tomb forever, his family waiting in vain for his return.
Death of comrades is a common element. When a character loses their friends or party members in a battle or through some cruel plot, it can be extremely sad. For example, a fighter might see his best friend, a rogue, get killed by a backstabbing assassin.
One sad story could be about a character who was a paladin. He dedicated his life to serving the good and protecting the innocent. But during a battle against a powerful demon, his entire party was wiped out. He survived, but lost his faith in the face of such overwhelming evil and despair. He then wandered the lands alone, a broken shell of his former self, haunted by the memories of his fallen comrades.
There was a DND dungeon where a group of rogues entered. They were in search of treasure. But as they delved deeper, they found chambers filled with the remains of other adventurers. In one room, there was a bard's lyre, broken and covered in dust. It seemed that the bard had tried to charm some of the dungeon's beasts but had failed. As they moved forward, they were attacked by a horde of rats. One of the rogues got separated from the group and was bitten multiple times. The group managed to escape, but they left their friend behind. The memory of that sad dungeon haunted them, and they carried the guilt of leaving their comrade to die.
Well, in a DND sad dungeon story, the setting itself is a big element. Dungeons are usually dark, damp, and full of secrets. There are often lost or doomed souls within. For instance, the bard whose lyre was broken. The actions of the adventurers can also lead to sadness. Like when the party left the goblin or when the rogues left their comrade. And then there are the mysteries that hold a sense of sorrow, such as the diary in the dungeon that told of past tragedies. All these work together to make the story sad.
My DND group had a story where a ranger's wolf companion was killed. The ranger had raised the wolf from a pup. They were inseparable and had been through many battles together. One day, while exploring a cursed forest, they were attacked by a group of shadowy beasts. The wolf fought bravely to protect the ranger but was outnumbered. The ranger watched helplessly as the wolf was torn apart. The ranger was never the same after that, losing his joy for adventure and often getting lost in memories of his beloved wolf.
There are also stories where shadow monsters are guardians of a powerful and dark artifact. The adventurers are lured to the location of this artifact by rumors of great power. But when they arrive, they find themselves facing the shadow monsters. These monsters are not only difficult to hit as they blend into the surrounding darkness, but they also have the ability to possess the bodies of the weak - willed among the adventurers. So, the party has to be very careful in their approach to deal with these shadowy guardians.
Many Dnd cities have a magical marketplace. Here, you can find all sorts of rare and enchanted items. For example, there are potions that can change your appearance, or magical weapons that can speak. It's a place full of mystery and opportunity, but also danger as thieves often lurk around hoping to steal the precious items.
Another top starting story is 'Dragon of Icespire Peak'. In this, the characters are in a region where a dragon is causing trouble. The adventure starts with simple investigations in nearby towns, gathering information about the dragon. It offers a lot of opportunities for character development as they face challenges related to the dragon's presence and the local politics. It also has a great deal of exploration in the icy mountains.
Full DND stories are a world of their own. The game mechanics play a crucial role in shaping these stories. For example, a character's class, like a wizard or a warrior, determines their capabilities in combat and problem - solving. The stories also involve a lot of interaction between players. They have to make decisions together, like which path to take in a dungeon or whether to trust a mysterious stranger. This collaborative aspect makes the stories unique and full of surprises. There are countless possible storylines, depending on the creativity of the DM and the players.