Perilous Journey - illustrated Environment

Hi all,

Today I have the first piece of art from several commissions I've made for upcoming Daggerheart-compatible releases. From artist Ehud Kurzweil, we have an illustration for the Perilous Journey environment, seen below (a simple PDF with the environment + art is attached to this post).

PERILOUS JOURNEY
Tier 1 Traversal Environment

A dangerous trek across uncertain climes through a variety of threats.
Impulses: Exhaust resources, sap willpower, show the price of curiosity
Difficulty: 12
Potential Adversaries: Acid Burrower, Bandits, Beasts (any)

FEATURES

Begin with a Single Step – Passive: When the party sets out on a perilous journey, activate a Progress Countdown based on how long it will be to complete (4 – short, 6 – normal, 8 – long, 10 – very long). When the environment is introduced and after each completed roll to progress this countdown, describe where the PCs are in the journey and convey what challenges are present at this stage. When the countdown is triggered, describe the group arriving at their destination and what awaits them and tell each PC to gain a Hope.

What does the surrounding landscape look like? What threats can the PCs anticipate and what lie in wait to surprise them?

Bad Weather – Action: Once per session while this environment is active, introduce inclement weather that complicates the journey. All PCs mark a Stress or lose a Hope. If the party presses on, the next roll to progress the journey countdown is made with disadvantage. If they try to wait out the weather by taking a rest, the GM gains an additional 2 Fear or can tick down a long-term countdown by 1.

What kind of weather is it? How does it foul the mood among the party? What cover exists nearby to wait it out?

Opportunists – Action: Spend a Fear to summon a group of adversaries equal to the default battle points budget for the party. You may spend an additional Fear to increase the battle point budget by 2 or force the PC with the highest Instinct to make an Instinct Reaction Roll to sense the attackers as they approach. On a failure, the PCs are caught unawares and an adversary immediately takes the spotlight.

How many other travelers have these adversaries accosted? What favorable terrain assists the foe’s attack? Why didn’t the PCs notice the adversary as they approach?

Dangerous Feature – Reaction: When a PC fails a roll to advance the Progress Countdown for the journey, describe a physical hazard or mishap that deals them 1d10+2 phy damage. You may also spend a Fear to increase the Countdown by one (tick up, not down) as you describe how this setback complicates the journey.
What is the source of the injury? Does the PC’s failure make other character’s traversal more difficult?

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Design by Mike Underwood
Art by Ehud Kurzweil

This text is not official content of Darrington Press or Critical Role. This product includes materials from the Daggerheart System Reference Document 1.0, © Critical Role, LLC. under the terms of the Darrington Press Community Gaming (DPCGL) License. More information can be found at https://www.daggerheart.com. There are no previous modifications by others.