The Crawport Chronicles
A D&D Fifth Edition Adventure
In Three Episodes
Episode I: Cutthroats in Crawport
Episode II: The Hall in the Mountain
Episode III: The Sceptre of Power (Coming in 2027)
About The Crawport Chronicles
The thing that makes this adventure different from most TTRPG content is the depth and density of its living world. It features a powerful main plot, carefully crafted subplots, richly developed NPCs with their own agendas, beautifully written character and dream stories, variable-difficulty combat encounters, a detailed town to explore, and individual and collective quests for your players. These aren't add-ons; they're evidence of the care and love that have gone into building this world.
The setting is a medium-magic fantasy world. Most people know magic exists. Wizards are uncommon but not unheard of. Magic items exist but are valuable. Adventurers encounter magical creatures. Teleportation, resurrection, and powerful enchantments are all possible, but only among the elite or those with hidden knowledge.
Two versions of The Crawport Chronicles are available to download from this website. Simply click Store at the top of the page.
The Free Edition: Over 230 pages. This version contains the complete main story: Cutthroats in Crawport and
The Hall in the Mountain. If you'd like to discover what the adventure has to offer please just download for free from the Store or the links provided on this page.
The Full Edition: Over 490 pages. This version contains everything in the Free Edition, plus the appendices that transform a good adventure into a living, breathing world. Inside you'll find:
Over 70 new magic items (more than 90 including potions), plus new spells.
A huge maps appendix with links to high-resolution versions online.
Dream stories for every character. These are personal, atmospheric tales that weave into each character's backstory and bring it to life. A couple are, honestly, outstanding short stories in their own right.
One-shot adventures for sessions when players are missing. Each ties directly into the wider campaign.
Extensive stat blocks for clans, crews, families, and guilds, together with lore on new monsters and background information on the NPCs who shape your campaign.
Every poem in the book, with links to recordings of the author reading them aloud.
Deep lore for those who want to understand Crawport's history and secrets.
Player handouts, including spoiler-free character backgrounds, maps of Crawport, and a complete guide to the town itself.
A skill check guide developed over years of GMing. A player handout using one of Episode I's early encounters to demonstrate the full potential of 5e skill checks. New and experienced players alike have found that it genuinely changes how they approach the game.
Some of the stat blocks and information for The Seaspire Chronicles which allows your place to perhaps adventure beyond the scope of the first two episodes.
Finally, the library: a collection of in-world books held by the local temple and mage guild, filled with clues, rumours, history, and the kind of detail that makes a setting feel real.
Also available is a standalone version of the Player Handouts. This conveniently gives your players all the information they need in one place.
Thank you for finding your way here.
May the light of Dillingr guide you!
Jay
A note for hesitant GMs
The Crawport Chronicles is a big book. Don't let that put you off.
You don't need to read it cover to cover before you run it. It's designed to be picked up and used, with summaries and "What's Happening" sections throughout. Take what you need, leave what you don't, and let the adventure reveal itself naturally at the table.
The pre-written player backstories are there if you want them, but they're not compulsory. Any character your players bring to the table will find a home in Crawport. A good GM will weave them in without breaking a sweat.
A note on playtesting and AI images
A huge thank you to everyone who played through the Crawport Chronicles during writing. The way you engaged with the world shaped the adventure in ways I couldn't have anticipated. Particular thanks to Syd Herring, who GM’d alongside with their own players.
I wrote this book largely in an internet bubble, disconnected from the wider D&D community. I was genuinely unaware of the valid and deeply felt sentiment around AI images in the RPG world until after the book was complete.
Many images in this book were created using Midjourney, due to budget constraints. If funds had allowed, every illustration would have been created by a human artist. The writing, worldbuilding, design, and creative work is entirely human. Thousands of hours of my time has gone into this story.
Having listened to the community, I have decided to replace every AI image in the book over time. My plan is straightforward:
The current Free, Full, and Player Handout editions will remain available while this work is underway. In parallel I will be launching a crowdfunding campaign to fund original artwork. I hold a Fine Art degree and understand the craft involved. This is not a small undertaking, and I want to do it properly.
Customers who purchase any edition and opt in to updates will be the first to receive the new AI-free versions on release. Upon release of this version editions using AI will be deleted from sale.
In addition the Midjourney images on this website will also be replaced by AI free artwork.
Details of a Crowdfunder campaign, showing “Before” and “After” pages from the book, will appear soon. Thank you!
The Crawport Chronicles is an independent adventure. I began playing D&D in 1981, and what began as a story for my own family grew over seven years and several thousand hours into something far larger. A town with a serial killer on the loose, a smuggling operation out of control, corrupt officials, and ancient halls and crypts. All woven together with NPCs that evolved through hours of playtesting that leave a trail of clues across the adventure. Old-school D&D at heart, with modern 5e mechanics.
Cutthroats in Crawport: Episodes I, levels 1-5, around 10 sessions
The Hall in the Mountain: Episode II, levels 5-8, around 13 sessions
The Sceptre of Power: Episode III, levels 8-11, between 35 to 40 sessions. Currently in playtesting/writing
This is not a corporate product. It is one person's work, offered with care. Please help to support the work by taking a look at the free edition.
Get in Touch
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