This week, we dive into an old-fashioned dungeon crawl.

Beneath the Ruins of Firestone Keep is a platinum best-selling adventure aimed at 1st to 3rd level characters crafted by M.T. Black. After a noble’s son has gone missing, the party is hired to investigate in a classic dungeon crawl.

Disclaimer: We were provided with a free digital copy of this product.

The scenario

The story begins with a rescue mission as Lord Blackmoor hires the heroes to find his son, Willet, who’s been abducted. Kobolt tracks were found near the area of the kidnapping, and it is feared they are planning to sacrifice him to their god. The party follows the trail and ends up in the Firestone Keep, the remnants of a once mighty fortress. As the characters explore deeper, they uncover ancient magic, lost history, a nice twist and something far more dangerous than kobolts in the final chapter, where everything is tied together. The adventure is designed to be completed in 3-6 hours and provides just enough backstory to give the dungeon a purpose without overwhelming the GM with lore. It leaves room for improvisation, serving as a good choice for a one-shot or as part of an existing campaign.

Encounters

The dungeon is filled with traps, weird magic and enemies that reward clever thinking. You will find classic oozes, giant weasels, kobolds, and even stranger encounters like zombie rats and magical effects. This is a dangerous adventure for level 1 characters, but not unfair. That being said, there are also scaling options if your party is a little stronger, helping you to keep the tension without extra prep. Remember that combat isn’t always the best option here. Strategic alternatives, like sneaking, smart tactics and caution, can help creative groups bypass danger entirely. I’m very fond of the module’s flexibility, because it favours players of various playstyles and enhances the overall experience.

Layout & Art

The adventure is presented in a clean, readable two-column layout with clearly marked chapters, making it easy to run and reference. Big headers, bold type and boxed text filled with tips highlight key information, allowing the game master to quickly navigate during a session. Read-aloud sections are styled with different color and font, clearly distingushing what should be shared with the players and aiding the GM with narration.
The art is vibrant and well placed, from the striking cover to the interior illustrations. Like the image of the lovely skeleton you see here on the right of the article, that is truly captivating.

All visuals truly support the text, without cluttering the pages, something I’m always glad to see. At the end you will find a hand-drawn map by Dyson Logos that is quite charming, with a numbered system for reference within the adventure. It’s a smart and aesthetic design where everything feels tailored and clean.

Final Thoughts

I find Beneath the Ruins of Firestone Keep a fine choice for a low level adventure. Although some encounters might be challenging, it offers enough flexibility to ensure that players stay engaged. Whether you are looking for a tough one shot, or a memorable side quest, this adventure is a good recommendation. And your players might survive it, too.

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