Michael R. Underwood
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Perilous Journey - illustrated Environment
🕑 Added 2026-01-05 15:00:15 +0000 UTCHi 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.
Comments
Michael R. Underwood
That's marvelous! I am so glad you've gotten so much use out of it. :)
Jannis Kamper
I’ll take this as a chance to thank you for this wonderful environment that i have used around 4 times already and was so great every time! You are really doing such amazing work!
Michael R. Underwood
I really like Wildsea's approach to travel! It's a great place to look for inspiration. As for commissioning artists, that's a big topic. The first tip I'd give is to follow a lot of artists on Instagram, ArtStation, DeviantArt/etc. Look for commission announcements when artists say they're open to being commissioned. Art Direction is its own skill, and there are many folks more experienced than I am, but I could definitely do a stream/video at some point about my approach.
Dom Dib
I like it - it reminds me a little of the Journey mechanics in the Wildsea. It's also good to have the associated artwork. I wonder, since I am working on a campaign frame/adventure myself, how you go about commissioning artists?
