Magical witch library full of scrolls and recipe

Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Template

Here is the D&D adventure template that I’ve created, inspired by many DMs and YouTube videos. On this page you can find the adventure template in its entirety, so you can easily scan it, and perhaps copy paste it. There is also a link to download this as a document (.docx and .pdf).

After completing the first step and the second step of the adventure creating process, you can use this template to organize all the answers and further develop the adventure.

Every major subheading (with an underlining) has a singular function. Within the ‘events/scenes‘-section, you will find a list of headings as follow:

  • Event/Scene title
  • Goal
  • Locations
  • NPCs/Creatures
  • Information/Progression/Treasure
  • Next event/scene

The ‘event/scene‘ section is meant to be copy pasted for each individual scene that you will create. Any of the subheadings that aren’t relevant for that particular scene, can simply be deleted.

D&D Fifth Edition Adventure Template
D&D 5e Adventure Template

Download the D&D Adventure Template

There are two versions of the D&D Adventure Template. A docx and a PDF. Click on the buttons below to download them so you can use them in your own documentation software, like OneNote for example.

Download the .DOCX
Download the .PDF

Complete D&D Adventure Template

Below you’ll find the complete adventure template that you fill out using the answers you created using the previous forms, and this is the same form that you can download above. Consider this form the final product that you could present to other Dungeon Masters, without explicitly informing them of all the background that led up to this adventure. The reason this form doesn’t contain that information, is to make it easy to alter the adventure. If you want to fully inform the Dungeon Master – for example: you want to turn this into a one-shot that needs nearly zero preparation – then also provide the information from the other forms.

TITLE

ELEVATOR PITCH

Elevator pitch here. Will the characters (…)?

SYNOPSIS

VILLAIN/MAIN CHALLENGE

A brief summary of the villain/main challenge. This will inform the DM and give some background information.

OUTLINE

Start of adventure: text here.

  • Possible event/scene: text here.
  • Possible event/scene: text here.
  • End of adventure: text here.

THINGS TO KNOW

  • First thing to know. Text here, to explain some background of the adventure or setting, or to provide information on a specific event or NPC. For example the ‘true origin’ of the threat; if there are any plot twists, this a good place to write them down.
  • Second thing to know. More background. Make sure this is relevant to the adventure, not merely ‘bonus information’

INCITING INCIDENT

This is what sets the PCs off into this adventure. Multiple triggers are possible, and triggers can be quests in and of themselves. Use verbs that lead to the elevator pitch.

  • Trigger 1

EVENTS/SCENES

EVENT/SCENE TITLE #1

  • Description of the situation, read aloud text.
  • This is what the characters see when this event occurs

Goal

What the characters must accomplish to advance

Locations

  • Name, brief description (and link to more details)
    • Read aloud text

NPCs/Creatures

  • Name (and link to more details)

    • Read aloud text

  • Name (and link to more details)

    • Read aloud text

Information/Progression/Treasure

  • Any other information, pertaining to this event/scene can be placed here
  • Anything related to the progression of this event/scene as well; anything that affects the goal and the next event/scene
  • Treasure or items worth noting – in this event – can be placed here

Next event/scene

The possible following events/scenes that are triggered by the characters’ actions

EVENT/SCENE TITLE #2

The next event/scene. Repeat the event/scene-process, writing out the goal, locations, et cetera.

LOCATIONS LISTED

Name & link

Brief description.

NPCS LISTED

Name & link

Brief description.

(Villain, quest giver(s), information providers, etc.)

CREATURES LISTED

  • Monster 1

MYSTERIES LISTED

  • Mystery 1

DM NOTES

  • Treasure

RANDOM ENCOUNTERS

Insert these as needed.

(For example: when the PCs rest too often.)

RELATED QUESTS

Name & link

Brief description.

RESOLUTION

  • The decisions made by the characters, will have an effect on the stories to come; write down these consequences here
  • PCs are liked in town X
  • Faction X has become aware of PCs
  • Faction X has increased/decreased affinity for PCs
  • Region X has become more/less stable