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.
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.
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