Adventuring Adventuring CRAWLERS Those who dare the lost halls and caverns of the Shadowdark are called by many names. Crawlers, delvers, explorers, adventurers, treasure hunters. In this chapter, you'll learn how to crawl with the best of them. Whether you're exploring a lightless barrow mound or the Shrouded Forest of Eld, the rules herein will guide you. OUTSIDE THE SHEET The first step to crawling is understanding your environment and imagining an action you want to take. Don't simply scour your character sheet for ideas and options! Your crawling career depends on your ability to "think outside the sheet." Imagine what you would really do if you were in your character's situation. Do you see a suit of armor in an alcove? Maybe you lift the helm's visor and make sure nothing is looking back at you. Do you hear faint voices behind a rotting wooden door? Maybe you creep up and press your ear against it to hear what's happening on the other side. Is a band of orcs chasing you and your companions down a hallway? Maybe tearing the decrepit tapestries from the walls will hamper their pursuit. None of the above ideas are listed on a character sheet. Although you should use your stats, spells, gear, and talents, don't limit yourself only to those. ONWARD! The next sections detail the core rules of Shadowdark RPG. Armed with your dice and your wits, you're ready to learn the legendary art of crawling. Stride boldly into the darkness!

C reeg lifted his guttering torch high. The light danced over the stone door looming before him. A carved demon’s face leered down from the portal's moldering surface, fangs bared. “You’re sure it’s safe?” he whispered to Ralina, who stood two paces behind him. She crouched forward on her toes, poised to leap aside. “I checked it twice,” she said. “No traps. The demon’s just for decor.” Creeg raised an eyebrow. “Then why are you standing like the floor's about to drop away?” Jorbin’s deep voice cut in from the edge of the torchlight. “No time! They’ve caught our trail!” A chorus of inhuman screams tore through the cavern. Icy fear stabbed into Creeg's guts. No time. He sucked in a breath and pushed on the door with all his strength, halfexpecting some hidden scythe or stone block to crash down on him. But the portal rumbled open, and no scythe or stone block fell. Beyond the threshold, heaps and piles of gold and jewels glittered in the torchlight like a thousand spider eyes. “Jiraal's Hoard,” Creeg whispered, eyes wide. “The story was true!” “We need you, wizard!” Ralina cried. Creeg spun to see a mob of slavering, gray-skinned ghouls lurching from the darkness, tongues lashing and claws seeking blood. A gust of wind caught the torch, and it wavered, threatening to go out....