The Dungeon23 Challenge: A D&D Enthusiast’s Dream
Embark on a journey through 12 levels and conquer 365 rooms in the exhilarating Dungeon23 Challenge.
The viral sensation #Dungeon23 has captured the attention of D&D and tabletop RPG enthusiasts worldwide. Curious about this craze? Dive into our comprehensive guide to uncover all the details and learn how you can be part of the excitement.
What Does the Dungeon23 Challenge Entail?
The Dungeon23 challenge is a collaborative social media initiative where participants embark on creating a massive dungeon collectively over one year. Each day, individuals will design a new room, culminating in a single level per month. The overarching objective is to construct a complete dungeon comprising 12 levels and 365 rooms teeming with traps, treasures, monsters, and more. Throughout 2023, participants are urged to share their ongoing creations and progress.
The inception of Dungeon23 originated in early December 2022 when RPG designer Sean McCoy (a co-founder of Tuesday Knight Games and the mind behind the acclaimed tabletop RPG Mothership) introduced the concept via a tweet revealing his work on a year-long dungeon project, accompanied by a snapshot of his notebook.
Subsequently, the #Dungeon23 hashtag gained traction within the D&D and TTRPG communities, with McCoy later providing additional guidance and structure to the challenge through a Substack post. Unlike formal campaigns like National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), the Dungeon23 challenge currently operates without a central organizing body, thriving organically as fans drive its implementation and coordination.
How to Engage in the Dungeon23 Challenge?
Participation in the Dungeon23 challenge is open to all individuals interested in the project. The primary aim, emphasized by McCoy and other advocates of the challenge, goes beyond merely constructing a mega dungeon in a year. It involves pushing oneself to foster creativity, construct a platform for innovative concepts, and establish connections within the D&D and TTRPG community.
Supporters of the challenge online have highlighted that the creation doesn’t have to adhere strictly to a traditional dungeon format. Some contributors are developing cities, mansions, post-apocalyptic landscapes, and even extensive starship fleets. Moreover, various fans are integrating weekly thematic challenges to enhance the imaginative depth of their creations.
The fundamental concept revolves around simplicity, depicting a single room connected by a hallway and providing brief descriptions of traps, monsters, magical artifacts, or hidden secrets. Participants are free to manifest their artistic visions, opting for manual drawing, software platforms, or specialized tools for design.
For those facing creative blocks or seeking inspiration, McCoy offers valuable advice on his Dungeon23 substack. He reassures participants that occasional missed days are acceptable, emphasizing that the journey itself holds more significance than the final outcome.
Dungeon23 resources and guidance
Within a brief timeframe, several online resources have emerged to support participants. Here are some websites providing suggestions and guidance for aspiring Dungeon23 creators (this list will be updated with additional resources).
Best of luck to all Dungeon23 participants! We are excited to delve into the incredible new mega dungeons in 2024!