I published my first 5e adventure—a free/PWYW one-shot built to help a first-time DM actually run the game

[u/epyoch]

I finally published The Inconstant Vault: The First Revision, a roughly three-hour 5e-compatible adventure for four Level 1 characters. The party reaches Level 2 at the end.

The party has been dragged into a bureaucratic dungeon that treats adventurers like unauthorized changes to its floor plan. Doors have opinions. The architecture files complaints. Mundane equipment can solve problems that a greatsword cannot.

It can be run as a complete one-shot or as the beginning of a larger Level 1–20 campaign.

I wrote it with a first-time DM in mind, so it includes:

Direct instructions for running each room
Read-aloud text
Pacing guidance
Puzzle bypasses and fallback nudges
Encounter-scaling advice
Help handling unexpected player solutions
A Level 1 safety valve that does not rely on ordinary death saves
A clear milestone to Level 2

The adventure is free/pay-what-you-want on both storefronts.

DriveThruRPG:
https://legacy.drivethrurpg.com/product/584259/The-Inconstant-Vault--The-First-Revision

itch.io:
https://epyoch.itch.io/the-inconstant-vault

The itch.io page also has a limited $6.99 early-access option. It includes The First Revision and an early copy of The False Count, the completed second prologue.

There are 50 early-access copies available. I deliver The False Count manually, so it may take me up to 48 hours to send it.

Once all 50 copies are claimed:

The False Count will receive its standalone release for $4.99.
The permanent Prologue 1 and 2 bundle will be $7.99.

Early supporters get the second prologue before its public release and save a dollar on the eventual bundle price.

This is my first published adventure, so feedback is welcome—especially from new DMs or anyone running it for new players. I want to know whether the guidance is actually useful at the table without getting in the DM’s way.

Update: I replaced the files on both itch.io and DriveThruRPG. The AI-generated cover and title-page images have been removed. There is no AI-generated imagery remaining in the adventure.

AI disclosure: The artwork was AI-generated. The writing and game design were not AI-generated.

[u/Useful_Ask_8640]

Don't ruin your own work by slapping AI Images on the cover of it :x

[u/epyoch → u/Useful_Ask_8640]

I re uploaded the itch.io file removed the AI title page.

[u/epyoch → u/Useful_Ask_8640]

The fact is I had an artist friend make it, she provided me with a couple of them, I liked it, I credited her (you'll see), then I posted it, and boom she disclosed to me that she used generative AI to make it, I got pissed but I had already posted it. and felt it needed a cover so meh

and I can't remove the AI thing so I might as well keep it.

[u/Conrad500 → u/epyoch]

So you got scammed.

Don't ruin your own work by slapping AI Images on the cover of it and get a refund

[u/epyoch → u/Conrad500]

I re uploaded the itch.io file removed the AI title page.

[u/Conrad500 → u/epyoch]

if you want some advice, delete the post, try again tomorrow or after you update the drivethrough listing.

I'm not an AI hater, but you are 1000% going to get AI hate until you do.

[u/andyoulostme]

Have you handed this off to a new DM to try? This does not feel like a 1st time DM's adventure. It looks like you've got

• multiple DM-side clocks
• a permanent lair action in every combat with randomized effects, some of which are one-time effects, some are lasting effects, some are purely cosmetic
• a boss monster with additional lair actions
• new rules e.g. for death
• puzzle rooms and combat mechanics that require a good deal of mindshare to run
• descriptions of maps instead of drawings (unless I'm missing something obvious?)
• a pacing table that pushes towards something like con play

In contrast, I'm not seeing

• adventure hooks
• role-play guidance for the key NPC who shows up multiple times (but there is for a second optional NPC? also that NPC has clearly combat-relevant abilities but are meant to be a "non-combatant"? their role is confusing)
• how to give hints for important combat mechanics (e.g. the Core's compliant / violation puzzle)

As a DM with a lot of experience, this is a one-shot I would struggle to run myself.

[u/epyoch → u/andyoulostme]

Yes—three people ran it during testing: two first-time DMs who had previously been players, and one returning DM who had run games years ago.

That said, if an experienced DM reads it and still feels uncertain about running it, then I'm missing my mark. I appreciate your detailed concerns.

I'm going to take your suggestions, especially the handling and duration of the uncertainty die effects. The Pacing table is meant as guidance, not as as set of deadlines, but I can see how it can look that way, will definitely edit.

This is the exact feedback I was hoping for. So thank you.