The Dark Heart of Roskem – 5e One-Shot Adventure

A town on the edge of a forgotten swamp. A missing captain of the guard. Something ancient stirring in the shadows.

Welcome to The Dark Heart of Roskem, a one-shot adventure for Dungeons & Dragons 5e, designed for a party of 4–5 level 4 characters.

Centuries ago, nomadic Elves founded the fishing settlement of Myristat along the banks of the River Roskem. Over time, the town grew toward the murky expanse of Roskem Swamp.

And now people are disappearing.

A week ago, the captain of the guard and several of his men vanished without a trace. Two days ago, a couple living on the outskirts disappeared as well. Fear is beginning to spread through Myristat, and the mayor—determined to keep the town calm—has decided it's time to bring in outsiders.

That's where your party comes in.

Your investigation will take you from the increasingly uneasy town toward the swamp and the secrets waiting within it. Something has awakened in Roskem, and finding the missing townspeople may mean discovering why it was buried in the first place.

Why We Love It

The mystery starts small. Missing guards. Missing townspeople. A worried mayor. The larger danger emerges from a problem your characters have an immediate reason to investigate.

Myristat feels like a place with a past. Its history along the River Roskem and gradual expansion toward the swamp give the mystery roots beyond simply “something scary lives nearby.”

The swamp is waiting. A forgotten wetland, disappearances, and an ancient presence make an excellent recipe for sending otherwise sensible adventurers somewhere they absolutely should not go.

It's built for a substantial one-shot. With an estimated 3–6 hour playtime, there's room for investigation, exploration, roleplay, and whatever the party finds in Roskem.

Adventure Details

System: Dungeons & Dragons 5e
Characters: 4–5 level 4 characters
Play time: 3–6 hours
Format: Physical A5 zine, staple-bound
Pages: 18
Style: Mystery / dark fantasy one-shot
Setting: Myristat & Roskem Swamp
Written by: Tim Roberts

Some things in the swamp are better left undisturbed. Unfortunately, you need to find those missing people.