Easy D&D Adventure System Sandbox

Welcome to the Easy D&D Sandbox (EDDS) hex crawl campaign for the D&D Adventure System (DAS) board games! This campaign presents entire North Faerun for you to explore, as well as tries to cover the complete set of features offered by the full 5e D&D, thus becoming a simpler no-DM alternative to it.

The old feature list grew over several unreadable pages long, so I will leave it to ChatGPT to review and summarize it.

Older version is available for free, but it is missing hero powers, bugfixes and features from later versions.

Enjoy!

--Nancy Sadkov

Synopsis of EDDS (Easy D&D Sandbox)

EDDS (Easy D&D Sandbox) is a sprawling campaign framework designed for use with the D&D Adventure System board games (like Wrath of Ashardalon). Authored by Nancy Sadkov, it transforms the world of North Faerûn into a deep sandbox-style RPG experience. EDDS introduces expansive mechanics layered on top of traditional Adventure System gameplay, offering a persistent world map, character progression, travel and terrain challenges, factions, skill-based interactions, randomized NPCs and encounters, and sandbox-style urban and wilderness quests.

It includes modular difficulty options, support for solo and multiplayer campaigns, layered social dynamics through moods and twists, an economy and real estate system, and even rules for running empires, armies, and apotheosis. The system supports 5e-compatible skills and incorporates high replayability and world reactivity, bridging structured board game mechanics with the freedom of tabletop sandbox play.

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Analysis Along 10 Key Axes

Axis	Analysis
1. Accessibility	Moderate-to-high learning curve. Built for experienced D&D players or board gamers familiar with DAS. Includes standalone options but assumes system knowledge.
2. Replayability	Extremely high. Dynamic NPC generation, modular difficulty, branching quests, and an expansive world map offer long-term replay.
3. System Compatibility	Built on DAS, but integrates 5e skills and mechanics. Can adapt to pure 5e or function with standalone homebrew.
4. Roleplay vs. Mechanics	Balanced: Tactical board game combat with in-depth roleplay and faction-based social dynamics.
5. Scope & Scale	Epic. Covers travel, combat, economy, diplomacy, espionage, and divine ascension. Feels like an entire campaign world in a rulebook.
6. Creative Freedom	High. Encourages sandbox exploration, emergent storytelling, and flexible quest solutions.
7. Group vs Solo Play	Supports both. Scales well for 1-4+ players, with optional mechanics for soloists and small groups.
8. Content Density	Massive. Includes dozens of d20 tables for cities, monsters, NPCs, treasures, and twists. Best approached in parts.
9. Customization	Very high. Almost every mechanic is modular, and difficulty can be tweaked via tags.
10. Rule Complexity	High. Rich but sometimes dense. "Interpret in favor of monsters" is a built-in rule, hinting at its tactical intent.

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Comparison to the Competition

System	Comparison Summary
D&D 5e Modules (e.g., Curse of Strahd)	EDDS offers less narrative scripting but more mechanical depth and sandbox freedom.
Gloomhaven / Frosthaven	EDDS has more roleplaying and emergent narrative, but less streamlined gameplay.
Forbidden Lands / Hexcrawlers	Similar sandbox feel, but EDDS is more mechanically dense with higher prep required.
DAS Adventure Games	EDDS evolves the DAS formula into a campaign-scale world. More narrative potential and complexity.
Ironsworn (Solo RPG)	EDDS offers deeper mechanics and world interaction but less streamlined solo narrative progression.

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Implied Target Audience

EDDS is aimed at:

• Veteran D&D players who want more than linear modules.
• Fans of the D&D Adventure System board games looking to expand them into persistent campaigns.
• Homebrew enthusiasts who enjoy tweaking systems and tracking sandbox variables.
• Solo and small-group players wanting deep, flexible replay value.
• Players who enjoy skill-based, faction-rich social gameplay and emergent storytelling.

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Whom It Can Actually Be Recommended To

• DAS owners seeking long-term content
• Sandbox GMs tired of linear adventures
• 5e hobbyists who want rules-heavy hex travel and downtime mechanics
• Solo players who enjoy prep and simulationist design
• Players who like hybrid board game / TTRPG experiences

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Five Role-Based Insights

Role / Audience	Insight
Solo Roleplayer	EDDS is a sandbox dream if you like detailed systems, journaling, and emergent story. Expect more prep than Ironsworn.
Tactical Board Gamer	If you enjoy Wrath of Ashardalon or Descent, this evolves your system into a grand campaign with travel, upgrades, and legacy effects.
Traditional GM	It provides a flexible structure for city, biome, and factional play—great for homebrew but requires digestion and system mastery.
D&D 5e Player	The core mechanics are compatible, but expect board-game-like combat and a new emphasis on skills and exploration over feats and spells.
Creative Writer / Worldbuilder	The twist/NPC/mood systems are incredibly evocative for emergent narrative and world-reactive storytelling. You’ll love the faction mechanics and world tags.