Ten TTRPG Adventures That Changed the World
From frog gods to cursed bloodlines, these ten groundbreaking adventures not only shaped their own systems but also reshaped how we play tabletop role-playing games today.
Long before we had streaming sagas, deluxe boxed sets, or AI-powered VTTs, a single frog temple changed everything. This is the story of ten tabletop RPG adventures that told unforgettable stories and transformed the hobby itself. Let’s dive in.
1. Temple of the Frog – The First TTRPG Adventure
Back in 1975, TSR published Supplement II: Blackmoor for the original Dungeons & Dragons. Hidden inside was a game-changer: Temple of the Frog, the first fully written, ready-to-play adventure in RPG history.
Dave Arneson’s swampy, sci-fi-infused scenario proved that Game Masters didn’t have to homebrew everything. With alien tech, evil cults, and a fleshed-out setting, Temple of the Frog introduced the concept of the “published module,” paving the way for everything from Keep on the Borderlands to Curse of Strahd.
2. Against the Giants & The Temple of Elemental Evil – The First Epic Campaigns
Against the Giants (1978) linked three adventures into one saga. It introduced the idea of long-form storytelling, complete with escalating threats and a behind-the-scenes villain—those infamous Drow.
Meanwhile, The Village of Hommlet and its follow-up, The Temple of Elemental Evil, blended sandbox intrigue with mega-dungeon depth. Together, they demonstrated how serialized storytelling could drive campaigns forward; something echoed in today’s adventure paths and 5e hardcovers.
3. Ravenloft – The Vampire With a Soul
In 1983, Ravenloft gave the world Strahd von Zarovich and a whole new way of thinking about villains. Gothic horror, randomized objectives, and a proactive, intelligent antagonist made this module a masterclass in mood and replayability.
It’s no surprise that Ravenloft inspired entire systems like Vampire: The Masquerade, and modern remakes like Curse of Strahd remain among D&D’s most beloved and bestselling adventures.
4. Masks of Nyarlathotep – The Gold Standard of Investigative Horror
No campaign looms larger over investigative horror than Masks of Nyarlathotep (1984). Set across multiple continents, it offered non-linear storytelling, time pressure, and consequences that rippled from one chapter to the next.
Its massive legacy shapes everything from The Enemy Within to Eternal Lies. And yes, it’s still devastatingly lethal. But in the best way.
5. Dark Sun’s DS1–DSQ Modules – The Rise of the Metaplot
The Dark Sun adventures of the early ’90s were the first to sync directly with a novel series. Players could topple tyrants and shift the world’s political map—and those choices became canon in future books.
This “adventure as unfolding story arc” model laid the groundwork for Pathfinder Adventure Paths, serialized D&D campaigns, and even the narrative-first structure of games like Daggerheart.
6. The Grand Pendragon Campaign – A Lifetime of Stories
Pendragon’s Grand Campaign remains a marvel: a single saga spanning 80+ years of in-world history. Players play heroes who guide dynasties, passing torches between generations.
It redefined what an RPG could be: less about dungeon crawling, more about lineage, myth, and the unstoppable march of time.
7. Shackled City – From Dungeon Magazine to Empire
When Paizo launched Shackled City in Dungeon Magazine, it was a revelation. Instead of standalone modules, Game Masters were handed a serialized story that carried characters from level 1 to 20.
This idea exploded into Pathfinder’s Adventure Path line and reshaped how publishers—and players—think about campaign structure.
8. OSR Adventures (DCC, OSE, Shadowdark) – The Anti-Campaign
Old School Renaissance modules like Dungeon Crawl Classics, Old-School Essentials, and Shadowdark flipped the script. These adventures prioritized brutal survival, emergent storytelling, and Game Master improvisation over epic arcs.
They reminded us that not all campaigns need to be long. Sometimes the best stories emerge from a single deadly dungeon.
9. Six Seasons in Sartar – Community Content Goes Prestige
What began as Andrew Logan Montgomery’s home game became a masterpiece of mythic storytelling. Six Seasons in Sartar brought a personal, coming-of-age tale to RuneQuest, guiding players from adolescence into legend.
Its success on the Jonstown Compendium proved community creators could match (or surpass) official releases.
10. The Dracula Dossier – The Campaign is the Conspiracy
What if Dracula were real and MI6 tried to weaponize him?
That’s the conceit behind The Dracula Dossier by Kenneth Hite. In this sandbox spy thriller, players unravel a century-old conspiracy using the in-world “Dracula Unredacted” novel as their map.
With its node-based design and multiple entry points, it redefined what an open-world RPG campaign could look like and inspired indie hits like Brindlewood Bay and The Fall of DELTA GREEN.
TL;DR
These ten adventures reshaped how we experience great stories:
Temple of the Frog invented the published module.
Against the Giants and Elemental Evil made campaigns epic.
Ravenloft gave us tragic villains and mood-driven design.
Masks of Nyarlathotep turned horror into a global, investigative puzzle.
Dark Sun’s arcs made adventure consequences canon.
The Grand Pendragon Campaign taught us to play for generations.
Shackled City launched the serialized Adventure Path model.
OSR modules revived danger and discovery.
Six Seasons in Sartar elevated indie campaigns to literary heights.
The Dracula Dossier turned the sandbox into a symphony.
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