-Scorched

Sands-
Contents
Introduction: Page 3
About the Campaign: Pg. 3
Story Outline: Pg. {}
❖ Backstory: Pg. 4
The Beginning of the End: Pg. 4
Scorched Earth: Pg. 4
Unforeseen Consequences: Pg. 4
Fire and Brimstone: Pg. 4
❖ Mechanics: Pg.
Pt 1. Humble Beginnings: Pg.7
New York: Pg.
Empire State Building: Pg.

Additions: Page {}
Weapons: Page {}
Enemies: Page {}

2
Introduction
The roars of an engine cry out across
an arid landscape as an armored humvee
screeches to a stop. The party gazes out into
the scorches of what was once called the
United States. The metallic surface of their
beloved vehicle shimmers in the boiling air,
which only adds to the sweltering
discomfort. In the sky above there is no hint
of cloud cover that could relieve them from
the blaring sun. Silence permeates the air,
only occasionally interrupted by hints of life
that were able to adapt to such a climate.
The party silently surveys the vast
ruins that populate the valley. To some the
times of peace were nothing more than a
distant recollection, to others little more
than a folktale. Once these were bustling
streets filled with traffic and lined with
businesses. Where once laid homes now lay
debris, mere echoes of a civilization long
fallen to black, ash-filled turmoil.
Yet hope prevails among the remains
of society, as embers of civilization burn on.
At the far end of this destruction sits a small
town, defended by a thin wall of broken
down cars and other relics of the old world.
A temporary water supply can be seen on
one end of the wall, contained in large semi
trucks. Relief washes over the band of
adventurers, as many of them believed that
they would never find respite from the harsh
glare of the sun. Even out here, they think to
themselves, there are those with the tenacity
to kindle hope in these desolate plains.
About the Campaign
Scorched Sands is a fanmade DnD 5e
campaign set in a post-apocalyptic earth
that has been ravaged by intense climate
change. The world has become a scorching
desert, and the only lifeforms that can exist
anymore are creatures that have already
adapted to intensely hot climates. Humans
have also survived due to their tenacity. The
campaign, geographically, takes place in the
scorches of what was once called the United
States of America, starting in a tiny town in
New York City.
This book is primarily meant for the
Dungeon Master, but it contains a lot of
backstory and information that would be
important to know for the average player.
This assumes that you already have enough
knowledge of DnD 5e to be able to run it
with only the bare essentials, so it’s
recommended you have already
read/understood the Dungeon Master’s
Guide and the Player’s Handbook.
All stat blocks, NPCs, weapons,
towns, maps, etc. will be included in this
book, as it is a harsh departure from DnD’s
usual venture into the fantasy realm. This
does not mean you should skip out on the
previously mentioned books, as those
contain many of the mechanics that will be
used.
Story Outline
This campaign primarily follows a
trip across the United States, beginning in
New York and ending in San Francisco. The
party sets out in fear of oversea threats, as
they receive a radio transmission from many
places in Europe about some force on their
side of the world that is creating chaos. In
fear of being annihilated the players are
encouraged to move to the west coast to
hopefully escape from this force for a while
longer.
{FINISH LATER, I’M LAZY}
3
Backstory
The Cold War is a series of events
that lives in infamy within any history book.
So, living up to its importance, the events of
Scorched Sands are indirectly influenced by
the Cold War and the hostilities that took
place then. After the timeline splits a series
of events unfold that leads to the utter
destruction of human civilization, as well as
the setting that the party will be able to
traverse across the campaign.
The Beginning of the End
This campaign follows normal
human history up until 1990, where the
USA began an ambitious technological
undertaking with the top secret Project:
Scorched Earth. A project with the goal of
putting climate-altering satellites above the
atmosphere of Soviet Soil. Because of this
event, the technology of the US and Soviet
Union continued to rapidly escalate,
allowing for more technologically advanced
weaponry that you will witness within the
confines of Scorched Sands (This included
the invention of the first railgun in 2000,
and the first plasma weapon in 2011). In
addition to the technological advancements
differing in Scorched Sands, the Soviet
Union didn’t collapse until much later.
Scorched Earth
In 2002, the Soviet Union produced
the technology needed for advanced
machinery to ease the burden of the
workers. It was called Project: Zakharov,
but, as they were producing these robots,
the Soviets knew they could use these for
striking within the US by making every
robot into an effective sleeper agent, ready
to turn on their masters on the turn of a
dime, and, so, they began implementing
them into their robots in 2020. The USA did
eventually get their hands on Soviet robots
by buying them from the nation of
Yugoslavia. Tensions continued to rise
between two superpowers, and when
Project: Scorched Earth was finally finished
in 2017, it was deployed against the Soviet
Union. However, it took time in order for
the effects to be seen. The population did
indeed notice, and with no way to keep their
concerns remedied, the Soviet Union
officially collapsed in 2024.
Unforeseen Consequences
Despite the relative payoff the US
gained with the collapse of the Soviet Union,
drawbacks previously undiscovered began
making themselves known after the firing of
Project: Scorched Earth. The heat dissipated
throughout the globe, affecting the United
States as well as many other countries. This
eventually led into civil riots over the
perceived end of the world. The Presidential
administration at that time decided to take
action, building many bunkers to withstand
the inhospitable heat in 2029.
Unfortunately, their efforts weren’t enough
to save a significant fraction of the
population and, much like the Soviet Union,
the United States of America collapsed in
the year 2038.
Fire and Brimstone
With many countries collapsing,
factions arose around the globe. Among
them includes the RUSS (Revived Union of
Soviet States) in 2042, which stumbled
upon the dormant Soviet technology meant
to hack robots across the globe in 2045.
With this technology they began their
rampage across the Eastern Hemisphere,
taking over much of the previous Soviet
Union, and sweeping the barren wasteland
with incomprehensible speed. They easily
squashed what little bits of resistance
4
remained. Once they finished their assault
on the Eastern Hemisphere with the defeat
of what was left of Iceland, they then turned
their eyes west and hastily took over Alaska
in 2047. In the process they founded the
ASSR (American Soviet Socialist Republic),
however, they were met with much more
resistance than previously expected and are
licking their wounds before continuing their
assault. Which brings us into the time of
which Scorched Sands takes place, 2058.
The RUSS’s unstoppable armies are on the
horizon, as well as the drying of Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans, allowing for more mobility
and access to once immensely sought-after
resources.

5
Humble Beginnings

6
New York
The starting point for Scorched
Sands is the once metropolitan city of New
York, a shining example of how the world
has been altered. Long Island, once
surrounded by ocean, is a practical desert,
as the heat proved too unbearable for the
population that once lived there. The
players will could be here for a variety of
reasons; they are a bounty hunter looking
for a job, a straggler, hoping to tough out
the apocalypse, or much more, whatever the
reason, however, they are subject to the
‘laws’ put in place by a cobbled together
militia. While staying in New York, the
players receive an order from the militia, to
meet with the ‘King’ of New York, and they
are escorted to the Statue of Liberty, warped
through ages of unnatural heat. The King of
New York, called Samuel I, is quite
immature for his age, used to getting what
he wants. He demands the players go on an
expedition across the remains of the United
States, specifically to San Francisco to
investigate a signal that has been overriding
their robots that has made New York
bearable. They are given time and resources
to prepare for their trip, including a vehicle
and a guide, a robot called ‘Bolts.’ Bolts
recommends three paths to get to San
Francisco (see Appendix A)
The New Yorkers
New York is a skeleton of it’s
previous self, however, people still live here,
and have created a semi-stable society. The
streets are barren, but in the underground
subways and hidden away in warped sky
scrapers are the remains of the city. The
entire Upper Bay is completely dried, any
trace of natural rivers and the Atlantic are
gone, this makes it possible to walk from the
Empire State Building to the Statue of
Liberty to Brooklyn and to New Jersey. The
population is sparse, but lively. However, a
nearby Bandit Emplacement in the Empire
State Building has kept the city wary and
weak
Pastor Brown: A kind gentleman, young for
his occupation, but devout nonetheless. He
expresses contempt with the current King,
and his drinking problem, commonly cites
bible verses in his conversation and
promotes pacifism and cooperation with the
bandits
King Samuel I: He is a bloated drunk old
man who’s not really in charge of New York.
That crown the captain of the Royal Guard,
Captain Duffin. King Samuel I can regularly
be seen drunkenly stumbling around the
Saloon
Bartender Al K. Hall: He introduces himself
by his full name. He seems overworked from
the recent visits of the King. His opinion of
how New York should be run is just as it is.
Trucker Bart: He runs the garage in New
York, and the players must talk to him to
receive the vehicle they will use to traverse
the United States.
Captain Duffin: Captain Duffin is a stoic and
jaded soldier, yet he still has a strong grasp
on the populace. He is calm and
level-headed, and is quick to shoot down
any ideas he deems stupid, he has a
superiority complex.
Colonel Cook: He’s a flamboyant colonel,
and he’s ambitious, one might even say
reckless, he’s somewhat angry that Captain
Duffin shot down his plan of an assault on
the Empire State Building.
Granny Ann: Sweet old lady running the
local inn. She offers free services and tries to
be as cordial and pamper her guests.
7
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building, being as
large and famous as it is, has given rise to a
very large bandit camp. This poses a serious
threat to New York. Not long after the
campaign begins, after the party has become
slightly acquainted with the denizens of
New York, the king requests an audience
with anyone who may desire to fight off this
potential force. The players travel to the
Statue of Liberty to speak with him, and
appear in front of the king along with a
couple other nameless NPCs. The king asks
all that have appeared to travel to the bandit
camp located in the empire state building to
defeat the bandit leader, hoping that this
will scare off the potential threat to New
York.
“This vermin has been a great
burden on the people! Our food supply is
running low, our numbers are thinning, this
problem must be addressed if New York is
to survive. Now, friends, who will take up
this mantle of responsibility and purge the
Empire State Building?”
After the king’s speech is finished,
every single NPC volunteer either remains
silent, politely walks away or states their
concern and declines the offer, leaving to
only volunteers being the player party
(hopefully, if a player defects then they
probably won’t partake in the adventure, so
don’t do it).
“Bah! That’s all? I expected more
from my loyal subjects. No matter, I shall
see to it that you few who have volunteered
will be rewarded handsomely, you shall find
the escort vehicle in our garage.”
The escort vehicle is located in the
communal garage, just next to the
water-hauling semi-trucks. A weaponless,
scrappy, and tiny run-down jeep that isn’t in
nearly as good condition as the semi-trucks.
The engine sputters to life as the player’s
chosen driver turns the key. The players
drive off to the Empire State Building.
Rolling up to the building the players
find a towering monument of a once great
people, though not nearly as tall nowadays.
The fires have ravaged this building leaving
only its wreckage, but inside up to 7 bandits
reside, including a much stronger one that
leads them.
Every enemy, except for the boss,
uses the Bandit statblock. Instead of the
crossbow they’ll be using regular firearms,
but it’s the same mechanics. They also don’t
have scimitars, you can use whatever melee
weapon you think would fit. The only enemy
that always appears no matter the party size
is the bandit leader, who has a unique
statblock and will be the first enemy that
players come across that uses plasma
weaponry.
The players enter the lobby of the
Empire state building, its golden interior
still somehow majestic even after its
occupants are long gone. As the players
progress through the building the bandits
seem to be caught off-guard, but they
progressively begin to expect the players.
During the battles some bandits seem to run
off further into the structure.
When entering the boss room the
players are greeted by a disgruntled woman
wielding a very strange weapon. The strange
purple pulsing of the gun’s interior
highlights her wrinkled face as she stares
down the party members, her expression
filled with anger.
“Are you the morons who killed my
crew?!” She shouts. “I’m gonna make sure
you people pay for their deaths!”
She raises her plasma weapon and
prepares to begin battling the players. If the
players had instead chosen to enter through
one of the side routes, they would have
caught her off-guard and they would gain a
surprise advantage.
8
 After the players defeat the bandit
leader, they find that there’s a key around
her neck. This key actually connects to the
door at the back of the chamber, which
allows easy access to some scaffolding on
the backside of the building. The players are
able to use the key and exit the building, and
can return to New York for their reward
from the king.
The king of New York greets them on
their arrival. “Ah, esteemed subjects, I see
your escapade was successful! As promised,
your reward” He gestures to an open safe
next to them “Now, enjoy our safe kingdom,
mingle with the other subjects and such.”
Inside the safe is 🝮15,000, and the
king ushers the players out of his throne
room and into the rest of his kingdom. From
here the players have many options for
where to go.
As the players explore they find
hodge-podges of sheds constructed from
debris of the surrounding dead behemoth of
a city,

9
 8. Maintenance Room
1. Impressive entrance 9. Lobby
2. Receptionist desk (cannot cross from 10. Bathroom
front) 11. Bathroom
3. Hallway 12. Electrician’s Office
4. Business room 13. Office Room
5. A room with a hole in the side of the 14. Closet (Bandit will attack with
wall to enter surprise round
6. Hallway 15. Closet
7. Storage Closet 16. Conference Room
17. Stairwell

10
1. Stairwell 6. Conference Room
2. Lobby 7. Cubicle
3. Bathroom 8. Conference room
4. Bathroom 9. Hallway
5. Hallway 10. Breakroom
11. Kitchen
12. Freezer 13. Office (boss room

11
Appendix A:
Route Maps

12
Appendix B: as they act essentially the same. Examples
for potential enhancements will be provided
below, but they are not required to be
Magic:
followed.
In a system geared towards a high
Aside from modern weapons this
fantasy setting, it is hard to play without this
world is now equipped with plasma
aspect, as many of the parts that makes
weapons. These weapons do not use base
D&D unique is the easy to understand
futuristic weapons in 5e, but are completely
Magic system. However, in Scorched Sands,
different. Plasma weapons have a unique
magic is still a fantasy. What now takes its
style that is specifically made for this
place is cybernetic enhancements that give
setting. They have a much more geometric
hosts abilities similar to magic. For
and militaristic look, rather than a pristine
example, a wizard who has the Necromancy
shine like many sci-fi weapons. In addition
spells might rely on certain life-supporting
to this, They do not have magazines of any
technological systems to keep them alive in
kind, instead relying on a wind-up
tough situations. A Sorcerer who has
functionality, as these weapons have a
Charming spells might use tranquilizer
chamber where plasma is heated up. The
darts that contain mind and mood-altering
player can choose to either charge up this
drugs that can give them a social edge. The
shot over time, which results in a more
ways in which cybernetics are used as a
damaging hit, or to release quickly.
stand-in for magic in Scorched Sands is
Releasing quickly deals less damage but it is
ultimately up to the Dungeon Master, but it
much quicker to fire. It is possible for
allows Players to have greater creative
plasma weapons to have multiple chambers
freedom of how they use their abilities, and
in the form of revolvers and double-barreled
encourages unique thinking.
shotguns. It should be kept in mind that
multiple chambers need more space, so they
Weaponry: are smaller chambers that deal less damage.
The weapons in Scorched Sands These weapons cannot be enhanced at all, so
function slightly differently than in base as to keep them distinct from kinetic
DnD 5e. Simple kinetic weaponry functions weapons. The plasma weapons derive their
very basically, however all simple guns can uniqueness from their special mechanics,
now have slight enhancements based on the which will be listed below, along with stats.
player’s creativity and the DM’s limitations.
Most of these enhancements are changes to
the ammunition or how it fires, however
there are technically no limits to what kinds
of changes can be made to a gun. It is
advised that only one change be made to a
gun at a time, however there may be ways to
incorporate multiple enhancements within a
gun at a time. At most the number of
enhancements should be around 2, with 1
being the most recommended. Other than
the enhancements, please refer to base DnD
5e books for how modern weapons function,

13
Enhancement Examples:
“Elemental” Effects:
Elemental is in quotes as this is not
elemental in the traditional sense. This
simply means that the bullets take on
additional properties outside of their base
function. A good example of this is the
Borderlands series of games, in which some
guns can fire incendiary, corrosive,
cryogenic, or explosive rounds. This is not to
say that the effect is bound to this game, but
that the bullets have added effects that make
them more interesting.
Tracking Rounds:
Bullets that are able to adjust their
trajectory In order to Almost guarantee a hit
against the enemy. This can be done as a
simple increase in accuracy, or a much
larger change where the bullet is nearly
guaranteed to hit, albeit at a reduction of
other important things like damage or
fire-rate.
Ricochet Bullets:
Bullets or firing mechanisms that
specialize in ricocheting against objects,
walls, and enemies in unique ways. This
could perhaps let a player select two
enemies to target with one bullet, or provide
unique ways to fire at enemies from behind
cover. This way you don’t actually have to
see an enemy in order to target it, as long as
you have a surface that can be ricocheted off
of.
Speed Enhancer:
Landing a hit on an enemy has a
chance to give the user a temporary speed
buff, increasing their speed by 15 ft for a
short period of time. This would be very
useful for speedy classes that want to travel
fast and hit a lot of enemies.
Spider-web:
This weapon fires multiple
projectiles at once that connect to each
other. The bullets could connect in multiple
ways: Electricity, nylon rope, plasma, really
anything could work. This would essentially
turn the weapon into a cone weapon, so it
could hit multiple enemies at once if they
are close to each other, and it could hit any
number of enemies.
Literally explosive:
When firing this gun it creates an
explosion on top of the character who fired.
It’s harmless to the user, but incredibly
dangerous to anyone nearby. Why is it not
dangerous to the user? Because someone
still needs to be alive in order to fire it.
Unscientific for sure, but very fun.
Magnetic bullets:
These bullets are very similar to the
tracking rounds, however they can only
track magnetic material. This is useful
because it can give a guaranteed hit on
robotic enemies, while having almost none
to zero of the drawbacks listed with the
tracking rounds.
Illuminated Enemy Targeter:
An enhancement that, for once, does
not affect the bullet. This one makes it so
you can see enemies in darkness and
through walls. Nothing will ever surprise
you with this attachment!
Turret Mode:
Throwing your gun allows the gun to
attach to whatever surface it lands on and
become an autonomous turret. You cannot
control it directly though, so you will need
to use a different weapon until you can
retrieve it. It occupies a 5 ft cube.
14
Secondary Fire Mode:
The weapon in question has access
to an entire separate weapon. This
secondary weapon cannot be the same type
of weapon as the primary one. This will give
the weapon more versatility as it has more
application to extra scenarios. This
secondary weapon is weaker than the
primary, but has different applications.
Compact Rounds:
Allows tinier bullets that, while
lacking in power, allow you to carry many
more of them before needing to reload.
Double the magazine size with a reduction
in damage.
Weapon Stabilizer:
Your weapon has added stabilizers
on it that allows it to become much more
stable at the cost of your movement speed.
This makes you significantly more accurate,
but you’re slow when the stabilizers are
active.
Tri-Fire Mechanism:
As it turns out, attaching more
barrels to a gun really does make it better.
With this, your gun allows 2 new directions
of firing, practically making a makeshift
cone attack. Any enemy that’s unlucky
enough to be caught downrange one of the
other barrels will find themselves riddled
with holes.
Stunner:
It’s difficult to pull off, but this
modification allows your gun to temporarily
stun a nearby enemy, preventing them from
taking any actions for a short period of time.
Opponents must fail a constitution save
equal to your spellcasting ability-3 to stun.
Harmless propulsion:
Given your weapon fires rockets, you
can use the rockets against yourself to send
you a short distance. These rockets are
designed to launch people instead of killing
them.
Stabilizing Thrusters:
The gun has built-in thrusters that
compensate for the player’s shaky hands.
This allows them to hit enemies much more
precisely. Natural 19+ attacks are now crits.
Rocket Linkers:
Landing a hit on the enemy attaches
a rocket to them, which pushes them in
random directions as they flail about. Also
decreases their accuracy.
Attached melee weapon:
Your melee weapon is able to return
to you, be through rockets, wires, or
whatever feels appropriate. You can now use
it as a short-ranged option, instead of using
it up-close.
Prosthetically-attached pistol:
Given it’s a smaller firearm, your
gun now attaches directly to your body,
allowing you to use it at the same time as
other actions. This essentially allows you to
fire your gun as an extra action each turn,
but only firing your gun
Extra Gunpowder:
You now have the option to pack
extra gunpowder into your rounds. Deciding
to shoot a round with extra gunpowder
sends the bullet flying much further and
faster than ordinary bullets. It deals extra
damage, but has severe amounts of
kickback. There is a limited supply of these
bullets, but you can make more or have a
gunsmith make more.
15
Stats For Plasma Weapons:

The damage Of these weapons vary depending on how much you’ve charged them. It
does more damage by increasing the number of dice you roll. You can charge it for up to 3 turns.
Charging will follow this series of increases:

1. Charging to take up an entire turn doubles the number of dice you roll
2. Taking 2 turns to charge triples the number of dice you roll
3. Taking 3 turns to charge quadruples the number of dice you roll

Once you are done charging you can fire on the same turn in which you finish charging.
It should be mentioned that charging a plasma gun comes with its consequences. The longer you
charge, the better payoff, but they come with these disadvantages:

1. The first charge uses up 1.5 times the normal amount of ammunition it takes for a
regular shot. The player cannot fire a charged shot for 1 entire turn.
2. The second charge uses up 2 times the normal amount of ammunition. The player cannot
charge a shot for 2 turns.
3. The final charge uses 3 times the normal amount of ammunition. The player cannot
charge a shot for 2 turns.

No matter how long the cooldown is, you can still fire regular shots with the plasma pistol with
no penalty. The penalty only applies to ammunition and the charge shot itself. Loading and
reloading works identically to base DnD guns. You take either an action or bonus action
depending on the character in order to reload and continue firing.

Weapons Cost Damage Weight Properties

Plasma Revolver - 1d4 lightning 4 lb. Ammunition (range 40/120), reload (6

shots)

Plasma Revolver Rifle - 2d4 lightning 6 lb. Ammunition (range 80/240), reload (6
shots)

Plasma Shotgun - 2d6 lightning 9 lb. Ammunition (range 30/90), loading

Plasma - 1d8 lightning 8 lb. Ammunition (range/30/90), reload (2

Double-barreled shots)
Shotgun

Plasma Sawed-off - 2d6 lightning 5 lb. Ammunition (range 10/40), reload (2

Shotgun shots)

Plasma Rifle - 1d10 lightning 6 lb. Ammunition (range 80/240), loading

Plasma Pistol - 1d6 lightning 4 lb. Ammunition (Range 40/120), loading

16
Appendix C:
Scorched Sands introduces multiple new enemies and enemy types to DnD 5e. Of course,
you will often be using default enemy statblocks, but there are new ones to mention. There are a
few types of new humans, a brand new type of enemy that is robotic, some creature statblocks
for things like coyotes, and all boss statblocks will be held here.

Plasma Bandit
Medium Humanoid, any non-lawful alignment

Armor Class: 12 (studded leather)

Hit Points: 11 (2d8+2)
Speed: 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT CHA

11 (+0) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0)

Senses: Passive perception 10

Languages: Any one language (most likely english, but can speak other languages like spanish)
Challenge: ⅛ (25 xp)

Actions:
Random Melee Weapon: Melee weapon attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: (1d6 +1)
slashing damage.
Charge Weapon: Charge the bandit’s plasma revolver for one turn. See how plasma weapons
work in Appendix B
Fire Plasma Revolver: Ranged weapon attack: +3 to hit, reach 40/120., one target. Hit: (1d4) +
(charge time)d4+ 1 lightning damage, reload (6 shots)

Empire State Bandit Leader

Medium Humanoid, neutral evil

Armor Class: 13 (studded leather)

Hit Points: 15 (3d10)
Speed: 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT CHA

11 (+0) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 11 (+0) 10 (+0)

17
Senses: Passive perception 10
Languages: English
Challenge: ½ (100xp)

Actions:
Machete: Melee weapon attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: (1d10 + 1) slashing
damage
Charge Weapon: Charge the bandit’s plasma revolver rifle for one turn. See how plasma
weapons work in Appendix B
Fire Plasma Revolver Rifle: Ranged weapon attack: +3 to hit, reach 80/240., one target. Hit:
(2d4) + (charge time * 2)d4+ 1 lightning damage, reload (6 shots)
Grenade: uses the fragmentation grenade in the DM’s Guide

18
Appendix D:
MONEYMONEYMONEY

19