Dungeons & Dragons: All Settings In Quests From The Infinite Staircase, Ranked

Summary

• Take a journey into fantasy with Quests From The Infinite Staircase, featuring whimsical and sci-fi adventures.
• Encounter fallen stars, creepy caverns, ancient ruins, and a peaceful garden in this rich collection of settings.
• Explore politics, magic, traps, and treasures in classic dungeon-crawling adventures that offer unique challenges.

Wizards of the Coast have done it again. Quests From The Infinite Staircase has come out, and it is a bundle of fun from cover to cover. Quests From The Infinite Staircase is a re-release of six classic adventures updated for the Fifth Edition of Dungeons & Dragons. The themes range from whimsical whimsy to sci-fi sinister, but all of them are great.

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But which are the best in terms of setting? Which areas have that sense of atmosphere that Dungeons & Dragons' settings are known for? These are all the settings from Quests From The Infinite Staircase ranked.

6 When A Star Falls

Even Wizards Play Politics

The setting of When a Star Falls is celestially fun. A star has fallen from the sky and landed. Where it has landed is unknown, but the Elder Sage Shalfey believes that finding it is the key to finding a book of prophecies. He had sent out his guard to find the star, but in their absence, he was overthrown as Elder Sage by a trusted apprentice. As the adventurers set out in search of the star themselves, they stumble into a world of politics and prophecies.

This setting is a pretty standard fantasy setting. It has wizards and magic towers and a society of sages who can predict the future—for a price. Players will adventure from a farm filled with math and goats to the tower of the sages. The most interesting thing in this setting is the internal politics of the sages. There are secret code phrases that can be used to earn trust, as well as characters who know more than they’re letting on about the ‘death’ of the Elder Sage. When a Star Falls may be a typical fantasy story, but the addition of falling stars and mysterious prophecies elevates the story from simple to sublime.

5 The Lost Caverns Of Tsojcanth

Tasha's Hideous Hideout

The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth is probably the most traditional ‘dungeon crawl’ of the six stories. However, that doesn’t mean that the setting isn’t interesting. In this adventure, players are sent into the mysterious treasure vault of the Witch-Queen Iggwilv. Iggwilv locked up some of her most powerful treasures deep underground before her defeat, and it is up to the players to quest inside in search of one in particular. Everything else they find along the way is free for the taking…if it doesn’t take them first.

The Lost Caverns is a suitably atmospheric setting. Players will creep through the dark, solving traps and avoiding disaster. All the while, the power of the Witch-Queen licks at their heels, making them wonder if the next trap will be even worse than before. Iggwilv has stocked her caverns with creepy crawlies of all kinds, including a final guardian with a deep connection to the Witch-Queen. While the premise of the dungeon is simple (get in, get the loot, get out), the atmosphere of the Caverns makes up for the basic plot.

Delve into the Witch-Queen’s hidden horde at your own risk. You’ll never know what, or who, you may encounter deep down under the ground.

4 The Lost City

Mask On, Mask Off

For a dungeon designed for first level characters, there is a lot in The Lost City. This adventure takes place in the decaying ziggurat of Cynidicea, a formerly prosperous civilization that fell to the evil designs of the monstrous Zargon the Returner. The civilization has been teetering on the brink of extinction ever since, and it has fractured into three different factions that fight each other instead of the great evil below. Adventurers who delve into the ziggurat will find a decadent and corrupt culture teeming with danger- and treasure for those bold enough to take it.

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This setting is defined by its politics. The three factions within Cynidicea are fully developed and can be joined by players. Joining a faction will offer certain benefits, but it will also earn the ire of other factions. This faction system makes the setting feel very vibrant, and each choice seems to truly matter. The decrepit and decayed ziggurat brings a sense of horror to the setting. It really makes players feel as if they are deep in the depths of a culture that died long ago—even if it hasn’t realized it yet.

The fate of the Cynidiceans is fully in the character’s hands, which makes this setting uniquely moldable. Choices matter in all RPGs, but this setting defines it. What will you choose when you adventure into Cynidicea? Choose wisely.

3 Beyond The Crystal Cave

Let's Go In The Garden...

Cottagecore Dungeons & Dragons? Yes, please. “Beyond the Crystal Cave” is a story unlike any other. It is intentionally designed to be solved without required violence (although you can still murder if you want). Two star-crossed lovers have vanished into a mysterious garden, and it is up to a team of adventurers to get them back.

This dungeon is a feast for the senses. The setting is a beautiful and lush fairy garden filled with a dreamy landscape and curious plants. This garden was created by Caerwyn and Porphura, powerful archmages and lovers of love. The garden serves as a celebration of Caerwyn and Porphura’s love and welcomes all those who share in tender feelings. As a peaceful place made by true love and for true love, the garden’s puzzles can be solved through roleplay and diplomacy.

None of the inhabitants need to be fought, and rewards lay in wait for those who allow their best sides to shine. “Beyond the Crystal Cave” is a celebration of the beautiful side of fantasy. The setting is a lush, lovely environment that serves as an excellent break from slashing and hacking everything in sight. Take a trip into the Garden with this adventure. It won’t be regretted.

2 Expedition To The Barrier Peaks

The Computer Is Your Friend

Many years ago, in the Barrier Peaks, a mysterious ship fell from the sky and crashed into the mountain. Unreachable until a recent earthquake exposed it, a group of adventurers have been sent out to see what lies within. There, they find the remnants of a lost civilization, technology beyond their wildest dreams, and riches galore just ripe for taking…if they can survive.

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Expedition to the Barrier Peaks is unique in so many ways. First of all, it is one of the few truly sci-fi dungeons. It was written in 1980 by Gary Gygax to attempt to introduce fantasy-loving players to the glories of sci-fi. It is filled with shining chrome, silly robots, and more blasters than you can shake a stick at. Secondly, the antagonist is wonderful.

Aphelion is a friendly, funny, and brilliant computer that is just as likely to kill you as it is to lend a hand. Expedition predates Portal, of course, but Aphelion really brings some GLaDOS energy to the game, which is delightful to read. Expedition to the Barrier Peaks is something totally unlike other adventures—and that is a great thing. This setting is an excellent break from sword-and-sorcery fantasy and serves as a great way for players to dip their toes into sci-fi.

1 Pharaoh

Quick, Somebody Call Brendan Fraiser!

A pharaoh trapped in the rotting remains of his kingdom. A mummy-lord bent on destroying those he once cared for. A pyramid filled to the brim with traps and tricks. All these and more await in Pharaoh. Adventurers have been sent into the desert in search of a way to restore the River Athis, a magical river in the heart of the long-dead kingdom of Bakar.

Once, the Pharoah Amun Sa ruled over this land with an iron fist. But his ill-thought dying curse withered the river and ruined the land for centuries. It is now up to the players to adventure inside Amun Sa’s legendarily impenetrable pyramid to find a way to return the waters.

This setting is rich and vivid (which is ironic considering it is a desert). In the ruins of Bakar, dead pharaohs wander the sands, and mummies lurk in ancient tombs. Each room in the pyramid lends a new danger, as well as a new treasure to be earned. The dusty, decaying walls of the pyramid seem to inspire adventure with every word. Within these walls, there are legendary characters, ranging from the penitent Amun Sa to the wicked mummy-lord Nafik. Amun Sa's terrible choices directly led to the desolation around him, which lends a sense of tragedy to this setting.

Restoring this setting by returning the waters leads to the conclusion of this story having real weight. Pharoah is a dangerous and mysterious adventure—and it is worth every grain of sand in the desert.

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