ConquerorThe Heist of the Nihil Casino
A vault-casino between worlds—the stakes: memories and years of life
Show stat block
Infallible Wager. Once per day, as an action, he can force a creature to make a wager; the creature makes a DC 19 Wisdom saving throw, and on a failure loses 1 level (its maximum hit points decrease by 10), which he keeps as a token.
Planar Walk. As a bonus action, he can teleport to another location within 60 ft. that he can see.
Multiattack. He uses Fatal Cards twice.
Fatal Cards. Ranged Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, range 60 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (4d8+3) slashing damage.
Life Stake (Recharge 5-6). One target within 30 ft. must make a DC 19 Charisma saving throw; on a failure, it takes 36 (8d8) psychic damage and becomes charmed until the end of its next turn; on a success, it takes half as much damage and isn't charmed.
The Story
The portal chamber flickers in impossible colors and gravity feels more like a suggestion than a law. Before you floats a vault between worlds, ringed by spinning rings of light, guarded by faceless beings that seem not to know time. A slick figure in a tailored suit materializes beside you. "The client pays royally," he says with an empty smile. "The price of failure we'd rather not discuss."
Casino Nihil drifts between the worlds and gambles not for gold but for memories and years of life—those who lose at the tables leave the hall younger in mind and older in body. Deep in the vault lies an artifact its owner should never have possessed, and the portal that leads there opens only one night a year. Tonight.
You crack the casino from top to bottom: you bluff past croupiers with loaded dice, defeat locks that change shape by the second, and descend through floors where gravity falls in every direction. Faceless guards patrol outside of time, and one wrong bet at the tables costs you a memory you need to escape.
The twist: the slick middleman works not for your client but for the master of the house—the entire heist is a trap to lure fresh souls to the tables. In the climax, as the yearly portal slams shut, you face the Croupier of the End: behind his eternal smile hides a being that never lost a wager and collects years of life like chips. You must out-play him in one final gamble and crack the vault before the portal closes—lose, and you remain part of the house forever.
Look inside
The first 6 of 17 pages — exactly what's in the PDF. Click to enlarge
Ambience playlist
Hit play and just stay on this page.
Frequently asked questions
What language is this adventure in?
This page is in English. DM Shots adventures are crafted in clear, ready-to-read prose so you can run them straight from the table.
Which edition is it for?
The fifth edition (5e). It is compatible with the common 5e rules and includes stat blocks and encounters.
What do I get after buying?
An instant-download PDF with the complete adventure, a cinematic map, NPCs, encounters, printable loot cards and a DM guide.
How long does it take to play?
A typical DM Shots one-shot runs in 3 to 4 hours, perfect for a single evening at the table.
What if I'm not happy?
Didn't the adventure play the way you hoped? Email us within 7 days at hallo@dmshots.com and you get your money back, no hassle.
Related adventures
The Skyfleet of Admiral Corven
The Ball of the Moth Marchioness
The Night Train to Mortenholt
The Tower of Master Vaelric