Matt Dinniman

Carl's Doomsday Scenario (Dungeon Crawler Carl)

Matt Dinniman

In this installment of the *Dungeon Crawler Carl* series, Carl and his sentient donut companion, Donut, navigate the increasingly dangerous and absurd challenges of the sprawling Dungeon. Facing new and formidable monster types, intricate puzzles, and the ever-present threat of betraying NPCs, they must leverage Carl's growing skills and Donut's unexpected tactical insights to survive the escalating trials. The narrative delves deeper into the lore of the Dungeon, hinting at larger conspiracies and the true nature of the cosmic game they are forced to play, pushing Carl to his physical and mental limits as he fights for survival and the hope of returning home.

The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook (Dungeon Crawler Carl)

Matt Dinniman

This collection of essays and advice for Dungeon Masters explores innovative and often unconventional approaches to running tabletop role-playing games, particularly focusing on creating dynamic and player-driven narratives. Dinniman offers practical strategies for fostering emergent storytelling, adapting to player choices, and building worlds that feel alive and responsive. The book delves into methods for managing player agency, designing challenging yet fair encounters, and cultivating a collaborative and engaging gameplay experience.

Dungeon Crawler Carl

Matt Dinniman

Carl, a retired dungeon master, is resurrected and forced to crawl through a deadly, procedurally generated dungeon designed by an alien race, accompanied by a sentient, foul-mouthed cat. He must gather legendary loot and survive escalating threats, all while navigating the bizarre rules and unpredictable nature of the cosmic game show. Carl's ultimate goal is to reach the final floor and win his freedom, a quest fraught with peril, dark humor, and increasingly absurd challenges.

The Gate of the Feral Gods (Dungeon Crawler Carl)

Matt Dinniman

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Follow Carl, Princess Donut, and Mongo as they fight their way to the next level in the fourth book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series—now with bonus material exclusive to this print edition! New Achievement! Total, Utter Failure. You failed a quest less than five minutes after you received it. Now that’s talent. Surviving in a multilevel dungeon that also happens to be the set of the galaxy’s most watched game show has taught Coast Guard vet Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, that there’s only one thing they can count on apart from each other: they never know what’s coming next. And this floor is no exception. A floating fortress occupied by warrior gnomes. A castle made of sand. A derelict submarine guarded by malfunctioning machines. A haunted crypt surrounded by lethal traps. It was supposed to be easy. One bubble. Four castles. Fifteen days. Capture each one, and the stairwell is unlocked. Here's the thing. It's never easy. Going it alone is not an option this time, so Carl and his team must rely on the help of the low-level, I-can't-believe-these-idiots-are-still-alive crawlers trapped in the bubble with them. But can they be trusted? Welcome, Crawlers. Welcome to the fifth floor of the dungeon.

The Eye of the Bedlam Bride: Dungeon Crawler Carl, Book 6

Matt Dinniman

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Carl and Princess Donut journey into insanity in the wildly entertaining sixth book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series—now with bonus material exclusive to this print edition! Coast Guard vet Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, have survived longer and leveled up higher than anyone ever thought they could in the galaxy’s most popular reality show, but after the shocking conclusion of the seventh level, it’s now anyone’s game. A pantheon of forgotten gods. An old grudge between a talk show host, an heiress, and the man they shattered along the way. A rapidly deteriorating AI system. An inconvenient tiara upon the head of a friend. It is bedlam on the eighth floor. The crawlers are given a new task: Find and capture six monsters, each of which will be turned into a card. The stronger, the deadlier, the better. At the end of the floor, the bad guys will also have decks, made of some of the most powerful cards available. So it’s crucial for crawlers to assemble the toughest squad possible. But, like always, there is a catch. There’s always a catch. If Carl and Donut want a winning hand, they’ll have to capture the most lethal and terrifying monster of them all: Shi Maria. She was once married to a now-missing god. Her special attack is known to drive one insane. They call her the Bedlam Bride. But even if Carl and Donut can capture her, they know all too well that just because someone has been captured, it doesn’t mean they have been tamed. Welcome, Crawlers. Welcome to the eighth floor of the dungeon.

This Inevitable Ruin: Dungeon Crawler Carl, Book 7

Matt Dinniman

Carl and his companions face the ultimate test as they delve into the heart of the Dungeon, confronting not only its physical challenges but also the existential threat of the encroaching Ruin. With the fate of humanity hanging in the balance, they must harness their combined strengths and confront their deepest fears to find a way to survive or perhaps even escape their predetermined doom. The narrative culminates in a desperate gamble, where the lines between sacrifice and salvation blur, forcing Carl to make choices that will forever define his legacy.

The Butcher's Masquerade: Dungeon Crawler Carl, Book 5

Matt Dinniman

Carl and his companions face escalating existential threats as they delve deeper into Dungeon Lord Kragg's twisted domain, a realm meticulously designed to exploit their deepest fears and vulnerabilities. The Butcher's Masquerade forces Carl to confront not only external horrors but also the psychological toll of his ongoing ordeal, pushing the boundaries of his resilience and his relationships. As the stakes reach their zenith, a desperate gambit is required to unravel Kragg's intricate machinations and find a path toward survival amidst overwhelming despair.

The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook: Dungeon Crawler Carl, Book 3

Matt Dinniman

In this installment of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series, Carl and his sentient donut, Donut, face escalating threats as they navigate a world designed for their demise. Their journey is marked by inventive, often brutal, problem-solving as they exploit the dungeon's mechanics to their advantage. The narrative delves deeper into the lore of the game, revealing more about its creators and the true nature of the trials Carl endures.

Carl's Doomsday Scenario: Dungeon Crawler Carl, Book 2

Matt Dinniman

Following the harrowing events of the first dungeon crawl, Carl and his companions find themselves deeper within the labyrinth, facing increasingly perilous challenges and the looming threat of the next "Doomsday Scenario." As they navigate treacherous traps and battle monstrous foes, Carl grapples with the psychological toll of their survival, the evolving dynamics within his group, and the ever-present manipulation of the unseen forces orchestrating their deadly game. The narrative intensifies the blend of dark humor, gruesome action, and existential dread as the stakes are raised and the true nature of their predicament begins to unravel.

A Parade of Horribles: Dungeon Crawler Carl, Book 8

Matt Dinniman

Carl, Donut, and their companions face a desperate fight for survival as they navigate a treacherous new level of the dungeon, encountering escalating horrors and confronting their own deepest fears. The group must master new, dangerous abilities and forge unlikely alliances to overcome a formidable enemy threatening to consume everything they hold dear. As the stakes rise to an unprecedented level, Carl grapples with the immense burden of leadership and the sacrifices required to protect his found family.

The Eye of the Bedlam Bride (Dungeon Crawler Carl)

Matt Dinniman

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Carl and Princess Donut journey into insanity in the wildly entertaining sixth book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series—now with bonus material exclusive to this print edition! Coast Guard vet Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut, have survived longer and leveled up higher than anyone ever thought they could in the galaxy’s most popular reality show, but after the shocking conclusion of the seventh level, it’s now anyone’s game. A pantheon of forgotten gods. An old grudge between a talk show host, an heiress, and the man they shattered along the way. A rapidly deteriorating AI system. An inconvenient tiara upon the head of a friend. It is bedlam on the eighth floor. The crawlers are given a new task: Find and capture six monsters, each of which will be turned into a card. The stronger, the deadlier, the better. At the end of the floor, the bad guys will also have decks, made of some of the most powerful cards available. So it’s crucial for crawlers to assemble the toughest squad possible. But, like always, there is a catch. There’s always a catch. If Carl and Donut want a winning hand, they’ll have to capture the most lethal and terrifying monster of them all: Shi Maria. She was once married to a now-missing god. Her special attack is known to drive one insane. They call her the Bedlam Bride. But even if Carl and Donut can capture her, they know all too well that just because someone has been captured, it doesn’t mean they have been tamed. Welcome, Crawlers. Welcome to the eighth floor of the dungeon.

Dungeon Crawler Carl, Vol. 1 (Graphic Novel)

Matt Dinniman, Aethon, Actus, Laurel Pursuit Studios, Tevagah (Contributor) & 2 more

In this graphic novel adaptation, Carl, a reluctant hero, finds himself and his cat Princess Donuts thrust into a deadly, televised deathmatch within a series of procedurally generated dungeons. Armed with only his wits and increasingly absurd magical items, Carl must survive increasingly perilous challenges and monstrous foes, all while navigating the bizarre rules and omnipresent AI of the "Dungeon Crawl." The story blends dark humor and high-stakes action as Carl fights for survival and a chance at freedom in a surreal, game-show-like purgatory.