D&D 5E Discussion of a 5E Quick Dungeon Generator

I'm starting to build a Quick Dungeon Generator for 5E similar to the Quick Dungeon I built before.

I've got the following design goals
- Keep it short and descriptive
- Tie the monster types to level tier (Low 1-4/Medium 5-10/High 11+) and associated reward/treasure with this too.
- Make monster and locations approriate to the terrain
- Include other 5E elements which make sense

What do you think of incuding elements of a 5 Room Dungeon and some ofthe following?
- Entrances
- Inhabitants
- Rooms
- Foes
- Villains
- Reason to go there
- Rumours / legends

I will get feedback and advice from here and from my Patreon

The 5E Quick Dungeon Prototype is here and this is the original (systemless) Quick Dungeon

Now matching monsters (for dungeon inhabitants) to tiers (Low 1-4, Medium 5-10, High 11-16, Epic 17+) including VGtM and MToF

"civilised" foes to come (assassin guilds, cults etc)

Anything I've missed or should be different tier?

Low (1-4): Kobolds, Ogres, Lizardfolk, Undead, Gnolls, Beasts, Orcs, Neogi, Goblins, Hobgoblins, Firenewts, Fiends, Sahuagin, Duergar, Aberrations, Elementals, Clockwork constructs, Kruthiks, Bullywugs, Kuo-Toa, Bugbears, Troglodytes, Myconids, Fey, Hags, Yuan-ti, Goblinoids, Lycanthropes
Medium (5-10): Dragons, Mind Flayers, Ogres, Trolls, Giants, Undead, Gnolls, Orcs, Neogi, Yuan-ti, Hobgoblins, Drow, Fiends, Sahuagin, Aberrations, Vampires, Elementals, Salamanders, Githyanki, Duergar, Golems, Fey, Hags, Slaads, Demons, Devils, Goblinoids, Lycanthropes
High (11-17): Dragons, Mind Flayers, Undead, Yuan-ti, Fiends, Giants, Beholders, Vampires, Elementals, Genies, Duergar, Githyanki, Trolls, Angels, Golems, Demons, Devils
Epic (17+): Dragons, Undead, Fiends, Giants, Titans, Demons, Devils, Angels

I recall that the DMG had tables for dungeons and adventures that included villains, goal of the party, original purpose of the dungeon, and interesting features like portals to other planes. I found that stuff interesting and inspiring so I'd like to see such things in future dungeon generators. Those types of details are just as important at the table as the challenges within, at least with my group.

For your monsters you've included some very general groups like Fiends, Undead, Elementals. It might help to break these down to the specific options that are appropriate for that level range which you've seem to have done with some of them including specifics like hags, genies, vampires.

I'd also like to see the inclusion of monstrosities. While they're generally not intelligent to run a dungeon on their own they often make for great minions for creatures that are bold enough to try to tame them. Chimeras, manticores, owlbears, and umber hulks are some of my favourite foes in all of D&D.

MonkeezOnFire said:

I'd also like to see the inclusion of monstrosities. While they're generally not intelligent to run a dungeon on their own they often make for great minions for creatures that are bold enough to try to tame them. Chimeras, manticores, owlbears, and umber hulks are some of my favourite foes in all of D&D.

Click to expand...

Monstrosities included! Original purpose is in there as is a reason for going there (through that may need some reworking)
I like the idea of "something magical / unusual within" such as a particular trap/portal/hazard/room.

I've updated the 5E Quick Dungeon Prototype with inhabitants (Dragons/Giants/Gnolls) by terrain type and level tier, including VGtM and MToF.

Also included is a possible magic item within research or rumours might turn up

Next up is to try and add elements of a 5 room dungeon.

Updated the 5E Dungeon Prototype to use a new Dungeon Name Generator

Updated the DnD 5E Dungeon Prototype. Integrated in elements of 5-Room Dungeon and moved around the layout.

Next up is tidying up the different elements but the majority is now done

Here's an example of me trying to make a quick dungeon from it.

Choosing "Swamp" and "Mid-level" I got


So Dragon+Swamp = black dragon and that makes an easy main villain. The Warrens of Goldcross are near a human hamlet which has legends of the crypt that can only found by the unfortunate. A general who knows the PCs asks them to retreive to retrieve a breastplate he claims was stolen from his family. In fact it was made by someone buried in the crypt and has significant ties to an ancient bloodline.

Area 1: The Entrance to the dungeon can only be entered at the dark of the moon through the centre of the stone circle and there are engravings here who talk about the ghost in Area 2.
Area 2: I would make this a powerful ghost/spirit buried in the crypt that must be brought around to go further on. Tie it to the breastplate and the ancient lineage and give multiple ways to befriend it. If they don't befriend it they get lost in crypt hallways or find their way blocked.
Area 3: They find a vantage point down to the dragon's lair but they need a key, token or passphrase to get down to it easily. I'd have it with a nearby group of lizardfolk who gain access by the second entrance (reed-filled river in a gully) and leave gifts to the dragon. This also gives a second way in.
Area 4: The black dragon is waiting here in a flooded crypt. There is a good chance it has had a chance to prepare, which maybe means moving around it's treasure or a lizard shaman as an ally.
Area 5: Much of the treasure is cursed as it's original treasure buried in the crypt. This may include the breastplate although there should be some way of breaking the curse with the aid of the spirit from Area 2.

Improved the original purpose and location for the dungeon.

The formatting has been tidied up a bit and the Main entrance and second entrance are have been overhauled.