orbitalfreak
First Post
Here's a map I've worked up, featuring a set of catacombs underneath a temple of a death god (Velsharoon is applicable, from FR. Undeath, necromancy, etc.). It is scaled at 1" = 5', so it can be printed out as-is (or in B&W) for play. Have a printing shop put it on a posterboard, or grab some scisscors and tape and put it together yourself.
[Image in 2nd post, to kep this one readable without stretching margins]
In the first hall, down from the stairs, is a set of tombs of semi-important people from the church's past. These could be great leaders, clergymen, or warriors of faith. The tomb in the top-left is similar, though a bit more important. Along the north wall is a set of alcoves, each with a stone coffin. These could be resting places of those who have been of great service to the religion, but who were not important enough to be granted their own tombs.
Each of the six tombs, as well as the larger tomb, has a trap on the sarcophagus. CR 1 Arrow trap (see DMG). Each sarcophagus in an alcove has a Fussilade of Darts trap protecting it. If characters loot the tombs, they should get a set of armor (plus shield in some, not in others), along with a weapon, maybe a magic item, and some coinage. Quality of equipment should be masterwork.
Sprinkled throughout the dungeon could be low-level undead (skeletons, zombies, of various HD).
The large room in the top-right houses the burial vault of the founder of this particular church, a
(un)holy warrior and person of supreme importance. The tomb has been locked for several decades. Green slime resides in the sarcophagus, along with some valuable equipment (at least +1 weapon and armor).
The east hall is lined with nooks housing bodies of the dead faithful. This is for people of almost no importance. In the room labled "dissection tables," rusted metal tables line the walls. Many autopsies, embalmings, and, most importantly, necromantic experiments were carried out here. Perfect place for a low-to-mid level undead encounter.
The "study room" houses a few tables in poor, warped condition, with ruined and rotten chairs and couches about. This used to be a comfortable area to relax and enjoy the latest medical journal of the undead. South of here is a library, housing many mildewed and dry-rotted tomes that used to be filled with knowledge. This is where PC's could find spellbooks, and other books to serve as plot-hooks.
The far eastern room is the newest addition to the structure. After the east hall started to get crowded with bodies, the temple decided to open up a new room for body storage. You could assume that each five foot section of wall (the ones in the middle count as double, storage from each of its two adjacent aisles), you could stack between five and ten bodies, each in a 1.5' - 3' high alcove. These were commoners, so it doesn't matter too much that they were stuffed in a little. Many bodies show signs of mutilation, as this was also temporary storage for bodies undergoing experimentation.
Finally, there is the room in the lower-right. It is accessed first by a secret door from the study, and then a locked door at the end of a short hall. In here was the sanctuary of the high priest of the church. It houses a large altar. This is the site of many vile deeds, including reanimation of a number of bodies. Maybe the party finds the remains of a mid-level cleric in here, slain by his latest creation. Since the door was locked, maybe this "latest creation" never got out. Maybe it's hungry!
Pic in next post. It has a thumbnail in the lower left, if you don't feel like scrolling around a 3.5 square foot map!
[Image in 2nd post, to kep this one readable without stretching margins]
In the first hall, down from the stairs, is a set of tombs of semi-important people from the church's past. These could be great leaders, clergymen, or warriors of faith. The tomb in the top-left is similar, though a bit more important. Along the north wall is a set of alcoves, each with a stone coffin. These could be resting places of those who have been of great service to the religion, but who were not important enough to be granted their own tombs.
Each of the six tombs, as well as the larger tomb, has a trap on the sarcophagus. CR 1 Arrow trap (see DMG). Each sarcophagus in an alcove has a Fussilade of Darts trap protecting it. If characters loot the tombs, they should get a set of armor (plus shield in some, not in others), along with a weapon, maybe a magic item, and some coinage. Quality of equipment should be masterwork.
Sprinkled throughout the dungeon could be low-level undead (skeletons, zombies, of various HD).
The large room in the top-right houses the burial vault of the founder of this particular church, a
(un)holy warrior and person of supreme importance. The tomb has been locked for several decades. Green slime resides in the sarcophagus, along with some valuable equipment (at least +1 weapon and armor).The east hall is lined with nooks housing bodies of the dead faithful. This is for people of almost no importance. In the room labled "dissection tables," rusted metal tables line the walls. Many autopsies, embalmings, and, most importantly, necromantic experiments were carried out here. Perfect place for a low-to-mid level undead encounter.
The "study room" houses a few tables in poor, warped condition, with ruined and rotten chairs and couches about. This used to be a comfortable area to relax and enjoy the latest medical journal of the undead. South of here is a library, housing many mildewed and dry-rotted tomes that used to be filled with knowledge. This is where PC's could find spellbooks, and other books to serve as plot-hooks.
The far eastern room is the newest addition to the structure. After the east hall started to get crowded with bodies, the temple decided to open up a new room for body storage. You could assume that each five foot section of wall (the ones in the middle count as double, storage from each of its two adjacent aisles), you could stack between five and ten bodies, each in a 1.5' - 3' high alcove. These were commoners, so it doesn't matter too much that they were stuffed in a little. Many bodies show signs of mutilation, as this was also temporary storage for bodies undergoing experimentation.
Finally, there is the room in the lower-right. It is accessed first by a secret door from the study, and then a locked door at the end of a short hall. In here was the sanctuary of the high priest of the church. It houses a large altar. This is the site of many vile deeds, including reanimation of a number of bodies. Maybe the party finds the remains of a mid-level cleric in here, slain by his latest creation. Since the door was locked, maybe this "latest creation" never got out. Maybe it's hungry!
Pic in next post. It has a thumbnail in the lower left, if you don't feel like scrolling around a 3.5 square foot map!
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