D&D General #Dungeon23
- Thread starter darjr
- Start date
Eyes of Nine
Everything's Fine
I've been stuck today. Have to do several days in advance of a camping trip and feeling blocked. Committing here will work on them in the next 3 hours...
Room 52 - East Worm Way
This 100 foot long hallway matches 78 to the west of the Fey Suite (and the missing Dwarvish Hall in ____ below). The hallway originated as the 10' diameter passage of a great purple worm or one of its kin. The floor was then widened by the Dwarves who lived where the Fey Suite to the east now is.
The west end of the hall has parts of a crumbled brick wall where there was once a gate that has long since been missing (A on the map) and then connects with the balcony doorway to the Fountain Room (53) of the Fey Suite.
The east end has an easily opened and easily secured portcullis and guard, and two heavy and easily barred steel doors with arrow holes sealable (all opening, barring, securing, and guarding from the other side; see #13). With Berghildr's presence providing much security from things further west, the doors are generally open of late and passage through the portcullis is easily granted to those who can be identified.
The next room created (#18) is in post #630 D&D General - #Dungeon23 .
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gorice
Adventurer
Time for the weekly update!
Week 3: South Quarter & Imperial Tomb
Risks and rewards.
15: Pottery Room
16: Skull Tholos
17: False Tomb
18: Feast of the Dead
19: Stair
20: General’s Tomb
Area: Imperial Tomb
21: Emperor’s Stair
Week 3: South Quarter & Imperial Tomb
Risks and rewards.
15: Pottery Room
- A square room cluttered with pots and amphorae. A sort of stone ladder with carved hand-holds leads 10’ up to another level.
- (?) The larger urns are open and empty, except for a few copper coins on one; the 6 smaller ones are sealed with wax and bear runes of warning on their lids.
- (!) The sealed pots contain stardust, a potent pharmacological agent that, when inhaled, causes disorientation and sickness (1 failed save) unconsciousness (2 failed saves) or death (3 failed saves).
- (!) Breaking a pot fills the room with golden stardust. When anyone falls into the room from the hall of coins, roll 1d6 for each poison pot in their path (all 6 begin in the path). Each 1 rolled means a poison pot breaks.
16: Skull Tholos
- A beehive room tiled with human skulls. Their eye sockets glitter in the torchlight. A rune is carved into each forehead.
- (!) Blackdamp threat emanates from here.
- (!) A cursed place – magic and machines may malfunction; gems bring bad luck.
- (?) Each eye holds a polished moonstone worth 1 coin, cemented in place. Can be pried out, but it takes time.
- (??) The runes are all curses and accusations of treason.
17: False Tomb
- A beehive tomb with a sarcophagus. The lid is carved in the form of an armoured warrior holding a sword. Their grotesque war mask has staring, coin-sized eyes. A dead end.
- (?) Sarcophagus is solid and cannot open. There is no trap.
- (?) Secret door to the bridge is unlocked by placing coins in the eyes of the sarcophagus.
- (??) The eyes of the lid are exactly the size of two copper coins.
- (??) Also, there is the faintest, door-shaped seam in the west wall, through which a damp draught can be felt.
18: Feast of the Dead
- A broad hall with a high vaulted ceiling. A long marble table is laid out in the centre, piled with gold plate and painted pottery. 4 armoured figures wearing large swords and bronze masks stand with their backs to the walls.
- (!) Figures are skeleton warriors, waiting for intruders to meddle.
- (!) Disturbing the table by increasing or decreasing its weight in any way causes a heavy clunking sound, followed by the partial collapse of the roof. Anyone standing around the table must save vs. damage from falling masonry. A troupe of skeletons falls down after the stones to join the fight.
- (??) Their is a slightly raised stone under each table leg, and some of the stones in the ceiling vault are loose and uneven.
19: Stair
- Broad stone stair, descending to the west quarter. A faint, damp draught rises.
20: General’s Tomb
- A duplicate of the false tomb (#17).
- A portal leads to a bone bridge that spans the sump, connecting to the emperor’s stair.
- (!) The sarcophagus has an armed poison trap, and is not empty; it contains an elite skeleton warrior in full panoply, wearing general’s insignia and holding a battle standard in the shape of a wolf’s head.
- (?) A bronze lever in the wall opens the secret door.
Area: Imperial Tomb
21: Emperor’s Stair
- A broad stair made of solid stone slabs, rising in a tightening spiral. Exposed to the great cavern.
- (!) The section that leads down to the sump from the bridge has crumbled away, leading to a 20’ drop. Only a few slippery handholds remain.
Bill Zebub
“It’s probably Matt Mercer’s fault.”
I'm going to be traveling the next few days (if the forecasted blizzard doesn't keep me from getting over the mountains to the airport) so posting this now:
(Realizing I shouldn't have drawn on a left-handed page. You can see the previous map through the paper. Lesson learned.)
Dwarf ghouls move slower than regular ghouls, but have more health.
Attracting attention: during combat, nearby enemies might hear and come investigate:
2.18 Supply Room
(Realizing I shouldn't have drawn on a left-handed page. You can see the previous map through the paper. Lesson learned.)
Upper Mines
Dwarf ghouls move slower than regular ghouls, but have more health.
Attracting attention: during combat, nearby enemies might hear and come investigate:
- At the end of the first round of combat, if any combatant (friend or foe) is within 12 squares of an undisturbed enemy, roll a d12.
- If the result is equal to or greater than the distance (in squares), the creature hears. Roll initiative for the creature, and on their turn have it take the Dash action.
- If the party is being especially quiet, use a d8. If they are being excessively loud, use a d20.
| Roll | Result |
| 1-2 | Empty |
| 3-4 | 1 dwarf ghoul |
| 5 | 1 ghoul |
| 6 | 1 dwarf ghoul, 1 ghoul |
2.18 Supply Room
- The Dwarves stored mining equipment here: tools, carts, etc.
- 3 dwarf ghouls, plus 2 ghouls
- 1-4 dwarf ghouls, plus 1-2 ghouls
- 2/6 chance of a ghast
- First Glance:
- Huge pile of bones, with creatures moving around on it
- Closer Look:
- Ghast Lord (extra strong, spellcasting)
- 1 Ghast
- 1-6 Dwarf Ghouls
- 1-6 Ghouls
- Secrets:
- Buried in the bone pile is one of the "keys" missing from Area 1.22
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Mad_Jack
Legend
Yay, progress.
Spent a couple hours tonight drawing out a map of the continent I put the dungeon on and finishing an overview of the place's entire history.
Decided I didn't need a map of Wickerman's Stables and Horse Farm, but wrote up a description anyway and populated it with the owner, his wife, their two adult sons and the sons' wives and children, as well as half a dozen unspecified employees and a non-specific number of horses ("around 30")...
No, I didn't name all the horses, lol.
(I didn't even name any of the eight kids - damn I'm such a rebel, ain't I?)
There used to be a wizard's tower where the town is now although it was basically in ruins before the town started, and although it's essentially unrelated to the dungeon itself there are a couple people in town in the current day who still have a somewhat sinister plot connection to the tower...
Yet I still have no freakin' idea who the hell the wizard was...
I'm debating just leaving that question unanswered.
On the other hand, I may decide to put a sage in the town, an alchemist researching some of the local fauna, and there's a chance that he might be the tower wizard returned (except nobody knows it, not even the two people who have a previous connection to him)...
Spent a couple hours tonight drawing out a map of the continent I put the dungeon on and finishing an overview of the place's entire history.
Decided I didn't need a map of Wickerman's Stables and Horse Farm, but wrote up a description anyway and populated it with the owner, his wife, their two adult sons and the sons' wives and children, as well as half a dozen unspecified employees and a non-specific number of horses ("around 30")...
No, I didn't name all the horses, lol.
(I didn't even name any of the eight kids - damn I'm such a rebel, ain't I?)
There used to be a wizard's tower where the town is now although it was basically in ruins before the town started, and although it's essentially unrelated to the dungeon itself there are a couple people in town in the current day who still have a somewhat sinister plot connection to the tower...
Yet I still have no freakin' idea who the hell the wizard was...
I'm debating just leaving that question unanswered.
On the other hand, I may decide to put a sage in the town, an alchemist researching some of the local fauna, and there's a chance that he might be the tower wizard returned (except nobody knows it, not even the two people who have a previous connection to him)...
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Room 18 - The Baths
The door to this 20'x20' room has two double sided signs on a single hook that can be used to rotate between "Closed", "Knock", "Occupied", and "Open". It can be barred from inside to avoid accidental intrusions, but is only DC 16 Str to open. The room serves as the residence for Warnikke and Ragvis as well as community storage space, and bath house (for the majority who aren't brave enough to regularly use the Fey Fountain in room #53 and/or Laundry in #62).
Warnikke is the middle aged human father of Estik (#23) and Aloysius (#17). Formerly a guard, he lost his left leg shortly after his wife Talcke passed away a bit over five years ago. For the past three years he has lived with the comparatively young half-Shadar-Kai Ragvis who fled her family below. She has no interest in returning to them, but could provide some information on what was between here and there four years ago, even if she wouldn't be the one to broach the subject.
Aloysius is emphatically opposed to this relationship, or the thought of anyone replacing his mother. Estik on the other hand is happy for his dad even if he is a bit befuddled why someone closer to his own age would go for someone like his dad.
Ragvis was impressed by Warnikke's patient helping, understated humor, and complete obliviousness to her charms. The brightness of the archon (#11) grates on her, she doesn't know what to make of Berghildr (#57), has lately become interested in the Valley (beyond #51), and has refined her pestering of the priest __ (#_) with questions. Much to the chagrin of several others, she quickly picked up on Warnikke's instruction in playing cards, and it is now impossible for them to both get in a game at the same time.
In addition to maintaining the baths and keeping an eye on the stored items, they also sometimes repair armor, sharpen weapons, and fletch for the guards.
Their private furnishings include the bed, dresser that doubles as a desk, rug, chest that doubles as a table, and two stools. The three tubs (two smaller - one with wheels and a handle - and one larger) are separated by a folding screen from the private area. A single heating stone can be moved from under one tub to the other to keep the water at least tepid for either bathing or clothes washing. The south side of the room is filled with boxes, barrels, and crates containing a wide variety of gear, weapons, and not-too-valuables for the residents and community as a whole (there is a fairly good chance most common and uncommon items) as well as some currently unneeded furniture.
Warnikke's stats could be based off of a guard, but with HP 24 (4d8+4), INT 13 (+1) , WIS 12 (+1), CHA 14 (+2), Survival +2, and Short Sword +4 to hit for 4 (1d6 +1). His movement rate is 20' and he uses a crutch. He doesn't usually wear the armor unless away from the main cooridor.
Ragvis's stats could be based off of a bandit, but with INT 13 (+1), WIS 14 (+2), and CHA 14 (+2), Religion +2, Darkvision, and Fey Ancestry, and a short sword instead of Scimitar. She doesn't usually wear armor unless away from the main cooridor.
Shadar-Kai name courtesy of https://www.fantasynamegenerators.com/ .
The next room created (#25) is in post #634 D&D General - #Dungeon23 .
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come up with a rumor table for the wizard. Then roll to see which one is true!Yay, progress.
Spent a couple hours tonight drawing out a map of the continent I put the dungeon on and finishing an overview of the place's entire history.
Decided I didn't need a map of Wickerman's Stables and Horse Farm, but wrote up a description anyway and populated it with the owner, his wife, their two adult sons and the sons' wives and children, as well as half a dozen unspecified employees and a non-specific number of horses ("around 30")...
No, I didn't name all the horses, lol.
(I didn't even name any of the eight kids - damn I'm such a rebel, ain't I?)
There used to be a wizard's tower where the town is now although it was basically in ruins before the town started, and although it's essentially unrelated to the dungeon itself there are a couple people in town in the current day who still have a somewhat sinister plot connection to the tower...
Yet I still have no freakin' idea who the hell the wizard was...
I'm debating just leaving that question unanswered.
On the other hand, I may decide to put a sage in the town, an alchemist researching some of the local fauna, and there's a chance that he might be the tower wizard returned (except nobody knows it, not even the two people who have a previous connection to him)...
M_Natas
Hero
Day 53
We reach the landing site and step onto the crumbling wharf - another remnant of the Kyrtharian Empire scattered across the wilderness. Before us rise majestically the mountains beneath which is the tomb of the lost city of Kyrthar Tahlketh. A path winds its way up to the mountains from the abandoned pier. We must set out to continue our expedition, but what awaits us on this dangerous path we can only guess at. Dark shadows lurk in the woods and the echo of our footsteps echoes eerily through the mountains.
We reach the landing site and step onto the crumbling wharf - another remnant of the Kyrtharian Empire scattered across the wilderness. Before us rise majestically the mountains beneath which is the tomb of the lost city of Kyrthar Tahlketh. A path winds its way up to the mountains from the abandoned pier. We must set out to continue our expedition, but what awaits us on this dangerous path we can only guess at. Dark shadows lurk in the woods and the echo of our footsteps echoes eerily through the mountains.
In which I realize I've never actually used challenge ratings in 5e to set encounters before, have only the vaguest of clues how they work, and might want to at least be aware of them for the levels I'll get to starting in April (level 1 has a lot of things that aren't supposed to be fought).
Room 25 - Hideaway
The arcane locked piece of floor edging in the hall tilts noiselessly up, revealing the stone wall behind with a small, stone-plugged 1" hole that a rat could just barely slip through (albeit with its crossbow disassembled). And they do. The hole opens into a 6" diameter tunnel. After 5' the tunnel leads to a small, roughly 3'x3' room with a pair of foot long beds and a small table with stools. The tunnel on the other side continues to room 37 and then to ____.
The two current guards on patrol are the rats Sseerach and Chowse. They each have rat sized Cloaks of Elvenkind. A small spool of razor-wire thread is available in addition to a supply of food, their weapons, a small deck of cards, and dice. They are quite cautious in their explorations as the residents of the entry hall are still useful and would be a shame to do in (if nothing else, because whatever moved in to replace them would probably be more difficult).
The rats are as Rat of Lankhmar Below (Rat-Sized) in "Monsters & Magic of Lankhmar" from Goodman Games.
The next room created (#89) is in post #636 D&D General - #Dungeon23 .
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M_Natas
Hero
Day 54 - Gnollshrine
As we ascend higher into the mountains, the vegetation becomes increasingly sparse. We must be mindful of our food and water supplies, lest we turn back before discovering the entrance we seek. In addition, we have come across some sort of shrine. Three withered gnoll skulls were placed upon it, with three offering bowls filled with poisonous berries in front of them. To the left and right of the stone altar, stacks of humanoid skulls towered high... Did one of the gnoll skulls just move?
As we ascend higher into the mountains, the vegetation becomes increasingly sparse. We must be mindful of our food and water supplies, lest we turn back before discovering the entrance we seek. In addition, we have come across some sort of shrine. Three withered gnoll skulls were placed upon it, with three offering bowls filled with poisonous berries in front of them. To the left and right of the stone altar, stacks of humanoid skulls towered high... Did one of the gnoll skulls just move?
Room 89 - Customer Service Desk
This 175' long, roughly 15'diameter tunnel slopes steadily down to a 30'x30' room split in half by a long wooden 4' tall counter. The west half of the counter has a solid front with a sign that says "Ring Bell" in Giant, Dwarven, and Common, and a large brass push-button bell on top. The wooden piece across the east half lifts to let people pass. 15' in front of the counter a dark string is stretched across the tunnel and a second is 5' further on. The strings are DC 18 to spot with Darkvision, DC 15 in regular light - and are attached to a second bell under the counter, as is the liftable counter board. Either Bell will summon the attendant Jötunn in room 90. They will also come forth if they here Berghildr leaving after dumping the weeks supplies or other similar noise. A large comfortable chair with three mammoth horns on the back sits behind the counter if negotiations run long.
The next room created (#26) is in post #642 D&D General - #Dungeon23 .
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M_Natas
Hero
Day 55 - the entrance to the Gnoll cave / old mine
The winding climb up the rugged mountain trail had left us panting and sweating, our water supplies dangerously low. As we climbed the last rocky outcrop, the entrance to the old mineshaft loomed like a gaping maw in the craggy face of the mountain.
Gnoll guards, their mottled coats blending into the rocky terrain, paced the entrance, their keen senses alert for any intruders. The surrounding landscape was barren, with only a few scraggly bushes and stunted trees clinging to the rocky ground.
I was struck with horror at the sight of a withered gnoll corpse, emaciated and desiccated in its cage. Its empty eye sockets seemed to bore into my soul, and a shiver ran down my spine. What kind of depraved creatures could do this to their own kind?
Despite our discomfort, we knew we could not turn back now. The lost city of Kyrthar Tahlketh was rumoured to lie deep within this mineshaft, and our quest for treasure and knowledge demanded that we press on. With bated breath we crept forward, our movements as quiet as the flicker of a candle flame.
The winding climb up the rugged mountain trail had left us panting and sweating, our water supplies dangerously low. As we climbed the last rocky outcrop, the entrance to the old mineshaft loomed like a gaping maw in the craggy face of the mountain.
Gnoll guards, their mottled coats blending into the rocky terrain, paced the entrance, their keen senses alert for any intruders. The surrounding landscape was barren, with only a few scraggly bushes and stunted trees clinging to the rocky ground.
I was struck with horror at the sight of a withered gnoll corpse, emaciated and desiccated in its cage. Its empty eye sockets seemed to bore into my soul, and a shiver ran down my spine. What kind of depraved creatures could do this to their own kind?
Despite our discomfort, we knew we could not turn back now. The lost city of Kyrthar Tahlketh was rumoured to lie deep within this mineshaft, and our quest for treasure and knowledge demanded that we press on. With bated breath we crept forward, our movements as quiet as the flicker of a candle flame.
Eyes of Nine
Everything's Fine
Hope you feel better!
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