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Message: <blockquote data-quote="BookTenTiger" data-source="post: 8855216" data-attributes="member: 6685541">Structure for the Dungeon Part 2: The MazeThe Maze follows the guidelines for Puzzle or Roleplaying Challenge. My goal is that this second level of the dungeon is a different experience than the first, while still progressing logically and tying into larger themes. Let's see how it goes!Here's the structure I came up with for the Maze:The MazeWhile the Descent is a fairly straightforward series of rooms, the Maze opens up in many directions. Characters might use (skill / tool / language) to find their way through, though using (skill / class feature) will be a challenge. In order to continue to the Atrium, the characters must overcome an obstacle that cannot be solved through combat alone. This problem might be solved through the use of (skill / tool) or (class feature). In the Maze, the characters will encounter The Minion as well as the Goon.There is a treasure to be found in the Maze related to (bond / class feature) that is blocked by the Guardian.The characters will encounter an NPC (race / language and class / background / user of a tool) with a goal related to (ideal / bond / flaw) who might be convinced to provide assistance.The characters may find an object or resource related to (background / skill / tool) that is highly valued by an NPC or organization in the town.Rolling, Rolling, RollingI rolled up random aspects from each character:The MazeWhile the Descent is a fairly straightforward series of rooms, the Maze opens up in many directions. Characters might use Investigation (Arkmenos) to find their way through, though using Bless (Croto) will be a challenge. In order to continue to the Atrium, the characters must overcome an obstacle that cannot be solved through combat alone. This problem might be solved through the use of Thieves’ Tools (Bug) or Tavern Brawler (Danara). In the Maze, the characters will encounter The Minion as well as the Goon.There is a treasure to be found in the Maze related to Arkmenos’ Bond: my life’s work is a series of tomes related to a specific field of lore, that is blocked by the Guardian.The characters will encounter a halfling (Bug) with a goal related to Croto’s flaw: secretly, I believe things would be better if I were a tyrant lording over the land, who might be convinced to provide assistance.The characters may find an object or resource related to greatsword (Danara) that is highly valued by an NPC or organization in the town.Filling in the DetailsThere was a lot of cool stuff that came up here. Some things were obvious: using Investigation to find a way through a maze, using Thieves' Tools to get past an obstacle, a Halfling NPC who wants to be a tyrant... But other things were pretty strange. How could Bless be difficult to use? How could Tavern Brawler get characters past the same obstacle as Thieves' Tools???Oh, a quick note: I decided that the Halfling Thieves are members of the Fangs, which can be encountered in the Wilderness. It seems like it would make sense to tie those together.Here's what I came up with:The MazeThe underground barracks and training grounds of the Bastion of the Stone Swords are now occupied by grimlocks and other aberrations brought by Valhaxron, as well as a more powerful sect of the Fangs (the halfling thieves). This level of the Bastion has started to become warped by the chaotic magic of Valhaxron. The hallways constantly echo with strange whispers, granting characters disadvantage on Concentration checks. False, illusory doors appear, which collapse into pits, rubble, or even the occasional mimic when crossed. Luckily, characters can use Intelligence (Investigation) to tell the true paths from the false.Halfling members of the Fangs who have lost their minds to Valhaxron’s hunger are now housed here, having been transformed into cannibalistic ghouls. They share a hunger and a home with the grimlocks who serve as Valhaxron’s enforcers, and their pet gricks.To continue to the next level of the Bastion, the characters will have to find a way to pass through a heavy, nearly-unbreakable door secured with two strange, illogic locks forged in the Far Realm. Attempting to break the locks causes psychic damage to those nearby. The locks can be opened with a very high Thieves’ Tools Check (DC 25), or by retrieving two keys from a choker keymaster. The keys, however, are animated objects, and will try to flee into the darkness if the choker is defeated.In the training hall, the characters will find a second guardian gargoyle door. When approached, a gargoyle with an empty eye socket will say, “Glimmer mine eye.” An Insight check will reveal that the gargoyle sounds greedy. A character who places a gem in the eye socket will open the door, revealing the remains of a library. Among the moldy remains of parchments and tomes, the characters will find a few magic scrolls, along with a Tome of Clear Thought.The Bastion’s barracks has been turned into a prison, where some thieves and wanderers still remain uneaten. Among them is Zenra, a halfling Fang who grew suspicious of Valhaxron and tried to sneak down to the lowest levels of the Bastion to learn more about their mysterious leader. She recognizes that her companions are being turned into undead, and wants to reclaim leadership of her group. She is willing to assist the characters if they help her with this goal, and spare any other living Fangs. Of course, her ultimate goals are greater than leadership of just the Fangs… She too wishes to control the Giant’s Chain!One treasure the characters will find is a Flametongue Greatsword crafted by the Stone Swords. The Hands of Fire will pay handsomely for this weapon, and may even try to steal it (or convince the Fangs to steal it) from a character who is unwilling to sell it.ReflectionsAnother success! This dungeon is turning out to be really fun. Here's how I solved some of those creative challenges from earlier:Bless is a Concentration spell, so I decided all Concentration rolls would be at disadvantage.Tavern Brawler makes grappling easier, so I created some animated keys that might need to get grappled!Overall, this has been a really fun exercise. Next up we are going to head into a big fight in The Atrium!</blockquote>

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