Undefeated Dungeons

[Quasqueton]

Are there any "undefeated" dungeons in your world? Any places PC adventurers have never cleared or solved? Any BBEGs that PCs have never overcome?

Was Castle Greyhawk ever "completed" in EGG's campaign?

Back in the 80s, I heard a rumor about a dungeon with only a number for a name. The number was supposedly the number of PCs who had died in it. The number was something over one thousand. Anyone else ever hear that rumor? Was it strickly a D&D legend, or was there some truth to it?

Quasqueton

 

[Henry]

I'd say no, because any unsolved dungeons died when the campaign died. In fact, in my younger days, these dungeons were usually the CAUSE for the campaign dying.

Gary or Rob could better say for sure, but I believe Grayhawk Castle was never really "solved." People like Erac's Cousin, Robilar, and Mordenkainen got pretty deep, but its mysteries were never completely plumbed.

The closest I ever had was a dungeon full of killer kobolds that was in a campaign years ago. Other than that, the next closest was a spaceship that the PCs found (the "expedition to the Barrier Peaks" ship) but they destroyed the ship and its surrounding swamp before they could finish that one.

 

[Nightfall]

Rappan Athuk.

Nough said.

 

[grodog]

According to both Gary and Rob, Rob's character Robilar, Terik (the PC for Rob's brother Terry), and Ernie Gygax's Tenser all completed the lowest levels of the original Castle Greyhawk.

I haven't heard that anyone had ever plumbed to the deepest depths of the Castle after Gary and Rob joined forces as co-DMs in Castle Greyhawk's second incarnation---they would have to answer that one

 

[LostSoul]

I had a dungeon that the PCs didn't explore much of, even though they had been in it at least twice.

The first time they explored most of the top level, before leaving.

The second time they re-cleared the top level while waiting for some demon-worshippers to show up and work some ritual. Nearly died, too.

I had quite a bit more than that first level drawn up... about 4 or 5 times more. Funny that way.

 

[Mercule]

Every now and again, I pull out the Ravenloft module (I6). The only change I make is to use the Strahd from the RL boxed set (haven't done this since 3E came out). It's never been cracked. Very few even make it to the castle, despite me being more of a "terrorize them before you kill 'em" DM. I've even let 25th+ level characters in, and still no joy.

In my homebrew, I've got a citidel in the heart of an ancient, evil nation. It has never been successfully breached. Although, one group of PCs did manage to get in and out without losing any members. I'm planning on having the climax of my current campaign to be the fall of that empire and the citadel. I have warned the players, though, that I'm planning on retiring my setting after this campaign, though, and am willing to see them all die if they screw up.

 

[Crothian]

um, all of them. my current group does not like dungeon crawls so they have cleared out very few.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

According to both Gary and Rob, Rob's character Robilar, Terik (the PC for Rob's brother Terry), and Ernie Gygax's Tenser all completed the lowest levels of the original Castle Greyhawk.

I haven't heard that anyone had ever plumbed to the deepest depths of the Castle after Gary and Rob joined forces as co-DMs in Castle Greyhawk's second incarnation---they would have to answer that one

Y'know, based on what Gary has said on these boards in the past, I got the impression that Castle Greyhawk was kinda free-form, in that it could never really be "finished," so to speak, because he'd just add to it whenever he wanted.

 

[psyekl]

I tend to design massive dungeons, and only a couple have been explored completely. Usually the pc's are there to accomplish a particular task, and then get the heck out with the intention of returning someday. I like to leave an air of mystery and if they enjoyed it enough to want to return, then it isn't considered a waste of time on my part.

 

[Treebore]

I6 Ravenloft, Lich Lords (by role aids), Undermountain, Egg of the Phoenix, Temple of Elemental Evil, and the Bloodstone Modules. In 3e Rappan Athuk and Tomb of Abysthor.