I had meant to do this for the August RPG Blog Carnival but missed it due to real-life problems. However the idea stuck in my head so now it's here, hope you enjoy.
Image (cc) miszla |
The d20 - The entrance:
- is up (or down) a sheer cliff.
- has become the lair of a beast.
- is hidden by thorny undergrowth.
- has soldiers camped outside.
- has sunk underwater.
- is guarded by a magical construct.
- was magically sealed.
- is guarded by an intelligent undead.
- has collapsed, is there an alternative?
- is haunted by vengeful spirits.
- requires a lost key (or keys) to open.
- is guarded by the local militia.
- is not located where the maps say it is.
- has been infested with giant vermin.
- can only be accessed using magic.
- is the home of an elemental or similar.
- is opened by machinery that is missing a part.
- is trapped in some way.
- is known only to a select few.
- is one of many, the rest are decoys or deathtraps.
The d6 - A group of:
- bandits
- refugees
- outcasts
- worshippers
- deserters
- criminals
- have set many traps inside.
- want something from inside the dungeon.
- want something from outside the dungeon.
- have created a fiendish puzzle.
- seek help against the other inhabitants.
- are protecting the dungeon inhabitants.
- are frustrating the PC's efforts.
- race the party for their objective.
- want to claim the dungeon for another power.
- died here or are dying, messily or agonisingly.
- a fake item or object
- switchbacks and dead ends
- lingering illusions
- a person who is not as they seem
- something from a character backstory
- a threat that was previously ignored
- the actions of a traitor
- the intervention of a divine force
- the intervention of an evil force
- hostages or bystanders
- something missing or incomplete
- sudden changes to the layout
- precious time may be wasted.
- resources may be used up.
- the party may get split up.
- a hard choice must be made.
- is the reverse of what was expected
- is hampered by the surrounding environment
- requires the party to split their focus
- has been designed as a lure or ambush
- features traps the enemy has set
- is against the clock
- is centred around a device or maguffin
- can be affected by something elsewhere
- a former ally is revealed as an enemy
- a former enemy is revealed as an ally
- the treasure or objective is missing
- there is a hidden treasure hoard or map
- in the confusion, something is stolen
- in the confusion, something is dropped
- a clue highlights a new plot thread
- a clue turns a situation on its head
- a clue sheds light on something half known
- a clue reveals a hidden connection
As always let me know your thoughts in the comments, and I would love to hear your dungeon ideas!