Dungeon Mastery

Overview: Beneath the rolling hills and ancient forests lies a dungeon long forgotten. This labyrinth, known in local legends as the Catacombs of Eldrath, was once the fortress of a powerful and enigmatic order. Now, its halls echo with the whispers of the past and the creak of ancient stone. Adventurers who dare to enter must navigate through the remnants of forgotten rituals, abandoned treasures, and the restless spirits that guard them. Each step deeper into the dungeon reveals secrets and perils, challenging the brave adventurers who seek the riches and knowledge hidden within.

Room 1: The Grand Entrance Hall

The party enters a grand hall adorned with intricate carvings and ancient symbols etched into the stone floor and walls. A large, faded mural depicts a long-forgotten battle. The air is thick with dust, and the faint sound of dripping water echoes through the chamber. The hall has two sets of stairs leading up to the north and south, and a grand double door leading east.

Room 2: The Sentinel’s Chamber

This small room was once the guard’s post. Broken weapons and armor are strewn across the floor, and an old, tattered banner hangs limply on one wall. A search might reveal a hidden compartment containing a few rusty, yet still sharp, arrows and a small bag of coins.

Room 3: The Armory

Racks of old, rusted weapons line the walls of this room. In one corner, a suit of armor stands eerily upright. Closer inspection reveals it to be a long-forgotten guardian enchanted to attack any intruders. Among the wreckage, a pristine sword with a glowing blade can be found—likely the reason for the guardian’s presence.

Room 4: The Hall of Statues

This long hallway is lined with statues of warriors, scholars, and wizards from a bygone era. Each statue has a plaque with an inscription in an ancient language. Some of the statues seem almost lifelike, with eyes that seem to follow the adventurers as they pass. One of the statues hides a secret switch that opens a concealed door.

Room 5: The Crypt

Rows of stone sarcophagi are arranged in this solemn room. The air is colder here, and the smell of decay is strong. Some of the sarcophagi are sealed, while others have been pried open, their contents missing. An inscription on the wall warns of dire consequences for disturbing the resting dead. One sarcophagus is adorned with jewels and seems untouched.

Room 6: The Ritual Chamber

A large, circular symbol is carved into the floor of this room, surrounded by candles and other ritualistic items. The walls are covered in faded tapestries depicting various ceremonies and sacrifices. In the center of the symbol, a small pedestal holds a dark, pulsating orb. Anyone touching the orb experiences a vision of an ancient ritual.

Room 7: The Prison Cells

Iron bars line the walls of this room, forming small cells that once held prisoners. Skeletons and remnants of tattered clothing lie within some of the cells. One cell is larger and more ornate, suggesting it was used to hold a high-value prisoner. A small hole in the back wall of one cell leads to a narrow tunnel.

Room 8: The Hidden Treasury

This room is filled with chests and crates, some open and others still sealed. Gold coins, gemstones, and various artifacts are scattered about, a treasure trove of long-lost wealth. A cunning trap is set to protect the treasure, triggering a cascade of arrows from the walls if disturbed.

Room 9: The Alchemist’s Workshop

The smell of chemicals and burnt substances fills the air in this room. Shelves lined with jars of strange powders and liquids, old tomes, and alchemical equipment dominate the space. A large, cracked cauldron sits in the center, with remnants of a failed experiment inside. A careful search might reveal a few intact potions and a scroll with an unfinished alchemical formula.

Feel free to drop this map into your own adventures. Fill it with monsters and undead creatures to challenge your players…