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How to Play D&D For Free. Forever.
One of the things I love about this hobby is that you can participate in it without spending any money whatsoever. Of course, you could spend all your money on the hobby but here I will show you how to play Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition for free, forever.
Free Ruleset
Recent events have led to the DnD 5e ruleset being published under a Creative Commons license. This means that the basic rules for the 5th Edition are available for free in a few different places. DnDBeyond has a page where you can view the basic rules without making a purchase at all. They also have a page where you can download a pdf of the rules known as the System Reference Document version 5.1. If you are just looking into playing or running the game that is pretty much all you need to get started. If you are interested in creating your own content like backgrounds, adventures, or monsters then you should also be aware of the licenses and attributions mentioned in the SRD. Essentially, as long as you correctly attribute Wizards of the Coast in your work you are able to use their content in good faith. If you are interested in more information follow the dnd wizards link below.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/basic-rules
https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1439-ogl-1-0a-creative-commons
https://dnd.wizards.com/resources/systems-reference-document
Cover art for the basic rules of Dungeons and Dragons
Free Character Sheets
In addition to the rules, Wizards of the Coast also provides a free form-fillable pdf character sheet for free. If you are using the basic rules dndbeyond.com will also generate a pdf of your character sheet that you can download and even print if you want to. I highly recommend using the Reroll app. It has the SRD available for you to use and you can edit and add abilities and information easily on the app as well the web version. There is also a 2d pixel-style character maker so you can customize your avatar. There are a bunch of options for race, clothing, weapons, items, and backgrounds for most people included in the free version. You only have to pay if you want more options for your character’s avatar otherwise it is completely free! I have also linked to other blog posts that have a variety of free and low-cost character sheet options.
Rolling with advantage on Mighty Dice. Free Dice Rollers
I know everyone loves the clickety-clack of the dice rolling around and I do too. I went from one set of dice to 20 sets in less than a year so I understand. However, we’re talking about playing games without spending any money. If you do a Google search for dice roller it will pull up their Roll Dice tool. On your phone, I would recommend the Mighty Dice app as it is made pretty well and feels like you are rolling dice instead of a random number generator.
Free Adventures
Courtesy from D&DBeyond Now that you have the rules, your characters, and the dice all figured out it’s time to get started on an adventure. The original adventure in the starter set for 5th Edition is available for free on Dndbeyond, Lost Mine of Phandelver. M.T. black has a great article of 20 free adventures that are highly rated on the Dungeon Masters Guild. Other great resources for free adventures include Adventure Awaits Studios and the donjon random adventure generator.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/lmop
https://www.mtblackgames.com/blog/top-20-free-dnd-adventures
Free rule set? Check. Free character sheets? Check. Free dice roller? Check! If you have any free resources that you think should be added to the list please let me know!
For more free resources check out my blog post “Essential Resources You Need To Know About.”
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The Three Secret Weapons to Making Your D&D Party Unbeatable
Every adventuring party has many roles that need to be filled. We all know about the tank, the glass canon, and the face. But I think these three are even more important to make sure everyone has a good time come gameday. Ideally, these jobs are done by someone other than the dungeon master. This way the DM can focus on running a great session instead of wrangling everyone’s schedule or keeping track of the party’s inventory.
Adventurers, volunteer for these important positions during your next game session.
Snack Captain
Arguably the most important hero in the party besides the dungeon master is the one who brings the food and drinks. Light snacks of nuts or chips are great as well as organizing a whole meal like pizza or burgers. A snack break is a great way to provide a break in the session preventing burnout during longer sessions. Over time, this can be a creative endeavor with themed snacks or drinks that are tied into the game. Think fun drinks during a festival, fancy food served at a celebratory feast, or a holiday being celebrated. Don’t be afraid to tell the players to bring certain items for creative, or dietary, reasons.
Schedule General
Another important figure at the (virtual) table is the one who can schedule the sessions and herd the cats…I mean players to the table come game night. Do your game master a favor and put one of the players in charge of checking in with everyone about attending the next session. Make sure to establish the minimum number of players needed to run a game and stick to it. The time and energy saved can be put towards prepping an awesome session. Don’t underestimate the player’s investment that can be fostered by having them be in charge of scheduling.
Noble Notetaker
Having a player on the other side of the screen who takes notes can be immensely helpful over the course of a long-term campaign. Not only will it help the players remember key details but it can also keep everyone on the same page. Notes help prevent confusion and misunderstanding by helping everyone recall important details from previous sessions. Even better if they also track the party inventory. Having a notetaker in the adventuring party encourages player engagement because they will have to be actively listening and paying attention to the game. Do your dungeon master a favor and take some pressure off their shoulders. That way they can put their energy into running a great game.
Players: volunteer for one of these esteemed positions at your next session.
Dungeon Masters: send this article to your players and ask them to be in charge of the snacks next time.
Let me know in the comments if you have any other important positions in your adventuring party.
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The Dungeon Master’s Handbook: Tips from February 2023
Here are the top ten Dungeon/Game Master tips that I posted to various social media channels in February 2023. These tips are great for almost any TTRPG like Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, or Worlds Without Number.
- Instead of random one-shots, build one-shots that fill out a piece of the main campaign story as yet untold.
- Don’t just call a battle over when it gets long. Have a plan to finish a battle early that makes sense in the story.
- Inanimate objects that radiate death make great powerful bosses. You can’t stun a pillar!
- We all make mistakes when running a D&D game. Relax and move on – we’ll all get better with every game we run.
- Have players roll the recharges on monster powers so the others will blame someone other than you when Orcus kills them.
- Watch your players’ reactions to the battle. Are they angry and stressed for the right reasons or the wrong ones?
- Interesting villains might turn sides and become powerful allies. Leave open the possibility.
- Whether to kill, capture, or release a defeated foe is always an easy and interesting choice to give players.
- Don’t be afraid for a powerful monster to cast blasts on his own guys in order to hit a lot of players.
- Just because all of your monsters are statistically the same doesn’t mean your players need to know that. Pretend one’s a boss.
These tips are courtesy of Mike Shea at slyflourish.com.
If you have any questions please leave them in the comments below. Cheers!
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The Dungeon Master’s Handbook: 5 Non-Prep Tips to Improve Your Game
As a dungeon or game master how you prepare for a session can be very important. Taking care of yourself outside of game time can improve your performance as a DM. Here are five tips that can help you improve your game without requiring you to spend more time preparing for the session.
Get A Good Nights Sleep
There are many benefits to having a consistent sleep schedule and consistent sleep quality. Being well-rested can help improve your cognitive function (memory and creativity), improve emotional regulation (stressful and high-pressure situations), and provide increased resilience to stress and anxiety. Essentially, being well-rested can help you feel more emotionally prepared to face the challenges of being creative in high-pressure situations like a D&D session.
Get An Hour of Movement In
A regular amount of physical activity is shown to improve physical health, mental health, and cognitive function. Regular physical activity is known to improve cognitive functions like memory, attention, and processing speed. Improving your brain’s ability to process information and develop new ideas will not only help your sessions as a dungeon master but as a player too.
Go Outside and Get Sunlight On Your Face
Getting some sunlight on the face is good for your mental health as well as your physical performance. Not only will some sunlight exposure release serotonin (regulate emotions), but it also stimulates the production of Vitamin D which improves cognitive function, improves bone health, and supports the immune system. Another bonus is reduced fatigue from better sleep provided by regulating your body’s internal clock.
Eat Well Before, During, and After The Game
Before the session, it is recommended to eat a balanced meal of carbs, protein, and healthy fats to provide the energy you need. A fruit, vegetable, and protein powder smoothie is a good example. However, too much sugar and caffeine can cause energy crashes and mental fatigue. During the session, snacks of nuts or fruit are easy to digest and provide a good source of energy. My favorite is apples and peanut butter or a good trail mix with chocolate, dried fruit, and nuts. Don’t forget to stay hydrated and make sure everybody drinks enough water. Afterward, it is important to restore your spent energy with carbs, protein, and healthy fats. If you’re in person you could pretend to be at a fantasy inn with a meal of grilled salmon, roasted sweet potatoes, and green beans.
Communicate With Your Players
Keeping open communication channels with your players keeps them engaged with the game and invested in their characters. Open communication can improve player satisfaction by understanding and meeting their expectations of the game’s narrative, as well as mechanics. This will keep misunderstandings and conflicts to a minimum. Encouraging open communication can foster a collaborative and creative game experience. Creating a dynamic and engaging story that reflects all those involved will lead to more exciting games for everyone involved. What do your players want from their game? Ask them!
These tips are simple and effective ways to make sure you are at your best when it comes to game time. Running games is a challenging and rewarding experience and by taking care of yourself you can ensure more memories for you and your players.
Any questions, comments, or concerns can be left in the comments below!
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#Dungeon23 – Week 8
Each week I will be posting my progress in creating the dungeon, NPCs, lore, and the surrounding area. My version of #Dungeon23 is to make progress every day. Most days that will mean a room description or using a dice drop to generate a section of the dungeon. Other days will include adding lore, NPC, and other descriptions needed to fill out the document to my satisfaction. The blog post each week will be a copy-and-paste directly from my personal google doc. My hope is to show how this dungeon and area evolves over the year.
Change Log. rooms 32 – 37
Previous Entries. Week 1. Week 2. Week 3. Week 4. Week 5. Week 6. Week 7.
**for the original post on Dungeon23 see the post on Sean McCoy’s blog https://seanmccoy.substack.com/p/dungeon23
**for a list of resources for Dungeon23 see https://itch.io/blog/462261/dungeon23-resources
Cover and spot art by Perplexing Ruins, I highly suggest you check out their Patreon. Maps are made with Dungeon Scrawl.
Deep in the Kyusoku Mesa hides the ancient vault of ‘Vaelving Gamles’ which holds a fabled warhammer with the power to unite the local tribes. A deep scar carves a wedge into the middle of the mesa. A lush jungle covers the scar and other portions of the mesa. The rest is an unforgiving desert. The tribes of the Resu’suteppu have called this area home for centuries.
The ancient vault was built centuries ago by the local stone giants to protect (and hide) their most sacred possessions. Long after the giants abandoned the vault local tribes of elves used parts of the upper floors as an emergency shelter in times of need. Most recently it has been the focus of a foreign War Priest (with claims of local blood) to find the fabled warhammer Endbringer, and unite, and rule, the tribes of the mesa once and for all.
Hook: The retired General Hualpa is hiring adventurers to map the halls of Vaelving Gamles.
Hook: A foreign War Priest is paying anyone who brings them magic items from the depths of the vault.
The town of Unrock provides many accommodations for the locals and the many adventurers that pass through the region.
Topside provides more goods and services to the area and is more affluent than Unrock.
General Features
The vault of Vaelving Gamles is made up of a combination of smooth, worked stone and hand-hewn stone, with the occasional natural tunnel or cavern. Some areas have exceptional architectural features that are noted in the text.
Ceilings. Built to accommodate many types of giants, the room ceilings are at least 35 feet at the least and as high as 50 feet in the more important spaces. Ceilings in hallways are approximately 40 feet in height.
Doors. Locked wooden doors require a successful DC 20 Dexterity check with thieves’ tools or a key found on the same floor. Large stone doors require a successful DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check.
Light. Large sconces can be found in most rooms and hallways. Whether they are lit is another question.
The Giant Archway, Vkhod Arku, Floor 1
Wandering Monsters. Check for wandering monsters if the players move to a new area, make a lot of noise, spend too much time in one area, or at the dungeon master’s discretion. Also, an encounter can occur at the dungeon master’s discretion without a roll. Check for wandering monsters by rolling a d20. On a roll of 17-20, an encounter takes place. Roll a d6 and consult the wandering monsters table. On a 20, roll twice on the table and use both results.
Roll Result 1 1d4 + 2 Giant Rats 2 1d4 + 2 Giant Centipedes 3 1d4 + 2 Skeletons 4 1d4 Troglodytes 5 1d4 Swarms of Bats 6 1 Grey Ooze Giant Rats. An oily smell precedes the sight of rats gnawing on bat carcasses.
Giant Centipedes. The skittering of hundreds of legs on the floor approaches slowly out of the darkness.
Skeletons. Undead skeletons can be found repeating echoes of ancient actions of their past lives like standing guard, patrolling a hallway, or playing cards. The dark energy that animates their bones compels them to attack any living creatures on sight.
Troglodytes. A group of troglodytes is scouting the vault for a possible new lair.
Swarm of Bats. Screeches pierce the air as a group of bats erupts from the darkness above flying around chaotically.
Gray Ooze. Blending in with the stonework, the gray ooze waits for the perfect moment to strike unsuspecting adventurers.
- The Vkhod Arku
A giant archway built into the mesa holds an alcove that nature re-claimed long ago. Faded murals dedicated to the giant god Annam All-Father. Small scripts in ancient elvish provide directions beyond the stone doors. Two giant-sized stone doors require a successful DC 13 Strength (Athletics) check to open. There is a chance this room is occupied. 1d6: 1d4 kobolds and 1 giant goat; 1d4 kobolds; 1 giant goat; nothing; Spy, Priest, Knight fighting 1d4 kobolds; Spy, Priest, Knight resting after a bad fight.
- Armory
Rotten wood, cobwebs, and rusted weapons lie scattered around. More elven writing marks the two doors. The south corner of the room ceiling has collapsed causing the floor to rise to a ledge in the corner. In the north corner, Goblins and Kobolds are fighting each other over some treasure. In the south corner of the room, a Goblin Boss and a couple Goblins are harrying an adventurer perched on the ledge protecting a large chest. The Scout cries for help as soon as they see the characters. Treasure. 210 sp, 80 gp, black velvet mask, gold vestments, potion of climbing, dust of dryness, and a key to the stairwell in room 4.
- Antechamber
The floor is partially collapsed in the southeast corner. Several Kobolds are attempting to dig through to access a room 4 floors below. They rigged an old well to be a hidden pit trap that fills with poisoned water over 1 minute. A successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check discerns an absence of foot traffic over the section of the floor that forms the pit’s cover.
- Main Stairwell
This main stairwell room was originally used as a staging area for going deeper into the vault. Touching any of the small doors causes the character to take 1d10 poison damage and must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 hour. There is a chance this room is occupied. 1d6: goblins, empty, kobolds, empty, adventurers, empty.
- Guard Room
The heavy stone door is slightly ajar. Once used as a base for the guards of the vault now the room serves as a camp for adventurers. Written on the wall are instructions on how to seal the room from the inside for safety. An almost empty wooden cask holds travel rations and waterskins. Attached inside is a parchment with dates written on it indicating when the rations were last restocked.
- Empty Vault
The secret door to this chamber was found long ago and was fully pillaged shortly after. All that remains are scraps of broken storage and furniture that have been used here over the centuries. There is a chance that the room is occupied. 1d6: goblins, empty, empty, empty, empty, kobolds.
- Fake Barracks
This chamber is set up like a small barracks but is a trap to thwart intruders. As soon as the characters enter the room scything blades emerge from the ceiling and walls. DC 11 to detect the trap and the same DC to disable the trap via a panel in the doorway. Each creature in the doorway must make a DC 11 Dexterity saving throw, taking 5 (1d10) slashing damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A mimic disguises itself as a fancy door with no traps. The room guards a chest containing a bag of gems (tiger eye, 2 rhodochrosite, 3 moss agate, malachite, lapis lazuli, 3 hematite, and azurite), a scroll of greater restoration, a scroll of protection (undead), and a potion of frost giant strength.
H1. Gas Trap Hallway
The hallway between rooms 6 and 7 contains a poison gas trap. When triggered small holes appear in the walls hissing out a purple noxious gas and causing the area to be lightly obscured. DC 13 to detect the trap and the same DC to disable the trap via a panel in the floor. Each creature in the area must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw, taking 3 (1d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
The Giant Archway, Vkhod Arku, Floor 2
Roll Result 1 1d4 Swarms of Bats 2 1d4 + 2 Giant Centipedes 3 1d6 Skeletons 4 1d4 Giant Frogs 5 1 Gray Ooze 6 1 Giant Spider w/ 1 swarm of spiders Wandering Monsters Level 2 
Swarms of Bats. Screeches pierce the air as a group of bats erupt from the darkness above flying around chaotically.
Giant Centipedes. The skittering of hundreds of legs on the floor approaches slowly out of the darkness.
Skeletons. Undead skeletons can be found repeating echoes of ancient actions of their past lives like standing guard, patrolling a hallway, or playing cards. The dark energy that animates their bones compels them to attack any living creatures on sight.
Giant Frogs. Splashing and croaking grow louder as slimy bodies hop towards them, their wide jaws gaping open to reveal rows of sharp teeth.
Gray Ooze. Blending in with the stonework, the gray ooze waits for the perfect moment to strike unsuspecting adventurers.
Giant Spider. Many, many eyes reflect in the dim light as many-legged creatures scrabble their way gracefully with sharp fangs and venom dripping from its mouth.
H2. Collapsed Hallway
The entrance to room 8 has a 1 in 6 chance of being blocked by a collapsed ceiling.
8. Cistern
Many kobolds and a couple goblins fight over the water contained in the cistern. The kobolds are looking for the goblin who sabotaged their water supply. The goblins are fleeing a bad situation with their tribe. Part of the ceiling has collapsed creating partial cover and difficult terrain. A secret door in the southwest corner reveals a secret staircase that goes up and down one floor each.
9. Audience Chamber
Three tiers separate this room. Some furniture still lingers in the far east corner where a historical text can be found in an unknown language (ancient giant). A secret door in the far west corner leads to a hidden hallway. A rotten skeleton can be found in the secret hallway with 6 gp, a dead mouse, a page torn from a spellbook, and a ring of iron keys.
10. Goblin Museum
What was once a torture chamber in ages past has been turned into a gallery for some of the goblin clans’ prized possessions. Ancient slabs of stone are now pillars for trinkets. 1d4 + 1 Goblins are making simple repairs to some furniture and cleaning up after a scuffle with some kobolds. The goblins are willing to help the PCs in exchange for wealth of any kind. Among the items on the pillars are a small mirror set in a painted frame, a giant gold locket, a silver pitcher, a black velvet mask, a potion of animal friendship, and a potion of greater healing.
11. Goblin Game Room
The Goblins turned this old barracks into a game room. Broken wood, scraps of fabric, and a makeshift toy ball lay scattered about amongst odd markings on the floor and walls. A fancy painting depicts a small black line emanating a shaded blend of reds, oranges, and yellows. When touched a wall of force is created splitting the room in half. Any attacks made by magic weapons bounce off and cause 1d6 force damage on the wielder. Normal weapons and physical attacks do damage as normal. The force wall disappears after it takes 10 total damage.
12. Goblin Campsite
An old guardroom has been turned into a campsite and training room for the defenders of the goblin clan. A large patch of green slime clings to the ceiling above a raised platform guarding an enchanted treasure chest. Inside the chest is 15 cp, about 450 gp in gemstones, and a seamless rectangular obsidian box. The only way to open the box is to ask it nicely to open. Any attempt to damage it destroys the contents. The obsidian box contains a potion of animal friendship, a potion of poison, and a potion of greater healing.
13. Ritual Chamber
The magic circle used for rituals can still be seen etched into the floor. Ancient bas-reliefs depict giants fighting enormous beasts. The north section of the room contains a variety of glass humanoids in several poses. A greater restoration spell or equivalent reverses the glass curse. Using the magic circle triggers a wild magic surge. A group of Kobolds are trying to help one of their friends stuck in a paralyzing mushroom field in the southeast corner of the room.
H3. Vaelving Chasm
This hallway features a chasm approximately 20ft wide and 80ft deep. The rooms below are in view and accessible. The chasm divides the floor between the warring kobold and the goblin clans.
H4. Fleeing Goblins
1d4 Goblins are running from a fight with some kobolds. One of the goblins is badly injured and they are looking for a place to rest before returning to the tribe.
H5. Goblins vs Kobolds
A group of 1d4 goblins is losing poorly to 2d4 kobolds. The injured goblins have retreated towards room 14 (see H4). The goblins are trying to reclaim some of their territories.
14. Shield Vault
What was once a main vault room indicated by the giant rune on the stone door has been turned into a workroom for the Gathering. A group of adventurers loosely working together in solving the mysteries and plundering the treasure, of the vault. Pedestals and tables are piled with notes, notebooks, and trinkets. A large table holds a map in progress. A map of the current floor can be found among the scattered papers. Books: gear inventory, old adventurers journal, and a letter from the retired General Hualpa asking for a progress report. Trinkets: monster tooth, hand mirror, and an empty bottle.
15. Trapped Campsite
An empty firepit sits in front of two abandoned tents. A suit of armor lies untouched by age in one corner and an old target dummy stands in the opposite corner. When either one of these is touched or moved they both begin to animate. Use the Animated Armor and Medium Animated Object stat blocks. Treasure: 16 sp, a pair of cloth gloves, and a trilobite fossil.
16. Kobold Guard Room
1d6 Kobolds are stationed in this room as a guard post. They are currently hiding and resting after a scuffle with some goblins. Pieces of broken furniture lie next to a set of faded wooden chairs and tables. Kobold graffiti is painted on one of the walls containing a secret door leading to a stairwell that goes down one floor to a section of the kobold lair. Treasure: 7 ep, a herbal poultice, and a set of fine brushes
17. Kobold Laboratory
This dimly lit space features two tables filled with various alchemical equipment and ingredients. A small furnace burns in the corner and shelves line the walls filled with vials of colored liquids and jars of strange substances. With one hours time and a successful DC 20 Intelligence check one of the following potions can be made: potion of healing, potion of fire breath, potion of growth, Keoghtom’s ointment, oil of slipperiness, potion of gaseous form. Eight hours can be spent studying the equipment to lower the DC by 1, the limit of five. In both cases, wandering monster checks should be made every 30 min. A 10 ft. raised ledge contains a Mimic disguised as a treasure chest. Treasure: 15 cp, a block of soap, a bundle of seven twigs, fragments of a shattered sword
H6. Secret Stairwell
A sconce on the wall once pulled reveals a secret staircase going down one floor to level 3.
18. Trapped Pass
A Rug of Smothering lies in the center of the room waiting to attack any who doesn’t know the command word: Qaavric. A glass sculpture of a tall kobold with scaled armor wielding a spear. If touched the statue attacks. Use the Animated Armor stat block adding a Death Throes explosion, DEX save DC 15 vs 1d6 piercing damage when it reaches 0 HP.
19. Kobold Armory
A few racks of old rusted weapons line the south wall. The ceiling has partially collapsed creating a pile of rubble that is just tall enough to reach a high ledge. The ledge contains a small passageway that leads to Level 3 below. 1d4 + 1 Goblins are attempting to sneak into the Kobold section and run amok.
20. Watch Room
Filling the room is a weave of thick spider webs. Until removed, use the Web hazard in the DMG. A few stools line the walls below holes in the wall. Each hole contains a tunnel with a series of mirrors that show the contents of other rooms in the vault. Knobs and levers allow the user to rotate the mirrors slightly to see more of the space. There are 8 holes in total but only two of them are in working condition. 1 in 6 chance there is a Giant Spider inside.
H7. Kobold and Goblin Skirmish
1d4 Kobolds are guarding room 21 against a group of 1d4 Goblins.
21. Empty Cages
Scorch marks on most of the surfaces in the room. Large metal cages of various sizes lie in disarray along the perimeter of the room. Arcane glyphs are etched into the baseboards and a faded magic circle is inscribed in the floor. A DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check reveals … a DC 20 reveals …
22. Kobold Lounge
A collapsed ceiling fills most of the room. A couple wooden tables and chairs fill the rest of the space.
23. Kobold Dining Hall
At any given time there are 1d6 kobolds eating a meal or in the middle of cleaning up. The flimsy furniture is cobbled together from broken pieces.
24. Meditation Room
Rugs and pillows cover the floor. A strong smell of incense lingers in the air. Behind one of the tapestries on the wall lies a well-hidden secret stairwell directly to the 6th floor.
H8. Kobold Procession
A group of 1d6 Kobolds and 1 Kobold Sorcerer are slowly walking from room 24 to room 25. Strong incense fills the air as the kobolds bring plundered gifts to pay respects to their god.
25. Kobold Shrine
Tapestries and frescoes of old gods adorn the walls of the chapel. An old shrine to the god of the giants has been defaced and converted to the kobold god, Kurtulmak. A small secret stairwell behind the statue goes down one floor to level 3. A pair of stone obelisks flank the altar causing any who pass through to shrink down one size so they can fit into the secret stairwell. Coins and trinkets can be found scattered and hidden around the room. Treasure: 17 cp, silk handkerchief, carved bone statuette, wand of web, +1 wand of the war mage, bracers of archery, +1 mace once wielded by an ancient hero (can understand giant, lets out an angelic ring when used).
26. Kobold Smithy
The kobold smith Ratle Slimtorch does not have much equipment nor is very good at their craft. Sparks from the forge and the clanging of metal ring out loudly. Weapons and armor of questionable quality lie piled in a corner. 1 in 6 chance there are 1d6 Goblins ransacking the room.
27. Ratle’s Room
Ratle uses the well in the next room for his smith work. The nasty water partly contributes to the low quality of his work. A ladder hidden in the stone wall leads to Ratle’s sleeping quarters about 15 ft up. Dust, metal scraps, and trinkets are scattered around the room while a large pile of various cloths resembles a bed.
28. Empty Room
Scraps of furniture, weapons, and armor lie scattered around the room.
The Giant Archway, Vkhod Arku, Floor 3
29. Main Stairwell
The air is clear and damp with a moldy smell in the air. Dung, fur, and a large puddle of acrid water lies in front of the north door. An old tapestry featuring two large moose locked in the middle of a fight adorns the south wall.
30. Goblin Guardroom
The western side of the room’s ceiling is collapsed. A gray ooze hangs from the ceiling guarding a goblin treasure chest. Treasure: 250 cp, 100 sp, 60 gp, 100 gp in various gems, scroll of catapult, potion of healing.
31. Testing Room
Derelict cages, broken furniture, and busted equipment line the walls. Greasy rags sit on a crooked workbench. Acid stains and scorch marks can be seen on the walls, floor, and ceiling. Wooden crates hold various supplies for the goblins. Among the contents are balls of yarn, a tin whistle, aged bat wings, and a broken ceramic mug.
32. Goblin Mine
The goblins discovered a vein of precious metal behind a collapsed wall and started mining it. They are not very good at it, so not much progress has been made. Pickaxes and other mining gear lie about an old wooden table the goblins use for lunch breaks.
33. Storage Room
Crates and barrels line the walls and are filled with old goods and textiles. A trap in the center of the room causes the ceiling to collapse and the goblins from Room 34 to attack.
34. Goblin Ambush
A group of 2d4 goblin guards wait in this room getting ready to attack any who trip the traps in rooms 29, 33, or 36.
35. Hobgoblin Cistern
A group of 1d4 Hobgoblins patrols the upper walkway of this room. An ancient well pools into a fountain on the far wall. The water flows out of the mouth of the large embossed head of a giant on the wall.
36. Desecrated Shrine
A partially broken shrine to the giant god has been defaced and is full of graffiti. Cleaning the shrine and consecrating it with a Hallow spell will give up to 4 creatures the effects of Bless for 1 hour. A secret door in the far corner leads to room 37.
37. Goblin Workshop
Hobgoblins, bugbears, and goblins work on various projects led by the bugbear tinkerer Vodak the Wild (alchemist artificer). Broken furniture has been haphazardly repaired for use by Vodak’s assistants. A DC 20 Intelligence check reveals the group to be working on an autominer for the precious metal veins the goblins have found. Vodka uses a large patch of green slime to protect their work when no one is around. A mahogany box in the corner holds some tools and equipment used in the workshop. Treasure:15 cp, 10 sp, 1gp, leather aprons, alchemy jug, potion of healing, potion of fire breath.
Appendix
NPCs
General Hualpa
General Hualpa is a proud and wise male elf known for his plate mail and powerful battle axe. Despite his conceited nature, the retired general is a skilled and experienced leader. Patron to the Gathering, Hualpa wants to completely map the vault so it can be inhabited again.
The Gathering
An adventuring group that can be found from time to time in the vault or general area.
Trym Greenleaf the Halfling Spy
A cautious and honest halfling spy with a wild mop of hair that he struggles to keep under control. Trym’s keen observational skills and quick thinking have saved his life on more than one occasion.
Nissa Glittergem the Gnome Priest
Tending to take things at face value the noisy priest wears her heart on her sleeve, literally with the many tattoos she has. Despite her quirks, Nissa is well-loved for her kind heart and unwavering devotion to her faith.
Nuraval Orcfoe the Dwarf Knight
Taking great pride in his appearance and his family’s legacy, Nuraval is known for his unwavering loyalty to his comrades in battle. His fiery passion for justice means he will stop at nothing to defend his honor and the honor of his clan.
Chem Ennui the Tiefling Scout
They have a talent for creative problem-solving and often come up with unusual solutions that catch their enemies off guard. Despite her playful and carefree nature, Chem is fiercely dedicated to her mission and the beautiful feathered earrings they wear 24/7.
The Stonewalker Goblins
This tribe of goblins has been living in the ancient vault for generations. They call the sprawling vaults their home and most of them have never been outside. The kobolds that have recently moved in have been causing havoc to the supplies and resources of the tribe.
Skrax the Goblin King is looking to end the fighting with the kobolds soon so he can go back to breeding his prized hunting rats.
Vodak the Wild. A bugbear tinkerer who works on different projects and experiments to help his people survive.
1d8 Goblin Names. Biks, Jorg, Leechbrain, Gnatface, Jhibi, Igugg, Mudleg, Belch.
The Sharpsnout Kobolds
In the past few months, one of the kobold leaders has led them into the depths of the vault in search of ancient artifacts. They tell the kobolds not of what they seek but just to bring them anything they believe is valuable and shiny. Deadly encounters with the goblins have caused some dissent among some of the tribe.
A young sapphire dragon called Jharthanach is using them to begin building their hoard that’s located in another section of the giant vault.
Ratle Slimtorch. A kobold blacksmith who means well but isn’t very talented.
1d8 Kobold Names. Kirg, Kloh, Erla, Then, Scuz, Trig, Chroma, Tema.
The Broken Crown Troglodytes
Having been chased out of their home this group of troglodytes is looking for a new lair. Their name comes from the obsidian and ruby broken crown worn by the patriarch, Zarm. The trogs have knowledge of the evil that lurks below due to the years they lived there. The trogs also want to find out why more adventurers have shown up in recent months.
1d6 Troglodyte Names. Silk, Skriss, Koldar, Grist, Lid, L’gronk
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#Dungeon23 – Week 7
Each week I will be posting my progress in creating the dungeon, NPCs, lore, and the surrounding area. My version of #Dungeon23 is to make progress every day. Most days that will mean a room description or using a dice drop to generate a section of the dungeon. Other days will include adding lore, NPC, and other descriptions needed to fill out the document to my satisfaction. The blog post each week will be a copy-and-paste directly from my personal google doc. My hope is to show how this dungeon and area evolves over the year.
Change Log. hallway 8, map of level 3, some rooms of level 3
Previous Entries. Week 1. Week 2. Week 3. Week 4. Week 5. Week 6.
**for the original post on Dungeon23 see the post on Sean McCoy’s blog https://seanmccoy.substack.com/p/dungeon23
**for a list of resources for Dungeon23 see https://itch.io/blog/462261/dungeon23-resources
Cover and spot art by Perplexing Ruins, I highly suggest you check out their Patreon. Maps are made with Dungeon Scrawl.
Deep in the Kyusoku Mesa hides the ancient vault of ‘Vaelving Gamles’ which holds a fabled warhammer with the power to unite the local tribes. A deep scar carves a wedge into the middle of the mesa. A lush jungle covers the scar and other portions of the mesa. The rest is an unforgiving desert. The tribes of the Resu’suteppu have called this area home for centuries.
The ancient vault was built centuries ago by the local stone giants to protect (and hide) their most sacred possessions. Long after the giants abandoned the vault local tribes of elves used parts of the upper floors as an emergency shelter in times of need. Most recently it has been the focus of a foreign War Priest (with claims of local blood) to find the fabled warhammer Endbringer, and unite, and rule, the tribes of the mesa once and for all.
Hook: The retired General Hualpa is hiring adventurers to map the halls of Vaelving Gamles.
Hook: A foreign War Priest is paying anyone who brings them magic items from the depths of the vault.
The town of Unrock provides many accommodations for the locals and the many adventurers that pass through the region.
Topside provides more goods and services to the area and is more affluent than Unrock.
General Features
The vault of Vaelving Gamles is made up of a combination of smooth, worked stone and hand-hewn stone, with the occasional natural tunnel or cavern. Some areas have exceptional architectural features that are noted in the text.
Ceilings. Built to accommodate many types of giants, the room ceilings are at least 35 feet at the least and as high as 50 feet in the more important spaces. Ceilings in hallways are approximately 40 feet in height.
Doors. Locked wooden doors require a successful DC 20 Dexterity check with thieves’ tools or a key found on the same floor. Large stone doors require a successful DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check.
Light. Large sconces can be found in most rooms and hallways. Whether they are lit is another question.
The Giant Archway, Vkhod Arku, Floor 1
Wandering Monsters. Check for wandering monsters if the players move to a new area, make a lot of noise, spend too much time in one area, or at the dungeon master’s discretion. Also, an encounter can occur at the dungeon master’s discretion without a roll. Check for wandering monsters by rolling a d20. On a roll of 17-20, an encounter takes place. Roll a d6 and consult the wandering monsters table. On a 20, roll twice on the table and use both results.
Roll Result 1 1d4 + 2 Giant Rats 2 1d4 + 2 Giant Centipedes 3 1d4 + 2 Skeletons 4 1d4 Troglodytes 5 1d4 Swarms of Bats 6 1 Grey Ooze Giant Rats. An oily smell precedes the sight of rats gnawing on bat carcasses.
Giant Centipedes. The skittering of hundreds of legs on the floor approaches slowly out of the darkness.
Skeletons. Undead skeletons can be found repeating echoes of ancient actions of their past lives like standing guard, patrolling a hallway, or playing cards. The dark energy that animates their bones compels them to attack any living creatures on sight.
Troglodytes. A group of troglodytes is scouting the vault for a possible new lair.
Swarm of Bats. Screeches pierce the air as a group of bats erupts from the darkness above flying around chaotically.
Gray Ooze. Blending in with the stonework, the gray ooze waits for the perfect moment to strike unsuspecting adventurers.
- The Vkhod Arku
A giant archway built into the mesa holds an alcove that nature re-claimed long ago. Faded murals dedicated to the giant god Annam All-Father. Small scripts in ancient elvish provide directions beyond the stone doors. Two giant-sized stone doors require a successful DC 13 Strength (Athletics) check to open. There is a chance this room is occupied. 1d6: 1d4 kobolds and 1 giant goat; 1d4 kobolds; 1 giant goat; nothing; Spy, Priest, Knight fighting 1d4 kobolds; Spy, Priest, Knight resting after a bad fight.
- Armory
Rotten wood, cobwebs, and rusted weapons lie scattered around. More elven writing marks the two doors. The south corner of the room ceiling has collapsed causing the floor to rise to a ledge in the corner. In the north corner, Goblins and Kobolds are fighting each other over some treasure. In the south corner of the room, a Goblin Boss and a couple Goblins are harrying an adventurer perched on the ledge protecting a large chest. The Scout cries for help as soon as they see the characters. Treasure. 210 sp, 80 gp, black velvet mask, gold vestments, potion of climbing, dust of dryness, and a key to the stairwell in room 4.
- Antechamber
The floor is partially collapsed in the southeast corner. Several Kobolds are attempting to dig through to access a room 4 floors below. They rigged an old well to be a hidden pit trap that fills with poisoned water over 1 minute. A successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check discerns an absence of foot traffic over the section of the floor that forms the pit’s cover.
- Main Stairwell
This main stairwell room was originally used as a staging area for going deeper into the vault. Touching any of the small doors causes the character to take 1d10 poison damage and must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 hour. There is a chance this room is occupied. 1d6: goblins, empty, kobolds, empty, adventurers, empty.
- Guard Room
The heavy stone door is slightly ajar. Once used as a base for the guards of the vault now the room serves as a camp for adventurers. Written on the wall are instructions on how to seal the room from the inside for safety. An almost empty wooden cask holds travel rations and waterskins. Attached inside is a parchment with dates written on it indicating when the rations were last restocked.
- Empty Vault
The secret door to this chamber was found long ago and was fully pillaged shortly after. All that remains are scraps of broken storage and furniture that have been used here over the centuries. There is a chance that the room is occupied. 1d6: goblins, empty, empty, empty, empty, kobolds.
- Fake Barracks
This chamber is set up like a small barracks but is a trap to thwart intruders. As soon as the characters enter the room scything blades emerge from the ceiling and walls. DC 11 to detect the trap and the same DC to disable the trap via a panel in the doorway. Each creature in the doorway must make a DC 11 Dexterity saving throw, taking 5 (1d10) slashing damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A mimic disguises itself as a fancy door with no traps. The room guards a chest containing a bag of gems (tiger eye, 2 rhodochrosite, 3 moss agate, malachite, lapis lazuli, 3 hematite, and azurite), a scroll of greater restoration, a scroll of protection (undead), and a potion of frost giant strength.
H1. Gas Trap Hallway
The hallway between rooms 6 and 7 contains a poison gas trap. When triggered small holes appear in the walls hissing out a purple noxious gas and causing the area to be lightly obscured. DC 13 to detect the trap and the same DC to disable the trap via a panel in the floor. Each creature in the area must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw, taking 3 (1d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
The Giant Archway, Vkhod Arku, Floor 2
Roll Result 1 1d4 Swarms of Bats 2 1d4 + 2 Giant Centipedes 3 1d6 Skeletons 4 1d4 Giant Frogs 5 1 Gray Ooze 6 1 Giant Spider w/ 1 swarm of spiders Wandering Monsters Level 2 Swarms of Bats. Screeches pierce the air as a group of bats erupt from the darkness above flying around chaotically.
Giant Centipedes. The skittering of hundreds of legs on the floor approaches slowly out of the darkness.
Skeletons. Undead skeletons can be found repeating echoes of ancient actions of their past lives like standing guard, patrolling a hallway, or playing cards. The dark energy that animates their bones compels them to attack any living creatures on sight.
Giant Frogs. Splashing and croaking grow louder as slimy bodies hop towards them, their wide jaws gaping open to reveal rows of sharp teeth.
Gray Ooze. Blending in with the stonework, the gray ooze waits for the perfect moment to strike unsuspecting adventurers.
Giant Spider. Many, many eyes reflect in the dim light as many-legged creatures scrabble their way gracefully with sharp fangs and venom dripping from its mouth.
H2. Collapsed Hallway
The entrance to room 8 has a 1 in 6 chance in being blocked by a collapsed ceiling.
8. Cistern
Many kobolds and a couple goblins fight over the water contained in the cistern. The kobolds are looking for the goblin who sabotaged their water supply. The goblins are fleeing a bad situation with their tribe. Part of the ceiling has collapsed creating partial cover and difficult terrain. A secret door in the southwest corner reveals a secret staircase that goes up and down one floor each.
9. Audience Chamber
Three tiers separate this room. Some furniture still lingers in the far east corner where a historical text can be found in an unknown language (ancient giant). A secret door in the far west corner leads to a hidden hallway. A rotten skeleton can be found in the secret hallway with 6 gp, a dead mouse, a page torn from a spellbook, and a ring of iron keys.
10. Goblin Museum
What was once a torture chamber in ages past has been turned into a gallery for some of the goblin clans’ prized possessions. Ancient slabs of stone are now pillars for trinkets. 1d4 + 1 Goblins are making simple repairs to some furniture and cleaning up after a scuffle with some kobolds. The goblins are willing to help the PCs in exchange for wealth of any kind. Among the items on the pillars are a small mirror set in a painted frame, a giant gold locket, a silver pitcher, a black velvet mask, a potion of animal friendship, and a potion of greater healing.
11. Goblin Game Room
The Goblins turned this old barracks into a game room. Broken wood, scraps of fabric, and a makeshift toy ball lay scattered about amongst odd markings on the floor and walls. A fancy painting depicts a small black line emanating a shaded blend of reds, oranges, and yellows. When touched a wall of force is created splitting the room in half. Any attacks made by magic weapons bounce off and cause 1d6 force damage on the wielder. Normal weapons and physical attacks do damage as normal. The force wall disappears after it takes 10 total damage.
12. Goblin Campsite
An old guardroom has been turned into a campsite and training room for the defenders of the goblin clan. A large patch of green slime clings to the ceiling above a raised platform guarding an enchanted treasure chest. Inside the chest is 15 cp, about 450 gp in gemstones, and a seamless rectangular obsidian box. The only way to open the box is to ask it nicely to open. Any attempt to damage it destroys the contents. The obsidian box contains a potion of animal friendship, a potion of poison, and a potion of greater healing.
13. Ritual Chamber
The magic circle used for rituals can still be seen etched into the floor. Ancient basreliefs depict giants fighting enormous beasts. The north section of the room contains a variety of glass humanoids in several poses. A greater restoration spell or equivalent reverses the glass curse. Using the magic circle triggers a wild magic surge. A group of Kobolds are trying to help one of their friends stuck in a paralyzing mushroom field in the southeast corner of the room.
H3. Vaelving Chasm
This hallway features a chasm approximately 20ft wide and 80ft deep. The rooms below are in view and accessible. The chasm divides the floor between the warring kobold and the goblin clans.
H4. Fleeing Goblins
1d4 Goblins are running from a fight with some kobolds. One of the goblins is badly injured and they are looking for a place to rest before returning to the tribe.
H5. Goblins vs Kobolds
A group of 1d4 goblins is losing poorly to 2d4 kobolds. The injured goblins have retreated towards room 14 (see H4). The goblins are trying to reclaim some of their territories.
14. Shield Vault
What was once a main vault room indicated by the giant rune on the stone door has been turned into a workroom for the Gathering. A group of adventurers loosely working together in solving the mysteries and plundering the treasure, of the vault. Pedestals and tables are piled with notes, notebooks, and trinkets. A large table holds a map in progress. A map of the current floor can be found among the scattered papers. Books: gear inventory, old adventurers journal, and a letter from the retired General Hualpa asking for a progress report. Trinkets: monster tooth, hand mirror, and an empty bottle.
15. Trapped Campsite
An empty firepit sits in front of two abandoned tents. A suit of armor lies untouched by age in one corner and an old target dummy stands in the opposite corner. When either one of these is touched or moved they both begin to animate. Use the Animated Armor and Medium Animated Object stat blocks. Treasure: 16 sp, a pair of cloth gloves, and a trilobite fossil.
16. Kobold Guard Room
1d6 Kobolds are stationed in this room as a guard post. They are currently hiding and resting after a scuffle with some goblins. Pieces of broken furniture lie next to a set of faded wooden chairs and tables. Kobold graffiti is painted on one of the walls containing a secret door leading to a stairwell that goes down one floor to a section of the kobold lair. Treasure: 7 ep, a herbal poultice, and a set of fine brushes
17. Kobold Laboratory
This dimly lit space features two tables filled with various alchemical equipment and ingredients. A small furnace burns in the corner and shelves line the walls filled with vials of colored liquids and jars of strange substances. With one hours time and a successful DC 20 Intelligence check one of the following potions can be made: potion of healing, potion of fire breath, potion of growth, Keoghtom’s ointment, oil of slipperiness, potion of gaseous form. Eight hours can be spent studying the equipment to lower the DC by 1, the limit of five. In both cases, wandering monster checks should be made every 30 min. A 10 ft. raised ledge contains a Mimic disguised as a treasure chest. Treasure: 15 cp, a block of soap, a bundle of seven twigs, fragments of a shattered sword
H6. Secret Stairwell
A sconce on the wall once pulled reveals a secret staircase going down one floor to level 3.
18. Trapped Pass
A Rug of Smothering lies in the center of the room waiting to attack any who doesn’t know the command word: Qaavric. A glass sculpture of a tall kobold with scaled armor wielding a spear. If touched the statue attacks. Use the Animated Armor stat block adding a Death Throes explosion, DEX save DC 15 vs 1d6 piercing damage when it reaches 0 HP.
19. Kobold Armory
A few racks of old rusted weapons line the south wall. The ceiling has partially collapsed creating a pile of rubble that is just tall enough to reach a high ledge. The ledge contains a small passageway that leads to Level 3 below. 1d4 + 1 Goblins are attempting to sneak into the Kobold section and run amok.
20. Watch Room
Filling the room is a weave of thick spider webs. Until removed, use the Web hazard in the DMG. A few stools line the walls below holes in the wall. Each hole contains a tunnel with a series of mirrors that show the contents of other rooms in the vault. Knobs and levers allow the user to rotate the mirrors slightly to see more of the space. There are 8 holes in total but only two of them are in working condition. 1 in 6 chance there is a Giant Spider inside.
H7. Kobold and Goblin Skirmish
1d4 Kobolds are guarding room 21 against a group of 1d4 Goblins.
21. Empty Cages
Scorch marks on most of the surfaces in the room. Large metal cages of various sizes lie in disarray along the perimeter of the room. Arcane glyphs are etched into the baseboards and a faded magic circle is inscribed in the floor. A DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check reveals … a DC 20 reveals …
22. Kobold Lounge
A collapsed ceiling fills most of the room. A couple wooden tables and chairs fill the rest of the space.
23. Kobold Dining Hall
At any given time there are 1d6 kobolds eating a meal or in the middle of cleaning up. The flimsy furniture is cobbled together from broken pieces.
24. Meditation Room
Rugs and pillows cover the floor. A strong smell of incense lingers in the air. Behind one of the tapestries on the wall lies a well-hidden secret stairwell directly to the 6th floor.
H8. Kobold Procession
A group of 1d6 Kobolds and 1 Kobold Sorcerer are slowly walking from room 24 to room 25. Strong incense fills the air as the kobolds bring plundered gifts to pay respects to their god.
25. Kobold Shrine
Tapestries and frescoes of old gods adorn the walls of the chapel. An old shrine to the god of the giants has been defaced and converted to the kobold god, Kurtulmak. A small secret stairwell behind the statue goes down one floor to level 3. A pair of stone obelisks flank the altar causing any who pass through to shrink down one size so they can fit into the secret stairwell. Coins and trinkets can be found scattered and hidden around the room. Treasure: 17 cp, silk handkerchief, carved bone statuette, wand of web, +1 wand of the war mage, bracers of archery, +1 mace once wielded by an ancient hero (can understand giant, lets out an angelic ring when used).
26. Kobold Smithy
The kobold smith Ratle Slimtorch does not have much equipment nor is very good at their craft. Sparks from the forge and the clanging of metal ring out loudly. Weapons and armor of questionable quality lie piled in a corner. 1 in 6 chance there are 1d6 Goblins ransacking the room.
27. Ratle’s Room
Ratle uses the well in the next room for his smith work. The nasty water partly contributes to the low quality of his work. A ladder hidden in the stone wall leads to Ratle’s sleeping quarters about 15 ft up. Dust, metal scraps, and trinkets are scattered around the room while a large pile of various cloths resembles a bed.
28. Empty Room
Scraps of furniture, weapons, and armor lie scattered around the room.
The Giant Archway, Vkhod Arku, Floor 3
29. Main Stairwell
The air is clear and damp with a moldy smell in the air. Dung, fur, and a large puddle of acrid water lies in front of the north door. An old tapestry featuring two large moose locked in the middle of a fight adorns the south wall.
30. Goblin Guardroom
The western side of the room’s ceiling is collapsed. A gray ooze hangs from the ceiling guarding a goblin treasure chest. Treasure: 250 cp, 100 sp, 60 gp, 100 gp in various gems, scroll of catapult, potion of healing.
31. Testing Room
Derelict cages, broken furniture, and busted equipment line the walls. Greasy rags sit on a crooked workbench. Acid stains and scorch marks can be seen on the walls, floor, and ceiling. Wooden crates hold various supplies for the goblins. Among the contents are balls of yarn, a tin whistle, aged bat wings, and a broken ceramic mug.
Appendix
NPCs
General Hualpa
General Hualpa is a proud and wise male elf known for his plate mail and powerful battle axe. Despite his conceited nature, the retired general is a skilled and experienced leader. Patron to the Gathering, Hualpa wants to completely map the vault so it can be inhabited again.
Order of the Fox
An adventuring group that can be found from time to time in the vault or general area.
Trym Greenleaf the Halfling Spy
A cautious and honest halfling spy with a wild mop of hair that he struggles to keep under control. Trym’s keen observational skills and quick thinking have saved his life on more than one occasion.
Nissa Glittergem the Gnome Priest
Tending to take things at face value the noisy priest wears her heart on her sleeve, literally with the many tattoos she has. Despite her quirks, Nissa is well-loved for her kind heart and unwavering devotion to her faith.
Nuraval Orcfoe the Dwarf Knight
Taking great pride in his appearance and his family’s legacy, Nuraval is known for his unwavering loyalty to his comrades in battle. His fiery passion for justice means he will stop at nothing to defend his honor and the honor of his clan.
Chem Ennui the Tiefling Scout
They have a talent for creative problem-solving and often come up with unusual solutions that catch their enemies off guard. Despite her playful and carefree nature, Chem is fiercely dedicated to her mission and the beautiful feathered earrings they wear 24/7.
The Stonewalker Goblins
This tribe of goblins has been living in the ancient vault for generations. They call the sprawling vaults their home and most of them have never been outside. The kobolds that have recently moved in have been causing havoc to the supplies and resources of the tribe.
Skrax the Goblin King is looking to end the fighting with the kobolds soon so he can go back to breeding his prized hunting rats.
1d8 Goblin Names. Biks, Jorg, Leechbrain, Gnatface, Jhibi, Igugg, Mudleg, Belch.
The Sharpsnout Kobolds
In the past few months, one of the kobold leaders has led them into the depths of the vault in search of ancient artifacts. They tell the kobolds not of what they seek but just to bring them anything they believe is valuable and shiny. Deadly encounters with the goblins have caused some dissent among some of the tribe.
A young sapphire dragon called Jharthanach is using them to begin building their hoard that’s located in another section of the giant vault.
Ratle Slimtorch. Ratle is a sneaky kobold smith who prefers impractical solutions to problems. He’s been known to steal the occasional shiny bauble from his customers and often picks his teeth with a small dagger when he thinks no one is looking.
1d8 Kobold Names. Kirg, Kloh, Erla, Then, Scuz, Trig, Chroma, Tema.
The Broken Crown Troglodytes
Having been chased out of their home this group of troglodytes is looking for a new lair. Their name comes from the obsidian and ruby broken crown worn by the patriarch, Zarm. The trogs have knowledge of the evil that lurks below due to the years they lived there. The trogs also want to find out why more adventurers have shown up in recent months.
1d6 Troglodyte Names. Silk, Skriss, Koldar, Grist, Lid, L’gronk
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d100 Questions to Get To Know Your PCs
I like to start my sessions with a fun ‘get-to-know-you’ question for the player characters. These questions serve two goals. The first is just getting the players to start thinking like their characters. The second is to build some character details that you can use later in the campaign, or even later in that session. Using these small details throughout the campaign will strengthen the connection the players have with their characters, and with the story. For example, when my grooup of PCs made it back home from their longest journey so far I described the sunset using their favorite colors that they told me about a few sessions previously. One time I had a PCs family send him a batch of his favorite cookies that his parents made growing up, and I knew what they were because I asked. Seriously, just ask your players questions about their characters once a session and you will gain plenty of useful information to use
against themin the future.A good source for questions is the video from Ginny Di titled ‘50 Character Builder Questions for Your Tabletop Character.’ There’s a link in the description that has a link to a list of all the questions if you don’t want to watch the video.
100 Questions to Start a TTRPG Session
- Are you a dog person or a cat person and why?
- Are you allergic to any foods?
- Are you a morning person or a night owl?
- Are you a picky eater or do you like to try new foods?
- Did you have a childhood pet?
- Do you have an insignificant memory that has stayed with you all these years?
- Do you want to settle down with a spouse and kids?
- Do you have any noticeable scars? If so, what are their stories?
- Do you have any unusual talents?
- Do you have a guilty pleasure?
- Do you have any nicknames or street names?
- Do you have any scars, tattoos, or birthmarks?
- Do you prefer camping outside of town, or staying at the inn?
- Do you have any unusual or nervous mannerisms, such as when talking, thinking, being afraid, under stress, or when embarrassed?
- Do you have a good luck charm?
- Do you have a favorite set of pajamas?
- Do you keep any houseplants?
- Do you cook meals or eat out?
- Do you keep a journal?
- Do you know how to swim?
- Do you have any phobias?
- Do you prefer hunting or fishing?
- Do you enjoy surprises?
- Have you ever broken the law and didn’t get caught, if so how?
- Have you ever been in love?
- Have you ever tended a garden?
- Have you kept any toys from childhood?
- Have you ever been fired or quit a job?
- Have you ever gone to a psychic?
- Have you ever let someone down?
- How do you like to spend your free time?
- How did you decorate your childhood bedroom?
- How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
- If you could go back and change one decision you made in the past, what would you change?
- If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
- If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
- If you could retire with a big pile of gold, what would they do?
- If you could open a restaurant, what would it be like?
- If you were involved with a circus, what would they be doing?
- What is the best compliment that you’ve ever received?
- What is your favorite candy?
- What is your favorite color?
- What is your favorite holiday or celebration?
- What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?
- What’s the worst play/street performance you ever saw?
- What was your first job?
- When was the last time you were in a place of worship?
- Who is the most important person in your life and why?
- What’s one place you’ve visited that you never want to return to?
- What’s one thing you’re determined to do before you die?
- Would you rather be hot or cold?
- What is your most favorite pair of shoes you’ve ever had?
- What was your greatest talent when you were younger?
- What was your dream job when you were younger?
- Would you change anything about your appearance?
- What was your favorite family tradition as a child?
- Who do you look up to?
- What temperature are you most comfortable at?
- Who was your best friend while growing up?
- What do you do better than anyone else?
- What’s one thing you would change about the person you love most in the world?
- Who do you wish was here with you now? How would they make things better?
- What did you dream about last night?
- What’s something you quit, that you now regret giving up on?
- What was the best party you ever went to?
- What do you do if you can’t sleep?
- What does your morning routine look like?
- What is your favorite dad joke?
- What’s the worst food you’ve ever had?
- Would your friends describe you as organized?
- What is your favorite season?
- What is your spirit animal?
- What is the biggest mistake your character has ever made?
- What is your theme song?
- Who would you trust the most with a secret?
- What advice would you give to your younger self?
- What is your most annoying habit?
- What is the one task you would absolutely refuse to do?
- What annoys you the most?
- What is your favorite art form?
- Would you rather be deaf or blind?
- Who trained you in your skilled areas?
- What do you do with your gear when sleeping?
- What is your favorite piece of furniture?
- When was the last time you went on vacation?
- What’s the best haircut you ever received?
- What is your favorite physical activity?
- What is the tallest tree you have ever climbed?
- What is your favorite weather?
- What’s the first thing you buy for a new home?
- What do you do when you get bored?
- What do you daydream about?
- What is the last thing you do before going to bed?
- What is the last present you gave somebody?
- What’s on your grocery list?
- What is the biggest lie your character has ever told?
- What one item do you save from a house fire?
- When was the last time you sang to someone?
- Would you rather have a housekeeper or a personal chef?
- What do you do to relax?
Note that this exercise can be used in most if not all tabletop games. Besides Dungeons & Dragons, I could see it being used in games like Pathfinder, Worlds Without Number, Blades in the Dark, Call of Cthulhu, Mörk Borg, Starfinder, Fiasco, Numenera, 13th Age, Fantasy Age, Old School Essentials, Shadow of the Demon Lord, or even Level Up Advanced 5e.
Are there any questions you think should be added to the list? Let me know in the comments below!
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Dice Label Table: The Ultimate Tool For New Players
As a dungeon master, I run games for new players often enough that I went ahead and made a Dice Label Table. It can be overwhelming trying to remember all the different types of dice. I tried to make this as simple as I could. Print it out, cut it up, and then put out the dice. The shapes and labels will help players find the dice faster leading to less frustration on all sides. Let me know how it works for you!
Update: I made a rainbow version too!
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The Dungeon Master’s Handbook: 3 Rituals for Getting the Session Started
You and the players are gathered around the table, the dice are ready to go, notes and character sheets shuffle around, and anticipation hangs in the air. But what do you say at the beginning of the session to get the ball rolling? Use these 3 rituals at the beginning of every session to get the players in their character’s mindset, get the creative juices flowing, and jumpstart the session.
Character Information
As everyone is getting settled in and the players begin to grab their character sheets I like to ask them for some information about their character. The first thing I ask them to do is look over their character sheet for a minute and take note of any abilities or items they want to try using during the session. Then I pass around a note card and have them write down their characters’ current Hit Points (HP) and Armor Class (AC). If we’re playing online I just ask them and write it down myself. I don’t use this to track their HP during the session but I do use it to reference the characters’ AC during combat to help move it along. Those seconds it takes the player to look up their AC every round add up. My other goal for this is it gets the player used to looking for their AC and HP. I’d rather the first time they check for that information is NOT during combat 20 minutes or more into the session.
Character Questions
This next step is quite fun and I’m sure your players will enjoy being able to be creative while adding their pieces to the world you’ve created for them. I like to ask the characters a getting-to-know-you question. I like to use questions like ‘What’s your favorite color?’, ‘Did you have a childhood pet?’, or ‘What’s your favorite gift you’ve ever received?’. It’s a small thing to do and it accomplishes two separate goals. One is getting the players to start thinking like their characters. The second is getting information about the characters that you can use later in the session or the campaign. Using the examples above I would use a favorite color in the description of a sunset, perhaps an NPC has a pet of the same breed, or maybe an NPC is in the same profession as the gift you received. Adding in little details like this makes the players feel more connected to the world and, by association, to the game.
A good source for questions is the video from Ginny Di titled ‘50 Character Builder Questions for your Tabletop Character.’ There’s a link in the description that has a link to a list of all the questions if you don’t want to watch the video.
The Story So Far
After those two rituals are taken care of it’s time to start recapping the story so far. I like to ask a player to volunteer to summarize what’s been going on and what happened last session. This helps me understand what the players remember and, more importantly, what the players think is crucial to the story. Then I will do a short recap of my own repeating what the player said as well as reiterating anything they didn’t include. If the session is a continuation of the last one (like a cliffhanger or something similar), I find it best to describe the scene as best as possible and then give the chance for a couple of ability or skill checks by the players. The goal is to get the dice rolling as soon as possible.
Secret Surprise 4th Ritual
My secret fourth ritual is one of the ‘8 Steps of D&D Prep’ from Sly Flourish’s book ‘Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master.’ Step 2 is to create a ‘Strong Start’ for the session. Starting with some action allows everyone to get focused on the story quickly. The best way to do that is to have something the characters will react to or will want to investigate further. A fancy noble person could bump into the party and threaten to arrest the characters for something harmless. Then later during an important meeting, there is tension in the air as the noble person is needed for an important decision involving the characters. Perhaps the characters catch a glimpse of a couple reported missing days ago being harassed or chased by monsters. A friendly spirit guides the characters to the dwelling of an old magic user wanting brave heroes to carry on his legacy. If only they can retrieve a stolen amulet from the Spired Barrow of Marrone the Corrupt, an exiled priest who wishes to control all forms of life. Use the characters to start with action and you will have the beginnings of a fun session!
Notice, these rituals do not focus on the game system you are using. These can be applied to a variety of games like Dungeons & Dragons, Call of Cthulhu, Pathfinder, Worlds Without Number, and many more. Try some or all of these in your next session and let me know how they work for you. I would like to hear your thoughts in the comments!
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#Dungeon23 – Week 6
Each week I will be posting my progress in creating the dungeon, NPCs, lore, and the surrounding area. My version of #Dungeon23 is to make progress every day. Most days that will mean a room description or using a dice drop to generate a section of the dungeon. Other days will include adding lore, NPC, and other descriptions needed to fill out the document to my satisfaction. The blog post each week will be a copy-and-paste directly from my personal google doc. My hope is to show how this dungeon and area evolves over the year.
Change Log. rooms 24 – 28, kobold NPC Ratle Slimtorch the blacksmith, Order of the Fox info, level 2 wandering monsters
Previous Entries. Week 1. Week 2. Week 3. Week 4. Week 5.
**for the original post on Dungeon23 see the post on Sean McCoy’s blog https://seanmccoy.substack.com/p/dungeon23
**for a list of resources for Dungeon23 see https://itch.io/blog/462261/dungeon23-resources
Cover and spot art by Perplexing Ruins, I highly suggest you check out their Patreon. Maps are made with Dungeon Scrawl.
Deep in the Kyusoku Mesa hides the ancient vault of ‘Vaelving Gamles’ which holds a fabled warhammer with the power to unite the local tribes. A deep scar carves a wedge into the middle of the mesa. A lush jungle covers the scar and other portions of the mesa. The rest is an unforgiving desert. The tribes of the Resu’suteppu have called this area home for centuries.
The ancient vault was built centuries ago by the local stone giants to protect (and hide) their most sacred possessions. Long after the giants abandoned the vault local tribes of elves used parts of the upper floors as an emergency shelter in times of need. Most recently it has been the focus of a foreign War Priest (with claims of local blood) to find the fabled warhammer Endbringer, and unite, and rule, the tribes of the mesa once and for all.
Hook: The retired General Hualpa is hiring adventurers to map the halls of Vaelving Gamles.
Hook: A foreign War Priest is paying anyone who brings them magic items from the depths of the vault.
The town of Unrock provides many accommodations for the locals and the many adventurers that pass through the region.
Topside provides more goods and services to the area and is more affluent than Unrock.
General Features
The vault of Vaelving Gamles is made up of a combination of smooth, worked stone and hand-hewn stone, with the occasional natural tunnel or cavern. Some areas have exceptional architectural features that are noted in the text.
Ceilings. Built to accommodate many types of giants, the room ceilings are at least 35 feet at the least and as high as 50 feet in the more important spaces. Ceilings in hallways are approximately 40 feet in height.
Doors. Locked wooden doors require a successful DC 20 Dexterity check with thieves’ tools or a key found on the same floor. Large stone doors require a successful DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check.
Light. Large sconces can be found in most rooms and hallways. Whether they are lit is another question.
The Giant Archway, Vkhod Arku, Floor 1
Wandering Monsters. Check for wandering monsters if the players move to a new area, make a lot of noise, spend too much time in one area, or at the dungeon master’s discretion. Also, an encounter can occur at the dungeon master’s discretion without a roll. Check for wandering monsters by rolling a d20. On a roll of 17-20, an encounter takes place. Roll a d6 and consult the wandering monsters table. On a 20, roll twice on the table and use both results.
Roll Result 1 1d4 + 2 Giant Rats 2 1d4 + 2 Giant Centipedes 3 1d4 + 2 Skeletons 4 1d4 Troglodytes 5 1d4 Swarms of Bats 6 1 Grey Ooze Giant Rats. An oily smell precedes the sight of rats gnawing on bat carcasses.
Giant Centipedes. The skittering of hundreds of legs on the floor approaches slowly out of the darkness.
Skeletons. Undead skeletons can be found repeating echoes of ancient actions of their past lives like standing guard, patrolling a hallway, or playing cards. The dark energy that animates their bones compels them to attack any living creatures on sight.
Troglodytes. A group of troglodytes is scouting the vault for a possible new lair.
Swarm of Bats. Screeches pierce the air as a group of bats erupts from the darkness above flying around chaotically.
Gray Ooze. Blending in with the stonework, the gray ooze waits for the perfect moment to strike unsuspecting adventurers.
- The Vkhod Arku
A giant archway built into the mesa holds an alcove that nature re-claimed long ago. Faded murals dedicated to the giant god Annam All-Father. Small scripts in ancient elvish provide directions beyond the stone doors. Two giant-sized stone doors require a successful DC 13 Strength (Athletics) check to open. There is a chance this room is occupied. 1d6: 1d4 kobolds and 1 giant goat; 1d4 kobolds; 1 giant goat; nothing; Spy, Priest, Knight fighting 1d4 kobolds; Spy, Priest, Knight resting after a bad fight.
- Armory
Rotten wood, cobwebs, and rusted weapons lie scattered around. More elven writing marks the two doors. The south corner of the room ceiling has collapsed causing the floor to rise to a ledge in the corner. In the north corner, Goblins and Kobolds are fighting each other over some treasure. In the south corner of the room, a Goblin Boss and a couple Goblins are harrying an adventurer perched on the ledge protecting a large chest. The Scout cries for help as soon as they see the characters. Treasure. 210 sp, 80 gp, black velvet mask, gold vestments, potion of climbing, dust of dryness, and a key to the stairwell in room 4.
- Antechamber
The floor is partially collapsed in the southeast corner. Several Kobolds are attempting to dig through to access a room 4 floors below. They rigged an old well to be a hidden pit trap that fills with poisoned water over 1 minute. A successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check discerns an absence of foot traffic over the section of the floor that forms the pit’s cover.
- Main Stairwell
This main stairwell room was originally used as a staging area for going deeper into the vault. Touching any of the small doors causes the character to take 1d10 poison damage and must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 hour. There is a chance this room is occupied. 1d6: goblins, empty, kobolds, empty, adventurers, empty.
- Guard Room
The heavy stone door is slightly ajar. Once used as a base for the guards of the vault now the room serves as a camp for adventurers. Written on the wall are instructions on how to seal the room from the inside for safety. An almost empty wooden cask holds travel rations and waterskins. Attached inside is a parchment with dates written on it indicating when the rations were last restocked.
- Empty Vault
The secret door to this chamber was found long ago and was fully pillaged shortly after. All that remains are scraps of broken storage and furniture that have been used here over the centuries. There is a chance that the room is occupied. 1d6: goblins, empty, empty, empty, empty, kobolds.
- Fake Barracks
This chamber is set up like a small barracks but is a trap to thwart intruders. As soon as the characters enter the room scything blades emerge from the ceiling and walls. DC 11 to detect the trap and the same DC to disable the trap via a panel in the doorway. Each creature in the doorway must make a DC 11 Dexterity saving throw, taking 5 (1d10) slashing damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A mimic disguises itself as a fancy door with no traps. The room guards a chest containing a bag of gems (tiger eye, 2 rhodochrosite, 3 moss agate, malachite, lapis lazuli, 3 hematite, and azurite), a scroll of greater restoration, a scroll of protection (undead), and a potion of frost giant strength.
H1. Gas Trap Hallway
The hallway between rooms 6 and 7 contains a poison gas trap. When triggered small holes appear in the walls hissing out a purple noxious gas and causing the area to be lightly obscured. DC 13 to detect the trap and the same DC to disable the trap via a panel in the floor. Each creature in the area must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw, taking 3 (1d6) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
The Giant Archway, Vkhod Arku, Floor 2
Roll Result 1 1d4 Swarms of Bats 2 1d4 + 2 Giant Centipedes 3 1d6 Skeletons 4 1d4 Giant Frogs 5 1 Gray Ooze 6 1 Giant Spider w/ 1 swarm of spiders Wandering Monsters Level 2 Swarms of Bats. Screeches pierce the air as a group of bats erupt from the darkness above flying around chaotically.
Giant Centipedes. The skittering of hundreds of legs on the floor approaches slowly out of the darkness.
Skeletons. Undead skeletons can be found repeating echoes of ancient actions of their past lives like standing guard, patrolling a hallway, or playing cards. The dark energy that animates their bones compels them to attack any living creatures on sight.
Giant Frogs. Splashing and croaking grow louder as slimy bodies hop towards them, their wide jaws gaping open to reveal rows of sharp teeth.
Gray Ooze. Blending in with the stonework, the gray ooze waits for the perfect moment to strike unsuspecting adventurers.
Giant Spider. Many, many eyes reflect in the dim light as many-legged creatures scrabble their way gracefully with sharp fangs and venom dripping from its mouth.
H2. Collapsed Hallway
The entrance to room 8 has a 1 in 6 chance in being blocked by a collapsed ceiling.
8. Cistern
Many kobolds and a couple goblins fight over the water contained in the cistern. The kobolds are looking for the goblin who sabotaged their water supply. The goblins are fleeing a bad situation with their tribe. Part of the ceiling has collapsed creating partial cover and difficult terrain. A secret door in the southwest corner reveals a secret staircase that goes up and down one floor each.
9. Audience Chamber
Three tiers separate this room. Some furniture still lingers in the far east corner where a historical text can be found in an unknown language (ancient giant). A secret door in the far west corner leads to a hidden hallway. A rotten skeleton can be found in the secret hallway with 6 gp, a dead mouse, a page torn from a spellbook, and a ring of iron keys.
10. Goblin Museum
What was once a torture chamber in ages past has been turned into a gallery for some of the goblin clans’ prized possessions. Ancient slabs of stone are now pillars for trinkets. 1d4 + 1 Goblins are making simple repairs to some furniture and cleaning up after a scuffle with some kobolds. The goblins are willing to help the PCs in exchange for wealth of any kind. Among the items on the pillars are a small mirror set in a painted frame, a giant gold locket, a silver pitcher, a black velvet mask, a potion of animal friendship, and a potion of greater healing.
11. Goblin Game Room
The Goblins turned this old barracks into a game room. Broken wood, scraps of fabric, and a makeshift toy ball lay scattered about amongst odd markings on the floor and walls. A fancy painting depicts a small black line emanating a shaded blend of reds, oranges, and yellows. When touched a wall of force is created splitting the room in half. Any attacks made by magic weapons bounce off and cause 1d6 force damage on the wielder. Normal weapons and physical attacks do damage as normal. The force wall disappears after it takes 10 total damage.
12. Goblin Campsite
An old guardroom has been turned into a campsite and training room for the defenders of the goblin clan. A large patch of green slime clings to the ceiling above a raised platform guarding an enchanted treasure chest. Inside the chest is 15 cp, about 450 gp in gemstones, and a seamless rectangular obsidian box. The only way to open the box is to ask it nicely to open. Any attempt to damage it destroys the contents. The obsidian box contains a potion of animal friendship, a potion of poison, and a potion of greater healing.
13. Ritual Chamber
The magic circle used for rituals can still be seen etched into the floor. Ancient basreliefs depict giants fighting enormous beasts. The north section of the room contains a variety of glass humanoids in several poses. A greater restoration spell or equivalent reverses the glass curse. Using the magic circle triggers a wild magic surge. A group of Kobolds are trying to help one of their friends stuck in a paralyzing mushroom field in the southeast corner of the room.
H3. Vaelving Chasm
This hallway features a chasm approximately 20ft wide and 80ft deep. The rooms below are in view and accessible. The chasm divides the floor between the warring kobold and the goblin clans.
H4. Fleeing Goblins
1d4 Goblins are running from a fight with some kobolds. One of the goblins is badly injured and they are looking for a place to rest before returning to the tribe.
H5. Goblins vs Kobolds
A group of 1d4 goblins is losing poorly to 2d4 kobolds. The injured goblins have retreated towards room 14 (see H4). The goblins are trying to reclaim some of their territories.
14. Shield Vault
What was once a main vault room indicated by the giant rune on the stone door has been turned into a workroom for the Gathering. A group of adventurers loosely working together in solving the mysteries and plundering the treasure, of the vault. Pedestals and tables are piled with notes, notebooks, and trinkets. A large table holds a map in progress. A map of the current floor can be found among the scattered papers. Books: gear inventory, old adventurers journal, and a letter from the retired General Hualpa asking for a progress report. Trinkets: monster tooth, hand mirror, and an empty bottle.
15. Trapped Campsite
An empty firepit sits in front of two abandoned tents. A suit of armor lies untouched by age in one corner and an old target dummy stands in the opposite corner. When either one of these is touched or moved they both begin to animate. Use the Animated Armor and Medium Animated Object stat blocks. Treasure: 16 sp, a pair of cloth gloves, and a trilobite fossil.
16. Kobold Guard Room
1d6 Kobolds are stationed in this room as a guard post. They are currently hiding and resting after a scuffle with some goblins. Pieces of broken furniture lie next to a set of faded wooden chairs and tables. Kobold graffiti is painted on one of the walls containing a secret door leading to a stairwell that goes down one floor to a section of the kobold lair. Treasure: 7 ep, a herbal poultice, and a set of fine brushes
17. Kobold Laboratory
This dimly lit space features two tables filled with various alchemical equipment and ingredients. A small furnace burns in the corner and shelves line the walls filled with vials of colored liquids and jars of strange substances. With one hours time and a successful DC 20 Intelligence check one of the following potions can be made: potion of healing, potion of fire breath, potion of growth, Keoghtom’s ointment, oil of slipperiness, potion of gaseous form. Eight hours can be spent studying the equipment to lower the DC by 1, the limit of five. In both cases, wandering monster checks should be made every 30 min. A 10 ft. raised ledge contains a Mimic disguised as a treasure chest. Treasure: 15 cp, a block of soap, a bundle of seven twigs, fragments of a shattered sword
H6. Secret Stairwell
A sconce on the wall once pulled reveals a secret staircase going down one floor to level 3.
18. Trapped Pass
A Rug of Smothering lies in the center of the room waiting to attack any who doesn’t know the command word: Qaavric. A glass sculpture of a tall kobold with scaled armor wielding a spear. If touched the statue attacks. Use the Animated Armor stat block adding a Death Throes explosion, DEX save DC 15 vs 1d6 piercing damage when it reaches 0 HP.
19. Kobold Armory
A few racks of old rusted weapons line the south wall. The ceiling has partially collapsed creating a pile of rubble that is just tall enough to reach a high ledge. The ledge contains a small passageway that leads to Level 3 below. 1d4 + 1 Goblins are attempting to sneak into the Kobold section and run amok.
20. Watch Room
Filling the room is a weave of thick spider webs. Until removed, use the Web hazard in the DMG. A few stools line the walls below holes in the wall. Each hole contains a tunnel with a series of mirrors that show the contents of other rooms in the vault. Knobs and levers allow the user to rotate the mirrors slightly to see more of the space. There are 8 holes in total but only two of them are in working condition. 1 in 6 chance there is a Giant Spider inside.
H7. Kobold and Goblin Skirmish
1d4 Kobolds are guarding room 21 against a group of 1d4 Goblins.
21. Empty Cages
Scorch marks on most of the surfaces in the room. Large metal cages of various sizes lie in disarray along the perimeter of the room. Arcane glyphs are etched into the baseboards and a faded magic circle is inscribed in the floor. A DC 15 Intelligence (Arcana) check reveals … a DC 20 reveals …
22. Kobold Lounge
A collapsed ceiling fills most of the room. A couple wooden tables and chairs fill the rest of the space.
23. Kobold Dining Hall
At any given time there are 1d6 kobolds eating a meal or in the middle of cleaning up. The flimsy furniture is cobbled together from broken pieces.
24. Meditation Room
Rugs and pillows cover the floor. A strong smell of incense lingers in the air. Behind one of the tapestries on the wall lies a well-hidden secret stairwell directly to the 6th floor.
25. Kobold Shrine
Tapestries and frescoes of old gods adorn the walls of the chapel. An old shrine to the god of the giants has been defaced and converted to the kobold god, Kurtulmak. A small secret stairwell behind the statue goes down one floor to level 3. A pair of stone obelisks flank the altar causing any who pass through to shrink down one size so they can fit into the secret stairwell. Coins and trinkets can be found scattered and hidden around the room. Treasure: 17 cp, silk handkerchief, carved bone statuette, wand of web, +1 wand of the war mage, bracers of archery, +1 mace once wielded by an ancient hero (can understand giant, lets out an angelic ring when used).
26. Kobold Smithy
The smith Ratle Slimtorch does not have much equipment nor is very good at their craft. Sparks from the forge and the clanging of metal ring out loudly. Weapons and armor of questionable quality lie piled in a corner. 1 in 6 chance there are 1d6 Goblins ransacking the room.
27. Ratle’s Room
Ratle uses the well in the next room for his smith work. The nasty water partly contributes to the low quality of his work. A ladder hidden in the stone wall leads to Ratle’s sleeping quarters about 15 ft up. Dust, metal scraps, and trinkets are scattered around the room while a large pile of various cloths resembles a bed.
28. Empty Room
Scraps of furniture, weapons, and armor lie scattered around the room.
Appendix
NPCs
General Hualpa
General Hualpa is a proud and wise male elf known for his plate mail and powerful battle axe. Despite his conceited nature, the retired general is a skilled and experienced leader. Patron to the Gathering, Hualpa wants to completely map the vault so it can be inhabited again.
Order of the Fox
Adventuring group that can be found from time to time in the vault or general area.
Trym Greenleaf the Halfling Spy
A cautious and honest halfling spy with a wild mop of hair that he struggles to keep under control. Trym’s keen observational skills and quick thinking have saved his life on more than one occasion.
Nissa Glittergem the Gnome Priest
Tending to take things at face value the noisy priest wears her heart on her sleeve, literally with the many tattoos she has. Despite her quirks, Nissa is well-loved for her kind heart and unwavering devotion to her faith.
Nuraval Orcfoe the Dwarf Knight
Taking great pride in his appearance and his family’s legacy, Nuraval is known for his unwavering loyalty to his comrades in battle. His fiery passion for justice means he will stop at nothing to defend his honor and the honor of his clan.
Chem Ennui the Tiefling Scout
They have a talent for creative problem-solving and often come up with unusual solutions that catch their enemies off guard. Despite her playful and carefree nature, Chem is fiercely dedicated to her mission and the beautiful feathered earrings they wear 24/7.
The Stonewalker Goblins
This tribe of goblins has been living in the ancient vault for generations. They call the sprawling vaults their home and most of them have never been outside. The kobolds that have recently moved in have been causing havoc to the supplies and resources of the tribe.
Skrax the Goblin King is looking to end the fighting with the kobolds soon so he can go back to breeding his prized hunting rats.
1d8 Goblin Names. Biks, Jorg, Leechbrain, Gnatface, Jhibi, Igugg, Mudleg, Belch.
The Sharpsnout Kobolds
In the past few months, one of the kobold leaders has led them into the depths of the vault in search of ancient artifacts. They tell the kobolds not of what they seek but just to bring them anything they believe is valuable and shiny. Deadly encounters with the goblins have caused some dissent among some of the tribe.
A young sapphire dragon called Jharthanach is using them to begin building their hoard that’s located in another section of the giant vault.
Ratle Slimtorch. Ratle is a sneaky kobold smith who prefers impractical solutions to problems. He’s been known to steal the occasional shiny bauble from his customers and often picks his teeth with a small dagger when he thinks no one is looking.
1d8 Kobold Names. Kirg, Kloh, Erla, Then, Scuz, Trig, Chroma, Tema.
The Broken Crown Troglodytes
Having been chased out of their home this group of troglodytes is looking for a new lair. Their name comes from the obsidian and ruby broken crown worn by the patriarch, Zarm. The trogs have knowledge of the evil that lurks below due to the years they lived there. The trogs also want to find out why more adventurers have shown up in recent months.
1d6 Troglodyte Names. Silk, Skriss, Koldar, Grist, Lid, L’gronk
Points of Inspiration 