Since I’m in the middle of designing a big dungeon right now, I really want to talk about actual dungeons, as in, “…and dragons:” dark, damp, underground complexes filled with danger and—as the characters hope—treasure.
I like to play with the concept of dungeons in other settings. You spoke about dungeons in contrast to cities and wilderness, leaning on the 3 pillars, but I love to break that sometimes and use dungeon logic in non-dungeon areas (and I don't mean 'put it in a sewer' or 'make it a forest' - I mean absolutely, definitely not dungeons).
For instance: using dungeon logic to plot a social mystery. Rather than 'take the left or right corridor to get to the next encounter', it becomes 'follow the red or blue clue to get to the next encounter'. In this way, we can enjoy the way dungeons bring player decision-making into focus with unique and weird ways.
What has been your success in dungeons-that-aren't-dungeons?
The dungeon I'm working on, Jewel in the Sky, is coming along great! Thanks for asking. Working on a very GM-friendly presentation that I'm really happy with.
Really great to see megadungeons talked about more as a viable campaign structure for modern day!
I tried to make the case for them here: https://icastlight.substack.com/p/why-megadungeons?r=48edr&utm_medium=ios
Read this just because. Stayed because of:
“An in, ‘and dragons.’”
Nice writing. I need a D&D group.
I like to play with the concept of dungeons in other settings. You spoke about dungeons in contrast to cities and wilderness, leaning on the 3 pillars, but I love to break that sometimes and use dungeon logic in non-dungeon areas (and I don't mean 'put it in a sewer' or 'make it a forest' - I mean absolutely, definitely not dungeons).
For instance: using dungeon logic to plot a social mystery. Rather than 'take the left or right corridor to get to the next encounter', it becomes 'follow the red or blue clue to get to the next encounter'. In this way, we can enjoy the way dungeons bring player decision-making into focus with unique and weird ways.
What has been your success in dungeons-that-aren't-dungeons?
Oh nice that’s dope! How’s that coming?
The dungeon I'm working on, Jewel in the Sky, is coming along great! Thanks for asking. Working on a very GM-friendly presentation that I'm really happy with.