A ‘dungeon’ is a room or cell in which a prisoner is kept. Traditionally, it is where evil overlords keep the fair maiden until the knights in shining armor come to her rescue. In fantasy role-playing games, the term ‘dungeon’ quickly expanded to mean any underground complex which the players explore in a structureed format; often, examining it room by room rather than in a story driven fashion – even when a backstory drives this explanation.
This has led to the dungeon becoming perhaps the biggest trope of the hobby, and one of the things every GM strives to do is break the formula – provide interesting settings, variations, and breaks from the pattern, while often keeping the convenience of dungeon-based game-play. Additionally, a classic dungeon is not appropriate for all genres.
I’ve always been a fan of dungeon delving, of cave exploration; from the old Red Box introduction dungeon to Undermountain, from the asteroid mines of Ceres to the fallen ruins of the Venusian space elevators. This month, I’d like to invite you to join me in exploring unusual dungeons – be it by location, theme, design, or any other element that you think makes a dungeon interesting and stand out from the usual mold.
If you write an article on the subject, please post a comment with a link below to share your work with others! (I need to approve comments, but I will do so at least once a day.)
Happy dungeon exploration, everybody!
My first post on the subject: Hedge Mazes – http://wp.me/p1EQsT-1CC
Second post: Treetop Village. http://wp.me/p1EQsT-1CR
Giving up a current dungeon in my campaign, for the greater good. Enjoy the Tower of Gamaldur.
http://grimnir.me/2015/05/07/unusual-dungeons-the-tower-of-gamaldur/
http://mythus.mythusmage.info/archives/121
That’s my entry
Here’s the first of my entries. Thank you so much for hosting! I’m going to continue the theme all month.
http://worldbuilderblog.me/2015/05/12/prison-for-dragons/
Hi Nils,
This was a tricky Carnival for me, as I do not use many dungeons. However, I persevered and brainstormed this Secret Temple for you:
http://talesofagm.com/?p=2287
All the best
Phil
Thanks for your posts, Grimnir, Alan, James and Phil.
Phil, I think the basic concept of a “dungeon” is pretty general. In my mind, it is any sort of environment that limits player movement due to its structure. The monster slaying and treasure collection is completely optional. A haunted house in Call of Cthulhu is, basically, a dungeon. So is a sea cave, a sewer system (“I didn’t kill my wife!” – “I don’t care!”) or a derelict starship. 🙂
My third entry for this month: One Huge Tree. http://www.enderra.com/2015/05/18/unusual-dungeon-3-one-huge-tree/
Got an entry for you!
http://www.grymvald.com/2015/05/worldbuilding-wednesday-rpg-blog.html
My fourth entry, Crevasses: http://www.enderra.com/2015/05/22/unusual-dungeon-4-crevasses/
My entry, in the Brief Word From Johnn section. i take the PCs to McDonalds and to the astral plane.
http://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/rpt658-when-players-dont-show-up-what-do-you-do/
Here is my somewhat brief entry. I found this topic really hard to write about:
http://www.generaltangent.com/blog/2015/05/31/rpg-blog-carnival-may-2015-unusual-dungeons/