The Lost Continent of Malzthurdän - a Gygax '75 Challenge campaign setting, Part 3 - The Dungeon

Week 3 turned out to be quite a challenge, and frankly I still have some work to do.  When ever I thought of running a campaign before, I always planned on using published material, particularly when it comes to dungeon.  In my mind, there is so much great material that I already own I should probably just use that and adapt it to my campaign. A modified Caverns of Thracia would be perfect for this, but the challenge asked for a new dungeon.  So this ends up being the first dungeon I've created in over 30 years! Crazy stuff huh? 

This is the dungeon located at 12 on the area map. It is a tomb built into the side of a mountain at the end of the ruined city. Most everything in the ruins has been picked clean but the tomb itself is fairly intact. The entrance is an ancient stone gatehouse, now covered in vegetation, and set of double doors leading to the tomb itself.  The tomb is the resting place of a great king from a lost human empire on this continent (yes king, not emperor, I'm going with a Westeros Seven Kingdoms sort of thing here).  The first level is centered on a shrine, and is dedicated to religious worship for the deities of the Empire.  The second level is dedicated to the history of the kingdom.  The third level contains the actual resting place of the king and was dedicated to his life and the history of his family. The King's ghost still haunts the halls.  The Ophidians and Lizardfolk are aware of this and stay away from the tomb generally.  However, a tribe of kobolds have recently moved into the area, and their shaman has trapped the ghost in a binding circle.

Wandering monster table for use on all 3 levels:

Roll	Encounter
1	d6 giant rats
2	d3 ophidians
3-4	d6 kobolds
5	1 huge spider
6	1 giant snake

1. Gatehouse west - empty. debris 
2. Gatehouse east - debris.  Nest of 5 giant rats in the se corner.
3. Entrance hall - Doorway has been cleared recently and opens easily, though with noise. Floor slants down from door to first intersection.
4. Shrine - Permanent Protection from Evil in area.  Evil/Chaotic monster will not enter here. Altar along south wall. Black, red, and white wax residue on alter from west to east.  If candles found in tomb of those colors are lit and placed correctly, the door to the stairs at B will be unlocked.
5. Waiting area - broken chairs/benches.  Gecko Lizard (3hd) on ceiling
6. Empty
7. Supply room - religious items, red candles. 2 Ophidian scouts. One has a gem worth 50gp. 
8. Waiting area. - Cobwebs and debris
9. Room of Blessings - 8 fonts of water. One of them will Bless whomever drinks from it.
10. Supply room - debris, religious items. Black candles.
11. Hidden room - valuable religious items (500 gp, 50lbs), white candles.

• A - Stairs down to level 2.
• B - Stairs down to level 3.

12. Hall of the Empire - Mosaic murals on all wall depicting scenes of the empire.Soft light from continual light chandeliers

13. Waiting room - debris, broken chairs, tables and benches.strong smell of decay. 6 rot grubs in debris

14. Display room - mosaics.  broken statues.

15. Guard room - chairs, table, and bedrolls.  6 Kobolds. one will be listening at the door.

16. Display room - mosaics.  broken statues.

17. Armory - Door is locked (key is lost). Rusted and decaying weapons and armor.  1 magic shield

18. Snake lair - strong stench. much debris. many bones. Giant snake in north end of room. Kobolds feed it.

19. Royal waiting room - Door is locked (key is lost). Rotting couches, chairs, and tables. 30gp, 10pp, and a 300 gp silver ring found in the recesses of the couches.

20. Hidden ante-chamber - purpose unclear.  Secret passage leads to the unknown

• A - Stairs up to Level 1
• C - Stairs down to Level 2

Level 3

50% chance that any wandering monster encountered in the halls here will instead be a Gelatinous Cube.Other than 26 and 27, these rooms have be thoroughly converted by the kobolds, and their original purpose is unclear.

• B - Stairs up to Level 1
• C - Stairs up to Level 2

21. Guard room - 6 kobolds

22. Living quarters - 8 kobolds. 50% chance of being asleep

23. Chief's room - Kobold Chief and 5 female attendants. 50% chance Chief is asleep. Wields a magic mace.

24. Living quarters - 6 kobolds. 50% chance of being asleep

25. Shaman's room - Kobold Shaman and 2 guards. 50% chance Shaman is asleep.

26. King's tomb - Angry ghost (treat as spectre) bound in circle in middle of the room. If released will attack kobolds. (just break the circle) Nothing of value in sarcophagus, but secret trap door in bottom. Ghost will tell party of secret door and 27 if given magic shield (17) and mace (23).

27. King's true resting place - Actual remains an Crown worth 10k GP. Returning it to rightful heirs will put king to rest.