ZLDA: Dungeons
They go somewhere on here.
- Decide on a theme. You might choose a treasure, an element, and/or a few monster types.
- Consider 1-3 conflicts taking place in or around this dungeon. Phrase them as "X wants Y but Z, so Q." E.g. "The corrupted Zora chief wants the rain drum to flood the eastern lowlands, but a sage sealed it in this temple long ago, so the chief has sent warriors into the temple to fetch it." Create a list of characters present in the dungeon. What do they want?
- Consider a Rare Treasure, and how it could act as a key within the dungeon.
- Consider how a different Rare Treasure not present in this dungeon could act as a key to an optional secret treasure room.
- Get a fresh piece of paper, and draw 12-20 medium-sized circles on it to represent rooms.
- Draw lines between the rooms to indicate passages. Note some passages as elevation changes, squeezes, secret paths, and locked or blocked doors.
- Decide which room will be the boss's chamber. Mark it with a Skull.
- For each locked door, mark a key somewhere prior to it. Prior to the boss room, indicate a boss key somewhere.
- Stock the Rooms
Room Stocking Procedures
Create a list of:
- 3-4 Monsters modified slightly to fit your dungeon's theme.
- A Major Treasure
- 2 Treasure Puzzles, i.e. something you would probably need the major treasure to solve, but other solutions may work.
- 2-3 Minor Treasures
- 1-2 Hazards, themed around your dungeon.
- Someone to talk to.
- A secret treasure that could be accessed with a different major treasure, or a very clever plan.
Place each item from your list somewhere in the dungeon where it makes sense.
Polishing
Imagine a group moving through the dungeon.
- What do they see, smell, feel, hear, and taste?
- What clues do they have about what lies beyond each passage? Sounds, smells, sights?
- Consider the boss's tactics and terrain. How does it interact with the dungeon's Major Treasure? (It should)
- Consider how claiming the wonder within this dungeon will change the outside world for good or ill. Will slaying the boss fix something? Will someone be able to use the wonder for good? Will a villain pursue the party ruthlessly?
- Make a wandering monster with 3-4 creatures on it.
- Call it good enough.