The Dungeon of Misplaced Doom
by Reverend Dungeon Masterfor Levels 12-15
Introduction: A Job from Some Guy with a Hat
Alright, listen up, professional murder-hobos. You’ve been hired to recover the Obsidian Fang, a priceless artifact kept deep within Mirefang Hollow, home to a black dragon named Vorgath the Unreliable, a creature so ancient and terrifying that he keeps forgetting he’s ancient and terrifying.
Your employer? Some noble so-and-so who’s convinced the Obsidian Fang is rightfully theirs, despite having no actual claim beyond “I want it.” But who cares? The pay is good, the booze fund is low, and there’s probably a solid chance you’ll make it out with all your limbs.
Expect swamps, acid-breathing monstrosities, and at least one deadly puzzle you’ll solve through brute force.
The Dungeon: Mirefang Hollow
A swamp-choked labyrinth filled with twisted trees, rotting platforms, and water so foul that it could probably be classified as a sentient ooze.
1. The Sign that Nobody Reads
A moss-covered sign at the entrance says:
- "Turn Back, Ye Who Value Thy Life!"
- "Vorgath Rules Here!" "Who Left This Sign Here?!"
Beneath it, someone has scrawled:
- "Vorgath was here. Probably."
Opening the main gate? Locked. You could pick it (if you had a Thief), or you can break it down (STR check 16 required), or realize there’s a huge gap in the wall right next to it that anyone could walk through.
2. The Bored Hydra
A massive six-headed hydra lounges in the first cavern, looking absolutely unbothered by your presence. It yawns.
“Oh. Adventurers again? Lemme guess, you're here for that artifact thingy, right? Sure, whatever, let’s do this.”
Jaded Hydra (1, but it’s seen some things)
: 2
- If it takes 20+ damage in one round, one head dies. Lose all heads = die.
- But if left alone for one full round, a head regenerates.
Loot: A tiny gold crown wedged between two of its teeth (worth 500 gp).
3. The Cryptic Wall of Doom
A giant stone face blocks the path forward. It booms:
“Only those who answer my riddle may pass! Speak, mortals, and prove your worth!”
The riddle? Completely forgotten. The stone face has no idea what the answer is.
Possible Solutions:
- Spend an hour debating nonsense answers.
- Roll CHA 15+ to "convince" it you said the right answer.
- Bribe it with gold (it doesn’t need gold, but it likes gold).
- Hit it really hard (AC 5, HP 50).
4. The Final Chamber: Vorgath the Unreliable
A massive, swamp-covered cavern stretches before you. In the center, atop a mountain of treasure, sprawls Vorgath the Unreliable, an ancient black dragon… staring blankly at the wall.
He turns his head toward you. Blinks.
"Oh. Uh… who are you? And… wait, what was I doing? Oh! Right! The uh, the thing! Yes! I will destroy you for uh… having dared given me reasons to destroy you! Fear me!”
Vorgath has lived for centuries. He’s hoarded treasure, devoured heroes, and terrorized kingdoms.But time has not been kind. He forgets things. Constantly.
Vorgath the Unreliable (Ancient Black Dragon, but on a bad day)
: -2
- Memory Problems: Every other round, Vorgath forgets what he was doing. Roll 1d6:
- 1-2: Attacks as normal.
- 3-4: Stares blankly, loses turn.
- 5: Flies in a random direction.
- 6: Yells "WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE?" and uses breath weapon instinctively.
- Breath Weapon: A 90’ line of acid (8d8 damage, save vs. Dragon Breath for half). Also, he forgets he used it, so he might try again before it's recharged.
Loot and Treasure Tally
(actually just a fancy dagger that looks cool but has no actual magic powers).
- Helmet of Almost Invisibility (makes you very slightly translucent).
- Staff of the Obvious (casts Detect Magic, but only on things everyone already knows are magical).
- Ring of Forgetfulness (cursed, randomly makes you forget an important detail once per day).
Total XP Awarded: ~175,000 XP, divided among the party.
Conclusion: You Win(?)
Congrats! You just looted an ancient dragon’s hoard while he struggled to remember what was happening.
Did you earn that victory? Maybe.
Does it matter? Not really.
Now go spend that gold wisely, or immediately waste it on terrible life decisions, like a pet gelatinous cube or an enchanted talking sword that won’t shut up.
