Comments on: You Don't Have to be a Brain Surgeon to Build a Realistic Dungeon

By: Janna

Janna — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 01:54:06 +0000

@ Micah: The effect you’re describing sounds like the all-out chaotic brawls you get in Diablo and similar games. While it might make perfect sense for the dungeon’s inhabitants to rush the party in one big group, it’s probably not going to be a fun situation for the party or for the DM running the madness. I’d say the cure is suspending a bit of realism in order to make the game more fun and playable. You could always say the other groups of monsters were hanging back to guard prisoners, prepare a ritual, set an ambush, or what have you. :)

By: Chris Tregenza

Chris Tregenza — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:21:11 +0000

I have two litmus test questions that I apply to dungeons to see if they are realistic:

1) What do the monsters eat when there are no adventures to snack on?

2) Where are the toilets?

By: Toord

Toord — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:23:27 +0000

Absolutely agree with your friend’s point of view. Many of the dungeons I run, I simply cannot get my head off the thought of entering a dungeon Oozes jump at you, then some kobold ambush, then a trog overlord, then an ogre or a troll then the end boss is a necromancer with his own army of undead. Wait … what? To me the whole, the big picture needs to make sense in order for me to enjoy a night of questing. If all of a sudden I’m fighting a scorpion, then a troll then a bearded devil (barbazu) end boss … I get really annoyed and argumentative … ‘cuz it’s just doesn’t make ANY sense. Some people pay little attention at the monsters they fight other than to know which weapons or spells to use… for some of us … the enemies we fight in a dungeon have to fit the role and relationships withing the lore.

P.S.: How’s Expy such a cool dude when reds are usually pretty malevolent kinda dragons?

By: Derek

Derek — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:56:02 +0000

For me, the “element of realism” (in this case, something like a natural ecology for dungeons) doesn’t just “add to the fun.” Rather it is an absolute necessity among the ingredients it takes to make an enjoyable gaming experience. When I was 12, no…but that was long ago.

By: Micah

Micah — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:18:07 +0000

I constantly war with the reality vs game aspect of dungeons. I try hard to make dungeons that have reasonable ecologies, like the kobolds with minions example given above. Like you say, it’s not too hard to make something reasonable.

However, one other aspect that’s often overlooked is the defensive response of the dungeon inhabitants. Once someone starts attacking, it’s reasonable that the dungeon denizens will mount a full response immediately. So, instead of the PCs clearing it room by room, they should expect a coordinated response as soon as they’re detected.

This dramatically changes the nature of a dungeon crawl. It makes stealth much more important, and once you’re discovered, you can expect a massive battle. Should you survive, expect a reasonably easy stroll, perhaps with a straggler or two you find cowering somewhere.

What’s the cure for that?