Tricky Dungeons & Dragons Terrain — Goo-Blythe’s Guide to Surviving the Underdark
” Uses sure about this tall one? Underdark very dangerous place.” whines Goo-Blythe.
“I’m sorry Goo-Blythe time is of the essence if we are going to reach the Lady Lureanna in time to save her.” said Sir Gregory.
“Yes yes I understand, but must you bring those lights with us?” quietly whines the goblin Goo-Blythe some more.
Dungeons and Dragons Terrain- The Underdark presents many natural challenges
First and foremost light is most likely to be the first obstacle to overcome. Light represents a dual problem in the underdark. One you need to have enough light to last the duration of your journey through the under ground realms. Second most things living in subterranean environments don’t need light to see.
Therefore above worlders traipsing around with torches, lanterns, or light magic stand out. Depending on which game you are playing Pathfinder RPG, one of the Dungeons and Dragons editions, or some other RPG system having light might be no problem at all.
So you are only left with the problem of being beacon to hostile subterranean creatures.
“Halt tall one!” growls Goo-blythe as he flings his arm out in front of Sir Gregory stopping him in his tracks. Pointing at the ground at the tall humans feet with his dagger the goblin whispers “close.” “What?” Sir Gregory asks. With a sudden movement the little goblin slams the hilt of his dagger down in front of the knight’s feet. Instantly the stoney ground begins to crumble and fall away into the darkness.
An area just under Sir Gregory’s toes extending out in a 12′ arc is just gone. In a whisper the goblin utters “Gultch.” Stomping up from the rear in a huff Morian Bloodhammer the dwarven warrior grumbles “What’s the hold up, sneak?” Looking down “O, shatter stone! Nasty stuff.” Looking around further and grunting to himself. “A whole field of the blighted stuff. A bad omen for sure. Told you bringing the sneak would bad luck.”
“Well if not for Goo-Blythe I’d be swimming through the darkness below. So I say he’s good luck.” Proclaims the knight.
Dungeons and Dragons Terrain- It’s not just the monsters that will kill you
There are many natural hazards in the underdark these can range from the shatter stone described above, rock slides, poisonous gasses, combustible gasses, fast flowing rivers, vast lakes, scalding hot springs and steam vents, lava lakes or rivers, and many other real world, not to mention fantasy world hazards.
“What is that up ahead?” asks Sir Gregory as he points at an eerie green glow shining down the tunnel. “Loomoss.” answers the little goblin. “Do we have anything to fear from it?” “Only if you be scared O plants and lichens.” booms the dwarf. “Not from the Loomoss.” snickers the goblin. “But waits. There are things that like to eats the stuff and whenever things come to eats nastier things will come to eats them.”
As the group Comes to the opening of a cavern the little goblin points up at the ceiling.”Look see the dark spot there. Cave fisher if we try to just cross it’ll go after anyone in the rear and drag it up there for it’s dinner.”
Dungeons and Dragons Terrain- Even the safe places can be lethal underground
Places that aren’t themselves dangerous present hazards and risks, because predators know prey will be drawn to these spots. Anywhere that can provide water or food is likely going to be hunting grounds for one nasty critter or another.
Taking a closer look “Hmmm…” “What is it sneak?” spits the dwarf. “The Loomoss looks hows it grows. Someones does it on purpose and there.” Goo-Blythe points to a skull from a goat under the spot on the ceiling he pointed out earlier. “Someones feeds its.” Sir Gregory “Is this going to be a problem?” The goblin and dwarf in unison “Depends on who’s feeding the cave fisher and growing the Loomoss garden.”
Dungeons and Dragons Terrain- Role-playing can even happen in the under realms
Many intelligent creatures inhabit the underdark and not all of them want to kill you. So there are plenty of opportunities to have non-violent encounters and possibly make new and interesting friends.
Hope you enjoyed this brief glimpse into the realms below. Feel free to leave any questions, comments, or suggestions below.
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