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Red Dragon Lair & Dwarven Dungeon Map Pack!
🕑 Added 2022-02-10 17:48:17 +0000 UTCRed Dragon Lair & Dwarven Dungeon [80 x 160]
This Map Pack contains:
[1] Map of the Red Dragon Lair [80 x 160 Ungridded, 40 x 80 Gridded]
[2] NPC Tokens
[2] NPC Character Sheets with Artwork (art by John Latta and Claudio Pozas)
[1] Red Dragon Lair Flavor Narrative
Wilhym trudged toward the large double doors that once guarded their Royal Hall, a massive chamber filled with architecture, history and artisanship. Its stony spires were hand-carved by generations of dwarves, detailing over a thousand years of life below the mountain. Magics were woven into the stone, illuminating the hall and strengthening its pillars.
That seemed a lifetime ago.
The dwarf stepped forward and grasped the handle of the right door, wincing as the heat nearly singed his fingers. Wrapping his sleeve about his hand, he tugged again and the door opened with an angry hiss. Wisps of steam trailed out of the crack like curious smoke serpents, writhing through the air as they rose to explore the ceiling.
Wilhym moved into the stony chamber, a collection of sundered stone and hot mist. A small group of dragonborn soldiers glanced over from a camp to the west, perched along the precipice of a molten lava river below. The dragonborn behind him gave him a sharp thud with the base of its spear, prodding him forward.
Stepping tentatively forward, Wilhym walked across the remnants of the honor stone, a bridge all dwarves walked across when they reached adulthood. Only half of it remained. The other half had fallen into the lava below and been consumed by the river.
As he neared the edge, he glanced across the river toward a swirling cloud of dark smoke. It was difficult to see, but a murky shadow moved beneath it like a predator in shallow waters. A pair of gleaming yellow eyes shone through the smoke, and a scaly snout emerged. Its razor-sharp fangs unlatched as it opened its gargantuan maw and hissed.
Wilhym's legs buckled and he fell to his knees in sheer panic. Tears came unbidden to his eyes as the creature regarded him coolly, then spoke in a liquid, deep voice, "Why has the steel stopped flowing?"
Wilhym licked his lips and willed himself back to his feet. Sucking in a short breath, he managed to piece together a string of words through sheer will, "My lord, t-t-their is trouble in the mines. Our w-workers are being...hunted by something. W-we've had to stop producti..."
A deafening roar silenced the dwarf.
"You diggers have dug for centuries. Your claws are filled with dirt. You know the stone and the way of the mountain.", the dragon stated, then paused and added, "Resolve it."
Wilhym kept his eyes closed, as he did not trust his body should he gaze again upon the might of the dragon. His hands found one another, fingertips touching nervously as he said, "W-we've tried, my lord -- we d-don't seem to be able to quell them...if only we ha..."
The dragon interrupted him, "You have offspring, don't you dwarf?"
Wilhym tensed, his eyes squinting slightly as he stammered, "W-what? I mean, y-yes. Yes, a son."
The dragon spoke, addressing the dragonborn standing behind the dwarf, "Bring this dwarf offspring to me."
Wilhym's eyes snapped open, his eyes widening, "No!"
The dwarf swallowed hard and immediately shut his eyes, breathing in short gasps as the dragon took a step forward, its scaly bulk sliding across the stone platform.
Wilhym could feel the creature closing. Could feel its breath grow hotter upon his features as sweat drenched his skin from the heat.
The dragon whispered, its voice thick with promise, "Then...resolve it."
--
This map portrays a Red Dragon Lair, who has taken over the Royal Hall of a dwarven community in the mountains. It travels through old lava tubes to the surface, and has sundered what used to be the proudest achievement of these dwarves into its private home and subjugated the dwarves therein.
A half-dragon commands a small group of dragonborn soldiers, whom oversee the dwarven production of armor, weapon and supplies for a future campaign, while new dragonborn are born and bred in chambers appropriated for their needs.
Ways to potentially use this map:
1. One Shot - The party has heard of a dragon living in the mountains and they have been paid by allies of the dwarves to travel there, free their brethren and kill the dragon. It would likely require strategy and luck to overcome them, especially with its many allies.
2. Adventure Hook - The army of the Red Dragon may be slowly testing its strength, attacking small settlements and taking up land around the mountain. The party may hear of these attacks and respond, learning about the army and eventually tracking them to the dwarven community's location.
3. BBEG - A Red hell bent on spawning an army of dragonborn to go forth and enforce his will across the landscape makes for a fine villain. One could spend a campaign dealing with the Dragon's army and many allies, as it attempts to derive its location and discover a way to bring it down.
I hope you enjoy the map!
Tier rewards will be sent out soon!
Comments
Jeff Todd
Yeah, I had intended that to be like a hatchery for the rising Red Dragonborn army they are breeding. You could also use it for kobolds or dragons or whatever other eggs you'd want to use for your narrative.
Ryan Giff
Hey there! Just prepping this map (I love it so much, it's one of my favorites of yours) and I was wondering what the small alcove just to the right of the room with the fire & dragon head hanging on the wall is? It has what looks like a fire going on with... dragon eggs along the south wall? Is it a hatchery?
