This excerpt from the upcoming book from Kobold Press, Campaign Builder: Dungeons & Ruins, shows you the framework used to describe dungeons to help you define your creations. It includes some exotic elemental dungeons you can create for your players!

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Dungeon Themes

This section explores a variety of sample dungeon types based on setting and themes that you can use as frameworks for creating your own dungeons. The format allows you to interchange sections, including the descriptive elements like theme, setting, and atmosphere, as well as the individual threats and encounters.

Elemental Dungeons

These frameworks describe dungeons that might be found on elemental planes or near rifts or coterminous zones.

Citadel of Elemental Convergence

Theme. Mystical intersection.
Setting. A mystical dungeon where boundaries blur between the Material Plane and an elemental plane.
Atmosphere. Shifting energies, sporadic elemental rifts, and an ever-changing environment.
Threats. The following threats represent some of the possible ongoing environmental conditions or notable denizens with a presence in this dungeon:

• Elemental Anomaly. Unstable pockets of reality give rise to elemental anomalies, each requiring a unique approach or solution to navigate the shifting dungeon safely.

• Warring Factions. Elemental creatures from various planes cross over, looking to challenge any opponents for control of the citadel.

Encounters. The following encounters represent specific interactions the PCs will face in this dungeon:

• Arbiter’s Assassins. A neutral extraplanar entity, named the Arbiter, maintains the citadel’s delicate balance. PCs must prevent a group of unknown assassins from killing it and disrupting the precarious balance holding the dungeon together.

• Chaosweaver’s Puzzle. An enigmatic being manipulates elemental threads to challenge PCs with a puzzle that, when solved, opens gateways to new realms or brings about elemental chaos.

Crystal Caverns (Earth)

Theme. Crystalline depths.
Setting. Underground chambers adorned with massive crystalline formations that refract light.
Atmosphere. The faint hum of energy from the crystals, dazzling light displays, and the echoes of footsteps.
Threats. The following threats represent some of the possible ongoing environmental conditions or notable denizens with a presence in this dungeon:

• Rock Centipedes. Large centipede-like constructs activated by the elemental energies patrol the caverns. They can climb any surface.

Encounters. The following encounters represent specific interactions the PCs will face in this dungeon:

• Ancient Memoirs. Enchanted crystals resonate with the memories of ancient beings, sharing forgotten tales and providing cryptic clues.

• Gemstone Guardian. A golem of enchanted crystal challenges PCs to a battle of wits, guarding the most precious crystalline formations.

 Blue Lagoon (Water)

Theme. Lustrous aquatic haven.
Setting. A serene lagoon with crystalline waters surrounded by reflective geodes and floating islands.
Atmosphere. Calm waters, the gentle sound of lapping waves, and the iridescent glow of underwater crystals.
 Threats. The following threats represent some of the possible ongoing environmental conditions or notable denizens with a presence in this dungeon:

• Siren’s Song. Evil aquatic creatures attempt to lure prey into ambushes with their enchanted songs.

Encounters. The following encounters represent specific interactions the PCs will face in this dungeon:

• Nymph’s Reflection. A water nymph seeks companionship, offering guidance and protection in exchange for a promise of return.

• Crystal Sphinx’s Riddle. A sphinx made of enchanted crystal presents a riddle, allowing passage only to those who solve it.

Entropic Nexus (Void)

Theme. Eternal emptiness.
Setting. A dimensionless space with floating platforms surrounded by an endless void.
Atmosphere. Absolute silence, disorienting lack of gravity, and the sensation of being untethered in the cosmos.
Threats. The following threats represent some of the possible ongoing environmental conditions or notable denizens with a presence in this dungeon:

• Life Beacon. The PCs’ life force attracts the attention of violent or insane humanoids, such as derro or satarre, that use the nexus as their hunting grounds.

• Void Madness. PCs begin to hear voices of unknown origin, which offer curious instructions and bits of questionable information.

Encounters. The following encounters represent specific interactions the PCs will face in this dungeon:

• Echoing Silence. A powerful, malefic void entity manifests illusions of lost loved ones, testing PCs’ emotional resilience and resolve.

• Reality’s Reflection. Distorted illusions create shifting landscapes, challenging PCs to discern the true path amid the void’s ever-changing illusions.

Eternal Ember Sanctum (Fire)

Theme. Everlasting flames.
Setting. A floating island surrounded by perpetual flames and ancient runes glowing in the air.
Atmosphere. The air shimmers with heat, constant crackling sounds, and the constant smell of smoke.
Threats. The following threats represent some of the possible ongoing environmental conditions or notable denizens with a presence in this dungeon:

• Heat Chamber. Bursts of sulfurous, hot gases erupt and rapidly raise the local temperature to potentially fatal levels.

• Magmin. Magma elementals emerge from fiery pits, pelting PCs with orbs of molten rock.

Encounters. The following encounters represent specific interactions the PCs will face in this dungeon:

• Deceivers. Mischievous fire sprites lead the PCs astray, offering a cryptic riddle to navigate the eternal flames.

• Ember Enchantment. A dormant magma elemental awakens, offering to enhance the PCs’ abilities with controlled exposure to its inner fire.

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