Five Room Dungeon

Five Room Dungeons are a type of adventure which includes a mythic story structure in the rooms. This includes Entrance (and guardian), Puzzle or rpg challenge, Trick or setback, Showdown or climax and Reward / Revelation / Plot Twist. There is a full description on Roleplaying Tips.

tools for - fantasy dungeon


the Rift of the Secret Master


First Area. The entrance is over a rope bridge. A group of creatures have made their lair at the entrance
Area 2. Lighting a particular torch reveals the way ahead
Area 3. A famous site has been found, but it's actually a fake or decoy
Showdown. There are two enemy leaders here working in partnership. They hate each other.. Something is heated in a large metal cauldron. Afterwards the enemy leader returns as a ghost and swears vengeance
Finally. There is treasure to be had but it is dangerous to get because of a lava lake.

the Tower of Eternal Evil


First Area. The entrance is the basement of a mansion. One or more sentries are on watch, part of a larger group off in a side chamber
Area 2. The guardian of the bridge requests a toll to pass
Area 3. Hostages or prisoners who demand/plead to be taken back immediately (for good reason)
Showdown. The enemy leader has a pet, a trap and a magic item all following the same theme. An ornate balcony overlooks the main area. Afterwards prisoners are reluctant to leave
Finally. More opponents take advantage as they are weakened from the Showdown.

the Mines of the Whispering Succubus


First Area. The entrance is a bridge made from rainbows. A group of guardians about to be relieved by others
Area 2. A mad NPC is trapped here. If they helped they provide vital information
Area 3. One of the characters or an ally gets separated from the party by a creature
Showdown. There are two enemy leaders here working in partnership. One flees or surrenders when the other falls. A series of steps lead to a raised platform. Afterwards a minion comes out of an enchantment
Finally. Several minions also try to leave with parts of the treasure.

the Mountain of the Master


First Area. The entrance is an animal cave. The entrance requires a special phrase to open
Area 2. A powerful creature it is better to befriend than fight
Area 3. A powerful guardian guards the entrance
Showdown. There are two enemy leaders here working in partnership. One flees or surrenders when the other falls. There is a statue to a dark power. The enemy leader tries to stall the characters because minions need time to hide a prisoner
Finally. There is a dark revelation about a personality.

the Haven of Fire


First Area. The entrance is an archway of huge thorns. The entrance is guarded by one or more creatures
Area 2. A magical puzzle that must be solved to avoid setting off an alarm
Area 3. They find the way to their main objective but to get through requires something from elsewhere in the dungeon
Showdown. The enemy leader has underlings attack while they look on from a suitable vantage point. Mirrors or chains line the walls. The enemy leader tries to stall the characters because minions need time to finish preparations
Finally. A rival enters and tries to steal the reward.

Everforge Throne


First Area. The entrance is a trapdoor concealed by illusion. The entrance requires a special key or item to open
Area 2. The "entrance" is fake and leads to a monster lair. The real entrance is hidden nearby
Area 3. One of the characters or an ally gets separated from the party by a creature
Showdown. The enemy leader has some weaknesses and there were clues to these in previous areas. There is a large pool of water. The enemy leader tries to stall the characters because minions need time to hide a treasure
Finally. A captive that they rescue wasn't kidnapped but wanted to be here and is heartbroken.

the Maelstrom of Spirits


First Area. The entrance is a frozen archway. A group of guardians about to be relieved by others
Area 2. Ghosts acting out former lives. If hepled or talked to can reveal secrets about dungeon
Area 3. A dangerous group of inhabitants are here. Possibly forewarned of the PCs if they haven't been careful
Showdown. The enemy leader appears to fear one of the characters and targets them first. An ornate balcony overlooks the main area. The enemy leader recognises a character and tries to switch sides
Finally. There is treasure to be had but it is dangerous to get because of a cavern of noxious fungi.

the Terrible Hall of Ruin


First Area. The entrance is an underwater cavern. The entrance requires a special key or item to open
Area 2. A complex mechanism of moving sections that blocks their path
Area 3. The "entrance" is fake and leads to a monster lair. The real entrance is hidden nearby
Showdown. The enemy leader appears to hate one of the characters and targets them first. Mirrors or chains line the walls. The enemy leader demands to know who the group are and why they are disturbing them
Finally. The inhabitants were guarding some sort of magical portal.

the Pillars of the Void


First Area. The entrance is at bottom of a pool. A group of guardians guard the entrance
Area 2. Ghosts acting out former lives. If observed secrets revealed about dungeon or inhabitants
Area 3. If the group break the portal out of here a sphere of solid force entraps them for a while and sounds an alarm
Showdown. Shortly into the encounter the enemy leader retreats to a second, better prepared chamber. An ornate balcony overlooks the main area. The enemy leader tries to stall the characters because minions need time to finish preparations
Finally. More opponents ambush them as they are weakened from the Showdown.

Wickguard Labyrinth


First Area. The entrance is a cave only revealed by low water levels. The entrance is easy for inhabitants to pass through but not others
Area 2. A dangerous trap that the inhabitants can ignore
Area 3. The entrance is guarded by one or more creatures
Showdown. The lair is trapped and the enemy leader can move around without setting traps off. A large fire is burning away. The enemy leader talks to the characters, trying to get news or information from them
Finally. There is another guardian in the treasure container.