| CrinosG |
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Hey, I came up with this idea for a megadungeon. The basic idea is that it was the capitol of the Thassilonian region dedicated to gluttony, I wrote up a basic overview of some of its layers, and would like some feedback.
Maw of Zutha
A megadungeon
Location: Hold of Belkzen,
Nearby Settlement: Fort Redhawk: Ruined Lastwall stronghold controlled by the Seven color Orc tribe. Led by Teshna Windrunner (CG female Elf Barbarian 7). Teshna was raised by the Orcs of the Seven Color tribe, eventually raising to the rank of Chieftain. Teshna's lover is a Elvish druid named Ellion Whisperhush (NG Female Elf Druid 6), a shy and gentle Elf. The Seven Color Orcs are much more amiable towards humans than the other Orc tribes in the hold of Belkzen, and are trade allies with the people of Lastwall.
Background: The Maw of Zutha was, in the day, the capital of Gastash, the region of Thassilon which exemplified Gluttony, before the end of Thassilon it was a symbol of gluttony and decadence, where many of the high ranking nobles had grown so fat that they could barely move.
But underneath this decadence was one of the most powerful necromancy using society since the rise of Geb. Not only did the Gastash Necromancers create the most horrible undead creatures and horrible necromantic spells. Near the end, Zutha, the Runelord of Gluttony, was creating an creature that was the literal embodiment of Gluttony. The creature still lives at the bottom of the dungeon.
Recently, A small group of elves, with the protection of the Seven Colors Orc Tribe, set up a small colony over where the Maw of Zutha. They discovered unusual melons which, when eaten, corrupted the druids of the colony, turning them into disgusting creatures known as Fatlings. With their magic, the Fatlings uncovered one of the entrances to the buried Maw, and are now hunting through the buried city and the underneath grounds in an effort to plunder its secrets and unleash the horrors within.
When Fort Redhawk lost contact with the colony, Teshna sent an Orcish expedition to the colony, they have yet to come back. Later, a group of Pathfinders also went to investigate the missing Elves, they have also yet to come back.
Here are some of the dungeon levels:
1. The ruined elf colony (CR 2): The remnants of the Elvish colony have been pretty thoroughly picked over, with most of the original inhabitants having been corrupted or killed and eaten. Most have descended lower into the dungeon, but a small skeleton crew, led by a single Apprentice Druid Fatling, maintain the small town with the aid of some animated plants, minor fae, and other evil magical creatures.
2. The Road to the Maw (CR 3): To reach the Maw of Zutha, the Fatling druids used conjured Earth elementals to dig massive tunnels down into the earth, making a series of paths which lead to the main city gate and other surrounding caverns. As they dug, they left behind traps and monsters to block the progress of any would be explorers. Many of these monsters and Elvish fighters, having been fed the corrupted melons, have become monstrously fat.
3. The Fangs (CR 4): The Maw is surrounded by a massive wall, which is maintained by undead and Gluttonspawn. The Fatlings and their forces managed to overrun the wall, leaving a massive hole in their wake. The Guardians are in the process of rebuilding the wall.
4. The residential district (CR 6): The main area directly behind the wall is a huge maze like slum which is the home to the Gluttonspawn, undead, and subterranian monsters from the Darklands (Many of whom have become grossly fat due to the magical nature of the city), The Fatlings and Elves are currently warring with the Natives for control of the area, even as other members of the Elvish expedition push deeper
5. The Gargoyle Aerie (CR 8): Located in a mountain directly above the Maw and away from the colony is a colony of Gargoyles which have lived in the area for generations. Within their cave is a series of tunnel which lead to the city.
6. The Temple of Behemoth (CR 9): A huge temple, dedicated to the Demon Lord of Gluttony, can be found within the slums, it is guarded by demons, undead and other traps, and is currently being held by the Fatlings.
7. The Giants Quarter (CR 10): Ancient Thassilon used Giants as slave labor, and Gashtash was no exception, the slave quarters is a huge area cut into a sheer cliff wall, home to feral degenerate giants, their taskmasters, and other horrors.
8. The Grand Palace (CR 12): A huge palace was one the home to the Runelord of Gluttony himself before his destruction. It is now maintained by the former Thassilonian nobles, all gluttonous undead. The denizens of the Grand Palace pride themselves on their ability to tempt anyone to corruption and endless hedonism, and are more than happy to prove it on any intruders. The Palace is also home to numerous Outsiders, good ones included, who have been corrupted into obese monstrosities.
9. Mother's house (CR 12): Through a mirror in the Grand Palace can be accessed an unusual place: A large manor in the midst of a vast forest. This manor is maintained by Mother Gothel, a Huldra priestess of Laivatiniel, who was given this pocket dimension by the Zutha himself to act as a jailer for political enemies. The Pocket Dimension combines traits of both Abaddon and the First world, and is home to Daemon, undead, Fae, and other horrors. Mother Gothel is always on the lookout for new “Children” to capture, and few survive long under her evil mothering.
10. The Necropolis (CR 14): Beneath the Grand Palace lies the Necropolis, where the most decadent and powerful of Thassilon's nobles live as powerful undead. Also located here is a massive library of Thassilonian Necromancy and other courses. The majority of the fatling forces can also be found here, plumbing the secrets of the area.
11. The Dark Jungle (CR 15): Beyond the city lies a massive jungle. This jungle is the primary food source for the city above, and is filled with deadly plants and powerful monsters, as well as respite in the form of a colony of intelligent and friendly Oozes. Monsters from the Darklands have penetrated the jungle, including several Bullette and Purple worms. In addition, giant hunting parties from the city make frequent visits here.
12. The starving colossus (CR 17): At the far end of the jungle is a giant mouth, this mouth leads to the inside of an enormous, giant monster. The Thassilonians attempt to create a new type of giant. Too large to exist the giant merged with the land itself, its body becoming a massive body. The inside of the body is inhabited by numerous monsters, giants, undead, and other hideous parasites, in addition, the body itself lies dead but alive, constantly producing new organic traps to try and devour intruders.
13. The Inner sanctum of Zutha (CR 20): The final leg of the dungeon lies at the very bottom of the colossus, inside a massive pit lies a fetid, putrid lake, And in the center of the lake is an island fotress where Zutha conducted his most private work. This area is guarded by Rune Giants, undead, and abominations best left unknown to man. Among them, the most powerful creature in the dungeon: The Embodiment of Gluttony itself.