Creation of dungeons in Dungeons and Dragons is an interesting process. Most of us have never been inside of a real dungeon. Without having visited one it is difficult to assess the components that must be present for people to inhabit such a place. Of course….some creatures do not exactly live….in such places. Some are undead and need none of these basic components that I am about to discuss. But generally speaking….the undead….do not usually build their own dungeons anyway. A Lich might…. of course…. But the average Zombie is just a dungeon dweller and not a dungeon builder.
In order for people (or other beings) to live in a dungeon it needs (or may need) some of these basic components. This is the first in a series of articles on the components of dungeons. I am beginning with the most basic elements. These are:
- Lighting
- Air
- Water sources
These elements are essential for most forms of life. Obviously some might live without one or more of these. But those creatures are probably not dungeon builders either. The people, or beings, that build dungeons probably need some or all of these elements.
Light in the Dungeon
Illumination is necessary for both the builders and those who might dwell in the dungeon. Obviously many areas would not be lit. If the dungeon is being used for it’s traditional role of housing prisoners then no one cares if the prisoners can see. They might well be left in darkness. The guards, however, would want to be able to see.
So how does one provide light in a dungeon? There are a number of methods for this. Some are magical but most are not. Some non-magical possibilities include:
- Torches
- Lanterns
- Lamps
- FIrepits and Braziers
Some magical means might also be employed to illuminate underground areas. These might include:
- Areas with continual light cast upon them (perhaps permanent)
- Items with continual light cast upon them (perhaps permanent) and placed in areas to provide light
- Magical lamps or lanterns
- Some magical gems give off light
And some cave like areas might have natural lighting from phosphorsecent lichen or fungus. Lava might also give light in some cave like areas.
Many dungeon dwellers may not need light to exist. Infravision, Darkvision and Ultravision are abilities from different editions of Dungeons and Dragons that allow certain creatures the ability to see in places with no light. Some races live in darkness and are so attuned to it that they can see better in darkness than in light. Adventurers visiting such dark places would be well advised to bring their own sources of light. There is no guarantee one will find it in an old dungeon no one has visited in some time.
When you provide light sources for the dungeon there are some things that you should consider. Torches only stay burning for a limited time. Even lamps run out of oil eventually. And who lights these things? Who checks on them to insure they are still lit? Who maintains them?
Air in the Dungeon
Most dungeon masters, and players alike, give little consideration to air quality in a dungeon. But underground places are often without good sources for air. Places that have been sealed up tight for centuries are going to have a limited supply of breathable air in them. The deeper one goes in such a place the less quality air there will be. How does one live in such a place?
Some possible methods for supplying good air to those living in a dungeon are:
- Air shafts from the surface
- Small vents in rooms that provide air from some central source (or which can be used for traps as well)
- A fan system to push air into the dungeon
- Some magical means
The undead do not need air. Perhaps slimes and oozes will not. But most other creatures do. A dungeon without air is going to be a very difficult place for any one to live in unless some method of ventilation is provided.
Air shafts are a logical choice. These shafts could give air to multiple levels of a dungeon. A fan system would require a remarkable technology level for a fantasy world. Magic is a likely possibility. Vents in rooms is a must. Even with air shafts air must make it into all of the other rooms on a level if people or beings are going to live there.
Water in a Dungeon
Water is essential for most life forms to exist. There are several possible water sources in a dungeon. Some are intentional and others might not be.
- Underground rivers and springs
- Underground lakes
- Pools
- Fountains
- Wells
- Leaks from outside
- Magical sources
- Rising ground water
- Aqueducts
But just because water is present….that does not make it safe to drink. Stale water which has been sitting around for centuries underground in a dungeon might be toxic to those who would drink from it. And fountain and pool water is notoriously unreliable. It might be magical. It might be poisonous. Or it might be just fine. Who knows.
Food sources in a Dungeon
Dungeon explorers would be wise to bring their own rations into a dungeon rather than depend upon finding edible sources of food underground. Iron rations would be even wiser to bring as they will provide important nutrition during the difficult job of exploring underground areas.
In a traditional dungeon prisoners, of course, would be fed some kind of nearly inedible gruel. There is no point in wasting good food on criminals or other unsavory types that might try to escape if they are kept strong and healthy. But for the fantasy dungeon in which gold and riches are expected to be found there might be other sources of food available. Some of these sources might include:
- Animals that make their way into a dungeon might be edible. Rats, rodents or other small mammals might find their way into a dungeon
- Monsters that live in a dungeon need their own sources of food. They often will raid the surface for such food and bring it below. Successful raiders might even bring back casks of meat, bags of grain or kegs of ale.
- Monsters, of course, might eat dungeon delvers for food. But some monsters might be equally edible to an adventurer hungry enough to do so. Manticore steaks… Owlbear chops… Minotaur ribs….. tasty fare in the dungeon
- Magic. Creation of food and water is a low level spell and could provide where no other sources are available
These elements are going to be found in a dungeon in varying quantities
Not everyone living in a dungeon cares about such things. But many will. It is likely that one will find some of these things present in a dungeon but it is also likely that one will not find them in high quantity. One needs to take precautions before exploring underground places. Bringing light and water are easily done. But how does one bring their own air supply in a fantasy game? Food and water will run out eventually. One must think about these things both as a dungeon master and as a player.
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