A GM’s Resource by Creighton Broadhurst

You are a GM, but you are busy. You want to write your own modules, but you just don’t have the time. And you don’t want to use commercial modules. You want to make your campaign your own. That’s where the Dungeon Backdrop line comes in! Each Dungeon Backdrop presents a fully fleshed-out and lovingly detailed self-contained dungeon ready for you to use as you see fit. Stock the dungeon with your own monsters (and—perhaps—their treasure), decide their back story, and you are good to go.

Every Dungeon Backdrop is carefully designed to be easily inserted into almost any fantasy campaign. Dungeon Backdrops: we describe the dungeon, you add the monsters (and the treasure).

Featuring cartography by Dyson Logos

Contents

This compilation book comprises the following Dungeon Backdrops:

Cabbibal Druid of the Scorned Wood

In his remote woodland lair, the cannibal druid and his pets grew ever-hungry and creep forth to prey upon the hapless travellers and peasants using an isolated woodland track. The increasing number of disappearances on the road have been noticed, however, and the story of a hunter who saw an old, hideously ugly man chewing on what looked like a human arm has begun to circulate through the nearby settlements. Something must be done, but who is brave enough to hunt down the Cannibal Druid of the Scorned Forest?

Cursed Refuge of the Valley of Tears

Once the last friendly place in the so-called Valley of Tears the Hall of Nuraduum is now known by a different name of far more sinister demeanour—the Cursed Refuge. Some travellers who pass through its stone door do not emerge again, while others tell terrifying stories of the nameless horrors they encounter in the enduring dark of the old dwarven fastness. Persistent rumours tell of old treasures hidden in the place, and a few old dwarves dream of reclaiming the refuge—so that at least a fragment of long-fallen Vongyth may again be held by dwarves. Will the characters dare the rumour-shrouded refuge, or will they flee the horrors that yet lurk within?

Decaying Citadel of the Fated Warlock

Lost to time and battered by the foulness of its surrounds, the decrepit and mouldering Decaying Citadel of the Fated Warlock slowly sinks into the Salt Mire. Wreathed in lurid tales of legendry and foul doings, the lonely citadel is now little more than a crumbling shell, yet peasants tell of its mistress’s great power and great wealth. Atavistic lizardfolk haunt the surrounding fens and bogs and keep casual explorers away, but the legend of the Fated Warlock refuses to die. What yet lurks in her ruined castle? Are unfound treasures lurking therein waiting for those brave and clever enough to find them? And what befell the Fated Warlock herself? Only brave adventurers can answer such questions…

Nightmare Lodge of the Insane Armiger

Mired in madness and delusion, the Insane Armiger watches over his domain and demands tribute from all who would pass through. The broken corpses of those failing to offer the proper respect and tax serve as warnings to those who would use his road. Dare the characters enter the Nightmare Lodge of the Insane Armiger and end the mad warrior’s reign of terror?

Lost Cellar of the Nameless Mage

Centuries ago, another settlement stood where Dulwich now stands. Much of the area's ancient history has been forgotten—lost to time's remorseless advance and the fading memories of even the longest-lived folk. However, buried or lost fragments of the past yet remain. A merchant, carrying out repairs in the deepest part of his cellar, makes a curious discovery—a stone trapdoor hidden in a sealed-up room—and needs a band of brave adventurers to explore whatever lies below.