Dungeon Dressing: Archways
A marvel of architectural engineering, the archway lends itself as much to decoration as it does to functionality. Many things can lurk in shadowed dungeon archways.
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Major Features
The archway is wide enough for four people to stand side by side and is much higher and more ornate than other nearby features.
A complex mosaic forms the border of the archway. Tiny glass tiles form a rampant griffin.
This stacked bone archway is formed from large rib bones whose tips extend out like overlapping fingers.
A single block of carved obsidian forms the archway. Its massive size dominates the wall.
The archway is vaulted for 2d10 feet. The walls are smooth and of exceptional craftsmanship.
One stone is hollow. Inside lies a brass key to a nearby door.
A series of razor-sharp basalt stones protrude from the archway’s flanks.
Black and white streaks colour the archway’s mirror-smooth granite blocks.
Elaborate carvings of tentacles emerging from the floor decorate the archway.
A portcullis blocks the archway. The portcullis’s lever is cunningly hidden in the wall near the archway.
Carved demonic faces decorate the archway. The demons’ leering faces laugh and grimace.
The archway is freestanding in the middle of a chamber or wide passageway.
The stones of this archway are cut into a bas-relief that tells an ancient but well-known tale.
An archway set into the middle of a wall forms the frame for a mural of miners or stonemasons.
Two iron torch sconces flank the archway; both are tilted to the left.
Tiger eye inlaid with silver decorates the archway. The stone’s layout forms a floral filigree pattern.
A carven lidless eye surrounded by a writhing mass of tentacles decorates the arch’s keystone.
A relief of an open mouth forms the archway. Stones are cut into fangs ringing its mouth.
A stout iron-bound wooden door fills the archway. The door has a small barred viewing port.
A lancet archway constructed from rhodochrosite stones of equal dimensions fits flush with the wall.
Minor Features & Dressing
A twisted gate blocks the passage. Intruders slip through the bars as if it were difficult terrain.
Seemingly random chips and nicks decorate the archway’s walls.
Reddish-blue fungi grow on the archway and form a sodden curtain of hanging vegetation.
A broad-headed axe protrudes from one wall. Its handle is nowhere to be found.
Thick cobwebs fill the archway. A halfling skeleton (in rotting clothes) hangs within a dusty cocoon.
Faintly glowing green moss grows thickly over the archway’s stones and floor.
Clothing is scattered around the archway. The smell of decomposition is thick in the air.
A broken, almost burnt-out torch lies on the floor. Spots of blood mar the surrounding stone.
Slippery brown slime coats the floor, making the area difficult terrain.
Several bedrolls lie on the floor. Their disarray denotes a hasty departure.
A jumble of bones partially blocks the opening. Most bear the marks of many tiny teeth marks.
Claw marks rake one side of the archway. The marks are deep and rough.
The smell of vomit fills the air. The mortar around the archway pulses like blood vessels.
Roots dangle around the archway. The tangled mass blocks sight of what lies beyond.
The sound of settling weight emanates from the dangerously unstable archway.
Thick, pearlescent lichen grows over the archway. Small bumps dot the lichen’s surface.
A broken key attached to a length of frayed string lies to the side of the archway.
The archway is (badly) bricked up. Powdery mildew coats the archway’s stones. Golden dust motes drift in the air.
The stones sweat foul-smelling liquid; a thick cloud of flies buzzes about. The cloud blocks vision for ten feet around the archway.
An obvious tripwire, one end attached to a 10-foot pole and the other tied to a balanced shield, crosses the archway.
Credit
This is a short system-neutral extract from GM’s Miscellany: Dungeon Dressing. The book is available in 5e, System Neutral and Pathfinder 1 editions. The OSR edition will be available in early 2023.
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