Dungeon Dressing: Walls
One is hard-stretched to design a dungeon without noting the appearance of its walls. Whether the dungeon is an ancient and forgotten crypt haunted by the ghosts of yesteryear or a newly-built den of smugglers and slavers staffed by men most foul, a dungeon’s walls help set the tone for an adventure as well as player expectations for what horrors might lurk within.
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Major Features
Exquisite stone shelves line the walls; there is a 10% chance that each shelf holds a forgotten valuable item.
A secret door is built into the wall. This door may lead to a forgotten chamber or a secret passage. The door’s trigger—a slightly raised stone at floor level—subtly juts from the wall nearby.
The wall was designed to display a fantastic tapestry and includes several iron hooks as well as the tapestry itself (or perhaps its remains).
An unholy symbol is prominently painted on the wall.
The wall was constructed from petrified creatures whose expressions and forms continue to haunt the area.
The wall was twisted and warped into its current shape by a spell, such as stone shape.
The wall was created by a spell, such as wall of ice or wall of iron.
The wall is reinforced to withstand punishment, increasing its hit points by 50%.
The wall has several protruding blocks designed to allow defenders within the chamber to gain cover from one of the chamber’s entrances.
The wall was designed to act as a fountain and utilises a hidden decanter of endless water and a myriad of tiny holes to achieve this effect. The water drains away through cleverly carved drainage channels.
Fine oak wood panelling covers the walls. The panelling features a concealed door which enables access to a small priest hole.
The wall has been treated with an alchemical substance to give it a unique, relaxing scent. This scent could relax select types of creatures or mask other smells.
Roll twice on this table. The wall possesses a magical glamour that fools viewers into thinking the wall has the first result when it actually possesses the second. Alternatively, the illusion could conceal a trap.
Each brick in the wall bears a religious symbol carefully carved into its surface. Some of the symbols are picked out with lurid-coloured paint.
This brick wall is built around several large chunks of stone, which were too tough for the builders to remove. The chunks stick out into the area, creating an obstacle (and cover in combat).
Niches surmounted with decorative arches pierce the walls. A different fresco decorates each niche.
Fine gravel or sand was added to the wall’s construction materials, giving it a rough texture.
The wall is perfectly smooth and cannot be climbed without magical aid.
Rather than being perfectly vertical, the wall leans inwards to meet the ceiling at a 45° angle.
An elegant wooden crowning with a motif matching the chamber’s purpose decorates the wall.
Minor Features & Dressing
Magically created albino mushrooms grow on the wall.
The wall is leaking a green, slimy substance.
The wall has been split open by water erosion.
The wall is drenched in slick, pungent oil; the entire wall bursts into flames if it is dealt fire damage.
Several long wooden floorboards lean against the wall.
A dark spirit passed through the wall, sapping it of any resemblance of warmth, cheer or good tidings.
The wall is slowly sloughing away in places.
Damage from acidic corrosion dots the wall.
Water leaks into the chamber from a small opening at the top of the wall.
Water oozes from the base of the wall to form a small, shallow puddle.
The wall is smeared with a now dry foul-smelling yellowy-white substance.
A childish illustration drawn or carved into the wall depicts a dragon eating a warrior.
The wall’s mortar is crumbling and overly dry; it is easy to scrap more out from between the wall’s bricks.
The wall has been used as a canvas by an obviously talented artist.
Blood splatter coats the wall.
A proclamation of love—two sets of initials surrounded by a heart—is lightly carved into the wall.
A mould infestation has taken over the crumbling wall, reducing its strength by half.
A patch of thick, spongy brown-coloured mould has grown over the wall.
A patch of mottled yellow and off-white mould has taken over the wall.
An important clue is inscribed into the wall, either as graffiti or faint carvings made with a knife.
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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