DUNGEON RULES

DUNGEON RULES

1) Time, Pace, And Movement

Mode	Time Cost	What You Do	Typical Checks	Encounter Note
Standard Advance	10 minutes per room or 60 ft of corridor	Open doors, quick scan, keep pace	Perception vs stat; tool use if relevant	Normal encounter schedule
Careful Sweep	20 minutes per room or 30 ft of corridor	Probe floors, seams, ceilings, listen, sniff	Perception, Intelligence, Wisdom	Encounter check still occurs; +2 danger step if you are noisy with tools
Stealth Crawl	20 minutes per room or 30 ft of corridor	Silent signals, covered light, felt-step	Agility or Wisdom for group stealth	If any link in chain fails, on fail add +7 to next encounter roll range (see Encounter Danger)
Fast Push	5 minutes per room or 90 ft of corridor	Hurry, ignore details, no trap search	None unless triggered	You do not detect subtle hazards; encounter roll still happens at +4
Mapping Halt	10 minutes	Sketch features, measure, mark	Intelligence	No movement; still triggers time passage for checks
Forced March (dungeon)	Add 50% distance per time unit	Push beyond normal endurance	Body or Constitution per hour	Each hour of forced march: +1 danger step until a short rest

Doors: normal 1 minute to test and open; barred or stuck 1d6 minutes with Str or tools.

Locks: picks 1d6 minutes per attempt; failure risks noise hazard. +2 noise roll

2) Encounter System

2.1 Encounter Check Rhythm

Roll 1d6 on the schedule below. An encounter occurs if the result is within the current danger range.

Baseline in dungeons: roll once every 20 minutes of exploration, and once for any loud event (combat, blown door, collapse).

While inside a lair, roll at the start and end of each 10 minutes, plus on loud events.

Zone Type	Check Interval	Default Danger Range
Quiet sector	30 minutes	1
Standard sector	20 minutes	1
Perilous sector	10 minutes	1–2
Deep or tainted sector	10 minutes	1–3
Heart of a lair	10 minutes	1–5(see Lair Difficulty for step ups)
Active alarm (whole dungeon)	10 minutes	+1 step to current range, minimum 1–3

2.2 Danger Range Steps (apply cumulatively; cap at 1–5)

Cause	Adjustment
Recent combat noise	+1 step for 20 minutes
Running, shouting, metal on stone	+1 step until next check
Tripped alarm or visible intrusion	+5 steps for 1 hour or until disabled
Blood scent or corpse trail left	+1 step for remainder of floor
Sanctuary bell, ward pulse, or patrol sweep	Set to at least 1–3 while active
Short rest in dungeon	Next two checks are +1 step
Long rest in dungeon	First three checks after wake are +2 steps

Default 1 becomes 1–2.

Default 1–2 becomes 1–3, and so on, up to 1–5.

2.3 Encounter Composition (examples of quick picks)

d6	Who/What	Notes
1	Ambient denizens	Spiders, slimes, scavengers; small numbers
2	Patrol or scouts	Knows routes; may call help
3	Lair outriders	Connected to a nearby lair; brings signs of it
4	Environmental surge	Gas burp, ley flare, tremor; treat as Hazard
5	Task team	Workers moving loot, prisoners, supplies
6	Elite or named	Commander, caster, or mini-boss with retinue

3) Hazards (Non-Trap)

Use these in addition to Trap Rules. Hazards below show trigger, telltales, check, effect, and mitigation. Checks are rolled against the relevant stat with a d20 unless the hazard cites a Unique Stat (Luck, Worldsway, etc.). If a hazard is a trap device, use Trap Rules.

Legend for checks: STR, CON, INT, WIS, AGI, LUCK, WORLDSWAY.

3.1 Structural examples

Hazard	Trigger	Telltales	Check	On Fail	On Pass	Mitigation
Rotten joists	Weight on sagging floor	Hairline seams, dust fall	WIS to notice; STR to jump	Fall 10–30 ft; debris damage	Halt at edge	Planks, pitons, rope
Ceiling shed	Vibration or noise	Powder on ground	INT to prep, AGI to dive	Bludgeon; pinned 1d6 minutes	Avoid zone	Helmets, poles, quiet move
Stair slip	Moist steps	Algae sheen	WIS or AGI	Slide 1–3 flights; collide	Grip in time	Sand, scrape, slow pace

3.2 Atmospheric examples

Hazard	Trigger	Telltales	Check	On Fail	On Pass	Mitigation
Sour gas pocket	Disturb silt, open vault	Egg odor, sting eyes	CON	Choke, disorient; 1d4 HP loss per minute	Hold breath, retreat	Vent 10 min; masks
Thin air	Sealed heights, deep shafts	Fatigue, headache	CON hourly	Exhaustion; slow movement	Endure	Rest cycles; air shafts
Black mold bloom	Humid niches	Speckled walls	CON	Coughing; spell focus at disadvantage	Mask in time	Burn out; scrape walls

3.3 Biological (not traps) examples.

Hazard	Trigger	Telltales	Check	On Fail	On Pass	Mitigation
Rot maggots	Handling corpses	Burrow marks	CON	Infestation; damage over time	Flick off	Oil, fire, salt
Bloodleeches (water)	Wading or swimming	Ripple trails	AGI to avoid, CON to resist	Attached; drain HP each minute	Avoided	Boil water, boots
Spore burst pods	Brush pods	Dust cloud	CON	Hallucination; -2 to checks 1 hour	Cough clear	Wet cloth masks

3.4 Ley and Arcane Field examples

Hazard	Trigger	Telltales	Check	On Fail	On Pass	Mitigation
Ley surge	Crossing bright vein	Hair raises; hum	WORLDSWAY or WIS	Wild surge; random spelllike effect	Grounded	Insulate, avoid veins
Memory static	Glyph graffiti zones	Words smear in mind	INT	Lose precise route memory	Anchor notes	Chalk, thread, guide
Inversion eddy	Spiraling dust	Pressure shift	WORLDSWAY	Gravity flip for 1 round	Brace	Grapples, pitons

3.5 Terrain And Water Examples.

Hazard	Trigger	Telltales	Check	On Fail	On Pass	Mitigation
Razor rubble	Fast movement	Glittering chips	AGI	Slashed feet; slow afterward	Pick path	Boots, sweep
Sump sink	Stepping on silt	Bubble hiss	WIS to spot, STR to pull	Submerge; drown risk	Stop in time	Probe with poles
Fast current	Crossing channel	Roar, spray	STR or AGI	Swept away; impact	Cross clean	Lines, anchors

3.6 Mechanical But Non-Trap Interactions examples

Device	Trigger	Use Trap Rules?	Guidance
Counterweight doors	Opening quickly	Yes	Treat as pressure/weight trap for limb crush
Portcullis drop	Passing threshold	Yes	Treat as slam trap with restraint
Load winch	Operating wrong	Yes	Treat as snapping cable trap

3.7 Hazard Reaction And Reset

Outcome	Effect
Mitigated	Remove or reduce hazard for 1d6 hours; roll encounter due to noise if applicable
Triggered	Mark on map; remains dangerous until repaired or cleared
Cleared	Tools or magic; 10–60 minutes; roll encounter once during work

4) Secrets, Doors, And Clues Examples.

Feature	Time	Check	Notes
Secret door search (10 ft span)	10 minutes	WIS or INT	Hidden passages often link to lairs
Listening at door	1 minute	WIS	On success, clue to encounter type
Forcing stuck door	1d6 minutes	STR	On success, roll an immediate encounter check at +1 step
Picking lock	1d6 minutes	INT or tools	Failure by a large margin risks noise hazard

5) Lairs

A lair is a defended pocket with residents, traps, supplies, and a treasure cache. Entering or disturbing a lair increases danger and potential rewards.

5.1 Lair Level (LL) And Lair Difficulty (LD)

Set LL to the higher of: local dungeon depth rating or the strongest foe’s encounter level.

Choose LD by context.

LD	Encounter Range Inside	Reinforcement Pace	Trap Density	Loot Multiplier
Minor	1–2	20 minutes	Light	x1.25
Standard	1–3	10 minutes	Standard	x1.5
Major	1–4	10 minutes	Heavy	x2
Deadly	1–5	10 minutes	Very heavy	x3
Mythic	1–5	5 minutes	Extreme	x4

Trap density references Trap Rules for exact device counts.

Reinforcement pace is how often additional foes arrive once the lair is alerted.

5.2 Lair Features (quick generation) examples

d6	Fortification	Supply	Signature
1	Choke tunnels	Food, water for LL weeks	Totems, marks
2	Barricades	Ammunition, repair kit	Patrol whistles
3	Murder slits	Spare weapons	Alarm gongs
4	Pits and cages	Prisoners, beasts	Training yard
5	Glyph wards	Arcane reagents	Scriptorium
6	Elevated nests	Healing stores	Shrine, idol

6) Loot And Discovery

Always roll d100 on the Loot Table for category, then calculate value using Encounter Level (EL), Lair Level (LL), and LD multiplier. Values are in Copper pounds.

6.1 Base Loot Worth By Encounter Level

Use this for any resolved encounter that yields treasure. This is coin plus sellable value before multipliers. If you prefer a formula instead of the table: Base Min = 30 x EL, Base Max = 90 x EL Copper pounds.

EL	Base Min	Base Max	EL	Base Min	Base Max
1	30	90	14	420	1260
2	60	180	15	450	1350
3	90	270	16	480	1440
4	120	360	17	510	1530
5	150	450	18	540	1620
6	180	540	19	570	1710
7	210	630	20	600	1800
8	240	720	21	630	1890
9	270	810	22	660	1980
10	300	900	23	690	2070
11	330	990	24	720	2160
12	360	1080	25	750	2250
13	390	1170	—	—	—

Apply modifiers after you determine category and item mix:

Lair bonus: multiply by LD from section 5.1.

Boss bonus: if this encounter is the lair boss or floor boss, add an extra x1.5 to the total.

Sparse hoard: if signs show recent pillage, halve the result.

Looted location: if location was looted previously x.10 the result

6.2 Convert Value To Item Mix

After total value is set, roll d6 for mix:

d6	Mix Profile
1	80% coin, 20% goods
2	60% coin, 40% goods
3	50% coin, 50% goods
4	40% coin, 60% goods
5	30% coin, 70% goods
6	20% coin, 80% goods

Goods include tools, trade goods, potions, scrolls, runes, and magical items based on the d100 category below.

6.3 d100 Loot Category

Roll once per cache, or multiple times based on DM discression of the lair, usually base the rolls on players and the level of difficult of the delve.

4 players and a level one delve would have 0-3 magic item chances (1-2 on a d6)

6 players and a level one delve would have 1-3 magic item chances (1-2 on a d6)

one guaranteed item

4 players on a level two delve would have 1-4 magic item chances (1-2 on a d6)

6 players on a level two delve would have 2-4 magic item chances (1-2 on a d6)

6.4 Fast Treasure Placement By Lair

Minor lair: 1d2 cache (roll 1 time on d100).

Standard lair: 1d3 main cache + 1 minor cache (roll twice).

Major lair: 1d4 main cache + 1–2 side caches (roll 2–3 times).

Deadly lair: 1d6 main cache + 2–3 side caches (roll 3–4 times).

Mythic lair: 1 legendary cache anchor (treat 100 if not rolled) + 4–6 side caches.

6.5 Special: Rune And Scroll Scaling

When a roll lands on runes or scrolls, scale their level by:

Dungeon depth band: shallow (1–2), mid (3–4), deep (5–6).

Use LL to set exact spell levels and rune tiers.

7) Rest And Recovery

Rest Type	Time	What You Get	Risks In Dungeon
Catch breath	5 minutes	Remove temporary penalties from sprinting, reset focus	Roll 1 encounter check at current danger
Short rest	30 minutes	Limited HP refresh, certain abilities refresh by your class rules	Next two encounter checks are +1 danger step
Long rest	8 hours	Full HP and ability refresh per your class rules	First three checks after wake are +2 steps; additional hazards like ambush
Safe camp	1 hour to fortify	Convert a room into a safer rest site	Reduce next rest’s danger step by 1 if you spend supplies or set defenses using Trap Rules to rig warnings

Camp Procedures

Watch order of 2 hour segments. Each watcher rolls Perception each segment.

Barricades, caltrops, trip lines, and noise traps are handled with Trap Rules. Success reduces the first post-rest danger step by 1.

8) Visibility, Light, Cover, And Senses

8.1 Light Levels

Level	Typical Sources	Perception Mod	Ranged Mod	Notes
Bright	Daylight shafts, strong lamps	None	None	Color and detail normal
Dim	Torches, weak lamps	-2	-1 past 30 ft	Shadows conceal marks and seams
Darkness	No light	-3 and key details impossible	Disadvantage beyond 10 ft	Requires darksight or light
Obscured	Fog, smoke, heavy webs	-2 to -4 depending density	-2 to -4	Stacks with light level penalties

Light Sources (examples)

Torch: 20 ft bright, 20 ft dim beyond that; 1 hour.

Lantern: 30 ft bright, 30 ft dim; 4 hours.

Hooded lantern: 15 ft bright cone, 15 ft dim; 8 hours.

Glow rune: 10 ft bright, 20 ft dim; duration by rune tier.

8.2 Air And Particulates examples

Condition	Effect	Checks
Dust haze	-1 Perception; cough on sprint	CON on sprints
Smoke	-2 Perception; -2 Ranged; choking risk	CON each minute
Spores	Hallucination or lethargy	CON on entry; see Biological
Stale air	Fatigue over time	CON hourly

8.3 Water And Visibility examples

Water Type	Vision	Movement	Combat
Clear waist deep	Normal above, -1 below	Half speed	Melee normal; ranged -2
Murky chest deep	-2 below, -1 above	Quarter speed	Heavy melee -1; ranged -4
Opaque or silt	Blind below surface	Quarter speed with guide	Melee at disadvantage; ranged nil

8.4 Sound And Awareness examples

Environment	Stealth Mod	Awareness Mod	Notes
Dead corridors	-	+1 to listen through doors	Quiet carries
Caverns	-1 to stealth	+1 to be detected	Noise travels far
Machinery rooms	+1 to stealth	-1 to detect	Cover noise helps you
Waterfalls, currents	+1 to stealth	-2 to detect	Hearing is poor near water features

8.5 Cover And Position examples

Cover Type	Attack Mod Against Target	Notes
Half cover	-2 to hit the target	Waist high, pillars
Three-quarters cover	-4 to hit	Arrow slits, doorframes
Total cover	Cannot target directly	Must move or use area effects
Elevation +10 ft	+1 to ranged from above	Melee unaffected unless ladders or ledges
Elevation -10 ft	-1 to ranged from below	Attackers above gain +1

8.6 Special Sight And Detection examples

Sense	What It Does	Limits
Darksight	See in dim as bright, dark as dim	No color in full dark
Tremor sense	Detect ground movement in range	No airborne creatures
Ley sense	Feel veins, wards, active glyphs	WORLDSWAY checks required

9) Optional: Noise And Alarm Track

Track a simple 0–5 alarm value for the floor.

Start at 0. Each loud fight or failed stealth adds +1 to +2.

At 3, set danger to at least 1–3 and add more patrols.

At 5, set danger to 1–4 or 1–5 for 1 hour, and activate lair reinforcements.

10) Quick Reference: Using Trap Rules

Any discrete device with a designed trigger uses Trap Rules.

Hazards that are part of the environment use the hazard system above.

You can repurpose Trap Rules for camp defenses, alarms, or barricades to reduce rest risk.

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