Richard emerges from the dungeon. Or, the past three weeks.

T

he month is nearly ending, and I am finally writing about my progress on the dungeon. Don't mistake a lack of updates for lack of work. As you can see from the pictures below, I have been busy. The month has seen the second level of the dungeon come into focus. With this focus, the entire concept of the dungeon is also in focus.

One of the things I am working with is the concept of water. My idea with the keep is that it is surrounded by a moat. So, as I mapped out rooms, water in the lower levels would be a good feature. To account for this water, I decided to have the moat be bottomless (apparently), and the hill the keep rests on an endless pillar of land.

Since there will be water, the lower levels will also see water. How is this going to play into the concept of fire? I have a few ideas. What they are is yet to be seen. No, I am not being vague. Having an idea is different than having something practical.

Now, here is proof of my work in progress.

Getting lost in the design

N

o, I did not stop designing the dungeon. No, I did not go into witness protection. I have not been in the best health and have not had the energy to do much but sleep and recuperate. When I do have energy, the last thing I want to do is sit down for extended periods at the computer. That is why #dungeon23 always appealed to me. It is a good use of time and energy to develop something. As you can see, a lot has been worked on.

The dungeon is progressing nicely. The first actual level of the dungeon is done, and it ties nicely into the theme of the above keep. The level is a secret library and scriptorium; everything here ties into this. Though the level is small, it is perfect for what I needed to have. However, I need to expand it more when polishing this project.

With January over, February has brought a new level, and this one will be the last one tied to the keep and library. Like any stronghold or important building, a crypt devoted to the dead is needed, which is what this level will be. Since the keep above is so old, the crypts must accommodate sarcophagi, tombs devoted to significant figures, a few treasure vaults, and undead threats and traps.

There is another feature I need to account for, and that is water. This water is due to the moat that surrounds the keep. This moat is fed by a fissure that brings the moat's water to the surface. How deep this feature goes, I am still determining. All I know is that it appears bottomless, and part of the dungeon lies close to it, allowing dampness to seep in. 

That is where we stand now. I still enjoy this project. I still find it creatively stimulating. I also find it calming.