Scene 2

Investigating the Dungeon

The old dungeon road leaves Greyford through a leaning postern gate and climbs into cold fog. Ahead, the sealed gatehouse stands open for the first time in years. Green light breathes between the stones.

Scene Goals

Move from briefing to exploration.
Use the dungeon map to orient the entrance, sluice hall, valve chamber, and lantern well.
Start with the Old Gatehouse Entrance encounter at the dungeon threshold.
Let clues point deeper toward the lower lantern and pressure valve.

Skill Challenge: Old Stone and Green Light

CheckSurvival to read tracks, Arcana/Religion to read the light, or Crafting/Engineering to read the old works.

SuccessPC 1 notices the tracks are not raiders leaving the dungeon; something came out, circled the gatehouse, then returned below.

CriticalPC 1 also spots dry scratch marks above the wet ones, proving the door opened from an interior maintenance latch.

FailureThe clue is delayed, not lost. Reveal it after the entrance encounter when the party has time to inspect the threshold.

GM note: the first encounter should happen at the entrance, before the party has fully mapped the dungeon. Use it to teach the players what the dungeon feels like: wet stone, old machinery, and hostile light.

Player handout

Bridge Lantern Maintenance Diagram

The drawing is water-stained but readable. Three ink lines connect the lamp house, the market drain, and a round chamber marked lower lantern - do not open during flood tide.

Lamp house - shares the same flame path as the lantern well below.
Valve chamber - marked with a brass key symbol.
Side drain - safe bypass if the pressure wheel is turned first.