Dungeon 24: Block junction

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Last time I provided a summary of an abandoned prison block that has been inhabited by squatters at some point in the past. There was also a hidden section of the prison where torture and alchemical work took place. In this post I will finish the last two cells remaining in the first block and we will move on. As we’re still on one floor, the rooms are numbered continuosly, but since January has 31 days, rooms 32 and on are obviously from February.

The last two corner cells of block 1 once again offer a glimpse of sinister happenings. If the party gets here after seeing the rest of the block, the atmosphere might be already quite tense. As one of the first rooms to be explored it might put the party on alert, although there is little to fear in the block, excluding the wraith.

Beyond the door to the south lies a corridor leading to another prison block. At the junction with the larger corridor there is a former guardpost occupied by Balok. Balok is a vermin dwarf who calls the old prison his home. If he’s not making his rounds he’s probably asleep in his room. While not entirely unfriendly, he will not help the party in any way unless it’s in his own interest, and would prefer if they left the premises soon. Particularly hostile parties might receive directions into various hazards, whether it’s monsters or traps.

The two opposite rooms to the east, an office and a storeroom, are not interesting at all, except for the hidden passage from the storeroom to one of the cells in southern block. The cell itself and its twin are quite unremarkable. The other corner twins contain some transportation devices and a lot of oyster shells.

Who is hoarding the shells and for what purpose? And what’s a “vermin dwarf”? For the first one keep following my #Dungeon24 updates, and don’t forget to like, share, and comment! As for the second question, there will be a post dedicated to this new dwarven subrace/heritage in the near future, so stay tuned!

Rooms

32. Corner cell, door missing, no cot or other furniture; walls and floor covered in colorful drawings. Closer examination reveals unsettling details – monsters, murder, etc. in childish styl
33. Corner cell with bound door; inside is a human-shaped sailcloth bundle bound by rope. There is no body, only rags and seaweed shaped into humanoid form. T: 7 cp, perforated, can be found among the rags
34. Balok’s quarters
    • The former guardpost was claimed by Balok, a vermin dwarf
    • N door is jammed, almost all of the E wall is cowered with furniture – mostly backed shelves, some cabinets
    • S door is locked whether Balok is in or not; he wears the key on a chain around his neck; when he’s in the door is blocked with a bar as well
    • there is a crossbow trained on the door that shoots if not disarmed when opening (DC 30 spot check)
35. Former office, now this room is empty except for small pieces of broken furniture and damp rags
36. Storeroom, mostly empty shelves, some missing (ask Balok); secret door behind one shelf (DC 30)
37. Corner cell wth no furniture, only burlap sacks filled with oyster shells, 14 in total
38. Corner cell with one rickety trolley and three wooden pack-frames
39. Corner cell, 3 barred pannels leaning on the wall opposite the door; behind them secret door (DC 20)
40. Corner cell, empty