Extended Hex, Dungeon and Settlement Generation Tools
Using the tools created for World and Hex Map generation, I thought I would determine some procedures for making two other key places of play; Dungeons and Settlements. I also wanted to expand on the lists made before, to help flesh it out. I am pulling from the hex feature tools, to build the features out to inspire more detail. Of course, you can just go through the top level instead of the second list, but that will be up to you. Some of them felt they weren’t that inspiring on their own. As this is set for many genres, the prompts will try to keep things adaptable. It will generate different sorts of encounters with different stakes, as we are “zooming into” regions. We are adding to what is taken into a hex, and further exploring from there.
Having already used a set of cards, and a standard set of ttrpg dice, I wanted to keep each region a different set of generation tools. To facilitate this, I wanted to incorporate my favourite DCC weird dice collection (the dice outside the normal 7 set) and a set of tarot cards. This way all the cards/dice can sit around you in play and you know what to draw for when. Note that use of cards means that there is no repeats unless shuffled. The deck can also be edited to include more or less types of encounter and room types if applicable for dungeons. I hope you enjoy!
Extended Hex Tables
D3 - A wellspring of modernity, resources, and fruition
Endless resources are here, with roads connecting to the next area
In an unlikely area there is a hidden cache
Forward thinking people and modernity lies here
D5 - A technological or magical curse, death and decay lies in this region
Technology or magic of the area does not work here
Food and resources have strange properties, and don’t last long
People are born with mutations and strange behaviours
An area is forbidden as it causes death
No matter what, all wealth in this area doesn’t last long
D7 - A natural landmark in the terrain; cliff, heigh ceiling, valley, spring, machinery
High Points providing difficult terrain - ceiling, volcanos, clouds, mountains
Low Points providing dips - crater, canyon, valley, cliff, ravine
Breakers - running water, coastal areas, springs, swamps, islands, shifting sands and impassable areas
Land Formations - rocks, protruding old civilisation
Life rich - Grasslands, pastures, water, rich local farmland, nature and plant life is in abundance and breaks the terrain
Dry large areas - desert, arctic region, baron technology and areas of no life
Shelter/cover - natural formations of clove rinsing which shrubbery, trees and mountains
D14 - This area has a dark past or history that affects it in some way
Previous invasion and war has ravaged this area
Plague has ruined the lives of many here
Horrible inventions, machines and change the history here
Miracles of the wrong gods brought the end of things
A once thought hero lead people into conflict and pain
Clash of religious beliefs have decayed all here
The apocalypse was prophesied and lead to mass conflict
Betrayal of neighbouring factions brought an end to peace
The union of great lone beasts destroyed the area
An empire has brought suffering to all
Natural disaster destroyed the terrain
A revolution of the people freed them at the cost of great hardship
A beast brought suffering and death
Local inhabitants make offerings to old awful beings - sacrificing locals
D16 - A den, lair or dangerous area
An area a dangerous faction controls
A underground den of a large creature
A region of many small creatures reside, breed and grow in numbers
A place travellers are told to stay away from as road attacks happen along here
An unguarded area where attacks form above happen form those who fly
A dangerous monarch keeps their small kingdom here
A historical tomb, taken over by monsters
A secret lair of something rare
Creatures protect their young through this way
A maze that hides something legendary
A small region with territorial monsters in conflict
The terrain is the danger of this area
A den of traps hide something worthy of the risk
Natural beauty hides the real terror beneath
A secret entrance has been discovered to somewhere no good can live
Weather and natural events are the issue
D24 - A mysterious monument; unnatural landmark, statue, religious marker
A statue of great importance is here
A ruinous unnatural entity has taken residence here
A temple of religious significance is here
An unnaturally thriving natural tree is a cause for mystery
An Oracle of what is to come, is in the landscape itself
An Obelisk lost to time is found once more
An Altar to a forgotten deity/lord causes hysteria
A skull and titanic bones of something long dead has lingering effects
An omen of lair is found
A protective area is made in the ground of a large area
An Ancient Ziggurat draws power and energy from nearby
Mysterious obelisks have sprung up over a short time here
A monolith to a past civilisation is cursed
Ours have been seen floating in this region, told that they cause strength to those who can capture them
A grave site is desecrated
A shimmering rift is found to an unknown land
A pond that grants wishes has gone green
A palace has been seen to move In and out of existence
A bridge to nowhere is said ti take travellers to another realm
Screams are heard form a small tower in the area
Ghosts are seen in the site of a crater
A religious monument brings gifts
A miracle of technology can tell information about the region
A large scale object and tracks create a prison to those within
D30 - Random encounter list (Hex)
An interesting thematic puzzle acts as a gateway to the next area
A puzzle form left of field unlocks to reveal a reward
Local vagabonds threaten you for your treasure
The threat of a fight looms from a distressed beast
A major guardian stands poised for combat
A special reward is known in this region, if it could only be found
An obvious treasure is protected by some means that could be taken
An ally approaches and brings good news
Local folklore turns out to be true and is terrifying
A former ally announces their deception
A traveller brings news, wares and other secrets
A potential ally could be sought form a group of unlikely travellers
A terrain feature causes significant delay
A choice must be made with the road ahead
A known major beast looms threat here
The environment offers a unique resource
Its easy to get lost and waste resources here
Traps are found in the path forward
A special local event is happening on the journey
The terrain causes a dilemma or choice of approach
A local rumour’s source has been found and has been greatly exaggerated
A surprise ambush trap is found with folks on the road
Local listed phenomenon is beautiful to behold
A typical event of the region takes place
A shock beholds the group as a left field event happens
A prophecy shows its next omen
A stressful event happens that causes need for immediate action
Conflict occurs but could be avoided if it can be negotiated with or avoided
The terrain causes hardship and ruin for the adventurers
An easy fight breaks out with people well below steed looking to cause trouble
Procedure - Dungeon Site Generation
Minor Arcana deck - draw one card for each room or region of the site to be explored. Every adventure site should have the following:
An evocative entrance
A place of clues
A place of secrets
A way of many approaches
A place for the final encounter
Ace - Core thematic representation of the site idea
Two - something off beat, or an intrusion to the original site idea
Three - a place that has been lived in in some manner
Four - a place of significance for the use of the site
Five - an open area for a large scale encounter or meeting place
Six - a narrow area for tactical manoeuvring
Seven - a place of significant ritual in the site
Eight - a place of secrets and hidden information or passage
Nine - a place of many entrances and exits with choice to be made
Ten - a place with a significant dilemma or choice attached to it
Page - a place that reinforces the inhabitants and information of the theme
Knight - a place of great guardianship, fortress, and defence
Queen - a place where it can be discussed and promotes intrigue
King - a historically significant area
Cups - Treasure to be found
Pentacles - Environmental hazard
Wands - Puzzle or obstacle
Swords - Combat encounter
Procedure - Settlement Generation
Major Arcana deck - draw one card for each city region or district that it has, minor ones have 1-3 and major ones have 5-8. Basic story needs locations might be added also. Every settlement should have the following:
A place of inhabitants’ standard living
A place of significance to differentiate it
A place to stay and promote community
A place of authority and information
A place of resource acquirement and restocking
The Fool (0) – Hidden passage ways for crime, those who are hunted and the outsiders are seen here.
The Magician (I) – A unique being, treasure or community resides here.
The High Priestess (II) – A place of conflict, choice and narrative implication. A place with history and story.
The Empress (III) – Unique living quarters and places for love, stories and interaction happens here.
The Emperor (IV) – The place of noble order and authority - government, monarch, council
The Hierophant (V) – A place of religion, mass and ceremony
The Lovers (VI) – A unique harmony is found with the factions here in this place of need and moderation. All sorts come to this place.
The Chariot (VII) – A market region for extravagant and basic goods, a unique twist of local flavour is also here.
Strength (VIII) – A place for defence, combat, weapons, smithing, courage and strength
The Hermit (IX) – A place of learning, teaching and skill craft. Academy, science, research and sages.
Wheel of Fortune (X) – A place to gamble, downtime, carousal, trade news and test your luck
Justice (XI) – The place of justice, law and punishment
The Hanged Man (XII) – A town square of news, events and announcements
Death (XIII) – A place of rest, death and demise. Rituals outside of the normal also take place here.
Temperance (XIV) – Basic needs of living, food, community and spirituality can be found here.
The Devil (XV) – A red light district and crime ally of temptation, excess and the forbidden
The Tower (XVI) – A community place of food, information brokering, a tavern, a stock, and place for steeds.
The Star (XVII) – A place of importation, exportation, trade and story telling.
The Moon (XVIII) – A place to see, divine, trade and broker information of the neighbouring areas is sought here.
The Sun (XIX) – A place of vitality and community. Gardens, arts, resources and wealth.
Judgment (XX) – A place of economic and social divide happens here with factions and ways of living.
The World (XXI) – Bureaucracy, administration and innovation takes place here.
