Level 5

The Aberrant Laboratory


Level 5Two things characterize Level 5 of Dragon's Delve: Strange magical laboratories and the remnants and descendants of the creatures experimented upon or even created in those laboratories.

Once simply a level of residences created by the dwarves, the Mages Four refashioned and repurposed this level extensively for magical experimentation. About 150 years later-still well before Lord Saral or the Red Saint would come to visit the dungeon, a sorceress named Valandra opened a gateway to the legendary island of Khorant from this level and began capturing creatures there to experiment upon. Five hundred years after that, but still over 200 years ago, a small gathering of still more wizards moved in and used the laboratories for their own purposes, but now they too are long gone.

The main feature of the level is the octagonal corridor that runs throughout the other chambers containing the relays of a powerful lightning generator. Blasts of raw, dangerous power arc up and down this wide path, making it extremely hazardous to cross without using one of the bridges that extend over the continual bolts of electricity.

It's worth noting that this level is somewhat of a crossroads. From here, PCs can go to the Island of Khorant, down to Level 7, or up to Level 6. (Yes, it's strange that Level 6 is "above" Level 5, but since the progression from Levels 1-6 works only in that order, the levels are numbered the way they are.) Ideally, PCs will go to Khorant, then to Level 6, and then to Level 7. And remember that without a saint's scepter, they will go up the stairs to area 110 and the stairs will disappear. They won't be able to create the staircase to come back down.

Unless the text states otherwise, the level's floors, walls, and ceilings are made of masonry stone. Ceilings are 20 feet high. All doors, unless otherwise described, are good wooden doors, unlocked, 1 and a half inch thick, with a hardness of 5, and 15 hp.

There are 33 rooms in Level 5. Click here to see the map.

Click here to see the list of Level 5 Random Encounters.

 

Recent Articles

  143. The Gate to Khorant
This room holds the gate to the island of Khorant.
  142. The Way Down and Up (EL 6)
A very difficult to find secret room holds the stairs that lead to both Level 6 and Level 7.
  141. Shrine of the Dragon
This chamber appears to be some kind of a shrine dedicated to a draconic being.
  140. The Diseased Victim (EL 1)
A diseased lizardfolk staggers along the corridor.
  139. The Stasis Prison (EL 7)
This massive chamber was used to store experimental subjects. You will need the Insect Construct Illustration handout.
  138. The Holy Sword
Drathos and Ilithstra have used the holy sword of Baine Strongbow to create a ward blocking access to Level 7.
  137. The Sniveling Cleric (EL 7)
A powerful cleric practically hides in this room. Is she friend or foe? Sane or mad?
  136. Drathos (EL 8)
A fighter named Drathos waits here for the PCs with his dog. You will need the Drathos Illustration Handout.
  135. Drathos' Bedchamber
This is a bedchamber now used by an evil fighter dwelling in the dungeon.
  134. Three Staircases (EL 7)
The wizards that lived on this level, afraid of their own aberrant creations getting to them, went overboard with traps.
  133. Mage Quarters (EL 5)
Once a chamber where the wizards that worked on this level dwelled, this room still contains some interesting (but protected) treasures. You will need the Undisturbed Table illustration handout.
  132. Secret Paintings and Trapped Reliefs (EL 5)
This room hides a valuable vial that creates potions, but it is protected by a trap.
  131. The Bridge (EL 4)
A strange corpse lies on the bridge over the lightning wall, hiding a surprising danger within.
  130. The Lightning Wall
The inner portion of the level is surrounded by a wall of lightning that once provided power for all the experiments here.
  129. The Research Library (EL 5)
This library was once used by the mages here for research into arcane topics. Now it is the domain of a strange undead creature. You will need the Inscriber illustration handout.
  128. The Thing in the Tank
The still-living result of a horrible experiment lives in a water-filled tank in this room.
  127. The Old Guard Room (EL 5)
A large snake waits for prey in a room once used to house the guards for this level.
  126. The Sealed Lab (EL 6)
A difficult to reach laboratory holds some interesting treasure and information. You will need the Sealed Lab Illustration handout.
  125. The Ice Tomb (EL 12)
A massive chamber with an imprisoned creature created on this level. You will need the Ice Tomb Illustration handout.
  124. The Transformative Platform
This laboratory holds the means to transform a creature by injecting pure chaos into it.
  123. Sprung Traps (EL 5)
Some previous adventurers met their end here, and if the PCs navigate past their mistakes, they will find something of use against the lightning wall on this level.
  122. A "Trap" and a Trap (EL 5)
A wooden platform here conceals danger. But is it likely isn't as tricky as hallway trap to the south.
  121. The Living Paintings (EL Varies)
The walls of this room are painted with images of monsters that can come alive.
  120. The Dead Wizard
A dead wizard's corpse may present some interesting background and an adventure hook. You will need the Setaraghos' Journal Page Handout.
  119. Long Hall
An empty corridor now becomes the lair of a manticore later.
  118. The Magic Carpet
This chamber holds a special secret: one of the legendary carpets of Tral-Ferrer.
  117. Sleeping Athach (EL 8)
This room contains a sleeping mutant giant and a strange puzzle that requires searching much of the level for the solution.
  116. Elixir Lab (EL 3)
This lab was once used to create potions and admixtures used to mutate creatures.
  115. Water Lab (EL 5)
Experimenting in this lab, PCs can create a water elemental ally or foe, depending on how well they follow directions.
  114. Fire Lab (EL 3)
Don't touch that!
  113. An Old Friend and a New Foe (EL 4)
The shaft of Erralak the ocular tyrant intersects with this chamber, but it's also the lair of a mutated minotaur.
  112. The Dangerous Door (EL 5)
A magically trapped door absorbs unwary intruders.
  111. Welcome. Surprise! (EL 4)
A mimic uses knowledge of Level 4 to trick those coming down into this level. You will need one Circle handout from Level 4.
  Level 5 Random Encounters
Use this chart for determining random encounters for Level 5 of Dragon's Delve.
  Level 5 Map
The map for Level 5 of Dragon's Delve.
  Level 5 Map - No Secrets, No Labels
A version of the Level 5 Map without room labels or secret doors.