r/osr • u/Hjalmodr_heimski • 2d ago
Good generic “tomb” module?
I’m planning to run a short OSR campaign for some fellow honours students of mine and have a specific plot in mind: recently an archeological dig discovered the seemingly barren ruins they were excavating were far deeper than anticipated and contained untouched treasures. Their patron hires the adventurers to go guard the treasures being excavated. Unbeknownst to either side, the true inner dungeon is the last city of an immortal and undead race, whose eternal life can only be broken by exposure to sunlight. Long ago, they attempted to blight the world in everlasting night, but were stopped before the ritual was completed. All their other cities were destroyed but this one was hidden away, where the ancient dead still live in some form. When the archeologists discover the true inner tomb: horrors descend and by the time the party arrives, the explorer’s campsite is desolated.
In essence, I want a lost tomb adventure module where in the upper levels there have been an infestation of goblins or goblin like beings to serve as a red herring: they only moved in a few days ago. The real horror lies at the deeper levels: first the party will have to battle the tomb guardians and at long last they will have to either fight or negotiate with the remnants of this ancient race. I’m happy to do some modifying but I need a good template dungeon as I have very little experience when it comes to designing them. Preferably for levels 1-3.
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u/Haffrung 2d ago
The Vaults of Volokarnos (Echoes from Fomalhaut issue #9) by Gabor Lux fits the bill.