Underworlds: Connections Between Structures

[Necropraxis]

I'm reading the Pettigrew article on creating underworlds, and I'm wondering how people here do the connections between structures. The article seems to be largely silent on this.

My inclination is to just draw out a plane as if the city was on the surface (sort of like module B4), then place the structures by fiat (perhaps adding a few empty structures for flavor) and finally deciding which areas are collapsed until the borders of the level have been delineated.

Is this pretty much how everyone else does it? Or is there some guidance elsewhere that I am missing? It seems like the connections between the structures could be pretty interesting (roads, tunnels, etc) and some tables about which structures were connected and by what might be interesting.

[thorswulf]

I don't have the article, but I do have some thoughts on it. Instead of the "typical" dressed stonework/rough stone/what have you, I imagine that the walls would be highly decorated in many places. Consider that what you are seeing is actualy exterior walls that lead into the structures underground, a whole host of bas-relief sculpture, frescoes, or similar artwork could adorn the walls. I see strange heads of legendary heroes, perhaps ravaged by time or defaced by other delvers. Courtyards made of intricate mosaic tiles and gemstones surrounding long dry fountains, or statues. Just some dressing up thoughts. Another thing about drawing out the levels would be that there are levels that you have to get down to, and then travel up by stairs within the building!

[planetalgol]

Check out the 9 and 30 kingdoms blog, there were some posts about randomly generating connections between dungeon areas that are quite pertinent to your inquiry.

[Necropraxis]

thorswulf

Yeah, that's a good idea. Maybe I'll put together "dressing" and wall decoration tables for things like courtyards, plazas, and outbuildings.

planetalgol

Thanks for the pointer. I think I have read that one before, but I'll have to go back and find it to be sure.

[talysman]

I was going to post a link to my own blog, but I thought "Brendan's already a reader; he's seen that stuff".

The simplest link would be to the Last-Minute GM tag, since the most recent posts in that category are all about "sketchbox underworlds", as I call them.

9and30kingdoms.blogspot.com/search/label/lmgm

One of these days, I need to pick up my train of thought where I left off and do Part Two of the improv underworld post.