Lava Lair Battle Map - Launch (Patreon)

Hello Adventurers! Here is our latest map, the Lava Lair. I really wanted to push the lava elements here as I think it makes for a ‘cool’ location. I decided the walls should be made of lava just cool enough to make up the walls of this chamber but still hot enough to glow and radiate heat.

I was in two minds about how much of a hoard I should put on the map as I’m aware that many players are very literal about what they can see on a map, causing problems for the DMs. With that in mind I created a fairly modest gold pile which can be expanded on in the DMs description as they see fit.

I’m a little behind schedule this month but should still be good for our other planned releases, an Subterranean River and a City Square (I’m still deciding if this should have gallows or other themed features). Once again I have to thank you all for your support and kind messages, I hope you have a wonderful week and as always happy adventuring! Oh and don’t stand in one place too long or your boots will melt!

Introduction

The air in the labyrinth of tunnels has been steadily heating up as you make your way further into the mountain. Beads of sweat run down your face and sting your eyes, you have all stripped off any easily removable clothing but still you suffer in the sweltering temperatures. The very walls radiate heat, first just warm to the touch but now so hot they glow in places. Once in a while the ground shakes ominously.

The tunnel ahead begins to open up into a huge chamber, its walls glowing and rippling with heat. In places they are almost viscous, soft and moving ever so slightly. The entire chamber is filled with a low constant crackling sound. Plumes of noxious black smoke drift from vents, covering every surface with a layer of fine soot. Bricks and pillars protrude from the glowing walls, slowly being consumed. Ancient cracked tiles cover the floor while at the back of the chamber steps lead into smoky darkness.

As you move further into the chamber you notice bones, black and charred, strewn across the floor and piled up against one wall. From the darkness at the end of the chamber you see movement, a glint of red light, smoke swirling as something large shifts position. A single gold coin rolls out of the smoke and darkness, down the steps and across the floor, coming to rest at your feet. Instinctively you pick it up, it's warm to the touch. From the darkness a deep, cruel voice booms “You dare touch my horde adventurer?”. Two glowing eyes spark to life, yellow lanterns flickering in the darkness. You drop the coin and draw your weapons. You hear a great intake of breath and a spark illuminates the darkness for a moment before fire engulfs your world.

Notes and Tips

• 30x30 grid map
• Obviously this is ideal for a Red Dragon's Lair, but honestly you could go with a few other creatures like Fire Elementals, a Fire Giant, Fire Mephit, Fire Snakes and Lava Worms. The Dragon could be long gone by the time the PCs enter the location.
• Theme other creatures and monsters for the location. Cloakers could have fire resistance and added fire damage. Having them hang on the glowing ceiling and drop onto players would be horrifying!
• Ropers could pull players towards the super heated parts of the walls!
• The walls are very hot! Getting close to them for any length of time could be damaging to a players health.
• The left side of the map can be walked on, but the further ‘up’ the wall a PC gets the hotter it gets and the more damage they may/will take. You could simply have an ascending scale of damage each round or go with a con save to see if they can withstand the heat. (I’m not sure if there are specific rules, I’ve had trouble finding some).
• These kinds of places are always on the verge of collapsing, often just after the encounter is over. This can help to explain why the players can’t collect a full dragon horde, but make sure you reward your players, they just killed a dragon after all!
• The horde is melted together! Use strength checks to rip pieces from it.

Variants

A version without the horde, could be used as a entrance to a ruined city.

A cold rock version, which should work well for mostly any underground lair

A glowy magic version

And all version with and without the horde