For use with the Shadowdark RPG or other D20 Fantasy RPGs.

Screams are heard in the middle of the day in the quiet village of Perdozin where the group is staying or possibly just passing through. A young man named Jaden, out of his mind with fear, dashes into the middle of the village market screaming wildly at the top of his lungs.

“It got Dubney! It-it- just dragged him down into the pit. Mighty gods! It was hideous!”
Jayden has no idea what the creatures were or for certain how many there were. They had the head of a lizard with several rows of razor sharp fangs. They stood the height of a man on two legs. They have two arms that end in talons and four ropes that come from behind the creature’s neck. They’re black as tar with white, unforgiving eyes and a bit scaly.

A little background for this short adventure:

Jayden and Dubney were digging a new jake (aka cesspit) in the backyard of Jayden’s family cottage when they broke into an ancient and forgotten underground chamber. When the chamber was disturbed, two Lurkers in Darkness were awakened. Luckily, most of the family was in the village doing their daily chores and shopping. Only Jayden’s friend Dubney was dragged away by one of the creatures.

The families of Perdozin are not terribly wealthy and unable to offer much of a reward. The group would be free to keep any loot they find as a result of their actions. Jayden and Dubney’s families would be eternally grateful to know what happened to Dubney.

The town elders would be grateful to know what threatens their small village and whether or not they need to evacuate. Brave, stalwart adventurers would surely be required to face the danger head on, regardless. Aside from free room and board, food, and simple services, the villagers don’t have a lot to offer the group.

  1. The ransacked cottage.
    As the group approaches from the village market, the sounds of something feral can be heard thrashing around inside the cottage. As they approach, the sounds are reduced to a low growl as if something is waiting within.

There is something waiting within. A lurker has positioned itself inside the cottage to drag more villagers and/or livestock down to be used for food later.

Lurker in Darkness:  AC 13, HP 13, ATK 1 claw +3 (1d6), 1 Tentacle +3 (2d4,) Or Bite +3 (1d8) MV double near, S +0, D +3, C +1, I -2, W +1, Ch -3, AL N, LV 3

This 5 Room Dungeon is an independent product published under the Shadowdark RPG Third-Party License and is not affiliated with The Arcane Library, LLC. Shadowdark RPG © 2023 The Arcane Library, LLC.