- Lying directly beneath the city of
UD-0: Underdungeons Overview
“Ah yes, the Underdungeons of Griffondale, a
vast subterranean labyrinth reputed to
harbor forgotten treasures, lost knowledge,
and perhaps the single, highest concentration
of dead adventurers in all the world . . .”
- Cornelius J. Highrune
Instructor, Academy of Arcane Arts
Griffondale
Introduction:
The Underdungeons of Griffondale provide
the backdrop for a series of short, one-
shot adventure scenarios for use with the
4th Edition D&D role-playing game. The
goal of these stand-alone ‘dungeon raids’
is to quickly set the stage and get the
player-characters right into the action.
Intentionally quick and dirty, these
scenarios were designed to be completed
in a single three-to-four hour game
session.
Common Knowledge:
- The City of Griffondale is a quasi-
magical, pseudo-medieval, semi-urban
metropolis. One of the last great bastions
of civilization, this city remains a powerful
political and economical center and thus,
one of the brightest ‘points of light’ that
remains . . .
Griffondale include a siege by an army of
Griffondale is a vast multi-level,
interconnected network of tunnels,
passages, cellars, sewers, catacombs and
even old, abandoned portions of the city
itself . . . collectively known as the
Underdungeons.
- While the Underdungeons are reputed
to be brimming with forgotten riches,
relics and treasure, it is established fact
that they are also a harsh and hostile
environ full of natural hazards, man-made
perils, and wandering monsters.
History:
DC 10
- Throughout its history, thanks to a
variety of wars and disasters, the City of
Griffondale has experienced several cycles
of destruction and reclamation. Over the
years, entirely new portions of the city
were built directly upon the ruins of
previous ones. This continual urban
renewal is the primary reason why the
Underdungeons exist today.
DC 20
- The most recent example of this cycle
occurred approximately a decade ago,
when a raging Tarrasque laid waste to a
full third of the city proper.
DC 25
- Prior examples of the calamities that
have nearly brought about the ruin of
the Undead, a full-scale Drow surface-
incursion, several plagues, floods, fires,
asteroids, drought, famine, riot etc. etc.
Dungeoneering:
DC 10
- The upper-levels of the Underdungeons
are the newest and easiest to reach and
thus, the most commonly explored by
most adventurers. They consist of the
Cellars, the Sewers and the Ruins . . .
three distinctly different ‘dungeon’ types
each with their own unique features.
DC 15
- The Cellar level is essentially a series of
basement, sub-cellars and stores that are
somehow connected, either by service
tunnel or by secret passage.
- The Sewer level runs beneath the
‘Cellars’ and are Griffondale’s present,
active waste-water system.
- The Ruins level is a portion of the city
destroyed by the Tarrasque over a decade
ago, including streets, alleys and in some
cases, partial buildings.
DC 20
- In most cases, the upper-levels are
naturally dark and damp. Filth Fever and
Grasping Slime are always concerns. Giant
Rats, Carrion Crawlers and Ghouls are
among the most common denizens of the
upper-levels.
UD-1: Running with the Devil
Synopsis: Adventurers must delve beneath
the city of Griffondale and scour the
Underdungeons in search of a fiendish
madman.
A dungeon raid for 4 3rd level adventurers.
What you need to play:
This Underdungeon adventure may
reference the following WotC products:
• Dungeon Master’s Guide
• Monster Manual
• Adventurer’s Vault
For more information concerning the City
of Griffondale (including a map of the city
Proper) please visit:
http://www.angelfire.com/griffondale/index.html
Setting the Stage:
Today you find yourselves in creepy confines of
the Tower of Griffondale . . . the municipal
asylum. Fortunately, you are here as a visitor
and not a ‘guest’. Seated in the cold, damp
office of the sanitarium’s director, an aged,
gaunt human by the name of Istvan Valdi,
you find your meeting accompanied by the
moans and screams of the demented.
Motioning to his assistant to close the office
doors, Valdi addresses your party.
“Ah, that’s better. As you know, we at Tower
of Griffondale have had been dealing with a
rather unfortunate series of events . . . I’m
sure you are well aware of last month’s mass
breakout. Thanks to the fine efforts of the city
watch, only one of the five who escaped
remains at large.
The Tiefling Herectic . . . he goes by the
name of ‘Catch’ . . . has fled into the Cellar
Level of the Under-dungeons. As
embarrassing as this is, the Tower of
Griffondale lacks the necessary resources to
pursue and capture Catch. I have no other
option other than to appeal to adventurers for
aid.
The maniacal fiend was last seen entering
Underdungeons by way of Grimwald’s
Vault in Mourner’s Field. If you are
willing to delve into the Underdungeons and
apprehend Catch, the Tower of Griffondale
will see that you are well compensated for your
efforts.”
Major Quest:
Capture Catch the Tiefling Heretic (alive)
Rewards:
- 400 experience points
- 1 3rd Level Treasure Parcel* (DMG. p126)
*Suggested: two 100gp gems + 25gps (parcel
#8)
History Check DC 10
- Mourner’s Field is the city of Griffondale’s
main public cemetery.
Dungeoneering Check DC 15
- Grimwald’s Vault is small mausoleum
which is actually an entry-point to the
Underdungeons.
Preparations:
- Istvan Valdi offers little more than his
promise of a reward should the
adventurers succeed.
- The adventurers may purchase any
mundane weapons, armor & equipment
listed in the Player’s Handbook or
Adventurer’s Vault (per DM discretion)
in the City of Griffondale.
- The adventurers may purchase magic
items from the Player’s Handbook and the
Adventurer’s Vault (per DM discretion)
equal to their level with little difficulty.
Streetwise Check DC 15
- An hour’s worth of asking around reveals
the Catch has assembled a small band of
cronies and hiding out in an abandoned
storehouse not very far from the Grimwald
Vault entrance.

Encounter 1: Grimwald’s Vault
Difficulty: Easy (Level Range 1-2)
Experience Points: 400
Setup:
After scouring Mourner’s Field for the better
part of an hour, you and your party finally
come across a small, stone mausoleum. The
doors bear a engraving depicting a family
coat of arms and the name ‘Grimwald’. You
have reached an entry-point to the
Underdungeons of Griffondale . . .
Features by Area: 5. Passage to Cellar Level
1. Approach - Light source: none (total concealment)
- Path: Perception DC 10 to notice recent - This passage leads to Encounter 2:
tracks (small & medium humanoid
creatures)
Tactics:
- Stone Double Doors: closed & stuck FB 1&2 – Fire Beetles (MM p.60)
(Strength DC 15 to pry open) - These Fire Beetles are simply hiding,
waiting for the next unsuspecting prey to pass
2. Crypt by (Perception 18 to notice). The Fire
- Light source: 2 bright wall sconces Beetles wait until their pray enters area#4
(torch) before attacking, unless they are attacked
- Sarcophagus: Bears following beforehand. Their movement alerts Fire
inscription ‘Here lies Mortigarn Grimwald’ Beetles 3 & 4 from area#5. They fight
(Perception DC 15 to notice sarcophagus until death.
is fake) FB 3&4 – Fire Beetles (MM p. 60)
- South Wall Sconce: Perception DC 15 - These Fire Beetles begin the encounter out of
to notice sconce can be pulled in sight. Once alerted to pray, they join in
downward motion (which opens secret the attack. They fight until death.
door – sarcophagus and base slide to 2
squares to the right revealing hidden stone
stairs that lead to area#3
3. West Chamber
- Light source: none (total concealment)
- Rubble: difficult terrain
- Body: make elf, various burns and bite
marks (Nature DC 20 to notice bites
appear to have come from small natural
beast)
4. East Chamber
- Light source: none (total concealment)
- Rubble: difficult terrain

Encounter 2: The Cellar Junction
Difficulty: Medium (Level Range 3-4)
Experience Points: 650
Setup:
The winding tunnel out of Grimwald’s Vault
leads your party deeper into the
Underdungeons of Griffondale and soon you
find yourselves in the Cellar levels. With any
luck, Catch, the fugitive Tiefling Heretic will
not have ventured too deep.
Features by Area:
1. Old Basement
Light source: none (total concealment)
Rubble: difficult terrain
Basin: This portion of area#1 is sunk 10’
feet deep. (Athletics DC 20 to climb wall)
Raised Walkway: This walkway is 10’
above the Basin (any creature falling over
the edge takes 1d10 points of damage and
falls prone)
2. Choker Excavation
Light source: none
Rubble: difficult terrain
Crate: contains 1 3rd Level Treasure
Parcel (DMG p.126)
3. Service Tunnel
Wooden Door: unlocked (Perception
DC 25 to notice sounds of someone
humming a tune)
Light source: none (total concealment)
4. Gobsnot’s Junction
Light source: dim candles (concealment)
Wooden Portcullis: closed (Strength
Check DC 23 to force open)
Gogsnot’s Hat: Gobsnot the Impish
Junction-Keeper places a tattered hat in
the center of the chamber for ‘gratuity’ for
those wishing passage.
Hidden Wall Panel: contains manual
controls to ‘unlock’ portcullis (Perception
20 to notice)
Tactics:
OJ – Ochre Jelly (MM p.202)
- Lurking nears stairs. It will attack the first
creature to fully enter area#1
CC 1&2 – Cavern Choker (MM p.42)
- Lurking in corners on raised walkway. The
Cavern Chokers will not immediately
attack, preferring to let the Ochre Jelly
bloody any potential pray before acting.
However, if they are attacked at any
point, they fight back, using their reach to
their advantage.
I – ‘Gobsnot’ the Imp (MM p.63)
- Attending the Cellar Junction. Gobsnot’s
initial attitude is ‘peaceful’ and he requests
‘gratuity’ for working the portcullis (any
amount will do).
- If at any time Gobsnot is attacked or
threatened he will use his ‘Vanish’ ability
and flee.
- Gobsnot knows where Catch is hiding
out and will reveal this (which tunnel to
follow from here) for a small price
(10gp). Alternatively, the adventurers
may attempt to use Diplomacy,
Intimidate or Bluff to garner this info.

Encounter 3: Catch’s Hideout
Difficulty: Medium (Level Range 2-6)
Experience Points: 775
Setup:
After marching through the tunnels and
passages of the Cellar Level for some time you
come to a narrow hall. Could this be the
corridor that brings you to Catch’s lair?
Special: If the adventurers failed to
persuade Gobsnot to reveal which tunnel
leads to Catch’s hideout, all adventurers
lose 1 healing surge due to fatigue.
Features by Area:
1. Flooded Chamber (obstacle: 100xp)
Light source: none (total concealment)
Water squares: Difficult terrain
(Nature/Dungeoneering Check DC 20 to
notice water is Tainted with Blinding
Sickness [DMG p.49])
Crates: Filled with lead
Special: Jumping from crate to crate
requires an Athletics Check DC 10
2. Antechamber
Wooden Door: closed; unlocked
Light source: none (total concealment)
Body: skeletal remains of a dwarf
3. Small Storeroom
Wood Door: closed; locked (Thievery
DC 20 to pick or Strength DC 20 to
break down)
Light source: bright lantern
Stacked crates: cover
4. Main Storeroom (Catch’s Lair)
Light sources: bright lanterns
Stacked crates: cover
Barrel: cover (if standing in same square)
Table: cover
Pentagram: Religion DC 15 to notice
clues of a blood ritual in progress.
Secret Nook: Perception 20 to notice;
Locked chest (Thievery DC 30 to unlock,
Strength DC 30 to break open) contains 2
3rd Level Treasure Parcels (DMG p.107)
5. Secret Escape
Secret Door: Perception 20 to notice
Special: Stairs lead to Cellar Level
Tactics:
GW – Gray Wolf (MM p.264)
Snoozing. Once the Gray Wolf perceives
the adventurers he will bark (alerting
Catch and his henchmen) and attack.
TH – Catch, Tiefling Heretic (MM
p.250)
Completing blood ritual. Once he perceives
the PCs he will direct his underlings to
attack. In 1 round, the blood ritual is
complete, and the pentagram becomes
Blood Rock (DMG p.67)
S – Sheep (no stats)
Scared. The Sheep is anchored by a leather
tether-cord and cannot move from its
square.
HB – Human Bandit (MM p162)
HBS – Human Berserker (MM p.175)
Assisting with blood ritual. Once they
perceive PCs they will await instruction
from Catch, or attack if warranted.
 As Valdi and his staff take Catch into their
Portraying Catch the Tiefling
custody, the gaunt human invites the
Heretic adventurers back into his office.

Catch is a maniacal fiend, a truly

“You have done the Tower of Griffondale a
demented madman who is desperate to
tremendous service in recapturing our
enter into a pact with any evil immortal
missing guest. We have arranged an
humanoid who will have him (although
‘upgrade’ in his level of accommodations so
he would prefer to serve Succubus).
that such an embarrassment will not happen
Insofar, his efforts have proven futile,
again.
mainly because most outsiders have
deemed him unworthy despite his fiendish
And as promised . . . your reward.”
heritage, something his cronies have
already begun to suspect.
Catch has no fear of death, and cackles
Total Experience Point Value:
with mad laughter whenever threatened. 2225
He equates pain with pleasure so when _____________________________
wounded or inflicting wounds, he
This dungeon raid was written and
responds ecstatically. In combat he hurls
designed by A.J. Ferguson (jaspercrey on
derogatory insults and lewd taunts at his
the Wizards boards).
enemies. He will fight until capture or
death. Thanks to the original Dungeon Crafter
Crew for their excellent, free mapping
utility.
Ending the Adventure:
If the characters defeat Catch and his More Underdungeon dungeon raids to
cronies they must find a way to bring the come!
Tiefling Heretic back to the surface and
return him to Istvan Valdi and the Tower
of Griffondale.