DUNGEON DRESSING: BRIDGES M I N O R F E AT U R E S & D R E S S I N G

A bridge normally crosses a river, ravine, chasm, 1. The bridge’s handrails are tall and elaborate, providing
gorge or another obstacle. In a dungeon, a bridge half cover and make falling off the bridge impossible.
could also span a deadly lava ow, glacial lake, pit of 2. High winds buffet the bridge.
spikes, the den of dangerous subterranean creatures or other 3. The bridge is slippery.
outlandish terrain feature. Deep pits (or more perilous falls) 4. A worn wooden sign dangles from the bridge, with the
make bridges dangerous terrain to cross and ght on, word “Danger” burnt into it.
particularly for characters without the ability to y. 5. The muddy footprints of a man-sized humanoid trace a
path across the bridge.
M A J O R F E AT U R E S 6. A sticky residue of tar covers a ve-foot radius on the far
side of the bridge.
7. A profound stench of refuse emanates from beneath the
1. This bridge has been haphazardly constructed from bits
bridge; the chasm serves as a midden for the dungeon’s
of timber left over from other projects. It creaks
denizens.
ominously when used.
8. A single bloody handprint mars the bridge’s rail. The
2. This stone bridge has ornate, rusty iron handrails.
bridge has deep gouges in one support from someone
3. This is a drawbridge. The area around the bridge is
who attempted to bring it down with an axe.
carved to resemble a large face, and the bridge, when
9. The bridge is rough and uneven, coated in calcium
extended, leads characters into the carving’s mouth.
carbonate deposits, making it appear as if a thick glaze
4. This bridge comprises wooden planks laid over a pair of
coats the bridge.
stone arches.
10. A thin layer of bacon fat coats the bridge as a
5. This bridge is constructed from shaped, poured blocks
rudimentary trap; this attracts all manner of vermin and
of concrete.
makes the bridge’s surface slippery.
6. The bones of a massive creature (or several massive
11. Long scratch marks trail along the bridge as if someone
creatures for long spans) comprise the bridge.
dragged something heavy and sharp across.
7. Chains af xed to the ceiling support the bridge. The
12. A stout chest sits at the centre of the bridge, blocking
bridge sways back and forth when crossed.
progress. The chest is a mimic waiting for unsuspecting
8. An arched bridge, rising upwards in the middle,
prey to come closer.
provides those on it with half cover from archers and the
13. Engraved tiles decorated with images of dragons,
like beyond the arch.
griffons and so on cover the bridge.
9. A guardhouse dominates the centre of this roof-covered
14. Lettered tiles cover the oor on the bridge; the letters
bridge.
spell the name of a historical gure, deity or other
10. The bridge is a drawbridge, except both sides rise up
important individual.
and away from the centre.
15. A small statue of a nude elf balances precariously on the
11. The bridge is only two feet wide and has no handrail.
bridge’s parapet.
12. The rickety bridge is little more than a set of wooden
16. A rough path descends from the bridge to a recently
boards attached to chains hanging from the ceiling.
abandoned makeshift camp sheltered under the span.
13. The bridge lacks side walls and handrails, making it
17. A humanoid body hangs from the bridge on a rope.
dangerously easy to fall from.
Several arrows pierce the rotting corpse.
14. This bridge comprises heavy wooden planks arranged in
18. At the far side of the bridge, a chalk “X” decorates the
wide trusses, reinforced with iron bindings.
oor. Stones lie scattered around it.
15. The middle of this stone bridge is a steel grate, strong
19. Part of the bridge’s guardrails has crumbled away.
enough to support travellers.
20. Chalk arrows sketched onto the bridge point in the
16. The body of a monstrously vast, magically preserved
opposite direction to the party’s travel. Green and red
snake serves as the bridge.
bloodstains dot the bridge.
17. This bridge comprises only three ropes: one to walk on
and two for handholds.
18. The bridge is reinforced to carry extra weight; it is wider
and thicker than normal. CREDIT
19. Two statues ank the entrance to this bridge, staring out
at those who approach. Along the span, pairs of statues This is a short system-neutral extract from GM's Miscellany:
reach over the bridge, joining hands above explorers’ Dungeon Dressing. The book is available in 5e, System
heads. Neutral and Path nder 1 editions. The OSR edition will be
20. This bridge is a 2 ft. wide nger of natural rock. available in early 2023.

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