Elemental Chaos
W
elcome to our first foray into homebrew
dungeon creation. We created this for players
like us who enjoy complexity in D&D both in
and out of combat. The last boss in particular
is tremendously more intricate and involved
than any official 5e content. If that sounds like
your cup of tea, then we think you'll enjoy this.
If not, maybe you can remove a few mechanics and run a
more streamlined version. Please feel free to strip the whole
thing for parts to use in your own games.
In our testing, it typically took three sessions of roughly
three hours each to complete the dungeon. Fair warning, we
tried to stick to canon as much as we could, but some aspects
of the story play fast and loose with official lore.
Dungeon Synopsis
Elemental Chaos takes place in the lair of Alius, a wizard
who has gone mad with ambition. Deep underground, he has
been experimenting with pulling more and more powerful
forces from the Elemental Planes. Constantly tearing open
portals to other planes has caused the barriers between them
and the Prime Material Plane to weaken. Stray elementals
have been crossing over and wrecking havoc in nearby towns.
Without intervention, there's no telling how much damage
might be done, how many lives lost. The party must navigate
through Alius's lair quickly as the elementals crossing over
grow more numerous and more violent with each passing
day.
Unbeknownst to anyone, Alius succeeded in his goal of
summoning a creature long thought to be mere legend: a
Chaos Elemental. Upon seeing it, Alius knew he had made a
mistake, but he couldn't dismiss the creature before it
mortally wounded him. Alius now lies dead, unable to banish
the monster he summoned, and it's only a matter of time
before the Chaos Elemental escapes the cage in which Alius
imprisoned it.
Intended Party
This dungeon is intended for a party of four adventurers
around level 6. If your party is equipped with a surplus of
magic items or exceptionally well-coordinated, 5th-level
adventurers will find it a nice challenge. Otherwise, it may be
best to wait until they are higher level. A more casual group of
players should be able to survive the dungeon by level 7.
Running the Dungeon
We strongly recommend that the party have the means of
using battle maps for this dungeon. Whether it be through
the use of a virtual tabletop or a physical board on which you
sketch out the rooms, a visual representation of what's
unfolding will aid the players throughout the dungeon, and it
will be all but required during the final encounter.
Speaking of the final encounter, it's got a lot going on. If a
group runs into it without any information on the mechanics,
they won't stand much chance. It is crucial you feed them
information along the way there. We've built in several places
to do this, so take advantage of them and add more as you
deem necessary. You know your players better than we do.
There are also a decent number of puzzles and situations
that require planning and critical thinking. While proper
execution will obviously make for a smoother run, a party that
bungles a few situations should still be able to manage their
way through. But as said before, you know your players best.
Be prepared to offer additional clues or lessen the penalties
for failure if necessary. A party that attempts to brute force its
way through every encounter and puzzle will likely struggle to
survive.
Many of the monsters used in this dungeon are from
official 5e books. If an official monster is mentioned that
cannot be found in the Monster Manual, its source and page
number are indicated in parentheses. Several homebrew
monsters are also included, and their stat blocks can be
found in Appendix B (starting on page 12).
Maps can be found at the end in Appendix C (pages 21–24).
We have provided a version of each one for the DM with
some helpful reference information and as well as a clean
version for the players. The maps are all 30x30, and full
resolution files are available for download separately.
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Locations in Alius's Lair
1. Entry Area
Your search for the source of the elemental madness affecting
the area seems to near an end. As you continue forward, the
natural floor eventually gives way to crafted stonework. The
hallway ahead has one door before turning to the left. Coming
from around that corner, booming rumbles are accompanied
by flashes of light, which are perceptible despite the area
being well-lit.
See the Lightning Hall description for more information on
the light and sound coming from around the corner.
Once the party travels around the corner at the end of this
hall, you can add the following additional details:
Turning the corner, you see a nondescript door on your right.
Directly ahead, a violent storm rages, yet somehow remains
contained within the area ahead. In the flashes of lightning,
you can see that the junction is a T-intersection, extending
perpendicularly in both directions.
2. Apprentice's Study
The door opens easily, revealing a sparsely decorated room. A
large carpet lies in front of a bookcase on one side and a
burning fireplace on the other. To your right is a desk, its
simple design a stark contrast to the obviously arcane trinkets
and objects resting on it. A circle of runes occupies the floor
in the far corner of the room.
Bookcase. The bookcase contains a variety of scholarly
tomes describing the elemental planes. A character who
succeeds on a DC 10 Intelligence (Arcana) check will
recognize these as basic texts for those in the early stages of
studying the planes. This may be a good time to explain to
your players that elementals generally exist as formless
energy on their home planes, only taking physical form when
summoned and bound by a magic user.
Rug and fireplace. The rug is mundane but exceptionally
well-made. It weighs 15 pounds and can be sold for 100 gp.
Any character who examines the fireplace will notice that it
does not give off smoke. It is enchanted with a continual
flame spell.
Circle. If a character has seen teleportation circles in the
past or succeeds on a DC 10 Intelligence (Arcana) check,
they will know that this is very similar to a teleportation circle
but slightly modified from those in common usage. If a
character rolls 15 or higher, they recognize that this type of
circle would be used for a short-range teleportation network.
The character also senses that something is currently
interfering with the magic of the circle, preventing its use.
When operational, this circle is part of a network
connecting this room to Alius's labratory (Room
12) and the treasure room (Room 18). The Chaos Elemental's
proximity to the treasure room is creating interference in the
network that renders the circles inert.
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Desk. On the desk, the characters find a variety of crystals,
salts, and other components often used for spells. There is
also a gem of brightness (DMG, p. 171), which still has all 50
charges since Osmo was only using it as a light source.
Finally, a character who examines the books on the desk will
realize that one of them is a journal. Upon reading the
journal, the party learns the following information:
The journal was written by someone named Osmo.
He is an apprentice to a wizard that he only refers to as
“Master Alius.” Osmo clearly idolizes his master.
One entry describes “jumping the frog when I should have
just moved the bear” and the embarrassment of requiring
his master’s aid since “only Master Alius can reset them
once they’re stuck, and I didn’t want to fight the creatures.”
Another entry talks about music with “three potential
answers but only one solution.”
Several of the more recent entries express a strong hatred
for “that stupid stick.”
One entry details an arduous process of testing the
properties of dozens of rare salts before finding one that
Master Alius deemed suitable to their needs.
The last entry is dated 22 days ago.
3. Osmo's Bedroom
While most of Osmo's time is spent in his study, this is where
he sleeps. The trunk at the foot of the bed contains clothing
and other necessities, but there is nothing of value. In
contrast to the scholarly texts in his office, the books here are
classic tales of poor children who grow up to become
powerful wizards and warriors.
4. Storage Room
This is a storage room. It is here because every dungeon has
a storage room.
5. Alius's Bedroom
The door to this room is locked, but it can be picked with a
successful DC 15 Dexterity check made with thieves’ tools.
Alternatively, a character who succeeds on a DC 15 Strength
check can break down the door. On the left side of the room
is a standing mirror and a dresser containing simple clothing.
On the right, a set of shelves holds various liquors. Some of
the bottles, possibly from distant lands, are in exotic shapes.
A character who succeeds on a DC 10 Intelligence
(Investigation) check will notice that four of the bottles are
potions of healing rather than liquor. Finally, there is an
immovable rod (DMG, p. 175) stuck in the air near Alius's
bed.
6. Lightning Hall
As you approach the new area, strong winds from the raging
thunderstorm make it a struggle to maintain your footing.
Bolts of lightning provide brief moments of vision in this
otherwise dark hall. The ceiling, much higher than you’ve seen
in the tunnels thus far, is covered by dark storm clouds.
Peering up and down the hallway during one flash, you see two
tall, metal rods.
Have the characters roll initiative before entering the hallway.
The strong, constantly shifting winds complicate movement
in the hallway, which is considered difficult terrain.
Lightning. Lightning strikes on initiative counts 15 and 5,
losing all ties. A character who watches the pattern of strikes
and succeeds on a DC 15 Intelligence check will know this.
Any creature who is not exactly 5 feet away from a lightning
rod when the lightning strikes must make a DC 15 Dexterity
saving throw. A target takes 2d6 lightning damage on a failed
save, or half as much damage on a successful one. If the wind
(see below) has pushed a creature into the same square
occupied by a lightning rod, the damage taken by that
creature is doubled.
Wind. The strong, chaotic winds make it difficult for
creatures to hold a position and impossible for creatures to
fly. At the end of each creature’s turn, they must succeed on a
DC 10 Strength (Athletics) check or be pushed 5 feet in a
random direction and knocked prone. Any creature that takes
measures to anchor itself (such as holding onto the
immovable rod from Alius’s bedroom) makes the check with
advantage. Determine the direction by rolling a d8. Rolling a
1 means the creature is pushed north, 2 means northeast,
etc.
7. Earth Room
The tempest of the hallway stops at the threshold of this new
space. Upon entering, you are immediately subjected to a
strong, earthy scent. On your left appears to be a boreal forest.
A chill wind occasionally blows toward you from the small
collection of trees. In their midst is a line of three frog statues,
all facing the center of the room. On your right, the room is a
humid swampland. Partially submerged in shallow, murky
water are three bear statues, which also face the room’s
center. Between these two regions is a five-foot wide path that
appears unaffected by whatever has caused the two sides of
the room to transform into foreign ecosystems. At the far end
of this bare path is a large tree stump.
Tree stump. A character who inspects the stump and
succeeds on a DC 10 Wisdom (Religion) check knows that it
bears some resemblance to an altar for a nature deity. If the
character rolls 15 or higher, they know that this is an altar for
Silvanus, the god of wild nature.
Statues. A character who succeeds on a DC10 Intelligence
(Nature) check knows that the species of frog most similar to
the frog statues is native to swampy environments and that
the species of bear most similar to the bear statues is native
to northern forests. The statue cannot be moved any
direction except forward (from the statue’s perspective).
Puzzle. The goal is to move all the bear statues to the
forest side and all the frog statues to the swamp side. Each
statue can only move forward in the direction it is facing.
They can only move into whichever space is unoccupied at
the time. They can move forward one space ordinarily or two
spaces by jumping over a statue. You can visit this website for
an interactive version of the puzzle to make sure you
understand.
If the characters successfully complete the puzzle, skip to
the final boxed text for this room. If the characters make a
mistake and end up in an unwinnable configuration, read or
paraphrase the following message to the players:
As the statue settles into its new position, you notice all six
statues appear to be melting. What was once stone quickly
transforms into what appears to be liquid, softly glowing in
hues of earthen green and brown. This fluid gathers together
before splitting once more and solidifying into the form of
several creatures.
The characters are then attacked by a group of enemies
determined by the number of moves they made before getting
stuck.
Moves Encounter Generated
3 2 Xorns
4–7 1 Xorn and 1 Flail Snail (Volo's, p. 144)
8–11 1 Flail Snail and 1 Myconid Sovereign
12+ 6 Twig Blights
Once the creatures have been defeated, read or paraphrase
the following information for your players:
In the center of the room, grass begins to sprout from the
previously bare stone. The scent of blooming flowers strikes
you as the grass spreads, transforming both sides of the room
as it sweeps outward. Before long, both the humid swamp and
frigid forest are gone, leaving a pleasant meadow. Just when it
seems the transformation is complete, the stump begins to
creak and crack as it grows into a squat oak tree. The trunk of
the oak contains a hollowed-out cavity.
Upon closer inspection of the cavity, the party will find a bag
of potassium dichromate (see page 11), a jar of tree sap, and
a +1 weapon of the DM's choice already slathered in sap and
coated with the potassium compound.
8. Air Room
Entering this room offers a respite from the storm raging in
the hallway. Though wind still blows and rain still falls, the
weather is no longer dangerously inclement. Four pillars
extend into the clouds, which obscure the ceiling of the room
from view. On the far side of the room lies a massive stone
block, a simple pan flute resting atop it. Scattered throughout
the room are several stones of varying sizes, all of them
magically hovering in place.
Stones. There are seven floating stones. Each one has a
letter carved into it, and the stones are all different sizes
except for a pair that both bear the letter T. Using the letter
on each stone for identification, the order from smallest to
largest is as follows: A, S, the two Ts, R, H, and E.
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 Pan flute. Each of the letters corresponds to a tube of the
pan flute. The association is based on relative size of the tube
and stone. For example, the letter A corresponds to the
shortest tube of the pan flute since the A stone is the
smallest. A character must play the notes in an order that
uses all seven letters. As a note is played, the corresponding
stone begins to vibrate. Three words can be made:
HATTERS, THREATS, and SHATTER. If one of these words
is spelled, see the next section. If any other sequence of notes
is played, the vibrations cease, and the stones lie dormant
until another attempt is made.
Results. If the pan flute is used to spell HATTERS, a blast
of psychic energy pours from the stones and washes over the
party. Any creature within a 20-foot-radius sphere centered
on the pan flute must make a DC 15 Intelligence saving
throw. A target takes 3d8 psychic damage on a failed save, or
half as much damage on a successful one.
If the pan flute is used to spell THREATS, the vibrating
grows more severe, creating a high-pitched whine that
eventually reaches a frequency outside the range of human
hearing. This agitates two behir pups (see page 12) who had
been resting contentedly above the clouds. They climb down
and immediately attack the party.
If the pan flute is used to spell SHATTER, the large stone
block at the back of the room also starts vibrating. Eventually,
the shaking reaches a crescendo and both the large block and
the hovering stones explode upward. Stone shards are
propelled toward the ceiling with tremendous force, killing
the behir pups if the party has not already done so. The
corpses fall harmlessly to the ground.
Inside the stone. Inside the stone block are cymbals of
tiny thunder (see page 11).
Once the party has retrieved the cymbals, the storm in the
hallway subsides.
9. Teleporter
The teleporter to the next area is hidden behind a solid wall.
Once the party has sprouted the oak in the Earth Room and
cracked the stone block in the air room, the wall hiding the
teleporter will vanish.
The characters will recognize this circle as very similar to
the one in Osmo’s study. This one, however, is glowing and
clearly active. Characters who succeed on a DC 15
Intelligence (Arcana or Investigation) check will notice that a
few runes are different, but the runes have a distinct style to
them that indicates this circle has the same general purpose
and was made by the same person as the previous one.
Stepping into this circle will teleport the characters to the
matching teleporter near the Water and Fire Rooms.
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10. Water Room
Opening the door reveals a room extending above and below
the level of the entrance that is completely filled with water,
and the water is magically prevented from crossing the plane
of the doorway. A dim light emanates from an object inside
the room, but it doesn’t reach the top or bottom of the room,
leaving the exact dimensions unknown. The light reveals the
far wall to contain several crevices of varying sizes, some of
which have objects inside.
Doorway. A magical membrane prevents water from leaving
the room. This means any character who crosses the
threshold will emerge completely dry. Any players who enter
must discard sealed containers of drinking water or unseal
them so the water can remain behind while the players leave.
Casting dispel magic can remove the magical barrier, causing
the water above the level of the doorway to flood into the
hallway and down the slope to the fire room. (See the Fire
Room description for the effects this action will have on that
room.)
Alternatively, a character who can see the bottom and
succeeds on a DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check will notice
what appears to be a bathtub plug at the bottom of the room.
The DC decreases to 10 if the character swims down
beneath the level of the doorway and to 5 if the character
swims at least 21 feet down. Pulling the plug does not reveal
an actual drain at the bottom, but it does dispel the barrier in
the doorway. Players in the room and below the level of the
hallway floor are not affected by this. Players in the hallway
or in the room and above that level must succeed on a DC 15
Strength (Athletics) check to avoid being washed into the fire
room. Any characters who stood in the portal alcove or took
measures to anchor themselves prior to the flooding make
this check with advantage.
Interior. The room is 80 feet tall, extending 50 feet below
the level of the hallway floor and 30 feet above. Characters
with darkvision can see this without issue, but characters
without the ability to see in darkness cannot discern the
dimensions of the room without illuminating it. Any character
who enters the room can immediately know that the pressure
is greater than would naturally occur at these depths. It is
uncomfortable (but not damaging) at the entry level, and the
discomfort is alleviated by swimming up. If a character swims
below the entry level, they will take bludgeoning damage each
round according to the following table:
Depth Damage
1–20 feet 1d4
21–40 feet 2d4
41–50 feet 3d4
Light source. The light in the room comes from a small
stone with continual flame cast upon it, but the water is
reducing its effectiveness to only provide dim light in a 20-
foot radius. Any character who enters the room and examines
the stone closely can see that a thin string is wrapped around
the stone. This string is connected to the ceiling of the room,
preventing the stone from sinking.
Treasure. Any character who looks around the water above
the entryway sees a frigid wand (see page 12) floating at the
top of the room. If the players dispel the doorway barrier, the
wand will be washed into the hallway, and the characters
notice it once the commotion is over. At the bottom of the
room is a traditional, brass genie’s lamp. A character who can
see the bottom and swims down more than 20 feet
automatically notices the lamp. A water weird is guarding
the lamp and will attack any character who approaches.
Finally, a successful DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check
allows a character who closely examines the crevices to
notice a small statue of incredible detail depicting a scholarly
woman reading a scroll. It is tucked in a crevice 30 feet below
the doorway. A character who makes a successful DC 10
Intelligence (Arcana) or Wisdom (Religion) check knows that
this is a relic of Oghma, the god of knowledge. A character
who rolls 15 or higher on the check also knows this statue is
a magical item that will allow the holder to ask Oghma a
question in the same manner described in the commune
spell. A total of three questions can be asked before the statue
is exhausted and becomes a mundane piece of art worth 100
gp.
Genie. Once the lamp has been removed from the room, a
marid named Hadish emerges and greets the holder of the
lamp as his master. He explains that he was cursed long ago
to grant a single wish to whoever finds the lamp. The lamp is
then banished to a new remote location, trapping him inside
until someone finds it. The only way to break the cycle is for
someone to wish for his freedom. This story is all a lie. The
truth is that Hadish was assisting Alius in his research,
curious as to where it might lead. The story is simply a test to
see if the party will put his needs above their own. A
character can know that he is lying by succeeding on a DC 20
Wisdom (Insight) check. Alternatively, a character could know
that tales of genies being bound to lamps and granting
wishes to those who find them is the stuff of children’s tales
and not reality by succeeding on a DC 15 Intelligence
(Arcana or History) check.
If the party expresses disbelief, Hadish will act offended
and insist on his tale’s authenticity. If the party presses the
issue, he will tell the party they are no fun at all, summon a
water elemental to attack them, and plane shift away. On the
other hand, if Hadish’s “master” wishes for Hadish’s freedom,
the genie will explain the ruse and offer the party a decanter
of endless water (DMG, p. 161) in appreciation of their
selflessness. If at any time Hadish learns the party killed
Osmo (see Fire Room), he will attack the party. He may do so
immediately, or he may find an excuse to first summon a
water elemental to fight with him. Either way, he will plane
shift away when he is brought to half of his maximum hit
points or his elemental is destroyed, whichever happens first.
11. Fire Room
If the room has not been flooded (see water room):
Scorching heat radiates from the room. Approaching the
doorway, you can easily discern that entering the room would
be harmful. Looking inside, you can see a pathway that
separates pools of lava. On the right side of the room is a large
cage with a motionless water genasi slumped against one side.
On the left is a stone altar with a staff resting on top.
Characters take 1d6 fire damage for each round spent inside
the room. If any character interacts with the staff or the cage,
four fire snakes emerge from the lava, one from each corner
of the room. If the characters flee without damaging or
otherwise attacking the fire snakes, the fire snakes do not
pursue them outside the room, preferring to return to the
lava. If a character does damage or otherwise attack one of
the fire snakes, they will all fight to the death, even if that
means leaving the room.
Any character inside the room who succeeds on a DC 20
Wisdom (Perception) check will notice that the heat seems to
radiate from all directions except from the lava directly
opposite the doorway. See the hidden passage section below
for more information.
If the room has been flooded:
Looking inside the room, you see a path that separates almost
entirely black slabs of cooled and hardened lava. One portion
of the lava directly opposite the doorway appears unaffected
by the flooding. Though an uncomfortable warmth still
emanates from the room, you feel confident you can enter
without suffering harm. On the right side of the room is a
large cage with a motionless water genasi slumped against one
side. On the left is a stone altar with a staff resting on top.
The fire snakes are trapped beneath the top layer of cooled
lava and cannot escape. Characters can stand in the room
without taking damage. Any character who approaches what
appears to be the one remaining section of lava will notice
that it gives off no heat. See the hidden passage section
below for more information.
Genasi. The water genasi is Osmo, apprentice of Master
Alius. He is unconscious but alive. If the room has not been
flooded, he cannot be awakened without first removing him
from the room. Once the room has been flooded or he has
been removed, he can be awakened from unconsciousness by
any normal means. In addition, a character who succeeds on
a DC 10 Wisdom (Medicine) check will know that
submerging him in water will also awaken him.
Staff. The staff is a sentient magic item named Sticolas
(see page 12). Sticolas is aware of his surroundings as if he
possessed normal sight and hearing. He can manipulate his
wooden fibers to give himself a tiny face and even splinter
himself to create arms and legs. He can speak normally, and
he knows Common, Draconic, Primordial, and Elvish.
At the first convenient opportunity, Sticolas will inform the
group that he has been working with Alius for several weeks,
assisting in the research and planning for summoning the
Chaos Elemental. In addition to his magical power as a staff,
he has some knowledge of what still awaits the party in the
dungeon. However, he is prideful and refuses to help the
party unless they prove they value him. He will offer his
assistance if the party destroys one of their other magic
items, proving they want Sticolas more than the other item.
If the party seems hesitant, he will offer an alternative. He
will help the group if they agree to leave Osmo locked in his
cage. He says the genasi is an imbecile and would only get in
the way if allowed to join the group anyway.
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 Background Information
Osmo was the wizard’s apprentice, helping with
much of the grunt work and manual labor involved
in the research and summoning. Once it became
clear that a water genasi’s blood was an essential
component in the ritual, Alius locked Osmo in this
cage to prevent his escape. He did this without
speaking with Osmo, who would have gladly given
up his blood to please his master. Despite the
rough treatment and imprisonment, Osmo is still
blindly loyal to his master and will vehemently
defend him from any criticism.
Additionally, Sticolas and Osmo loathe one
another. The staff thinks Osmo is insufferably
incompetent, and Osmo is jealous of Sticolas
because Alius gave Osmo less attention after the
staff was acquired. The two bicker constantly and
frequently suggest the party abandon the other.
Hidden passage. The space directly opposite the doorway is
actually an opening covered by illusory lava. The illusion can
be dispelled, or a character can simply feel the ground to find
the rungs of a ladder leading down. The hidden passage
leads to Alius’s Laboratory. Several drainage grates cover the
floor of the passage, providing an escape for the water that
flooded the room.
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12. Alius's Labratory
You enter a room that is unmistakably a wizard’s laboratory.
The air is permeated by the acrid scent of chemicals to the
extent you can almost taste it. On the right-hand wall, you see
a fireplace with bookcases on either side. A third bookcase
stands in the far corner. In front of the fireplace is a writing
desk with several loose papers and notebooks. Three
worktables in the center of the room bear a wide variety of
objects, both mundane and arcane. The northwest corner
contains a circle of runes, and a a set of wooden doors, each
with a barred window, blocks an exit on the north wall.
Once the characters enter the room, the nothic in the next
room (see Dark Room description for more details) will look
through the bars of the gate and begin using its Weird Insight
ability to try to gain information about the characters.
If Osmo is with the party, he will appear visibly anxious as
he was never allowed into his master's private lab or any of
the areas beyond.
Writing desk. The party can find technical research notes
and casual journal entries, all written by Alius. The writings
contain the following information:
“I anticipated the portals would impact the immediate
vicinity, but I find it interesting that each one seems to
provide effects that could be considered both helpful and
harmful.”
 Several journal entries describe the miserable time Alius
had trying to locate a vampire spawn whose master had
died. Despite that, he still felt it was better than angering a
true vampire.
“Sometimes I think I did too good of a job creating the
maze. It takes a keen sense of direction to maintain your
orientation in there, and even I struggle with it some
days.”
One of the most recent entries talks about a plan to
separate an angel from its “companion.” Alius felt it was
the most dangerous resource to acquire, so he saved it
until completion was near, fearing that the angel would
soon track him down despite his precautions.
“Adjusting the light portal is most annoying. Working
while blinded is hardly ideal. I wish I could have left Osmo
free to handle such irritating tasks, but I could not trust
him to understand my goal once work began on the final
two elements. I would have simply dismissed him, but his
blood proved essential for stabilizing the water portal.”
Bookcases. The bookcases contain a number of rare
tomes. Any character who succeeds on a DC 15 Intelligence
(Arcana) check can identify these books, which weigh a total
of 150 pounds and are worth a total of 3000 gp. Additionally,
any character who rolls a 25 or higher on the check can
identify that a seemingly ordinary book of exercises and
dietary advice is actually a manual of bodily health (DMG, p.
180).
Circle. If a character has seen teleportation circles in the
past or succeeds on a DC 10 Intelligence (Arcana) check,
they will know that this is very similar to a teleportation circle
but slightly modified from those in common usage. If a
character rolls 15 or higher, they recognize that this type of
circle would be used for a short-range teleportation network.
The character also senses that something is currently
interfering with the magic of the circle, preventing its use.
Alternatively, if the party already encountered the circle in
the Osmo’s Study, they will recognize that this is extremely
similar. They can infer that any of the above information they
gleaned from the first circle applies to this one as well.
Worktables. Anyone who inspects the tables will notice
one potion of healing and one greater potion of healing.
Additionally, a character who succeeds on a DC 10
Intelligence (Investigation) check will notice a rope of
climbing (DMG, p. 197) and a potion of growth (DMG, p.
187). If the character rolls a 15 or higher on the check, they
also find a ring of resistance (necrotic) (DMG, p. 192).
Gate. The gate on the north wall is unlocked and swings
into the laboratory.
13. Dark Room
Looking into the next room, you see nothing but pure
darkness. It appears to be a threshold that no light can pass.
The room is under the effects of both magical darkness. Light
cannot cross the doorway in either direction. The walls are
rough, uneven stone, and nooks in which small creatures
could lurk are prevalent. In addition, the ground is covered in
rubble and detritus that can cause characters to stumble as
they navigate the room without the aid of sight. A creature
moving around the room while unable to see must succeed
on a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw or fall prone. A creature
moving through the room at half speed doesn’t need to make
the save, and a creature that takes the dash action has the DC
raised to 15. At the end of each arm of the T-intersection is a
pedestal with a crystal orb on top. The doors directly at the
intersection are magically locked.
Pedestals and orbs. A character who feels a pedestal and
orb and succeeds on DC 10 Wisdom (Perception) check will
notice runes carved into them. The runes do not match. On
the left side of the room, the pedestal’s runes mean “Death”
and the orb’s runes mean “Despair.” On the right side of the
room, the pedestal’s runes mean “Despair” and the orb’s
runes mean “Death.” The language of the runes is Primordial.
A creature that has felt the runes on the objects on both sides
of the room and succeeds on a DC 10 Intelligence
(Investigation) check will recognize that the runes on the orbs
match the runes on the opposite pedestals. If the creature
speaks Primordial, it makes the check with advantage. As
long as the orbs are on a pedestal, they are harmless. If an
orb is removed, it will begin to afflict the person holding it.
Each round that a creature is holding the Death orb, the
creature must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. The
creature takes 2d8 necrotic damage on a failed save, or half
as much on a successful one. If the creature fails the save by
5 or more, the creature also suffers one level of exhaustion.
Each round that a creature is holding the Despair orb, the
creature must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw. The
creature takes 2d8 psychic damage on a failed save, or half as
much on a successful one. If the creature fails the save by 5
or more, the creature is frightened of the orb. While
frightened by this effect, a creature must take the Dash action
and move away from the orb by the safest available route on
each of its turns, unless there is nowhere to move. The
creature can make a new Wisdom saving throw at the end of
each of its turns. On a successful save, the effect ends for that
creature.
To advance, the party must place each orb on the pedestal
with the corresponding rune. See the Successfully Solved
section below for the results.
Nothic. A nothic lurks in the room, hiding in the rubble or
crevices in the walls. Any creature that can see in the room
can attempt to spot the nothic by making a Wisdom
(Perception) check contested by the nothic’s Dexterity
(Stealth) check. The nothic does not attack the characters,
preferring to remain safe and taunt the party, but it will
defend itself. It can communicate with the party without
revealing its location by using its Helm of Telepathy, a gift
from the wizard in exchange for the nothic’s cooperation in
researching magical darkness.
7
 Successfully solved. Once the orbs have been placed on
their corresponding pedestals, the magical darkness in the
room is dispelled, and a new pedestal rises from the floor at
the junction of the room’s sections. An audible click can be
heard from the nearby doors as they are unlocked. Once the
doors are unlocked, a vampire spawn bursts forth and
attacks the first character it sees. Once the vampire spawn
has been subdued or killed, a character examining it that
succeeds on a DC 15 Intelligence (Investigation) check will
notice that three of its fangs are missing and several scars
line its wrists.
New pedestal. The new pedestal has a basin on top. In
addition, there is a small statue of a robed figure standing at
the rim of the basin. The statue’s arms are extended over the
center of the basin, hands in a cupping formation. The basin
must be filled with vampire blood and a vampire fang must
be placed in the statue’s hands.
If the characters attempt to place anything other than
vampire blood in the basin, it slides to the side as if the basin
is covered by an invisible barrier. If the characters attempt to
place anything other than the vampire fang in the statue’s
hands, it falls through the hands as if the statue is an illusion.
The nothic can offer to explain the function of the pedestal
if the party is struggling to figure it out. He will assist in
exchange for a magical item or something else of comparable
value.
If the basin is filled with vampire blood and a vampire
tooth is placed in the statue’s hands, the blood congeals and
forms a long cylinder, rising from the center of the basin. The
tooth is absorbed into the center of the cylinder, which
hardens and darkens until it appears to be a shaft of smooth
ebony. The item is a foul wand (see page 12).
14. Mirror Maze
Opening the double doors, you suffer a moment of
disorientation as your mind accustoms itself to the confusing
sight ahead. The way forward seems to be split, forcing you to
choose left or right. Both paths are dimly lit and lined with
mirrors that make it difficult to tell how far you can move
without hitting a dead end.
The players’ version of the map only shows the initial
partition. The disorienting effect of the mirrors plays tricks
with the characters' perception, preventing them from
accurately assessing the environment beyond their
immediate surroundings. You should draw in the walls of the
maze as they navigate through it, revealing only the walls (or
lack thereof) around a character's current position.
Mechanics. The party must select a person or persons to
make a total of 4 Wisdom (Survival) checks. After each one,
the party can move that many spaces through the maze. As
they move, only sketch out the walls immediately
surrounding the characters. If the party takes the left path
first, they will inevitably hit a dead end and be forced back out
of the maze before they can take the right path. When this
happens, it acts as a reset. Any remaining moves from the
current roll are lost, the number of checks required is reset to
4, and the shadow clones retreat back into the depths of the
mirrors.
8
Shadow clones. After the first movement is complete, the
characters begin to notice shadowy figures in the mirrors.
One figure appears for each character in the maze. At first,
the figures are so formless as to barely be considered
humanoid in shape. After the second check, the figures are
distinctly humanoid, and each character in the maze has a
corresponding shadow that is roughly the same size. After
the third check, the shadows are obviously colorless replicas
of the characters in the maze. One character might notice the
outline of her shadow’s weapon is an obvious match for their
own. Others might see their shadows have the same
hairstyles that they favor.
If the party has not escaped the maze after the final check's
movement, the shadow clones (see pages 18–19) burst forth
from the mirrors and attack. The statistics and special ability
of a shadow clone are determined by the class of the
character it mirrored. For characters who have multiclassed,
use the highest-level class. In the event of a tie, use the
highest-level class in which the character most recently
gained a level. Before rolling initiative, each creature (other
than the shadow clones) must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving
throw. On a failed save, the target takes 3d6 slashing damage,
or half as much on a successful one. When this happens, all
the interior walls in the room are destroyed, leaving a
completely open space for the imminent combat.
If the party attempts to rest after this combat, the deva,
who is in the form of an old woman, will call out to them from
the next room, asking them to step inside.
15. Light Room
The room ahead is filled with light much brighter than the
torches on the wall would account for. After your eyes adjust,
you see a hunched, old woman with a blank expression
standing in front of a door at the back of the room. Wrapped
around her shoulders is a white cat, apparently asleep. On the
left side of the room, you see an empty cage. As soon as you
enter the room, the old woman greets you: “Hello, young
ones. You’ve overcome great adversity to make it this far. Tell
me—why persist? What motivates you to press on?”
Cage. Characters who examine the cage more closely will
notice feathers on the floor. A character who succeeds on a
DC 10 Intelligence (Arcana or Nature) check will recognize
them as couatl feathers. The character knows that couatls
are lawful good beings possessing tremendous wisdom and
intelligence. If the character rolls 15 or higher, the character
also knows that couatls can polymorph at will.
"Woman" and "cat." The woman is actually a deva, and
the cat is a couatl. If a character attacks or otherwise shows
genuine violent intent toward either the deva or couatl, they
both immediately teleport away, leaving the characters
without aid or advice of any kind. They both wait patiently if
the party does not immediately answer the deva’s questions,
but neither will respond to any questions or allow anyone to
pass until all characters have responded. If Osmo is with the
party, he says he fears for his master. The deva and couatl will
judge and aid the party based on their answers according to
the following table:
 Type of
Response Example
Selfless "I cannot allow this The couatl and deva combine their healing powers, granting the party the benefits of a
dangerous creature to
escape and hurt
innocent people."
Selfish "I seek the treasure and Only the couatl heals the group, healing each character for half of their total hit points.
glory that come from Each character can also recover spell slots with a combined level equal to or less than
destroying such a that character's level. Finally, the party gains the benefit of a short rest except for the
powerful foe."
Malevolent "I wish to harness the Neither the deva nor the couatl heals the party.
creature's power to
crush those who
oppose me."
After all characters have responded, the deva and couatl will
reveal their true forms. A character who succeeds on a DC 15
Intelligence (Arcana) check will recognize the deva’s helmet
as a Helm of Teleportation. Once their disguises have been
dropped, the deva and couatl act based on the most common
type of response. In the event of a tie between Selfless and
Selfish, use the Selfless response. In the event of a tie
between Selfish and Malevolent, use the Selfish response. In
the event of a tie between Selfless and Malevolent, use the
Selfish response.
For a Selfless or Selfish group. The couatl will gift the
party member it deems most worthy a couatl tail feather (see
page 11) and explain that this can be used to deal a small
amount of radiant damage to a creature. Additionally, the
couatl is willing to offer some advice for the fight to come.
You should decide on an appropriate clue or clues that you
feel would be helpful for your group of players. Finally, the
deva urges the characters to continue onward. She explains
that she has been using her energy to keep the creature at
bay, but her strength will soon falter.
For a Malevolent group. The couatl and deva refuse to aid
the party and prepare to depart. Instead of respectfully gifting
a tail feather, the couatl will flick its tail at the party member
it deems most malevolent. The player is struck by the feather
and takes 1 point of radiant damage. The deva informs the
group that she hopes the party can distract the creature long
enough that she can return with proper assistance. Now that
she is leaving and no longer using her energy to hold the
creature at bay, it will soon escape its confines. The pair then
teleport away.
Aid Provided
long rest.
ability to roll hit dice.
Background Information
The couatl and deva have been companions for
centuries, but the wizard was able to create a
distraction that separated them briefly. In the
confusion, he captured the couatl to further his
research and escaped. The deva had been
searching tirelessly since then for her friend, but
the wizard maintained a spell that prevented
anyone finding the couatl by magical means. Once
the wizard died, the deva rushed to rescue her
friend. Upon arrival, she realized that, without
intervention, the Chaos Elemental would soon
escape. Sensing the power and nature of the
creature, she dared not engage the elemental
directly, fearing that its chaotic nature could
corrupt her soul. Instead, she began using her own
energy to maintain the restraints on the creature,
hoping additional aid would arrive soon.
16. Final Hallway
Turning around the first corner of the hallway beyond, you see
a figure lying in a pool of blood, hardly a scrap remains of what
appear to have once been fine robes. Your eyes are pulled to a
glyph, drawn on the floor in blood, that flares to life as you
approach. The magic of the glyph flows into the corpse on the
ground, which slowly pushes itself into a sitting position. “I
imagine you have many questions,” it says, “but time is
limited. Ask quickly. My creation will not remain trapped for
long.”
Master Alius. Alius managed to summon the Chaos
Elemental, the climax of years of research. He was confident
he could control the creature, but he underestimated its
power. It managed to land a fatal blow just as Alius finished
sealing it away. He tried to crawl back to the couatl for
healing. However, he realized he wouldn’t make it and scribed
a glyph that would cast speak with dead on his own corpse
whenever a mortal came near. He can answer up to five
questions, which he will do in full without any of the
evasiveness or ambiguity normally associated with the spell.
Alius can answer any questions about the territorial effects in
the next room, the Chaos Elemental’s forms, or any part of
the dungeon.
9
 Once the five questions have been asked or ten minutes have
passed, Alius’s spirit fades. Before fully parting, he apologizes
to Osmo if the genasi is present, asking his apprentice to
forgive his reckless ambition. Osmo begins to weep, holding
his master's gruesome corpse. Inconsolable, Osmo does not
go with the party into the next room.
17. Summoning Room
Four stone pillars support the ceiling of this massive chamber.
You see three distinct areas on each side of the room, each
one showing signs of influence from an element. Every
elemental area also contains what appears to be a portal,
crackling with energy. Though no creatures are coming
through at the moment, the portals are clearly primed and on
the verge of activation.
In the center of the room, a circle of runes contains an
elemental creature unlike any you’ve previously seen or heard
of. The creature thrashes within its confines, a magical cage
that gives off sparks whenever the elemental strikes against it.
Each successive blow creates a greater and greater indentation
in the barrier, and the mystical prison obviously cannot hold
for much longer. The creature appears to be made of several
different types of energy, but one always seems to have
prominence at a given moment. You notice that the area in the
center of the room changes to match the most prominent
element of the creature.
Portals. A weakened elemental is produced at the end of
each even-numbered round after the Chaos Elemental
escapes its imprisonment. The type is determined by the
Chaos Elemental’s current form, and the weakened
elemental comes from the corresponding portal. Elementals
are not affected by the territorial effects of their own
elements. A weakened elemental has only 40 hit points, but it
is otherwise identical to the elementals found in the Monster
Manual. For the weakened dark and light elementals, see
their stat blocks on pages 19–20. These elementals are rolled
into initiative and are hostile to the party as long as the Chaos
Elemental lives.
Territorial Effects. The elemental areas of the room each
produce different effects.
Water (SW corner). The serenity of water refreshes
creatures in this area, which is slightly depressed from the
rest of the room to contain a shallow pool. A creature in
this area can expend up to half of its maximum hit dice at
the end of its turn. It heals from these hit dice as if they
were used during a short rest. Additionally, creatures in
this area feel connected to their allies. If a creature ends
its turn in this area and takes damage before its next turn,
all allied creatures in the room (not just the pool) take half
that amount as psychic damage.
Light (W side). Cleansing light flares up and washes over
creatures that enter this area. A creature that ends its turn
in this area is cleansed of all temporary effects and
conditions, both beneficial and detrimental. Additionally, if
the creature relies on sight, it is blinded until the end of its
next turn.
10
Air (NW corner). Small bolts of lightning occasionally
strike upward from the ground, which is covered in a thin
layer of swirling mist. A creature that begins its turn in
this area must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw. The
creature takes 1d12 lightning damage on a failed save, or
half as much on a successful one. Additionally, the
swirling mist infuses the creature, granting them greater
alacrity. The creature gains an additional action on a turn
it begins in the area. That action can be used only to take
the Attack (one weapon attack only), Cast a Spell (cantrip
only), Dash, Disengage, Hide, or Use an Object action.
Fire (NE corner). Cracks in the flooring show thin veins
of liquid fire running across the ground here. Creatures
standing in this area feel unnaturally aggressive, causing
them to focus on offense at the expense of defense. Any
creature in this area has advantage on its attack rolls. If a
creature enters this area or makes an attack while in this
area, attack rolls against that creature have advantage
until that creature’s next turn.
Dark (E side). Swirling clouds of darkness drift along the
floor of this area. When a creature enters this area,
several of the clouds gather around the creature and
swallow it in magical darkness. The clouds approximate a
10-foot-radius sphere centered on the creature, but
constant motion prevents the formation of a static shape.
A creature with darkvision can’t see through this
darkness, and nonmagical light can’t illuminate it. If an
area of light created by a spell of 2nd level or lower
overlaps with this area, the light is smothered by the
darkness.
Earth (SE corner). The floor of this area is covered in
vines and roots. The stability and endurance of the earth
suffuse a creature that ends its turn in this area, granting
it a +4 bonus to AC until the end of the creature’s next
turn. However, holding still allows the vines and roots to
twist around your legs. A creature that ends its turn in this
area must make a DC 13 Strength saving throw. On a
failure, the creature’s speed becomes 0, it can’t benefit
from any bonus to its speed, and it has disadvantage of
Dexterity saving throws. The creature can repeat the
saving throw at the end of successive turns. Alternatively,
the creature can use its action to make a DC 13 Strength
check to break free.
Center. The center 6x6 area of the room will take on the
territorial effect that matches the Chaos Elemental's
current Elemental Form (see description on page 13).
Running the Fight (cont. on p. 11)
The Chaos Elemental is extremely complex by the
normal standards of 5e. Make sure to read the stat
block before you attempt to run this fight at the
table. Here are a few tips and reminders of things
we often forgot in our early test runs.
You can choose a starting Elemental Form for
the creature or roll a d6 to pick randomly.
 Running the Fight (cont.)
Don't forget to track the locations of corpses.
You'll need to know them if the fire lair action is
used.
Take advantage of the monster's versatility.
Shifting Elemental Forms to adjust to new
situations is important.
You can run the encounter as if the creature
naturally understands the effects that the
various territories have on the characters or as
if it must learn them as the fight progresses.
Both are valid and fully endorsed by the
creators.
Elemental Escape and Chaotic Transposition are
potent tools to get some breathing room if the
creature is being overwhelmed. Staying at a
distance, lobbing Mephit Missiles, and buying
time for more elementals to enter through the
portals can be a good tactic, especially against a
melee-heavy party.
You'll need to keep track of how many rounds
have passed to know when the weakened
elementals spawn.
18. Treasure Room
If a character enters the room before the Chaos Elemental is
defeated, take them to Room 18a. If the Chaos Elemental has
been dealt with, take them to 18b.
Upon entering this room, you notice a chest immediately to
your left. In the opposite corner is a circle like those
encountered earlier. There is also desk which appears to have
some scrolls books, trinkets, and other arcane miscellany
scattered across it.
If the party is in Room 18a, the circle in the corner is dark
and dormant like those seen before. If in Room 18a, the
teleportation network is active once again now that the Chaos
Elemental is no longer present. The party can use it to travel
to the other circles in the network.
Desk. The scrolls are nonmagical, but the party can find
spell components worth a total of 100 gp on the desk.
Chest. The chest is locked, but with a successful DC 15
Dexterity check, a character can use thieves' tools to pick the
lock. And if they don't have thieves' tools, just give them the
loot anyway. They deserve it after that last fight. Inside is a
heart of chaos (description in Appendix A below).
Appendix A: Magic Items
Only the magic items created by the authors are listed here.
For full descriptions of official magic items that adventurers
can find in the dungeon, see their respective source books.
Bag of Potassium Dichromate
Trade good
This bag contains enough salt to coat one weapon or twenty
pieces of ammunition. Some sort of adhesive agent, such as
the tree sap found with the bag, is required to make it stick.
Any weapon or ammunition treated in this way can be used to
destroy pure air mephits (see page 15) during the Chaos
Elemental encounter. This process of treating a weapon or
pieces of ammunition takes 10 minutes.
Heart of Chaos
Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement by a spellcaster)
The heart of chaos is a small sphere of unknown material. Its
color constantly shifts as the forces trapped inside constantly
war for prominence.
While you are holding this object, you gain a +1 bonus to
spell attack rolls. You also ignore half cover when making a
spell attack. Additionally, when you cast a spell, you can
choose to make it do a random type of damage. When you do
this, you must roll and d10, and the damage type will be as
follows:
Roll Damage Type
1 Acid
2 Cold
3 Fire
4 Force
5 Lightning
6 Necrotic
7 Poison
8 Psychic
9 Radiant
10 Thunder
You can randomize the damage type in this way a number
of times equal to your proficiency modifier. This will reset
upon completion of a long rest.
Couatl Tail Feather
Wondrous item, uncommon
This tail feather can be held like a wand. While holding it, you
can use an action to activate it, dealing 1 radiant damage to a
creature you can see within 90 feet.
Cymbals of Tiny Thunder
Wondrous item, uncommon
These cymbals can strap onto your fingers. As an action, you
can clap them together, causing a crash of sound completely
disproportionate to the size of the item. This deals 1 point of
thunder damage to all creatures in a 15-foot cone.
11
 Foul Wand
Wondrous item, uncommon
While holding this wand, you can use an action to activate it,
dealing 1 necrotic damage to a creature you can see within
90 feet.
Frigid Wand
Wondrous item, uncommon
While holding this wand, you can use an action to activate it,
dealing 1 cold damage to a creature you can see within 90
feet.
Sticolas
Staff, legendary if you ask him (requires attunement by one
who has shown him the proper respect)
Centuries ago, a great wizard found it amusing to create for
himself a walking stick that was, literally, a stick that could
walk. Sticolas was also granted sentience in addition to
locomotion, though the wizard never said whether that was
by intent or happenstance. Loyal to his creator until the
wizard's death, Sticolas learned a great deal about arcane
matters. As such, he has a considerable ego that must be
appeased by any hoping to gain his assistance.
Once attuned to Sticolas, you can use an action to shoot a
small bit of flame from his head, dealing 1 point of fire
damage to a creature you can see within 90 feet. You do not
need to be wielding him to do this. Sticolas could, of course,
do much more damage, but the fire really burns when it
comes out, so you'll take your 1 damage and be grateful for
that.
Additionally, if Sticolas is currently pleased with you, he
may assist you by sharing knowledge. He can make
Intelligence (Arcana) checks with a +10 modifier.
12
Appendix B: Creatures
Only the creatures created by the authors are listed here. For
full descriptions of official creatures that adventurers can find
in the dungeon, see their respective source books.
Behir Pup
Large monstrosity, Neutral Evil
Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 52(7d10 + 14)
Speed 50 ft., climb 40 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
17 (+3) 12 (+1) 15 (+2) 10 (+0) 11 (+0) 15 (+2)
Skills Perception +2, Stealth +3
Damage Immunities Lightning
Senses Darkvision 90 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Draconic
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Actions
Multiattack. The behir pup makes two attacks: one
with its bite and one to constrict.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5ft.,
one target. Hit 8 (1d10 + 3) piercing damage.
Constrict. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach
5ft., one large or smaller creature. Hit 8 (1d10 + 3)
bludgeoning damage. The target is grappled
(escape DC 13) if the behir pup isn't already
constricting a creature, and the target is restrained
until this grapple ends.
Lightning Breath (Recharge 6). The behir pup exhales
a line of lightning that is 20 ft. long and 5 ft. wide.
Each creature in that line must make a DC 13
Dexterity saving throw, taking 16 (3d10) lightning
damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on
a successful one.
Chaos Elemental (cont. Current
Form
Mephit
Spawned
Damage to Prevent
Spawn
on p. 14) Air Pure Air Salted Weapon
Huge elemental, chaotic evil
Dark Pure Dark Radiant
Armor Class 15 (natural armor) Earth Pure Earth Thunder
Hit Points 230(20d10 + 120)
Speed 0 ft., 40 ft. fly (hover) Fire Pure Fire Cold
Light Pure Light Necrotic
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA Water Pure Water Fire
13 (+1) 18 (+4) 20 (+5) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 15 (+2)
If a mephit is spawned, it is then added to the
initiative list at 5 less than the turn on which the
Saving Throws Wis +5, Cha +6 mephit spawned.
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities exhaustion, grappled, paralyzed, Territorial Immunity. The Chaos Elemental is unaffected
petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained, unconscious by any of the territorial effects in the room.
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Primordial Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the Chaos Elemental
Challenge 10 (5900 XP) fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead.

Elemental Form. The Chaos Elemental can alter its form

to highlight the powers of one element. The Elemental
Form determines which lair action occurs, as well as
granting the following benefits:
Air Form. The Chaos Elemental's movement speed is
increased by 10 ft and can make 1 additional strike
attack on its turn. It also gains immunity to thunder
damage.
Dark Form. The Chaos Elemental gains blindsight to a
distance of 120 feet. It also gains immunity to
necrotic damage.
Earth Form. The Chaos Elemental gains a +2 bonus to
AC. It also gains immunity to damage from salted
weapons.
Fire Form. A creature that touches the Chaos
Elemental or hits it with a melee attack while within
5 feet of it takes 5 (1d10) fire damage. The Chaos
Elemental also gains immunity to fire damage.
Light Form. The Chaos Elemental gains truesight to a
distance of 120 feet. It also gains immunity to
radiant damage.
Water Form. The Chaos Elemental's movement does
not provoke opportunity attacks. In addition, it can
move through other creatures and objects, but it
cannot willingly end its turn in a space occupied by
another creature or object. It also gains immunity to
cold damage.
Elemental Fragmentation. When the Chaos Elemental
takes at least 10 damage during a turn, a mephit will
spawn in an unoccupied space within 10 feet of the
Chaos Elemental. Every 5 additional damage taken will
spawn another mephit. Up to 3 mephits can be
spawned by this ability on each turn. Each mephit's
type is based on the Chaos Elemental's current
Elemental Form. A mephit will not spawn if the
triggering damage or any of the damage previously
taken during that turn is of the appropriate damage
type (see table) to prevent the spawn.
Reactions
Elemental Escape. When the Chaos Elemental takes
takes 10 or more damage on a single turn, it can use its
reaction to teleport to any space with a territory type
matching its current Elemental Form.
Actions
Multiattack. The Chaos Elemental attacks twice with its
strike attack. It can substitute a use of its Chaotic
Transposition for one of these attacks.
Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft.,
one target. Hit 13 (2d8 + 4). The damage type is based
on the current Elemental Form.
Elemental Form Damage Type
Air Thunder
Dark Necrotic
Earth Bludgeoning
Fire Fire
Light Radiant
Water Cold
Chaotic Transposition. Every hostile creature must roll
a d100. The creature is then teleported to the location
matching their roll in the center of the room (see DM
map for labeling).
Mephit Missile. The Chaos Elemental pulls a mephit
from within itself. The mephit is the same element as
the Chaos Elemental's current Elemental Form. The
mephit is hurled up to 90 feet at a point the Chaos
Elemental can see. Any player within a 10-foot radius
must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed
save, a target takes 10 (3d6) force damage, or half as
much on a successful one.
The mephit is then added to the initiative list at 10 less
than the Chaos Elemental's initiative.

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 Chaos Elemental (cont.)
Actions (cont.)
Disturbing Pattern (3/Day). Each creature of the Chaos
Elemental's choice that can currently see the Chaos
Elemental must make a DC 15 Intelligence saving
throw or succumb to a bout of vertigo that lasts 1
minute. Vertigo causes the creature to have
disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks. A
creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each
of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Legendary Actions
The Chaos Elemental can take 3 legendary actions,
choosing from the options below. Only one legendary
action can be used at a time and only at the end of
another creature's turn. The Chaos Elemental regains
spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Lair Action. The Chaos Elemental uses the lair action of
its current element.
Change Form. The Chaos Elemental changes its
Elemental Form to the form of its choice.
Mephit Absorption. The Chaos Elemental absorbs all
mephits that share a type with its current Elemental
Form and gains 5 temporary hit points for each mephit
absorbed. These do not leave corpses to count towards
the fire lair action.
Lair Actions
On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the Chaos
Elemental takes a lair action to cause an effect
determined by its Elemental Form at the time.
Air. Strong wind gusts out from the Chaos Elemental
in all directions. Any creature within 30 feet of the
creature must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving
throw or be pushed 15 feet directly away from the
Chaos Elemental and knocked prone. After the initial
gust, a cyclone forms around the Chaos Elemental
until the end of its next turn. While the cyclone is
present, all ranged attacks against the Chaos
Elemental have disadvantage.
Dark. One creature is surrounded by a cloak of
shadow, covering them in magical darkness. This
darkness occupies the same space as the creature
and moves with the creature. This darkness cannot
be dispelled by the magic of a spell cast at first level
or lower. If the creature relies on sight, it is blinded,
but others can still see the creature.
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Earth. A tendril of stone emerges from an
unoccupied space within the lair and slams down in
a line 15 feet long and 5 feet wide. Any creature in
the area must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw.
The creature takes 2d6 bludgeoning damage on a
failed save, or half as much on a successful one.
Fire. All corpses (including dust and ashes left
behind by mephits and elementals) in the room
burst into flame. They continue burning until the
Chaos Elemental changes forms, at which point the
flames die and the corpse is consumed. At the start
of a creature’s turn, it must make a DC 13 Dexterity
saving throw for each burning corpse within 5 feet.
The creature takes 2d6 fire damage on a failed save,
or half as much on a successful one.
Light. An orb of brilliant light is summoned in an
unoccupied space within the lair. Any creature that
relies on ordinary sight is blinded while facing the
light. Additionally, if a creature is or at any time
becomes within a 30-foot radius of the orb, all
illusion and shapechange effects on that creature are
permanently dispelled.
Water. A 10-foot square and 10-feet deep area
becomes quicksand. Any creature already in that area
and within 5 feet of an unoccupied square can make
a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw to jump aside. On a
success, the creature can move to any of the
unoccupied squares within 5 feet. If a creature fails
this initial save or subsequently enters the area, it
sinks 1d4 + 1 feet into the quicksand and becomes
restrained. If a creature starts its turn in the
quicksand, it immediately sinks an additional 1d4
feet. A creature can escape by using its action and
succeeding on a Strength check. The DC is 10 plus
the number of feet the creature has sunk. A creature
that is completely submerged can’t breathe. A
creature can pull another creature within its reach
out of the quicksand pit by using its action and
succeeding on a Strength check. The DC is 5 plus
the number of feet the target creature has sunk into
the quicksand.
Osmo Pure Air Mephit
Medium humanoid, neutral good Small elemental, neutral evil

Armor Class 10 Armor Class 0

Hit Points 12 (2d8+3) Hit Points 1
Speed 30 ft. Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 11 (+0) 5 (-3) 11 (+0) 10 (+0) 11 (+0) 10 (+0) 12 (+1)

Skills Arcana +5, History +5 Damage Vulnerabilities salted weapons

Senses passive Perception 10 Damage Immunities all except bludgeoning,
Languages Common, Primordial piercing and slashing from salted weapons
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP) Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses passive Perception 10
Ritual Casting. Osmo can cast his spells as rituals if Languages Auran
they have the ritual tag. Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)

Spellcasting. Osmo is a 1st-level spellcaster. His
spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 13,
+5 to hit with spell attacks). He has the following
wizard spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): mage hand, prestidigitation,
shape water
1st level (2 slots): comprehend languages, detect
magic, ice knife
Unstable Form. While the focused elemental nature
has rendered the mephit immune to most types of
damage, a single point of damage of the opposite
type is enough to scatter the energy comprising its
physical form.
Territorial Immunity. The mephit is unaffected by
any of the territorial effects in the room.
Actions
Storming Breath. The mephit exhales a 15-foot cone
of storming clouds. Each creature in that area must
succeed on a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw, taking
4 (1d8) thunder damage and being pushed 5 feet
away from the mephit in a straight line on a failed
save, or half as much damage and not being
displaced on a successful one.

15
 Pure Dark Mephit
Small elemental, neutral evil
Armor Class 0
Hit Points 1
Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
6 (-2) 14 (+2) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 11 (+0)
Skills Perception +2, Stealth +4
Damage Vulnerabilities radiant
Damage Immunities all except radiant
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Deepspeech
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Unstable Form. While the focused elemental nature
has rendered the mephit immune to most types of
damage, a single point of damage of the opposite
type is enough to scatter the energy comprising its
physical form.
Territorial Immunity. The mephit is unaffected by
any of the territorial effects in the room.
Actions
Enfeebling Breath. The mephit exhales a 15-foot
cone of black mist. Each creature in that area must
succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or
have disadvantage on all ability checks and attack
rolls until the end of the mephit's next turn or the
mephit is killed.
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Pure Earth Mephit
Small elemental, neutral evil
Armor Class 0
Hit Points 1
Speed 20 ft., fly 20 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
8 (-1) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 9 (-1) 11 (+0) 7 (-2)
Skills Stealth +3
Damage Vulnerabilities thunder
Damage Immunities all except thunder
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages Terran
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Unstable Form. While the focused elemental nature
has rendered the mephit immune to most types of
damage, a single point of damage of the opposite
type is enough to scatter the energy comprising its
physical form.
Territorial Immunity. The mephit is unaffected by
any of the territorial effects in the room.
Actions
Rampant Growth. Green motes burst from the
mephit's skin and tangling roots burst from the
ground in a 15-foot radius around the mephit. A
creature moving through the area must spend 3
feet of movement for every 1 foot it moves.
These roots disperse when the mephit is killed.
Pure Fire Mephit Pure Light Mephit
Small elemental, neutral evil Small elemental, neutral evil

Armor Class 0 Armor Class 0

Hit Points 1 Hit Points 1
Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft. Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
8 (-1) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 7 (-2) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 8 (-1) 12 (+1) 12 (+1) 9 (-1) 11 (+0) 7 (-2)

Skills Stealth +3 Skills Stealth +3

Damage Vulnerabilities cold
Damage Immunities all except cold
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages Ignan
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Damage Vulnerabilities necrotic
Damage Immunities all except necrotic
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages Celestial
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)

Unstable Form. While the focused elemental nature
has rendered the mephit immune to most types of
damage, a single point of damage of the opposite
type is enough to scatter the energy comprising its
physical form.
Unstable Form. While the focused elemental nature
has rendered the mephit immune to most types of
damage, a single point of damage of the opposite
type is enough to scatter the energy comprising its
physical form.

Territorial Immunity. The mephit is unaffected by Territorial Immunity. The mephit is unaffected by
any of the territorial effects in the room. any of the territorial effects in the room.

Actions
Fire Breath. The mephit exhales a 15-foot cone of
fire. Each creature in that area must make a DC 13
Dexterity saving throw, taking 7 (2d6) fire damage
on a failed save, or half as much damage on a
successful one.
Actions
Radiant Breath. The mephit exhales a 15-foot cone
of pure, blinding energy. Each creature in that area
must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or
be blinded for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the
saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending
the effect on itself on a success.

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 Pure Water Mephit Shadow Clone (full
Small elemental, neutral evil
caster)
Armor Class 0 Medium humanoid, neutral evil
Hit Points 1
Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft. Armor Class 13
Hit Points 49 (11d8)
Speed 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
7 (-2) 13 (+1) 10 (+0) 9 (-1) 11 (+0) 12 (+1) STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
9 (-1) 13 (+1) 11 (+0) 11 (+0) 12 (+1) 18 (+4)
Skills Perception +2, Stealth +3
Damage Vulnerabilities fire
Damage Immunities all except fire Saving Throws Int +3, Cha + 7
Condition Immunities poisoned Senses passive Perception 11
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12 Languages telepathy 60 ft.
Languages Aquan Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Innate Spellcasting. The shadow clone's innate
Unstable Form. While the focused elemental nature spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 14,
has rendered the mephit immune to most types of +6 to hit with spell attacks). It can innately cast the
damage, a single point of damage of the opposite following spells, requiring no material components:
type is enough to scatter the energy comprising its
Cantrips (at will): fire bolt, mage hand, ray of frost
physical form.
1st level (4 slots): color spray, magic missile,
Territorial Immunity. The mephit is unaffected by Tasha's hideous laughter
any of the territorial effects in the room.
Class Specialties. The shadow clone gains an ability
Actions that it can use once per day. The ability gained is
based on which class it is a copy of:
Pressure Wash. The mephit exhales a high-pressure
stream of water at a creature it can see within 60 Class
feet. That creature must succeed on a DC 13 Copied Ability Gained
Dexterity saving throw, taking 5 (2d4) bludgeoning Bard Bardic Inspiration (d8)
damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on
a successful one. Cleric Turn Un-undead (affects living
humanoids)
Druid Wild Shape - Shadow Mastiff (Volo's, p.
190)
Sorcerer Twinned Spell
Warlock Eldritch Blast with Repelling Blast and
Lance of Lethargy Invocations
Wizard Fireball

Actions
Shadow Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit,
reach 5ft., one target. Hit 3 (1d4 + 1) piercing
damage.
Shadow Dagger. Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit,
range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit 3 (1d4 + 1)
piercing damage.

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Shadow Clone (martial Weakened Dark
or hybrid) Elemental
Medium humanoid, neutral evil Large elemental, neutral

Armor Class 16 Armor Class 15

Hit Points 84 (13d8+26) Hit Points 40
Speed 30 ft. Speed 0 ft., fly 40 ft. (hover)

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
11 (+0) 18 (+4) 14 (+2) 11 (+0) 11 (+0) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 18 (+4) 14 (+2) 6 (-2) 10 (+0) 6 (-2)

Saving Throws Dex +7, Int + 3 Damage Vulnerabilities radiant

Skills Acrobatics +7, Athletics +3, Perception +3,
Stealth +7
Senses passive Perception 13
Languages telepathy 60 ft.
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Class Specialties. The shadow clone gains an ability
that it can use once per day. The ability gained is
based on which class it is a copy of:
Damage Resistances poison; bludgeoning, piercing,
and slashing from nonmagical weapons
Damage Immunities necrotic
Condition Immunities exhaustion, grappled,
paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained,
unconscious
Senses blindsight 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Deepspeech
Challenge 3 (700 XP)

Class Copied Ability Gained Amorphous Form. The elemental can enter a hostile
Artificer Elixir of Boldness creature's space and stop there. It can move
through a space as narrow as 1 inch wide without
Barbarian Rage (+2) squeezing.
Fighter Action Surge
Monk Stunning Strike (DC 11)
Actions
Multiattack. The elemental makes two touch attacks.
Paladin Divine Smite
Ranger Hunter's Mark Touch. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit 13 (2d8 + 4) necrotic damage.
Rogue Sneak Attack (3d6)
Afraid of the Dark (Recharge 4–6). Each creature in
the elemental's space must make a DC 13
Actions Intelligence saving throw. On a failure, a target
Multiattack. The shadow clone makes two shadow takes 6 (2d6 - 2) psychic damage and is frightened
blade attacks. for 1 minute. If the saving throw is successful, the
target takes half the psychic damage and isn't
Shadow Blade. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, frightened. A creature can repeat the saving throw
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit 9 (1d10 + 4) slashing at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on
damage. itself on a success. If a creature's saving throw is
successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is
immune to this elemental's Afraid of the Dark for
the next 24 hours.

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 Weakened Light
Elemental
Large elemental, neutral

Armor Class 15
Hit Points 40
Speed 0 ft., fly 40 ft. (hover)

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

14 (+2) 18 (+4) 14 (+2) 6 (-2) 10 (+0) 6 (-2)

Damage Vulnerabilities necrotic

Damage Resistances poison; bludgeoning, piercing,
and slashing from nonmagical weapons
Damage Immunities radiant
Condition Immunities exhaustion, grappled,
paralyzed, petrified, poisoned, prone, restrained,
unconscious
Senses truesight 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Celestial
Challenge 3 (700 XP)

Amorphous Form. The elemental can enter a hostile

creature's space and stop there. It can move
through a space as narrow as 1 inch wide without
squeezing.

Actions
Multiattack. The elemental makes two touch attacks.
Touch. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit 13 (2d8 + 4) radiant damage.
Blinding Radiance (Recharge 4–6). Each creature in
the elemental's space must make a DC 13
Constitution saving throw. On a failure, a target
takes 8 (2d6) radiant damage and is blinded for 1
minute. If the saving throw is successful, the target
takes half the radiant damage and isn't blinded. A
creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of
each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a
success. If a creature's saving throw is successful or
the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to
this elemental's Blinding Radiance for the next 24
hours.

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Appendix C: Maps
Alius's Lair (DM version)

21
 Alius's Lair (player version)

22
Summoning Room (DM version)

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 Summoning Room (player version)

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Authors
The authors of this dungeon are Nick Owen (u/frezzyisfuzzy)
and Kevin Campbell (who declined to provide online contact
info, stating that he is "a mystery wrapped in an enigma
wrapped in a puzzle, a.k.a. a boomer"). Nick did the writing
and is currently referring to himself in the third person. Kevin
made the maps. We collaborated on ideas for content in the
rooms and mechanics for the monsters. This is our first
publicly released homebrew creation, and we hope that you
enjoyed it.

Credits
Formatting and layouts were done with The
Homebrewery.
Cover art (reproduced on page 1) and the picture on page
6 created by Juho Huttunen, who can be found online
under the handle Northern Hermit.
Maps were created with the Dungeondraft software and
include art assets from Forgotten Adventures.

Legal Stuff
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, Wizards of the Coast,
Forgotten Realms, Ravenloft, Eberron, the dragon
ampersand, Ravnica and all other Wizards of the Coast
product names, and their respective logos are trademarks of
Wizards of the Coast in the USA and other countries.
This work contains material that is copyright Wizards of
the Coast and/or other authors. Such material is used with
permission under the Community Content Agreement for
Dungeon Masters Guild.
All other original material in this work is copyright 2021 by
Nick Owen and Kevin Campbell, who are equal co-authors of
the work, and published under the Community Content
Agreement for Dungeon Masters Guild.

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