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The Mystical World of The Sky Dungeon
Sunfire
CONTENTS
Introduction
One important aspect of fantasy dungeons is their location. You want to put them in places where they fit right in and in spots only intrepid adventurers can reach. They’re dangerous environments for the normal person to stumble upon which means you need to come up with a way to minimize the risks of someone accidentally wandering in, only to be beset by a horde of vicious enemies. And what do you know, the sky dungeon is the perfect example of how to do this right!
There’s a reason why it’s called a sky dungeon, since it’s found nowhere on the surface. It’s one of the most visually striking areas to explore since you’re in a place you never thought you would ever see. Indeed, you’re right on the doorstep of the heavens of the world!
Since it’s located high up in the skies, it takes a wholly different approach in terms of design, especially compared to those way down below on the surface. In most cases, it’s otherworldly which means you’re not traversing through something that feels familiar to you. It’s more alien-like, which helps it stand out amid a crowded field of dungeons.
Not surprisingly, the unfamiliar design leads to the sky dungeon having a regal-like ambience. You’re going through a world not of the surface but of the heavens where nearly everything within was inspired by the deities. Their influence is felt everywhere, right down to the last brick.
While the sky dungeon may be heavily inspired by the gods and goddesses, sinister monsters permeate the area, transforming it into a perversion of its original meaning. These brutes wish to continue defiling it and will stop those who’ve come to cleanse it.
This is the fifth article in a series focusing on the various kinds of dungeons. If you’d like to read more (or check out others), you can do so on our blog page.
Otherworldly Sky Dungeons
There are three places where you can find a sky dungeon:
- a floating island/landmass
- atop a cloud
- on an airborne building/vehicle (like an airship)
Knowing where it is is the easy part, getting there is easier said than done. Depending on your world’s technological level, you’ll have to structure getting there in a way that fits in the framework of your world. You want your audience to feel like the journey there feels just right.
So what does the typical sky dungeon look like? The thing you need to remember is that the dungeons of this group are in an entirely different world compared to their brethren down on the surface. This means you can’t simply adopt similar design philosophies for the sky dungeon. Instead you need to come up with a whole new style.
In fantasy, the sky is associated with the heavens and you want the design to reflect that, both outside and inside. In many ways, the dungeon is meant to pay tribute to the deities of the realm. It is for this reason why some resemble holy buildings like a temple or cathedral.
Another common design for the sky dungeon is that of a castle or palace. Since the heavens are where the deities rule the world from, it stands to reason that they ought to have a castle to call home. Many castles/palaces are designed elegantly to match the deities and the ones down below don’t even come close to them in terms of appearance.
You can have some ships that can be so gigantic that it becomes a whole dungeon in itself. Using an airship or another flying vehicle here thematically works for the sky dungeon.
One way to accentuate the otherworldliness is to incorporate materials not found on the surface. Using different, rare materials only reinforces the notion that it’s truly a different place and you can’t replicate it anywhere else.
The Majesty of the Sky Dungeon
Though the design of the sky dungeon may be important, its ambience is equally essential. People associate the sky with the heavens and the atmosphere of this dungeon must reflect that. There’s no ifs or buts about it.
There’s something special about exploring a place that’s way up in the skies. It’s as if you’ve stepped in world unlike any you’ve ever come across. You want the ambience to capture that feeling from the moment you step foot in all the way to squaring off against the boss of the area.
From the red curtains swaying ever so gently in the wind to the weathered marble stone on the ground, a sense of regality dominates the area. You’re in a place where the deities of your world once walked and made decisions that shaped the world as you know it. Walking through its hallowed corridors, you feel like you’re in a world long gone.
There are two vital components that enhances the royal-like majestic atmosphere of the sky dungeon. They play a large role in giving its signature ambience that leaves you feeling like you’re truly in a special place. Balancing the two is a delicate process but having a perfect mixture of the two takes it to a whole new level.
Light is one of two important components that shapes the sky dungeon’s ambience. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering it’s found in the skies where there’s abundant light. Besides making it feel warm, the light that comes in through the windows and cracks brings a sense of grandness to it, as if bestowing holiness upon the dungeon.
The second component is wind. From gentle breezes to furious gales, the wind brings with it many things, both good and bad. The large, open expansive places of the sky dungeon enables air to blow through, which can make exploring easier or tougher. Additionally, the wind can bring enemies to the room that you must battle before you can move on.
Skyward Enemies
With the sky dungeon considered holy ground due to its close proximity to the gods and goddesses of the world, it’s one of the villain’s first targets. Having succumbed to the darkness, the villain desires to contaminate all holy places and he sends his minions to do his dirty work.
One of the monsters that overrun the sky dungeon is the grunt of the villain’s army. He’s the lowest member on the military hierarchy and thus the most disposable. The grunt comes in many numbers and while he’s easy to defeat, he and the others like to overwhelm their prey in large numbers.
The villain doesn’t simply rely on just the grunts to ensure that the sky dungeon remains under his control. He dispatches stronger members like sorcerers or elite soldiers. They’re harder to slay but they wield more power and are stationed in strategic areas to prevent losing control of the dungeon.
Those in the big bad’s army aren’t the only monsters you come across. There’s some neutral monsters that’s moved in since the deities departed the world and while they resent the encroaching forces of darkness, they don’t make an effort to drive them out. If you enter their territory, they’ll view you as a threat that needs to be taken care of.
The neutral monsters you see comes in several forms. You have birds and bats who will attack you on sight. And you have to also contend with the guardians, whose job is to protect the dungeon. They may attack the villain’s soldiers but they’ll go after you if they spot you.
Did you really think the villain wouldn’t send one of his most powerful lieutenants to guard the sky dungeon? The lieutenant serves as the boss of the place and can be a dragon or any kind of beast capable of flight. It can also be a fully armored foe. Or he can twist the original guardian of the dungeon to serve him against his will where you must defeat it to liberate it from the villain’s control.
Tying it all Together
Wandering through the sky dungeon is an unforgettable experience you’ll remember as long as you live. As you look around, you see things from the days where the deities walked the world. You’re in a place you never knew existed and you want to investigate every nook and cranny!
Owing to it being found somewhere in the sky, the dungeon takes an otherworldly appearance. The reason why is because it was originally constructed to serve as tribute to the gods and goddesses. It’s why it has a wholly different design compared to all the others down on the surface.
Since it was where the deities ruled the world, the sky dungeon has a regal-like atmosphere to it. You feel it everywhere, from the white walls to the gray bricks intricately arranged on the ground. A sense of sadness comes upon you as you realize there’s truly no other like it on the surface.
Upon their dark master’s bidding, malevolent forces descended upon the sky dungeon and turned it into a place teeming with evil. These fiends’ presence brings a foul stench to the place as they desecrate its holy ground. Only by destroying them can you restore the dungeon to what it was once.
If you’re looking to have a dungeon in your story, why not go with one that’s in the sky? It’s a great way to show something different than what your audience’s seen so far and you can even give your viewers a glimpse into the past, to a time long gone.
Who knows, you just could create an incredible sky dungeon that evokes a sense of wonder and makes your audience want to come back to, time and time again!
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Thanks for reading this and until the next time,
Sunfire
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