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Then and Now: The World of The Time Dungeon
Sunfire
CONTENTS
Overview
Fantasy dungeons stand as testament to a world that no longer stands today. They were created long ago by a civilization far greater than the ones existing today. From the intricate decorations in each room to the material used for the floor, everything inside the dungeon is a relic of a long-gone world. One such place that takes this to a new level is none other than the fabled time dungeon.
Time is considered one of the most integral elements of the fantasy genre, so it comes as no surprise that it’s a popular choice to create a dungeon that revolves around it. In this mysterious realm, the currents of time must be manipulated in order to unveil the dungeon’s mystery and obtain its hidden treasure.
The temporal powers of time should be clearly depicted in the dungeon’s design. From afar, adventurers and would-be treasure hunters see the telltale signs of the time dungeon but it should leave them unsure of what type of time manipulation awaits inside. There’s several styles of designs that are used for this place.
Wandering through the time dungeon gives you a glimpse into the past, to an era that has since passed into history. You see it everywhere, from the symbols that don the walls to the staircase leading to a door that looks like nothing you see today. It’s almost as if you’ve been transported to the past for a reason and you can’t leave until it’s revealed to you.
Stepping into the world of the past means you encounter monsters who may not exist in the present. The time dungeon is home to some ancestors of baddies you’ve fought elsewhere and in some cases, they’re more dangerous than their descendants!
This is the twelfth article in the different kinds of fantasy dungeons. If you want to read more or any other article, go to our blog page. We have many for you to peruse!
What Does a Time Dungeon Look Like?
Unlike many other dungeons, making one out of time is a tad more complicated. There’s no standard design that can be used like a fish for the water dungeon which means you have to think outside the box a little bit. Fret not! This is a good thing, since you have considerably more options to work with.
One rule of thumb when crafting a design for the time dungeon is to make it clear what it is. You can use an object that’s associated with time in your world and set it atop the building that houses the dungeon proper. This is a great way to have it stand out and it’s easy for travelers to see it.
If you wish to go in a different direction, you can opt to use a tower that looks like it’s reaching into the heavens. The temporal powers of time is one of the most powerful in the world and only deities have that power, so using a tower in that vein bridges the two perfectly. As an added benefit, the tower could be one of the tallest structures in the realm and can be seen from almost anywhere else.
Another style of design to use for a time dungeon is a religious building like a temple or cathedral. In some worlds, time is considered sacred with only those blessed by the deities capable of traversing through time itself. Having a religious building serve as the site of the dungeon shows how much people venerate the power of time.
The last design style is that of a castle. Commanding the temporal powers of time comes with great responsibility and risk and castles are heavily fortified to prevent the wrong type of person from getting his hands on them.
What’s a good location to place a time dungeon in? Believe it or not, there’s many different locales you can use at your disposal. Some realms like to put it in the desert, since sand grains are associated with time. Others like to hide it deep within the forest or mountains. In all these cases, the dungeon is found in a place only those in the know can reach.
A World Long Forgotten
You’ve walked through the door leading inside the time dungeon, holding your trusty sword in one hand. Now that you’re in the first chamber, a quick look around tells you you’re no longer in the world you know. The realization that you’ve taken your first steps in the world of the past sinks in.
Everything you see reflects the world as it once was. There’s nothing familiar to you that might help make sense of things. Even things you know like treasure chests look so different in the past. There might be times when you wonder to yourself, how did things change so much from then to now?
With everything looking so new to you, excitement sets in your heart. You can’t wait to see everything the time dungeon has to offer! There’s so much to take in, from the walls built with a material that no longer exists today to the oil paintings hanging on the walls showing people you’ve never seen before or heard about.
While the time dungeon might be full of excitement, it’s also awash in mystery. Strange symbols, the likes of which can’t be found anywhere else, line the walls and appear on the doors. You can’t help but wonder what they mean. Are they from a race that’s become extinct or do they represent a power that’s hidden deep within the dungeon?
Exploring the time dungeon means you have to manipulate time in order to progress. Strange objects scattered throughout enable you to do so and their influence is restricted only to the rooms they’re found in. Only by moving back-and-forth through time can you unlock the dungeon’s many secrets and reach the boss’ lair.
The Monsters of the Time Dungeon
Dungeons are overrun by monsters. However, when it comes to the dungeon of time, the beasts you fight there are split between those of the present and the past. Battling monsters from the past is an interesting dynamic since you may have to resort to unorthodox methods to defeat them.
Some baddies from the past are ancestors of the ones you’ve fought. They could be larger-than-life bats or plants who have legs. Appearing only when you manipulate time to travel to the past, they perform the same thing their descendants do: they work to prevent you from making it out of the dungeon alive.
Inanimate objects can also be enemies in the time dungeon. They spring to life when you enter their zone and they shift their attention towards you, priming to attack. These inanimate objects can be spheres that shoot fire or bolts or armored sentries that carry heavy swords or ball-and-chains. As an added benefit, they can be designed to only spring into action upon traveling through time.
Who says the past has to have all the great monsters? You can sprinkle a few popular ones from the present throughout the time dungeon. Poisonous plants and flying fiends are always a great addition! Vicious insects like scorpions or tarantulas work as well!
Spirits are fantastic to use in the dungeon that revolves around time. They’re otherworldly beings, which means that the rules of the world don’t apply to them. As such, they’re impervious to the changes of time and pose a threat to you whether you’re in the past or present-day version of a chamber.
What boss waits for you in the heart of the time dungeon? Most likely, it’ll be a beast that can warp time, meaning you’ll have to chase it through different time periods or deal with twisted dimensions. A dark sorcerer or savage brute like a ginormous winged insect work well here. You could opt for a malevolent spirit or armored soldier resembling a knight. There’s many different possibilities!
Tying it all Together
The time dungeon is a trial where you must master the temporal powers of time in order to complete and obtain its hidden treasure. Split in two different time periods, moving between the past and the present enables you to push ever deeper to unravel its mysteries and learn its secrets.
When designing this place, go with something that clearly communicates to everyone what it’s about. You can use a spiral tower or religious structure like a cathedral that bears a symbol that’s associated with time in your world. There’s several great styles you can use here!
The time dungeon is a physical reminder of a world that once stood but doesn’t exist today. You’ve stepped into the world of the past where there’s very few things familiar to you. Even things you recognize look so different!
Of the monsters you fight in the dungeon, none are more interesting than those from the past. They look like nothing you’ve seen and you get to see them in all their glory before they passed into history. Fighting them requires courage, for they’re more lethal than their descendants.
In tales where dungeons serve as important settings, the time dungeon is one you simply can’t pass up! You get the opportunity to give your audience a glimpse into the world that was and show monsters who’ve since become extinct. Mastering the temporal powers of time takes the hero one step closer to becoming the destined one who’s fated to save the world by destroying the forces of evil.
Are you ready to craft a time dungeon that showcases the awesome powers of time?
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Thanks for reading this and until the next time,
Sunfire
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