Temple of Knowledge | Living Dungeon - Illustrated Scene

Illustration by Mondcuow

Each month, I try and pass along the generosity you show me by employing other artists to create a variety of illustrations, portraits, magical items and other works of art that can be used in your games at home, whether they be homebrew or official modules.

This week, I wanted to highlight one of those pieces -- a beautifully illustrated interpretation of the Tree of Knowledge located in a temple hidden away within the foothills of a mountain. The tree's roots are deep and connect, and communicate, with root systems of forests and trees across the continent.

Its vibrant red and orange leaves grow slowly and then fall, each containing information written in Sylvan detailing events that have transpired across the world, as well as fey originated prophecies of what is to come. The temple priests concern themselves with cataloguing the information, as well as reporting the prophecies to concerned parties that may need to intercede or, at least, be warned.

What is a Living Dungeon?

Most dungeons are the skeletal remnants of a place that was. It USED to be a mine, or a city or a temple, but something happened, the original occupants died/fled, and now it's inhabited by all manner of nasty things that need clearing out and potentially looted.

My interpretation of a Living Dungeon is an encounter where the location is operating at its peak efficiency. Everyone is there. Everything is fine, until...it isn't.

In this case, the party may arrive (or have arrived) to research some particular bit of knowledge, or been sent there by someone to obtain a scroll or book, when the archivists get the last message from the tree.

That is when things begin to happen.

It could be people beginning to become possessed by some type of demon, or a portal opening that carries with it foes from another Realm, or it could be entities from the Fey or Shadowfel or another Plane that have targeted this location for whatever reason pleases you.

The party then has to deal with this new threat and either determine a way to escape or to combat the threat in a place/location that may feel very much like a dungeon if/when the demons/creatures have suddenly appeared running amok within its walls.

The Temple of Knowlege has several rooms:

1. A temple dedicated to a deity of knowledge or learning.

2. The chamber of the Great Tree and Library.

3. Living quarters for the priests.

4. Scribing room as archivists transcribe the tree's messages into books.

5. Storage Room

6. Grand Dining Hall

7. Kitchen & Storage

8. Archivist's Living Quarters

9. [4] Personal Living Quarters

10. Main Entrance

11. Bath & Privies

12. The Great Well

13. Official Receiving Room

14. Official Dining Hall

15. [3] Small Guard Barracks

16. Large Guard Barracks

17. Leader's Chambers

There are beds for 60+ persons, imagining mostly priests and archivists along with some assigned guards and visitors/guests.

I designed the size and scope to feel very large and grand, as well as to provide a lot of good space for potential encounters (both social and combat). 

Here's the Base Map of the Temple:

And here are some images of the temple in a VTT like Foundry or Roll20, just to convey some sense of overall scale and scope:

I hope you enjoy the piece and seeing where some of your support goes!

If you're not yet a Patron, consider joining to help support other talented artists! =)

Best,

Jeff @ Morvold