Hub and State Generation (Random Dungeon Generation)

Random Dungeon Generation is an old stand-by in the bag of tricks for the DM, it gets the job done but is often haphazard and unfocused due to the random nature (no surprise there). One method of reducing the haphazard nature of random generation I've been playing with is creating Hubs to define sections (or even entire levels of a dungeon).

A Hub as applied here is a general focus for the use/purpose of a dungeon area. Generating the dungeon at this level of abstraction requires determination of the general state of the hub itself as it will filter down into more specific details later. Even at this level of abstraction figuring out what to do with a Hub and it's State gets my DM juices flowing.



Dungeon Hub Type and General State

Die Roll	Dungeon Hub	General State of Hub
		2-3	4-6	7-9	10-11	12
1-7	Wilderness	Abandoned	Breeding Ground	Beast	Vermin	Faction
8-14	Catacombs/Tombs	Abandoned	Active	Looted	Faction	Sealed
15-21	Temple	Abandoned	Faction	Active	Looted	Sealed
22-28	Mine	Sealed	Active	Abandoned	Faction	Breeding Ground
29-35	Fortress	Abandoned	Faction	Faction	Active	Beast
36-41	Prison	Abandoned	Faction	Active	Active	Sealed
42-47	Sewers	Abandoned	Active	Active	Breeding G.	Faction
48-53	Cache	Active	Abandoned	Looted	Faction	Sealed
54-59	Settlement	Abandoned	Active	Active	Faction	Vermin
60-65	Monastery	Abandoned	Active	Faction	Sealed	Beast
66-71	Factory/Forge	Looted	Abandoned	Active	Sealed	Vermin
72-76	Garden/Farm	Beast	Active	Abandoned	Breeding G.	Faction
77-80	Bazaar	Abandoned	Active	Active	Faction	Abandoned
81-83	Museum/menagerie	Looted	Active	Abandoned	Faction	Sealed
84-86	Asylum/Hospital	Sealed	Active	Abandoned	Faction	Beast
87-89	Maze	Sealed	Beast	Abandoned	Abandoned	Active
90-92	Palace	Abandoned	Looted	Faction	Active	Beast
93-95	Hideout	Sealed	Faction	Faction	Abandoned	Vermin
96-98	Occult	Abandoned	Faction	Active	Beast	Sealed
99-100	Nexus	Abandoned	Faction	Sealed	Beast	Breeding Ground

Hub Types: 
Wilderness- Grotto, caverns, subterranean waterways

Catacombs/Tombs- burial grouns, crypts,tombs, etc…

Temple- a holy place for observation, practice and rites of a faith

Mine- may or may not still be producing.

Fortress- a stronghold run by a race, nationality, or faction Prison- a confinement facility usually for criminals and undesirables

Sewers- canals and waster removal

Cache- vaults, storerooms, and warehouses

Settlement- a town or colony

Monastery- a retreat/sanctuary/school run by and for a religious group

Factory/Forge- industry

Garden/Farm- dark garden, fungus garden, factory-farm, glow garden

Bazaar- a marketplace, trading post, goblin market

Museum/menagerie- historical museum, mortuary museum, art gallery, or zoo

Asylum/Hospital- a medical facility, vacation spot, or sanctuary

Maze- a labyrinth, a warren, insect colony tunnels, root hedge

Palace- a residence for a noble, royal, or one posing to such importance

Hideout- thieves den, adventurers camp, smugglers den, bandit camp

Occult – Magical Conclave, Wizard’s Manse, Wizard’s School

Nexus- elemental Intrusion, dimensional vortex, gateway to hell


Description of States:
Active- currently in use (most likely for intended purpose) no one faction dominates the hub. Lots of traffic.

Faction- currently in use (may be repurposed) one faction controls the hub. Traffic will be monitored and controlled by the faction.

Abandoned- no longer being used for original purpose. Traps may remain. Traffic is low.

Sealed- Secured against trespass. Traps likely.

Vermin- overrun and environment corrupted by presence of vermin, Few active traps, traffic moderate (except for vermin).

Beast- Hub is dominated by a large and powerful beast/monster/demon (or a notable population). Few traps present unless the beast somehow makes use of them. Traffic will be low if presence of beast(s)is known.

Looted- The area has been over run and looted in the past. Mostly abandoned. Construction damaged. Few traps remain set. Traffic will be low.

Breeding Ground- This area is dominated by a very large population of beast/vermin/monsters of a one type or a couple inter-dependent populations. Traffic may be high but of course dominated by resident population breeding here. Few traps will be present unless used by intelligent types trying to control or prey upon the breeding population.

On a future post I'll cover a basic idea for the next level of detail: Dungeon Suites.