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The One Page Dungeon Codex 2009

Published: 2008
Author: Justin Alexander

User Summary:
The results of a prize contest which had the following key rules (amongst other technical requirements):

  1. Participants create a one page dungeon using a specified template.
  2. The dungeon must have the following features:
    • Name of Dungeon
    • Map
    • Dungeon Key (in an edition-neutral form: Description of monsters, Treasure, Traps, etc.... No game stats)
    • OPTIONAL (If you can fit them on one page...)
      • Wandering Monster or Random Event tables or a list of scripted "events" that can occur over the adventure
      • Background
      • Additional descriptions that add to the dungeon, such as detailed description of trap or trick or unique feature.

This published document, available in both versions as a free download, contains the following articles and winning submissions...

Articles on One Page Dungeons:

  • The Origin of the One Page Dungeon Template by David Bowman and Michael Shorten
  • Building the Font of Sorrows with the One Page Dungeon Template by Philippe-Antoine Ménard
  • Creating a map for the One Page Template with GIMP by Michael Shorten
  • "How to use the One Page Template" Contest posts by Michael Shorten and Philippe-Antoine Ménard
  • The One-Page Manifesto by Santiago Luis Oría

The 3 Winning "Best Of" Dungeons:

  • Secrets of the Old City by Simon Bull (Best Overall One Page Dungeon)
  • Cry of the Gravegod by Heron Prior (Best New School Dungeon)
  • Valley of the Necromancer Kings by Andrew Gale (Best Old School Dungeon)

The Runner Ups:

  • The Gray Goblin Warrens by Christopher Brackett (Best Hack-n-Slash)
  • The Horror of Leatherbury House by Michael Wolf (Best Non-Fantasy Entry)
  • Arendt's Old Peculiar by Antti Hulkkonen (Best Pub)
  • The Infinite Tower by James Edward Raggi IV (Best Replayable Entry)
  • Megadungeon of the Mad Archmage Gary Stu by Adam Thornton (Best Retro Use of 30x30 Space)
  • Maze of NAMCAP by Patrick Riley (Best Silly Dungeon)

Honorable Mentions:

  • The Barnacle Cave by Sam Kisko (Best Aquatic Entry)
  • Ruffthroats Rathskeller by Lee Barber (Best Classic)
  • The Crumbling Dungeon by Lord Kilgore (Best Dungeon Circa 1974)
  • Shrine of the Savage Jungle by John Laviolette (Best Dungeon Crawl)
  • Clockwork Crypt by Gary S. Watkins (Most Elegant)
  • The Vareh'gra Depths by Gary McCammon (Funniest)
  • The Halls of the Mad Mage by Justin Alexander (Best Geometry)
  • The Omenous Portent of the Highlands Meteor by Tim Hensley (Best Homage)
  • The Tomb of Dûrahn Oakenshield by Dyson Logos (Best Introductory One-Shot)
  • The Great Cloud Caper by Jonathan Lee (Best Non-Dungeon)
  • Traps-R-Us by Chris Torrence (Best Unconventional)
  • Mountain Lair of the Misanthropic Magus by Sean Wills (Best Use of Tables)

Genres: Comedy / Satire Fantasy (High Fantasy) Fantasy (Science Fantasy) History (Victorian Era) Horror (Supernatural)

Types: Adventure

Games: 4e Game System Product (D&D 4.0 Compatible) AD&D First Edition (1e) Compatible Products Generic / Universal D20 System / OGL Product (D&D 3.5 Compatible)

Series: One Page Dungeon Contest 2009 (1)