Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage is a Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition campaign optimised for 4 to 6 characters of 5th level, who will advance to 20th level by the end of the adventure. It can act as a follow on to Waterdeep: Dragon Heist (2018), which took characters from levels 1-5.
- Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers for an adventure module.
Official synopsis[]
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Background[]
Over a millennium ago, the wizard Halaster Blackcloak arrived at Mount Waterdeep with seven apprentices, aiming to construct an unparalleled wizard's tower. As Halaster delved deeper into underground construction, he encountered the Underhalls, battling duergar and drow. Obsessed with building Undermountain, he filled it with creatures from other planes. Halaster's obsession infected his apprentices and others, driven by a mysterious knot in the Weave, causing madness and an unconscious desire to remain in or near the dungeon. The city of Waterdeep eventually grew around Undermountain, with an inn called the Yawning Portal built atop it, owned by the adventurer Durnan.
Synopsis[]
The Yawning Portal, an inn near Mount Waterdeep, features a 40-foot well leading into Undermountain. Adventurers pay 1 gp to descend, often for lucrative quests. Obaya seeks magic items, Mattrim seeks to settle a Harper debt, Esvele wants to find her brother Kressando, and Volo offers rewards for recovering a lost throne. Future quests include finding a runestone fragment and saving a dragon from corruption. Additionally, an ulitharid's telepathic intrusion prompts adventurers to investigate Undermountain's depths.
Level 1: The Dungeon Level[]
The Dungeon Level is inhabited by a bandit gang called the Undertakers, demanding a toll from adventurers. They're led by Uktarl and Harria, who vie for control. Bugbears and goblins from the Xanathar Guild also dwell here, plotting to control the bandits. Monsters like carrion crawlers, goblins, and a defective shield guardian roam the area, providing additional challenges.
Level 2: Arcane Chambers[]
This level of Undermountain is home to goblins who run a bustling bazaar, opposing the Xanathar Guild. Sentient magical experiments roam, along with a troublesome drow, a wererat gang, and a betrayed adventuring party. Halaster's mad apprentices, mutated by their experiments, dwell here too, ruled by a mezzoloth. Various monsters like carrion crawlers, gricks, and owlbears also roam the area, providing additional challenges.
Level 3: Sargauth Level[]
The Sargauth Level is intended for four 8th-level characters. It connects to Skullport and holds the ruins of Stromkuhldur, contested by drow and goblinoids. House Auvryndar, led by T'rissa Auvryndar, controls part of Stromkuhldur, conducting experiments with giant spiders. The Legion of Azrok, led by the blind but formidable Azrok, faces internal strife after a theft. Lurkana seeks help in recovering Azrok's stolen dagger from duergar thieves. Sea hags, summoned by Halaster, oppose the drow presence.
Level 4: Twisted Caverns[]
The Twisted Caverns level of Undermountain, suitable for four 8th-level characters, promises to propel them halfway to 9th level. It's a battleground between an aboleth named Illuun and kuo-toa, with drow from House Auvryndar watching closely. Illuun's lair is in the lake cavern, while the kuo-toa, led by Noolgaloop, craft an idol to summon a god to defeat the aboleth. The area also features various edible fungi with unique properties.
Level 5: Wyllowwood[]
Wyllowwood, tailored for four 8th-level characters, offers ample XP to propel them toward 9th level. It features magical forests, overseen by archdruid Wyllow, a moon elf with a tragic past. Wyllow's domain includes a green dragon named Tearulai, now altered by a sentient sword, and a village of goblin werebats. The area is teeming with diverse wildlife, and encounters range from friendly bears to conflicted goblin outcasts.
Level 6: Lost Level[]
The Lost Level, suited for four 9th-level characters, promises enough XP to propel them halfway to 10th level. Originally a temple complex dedicated to the dwarven god Dumathoin, it houses the tomb of Melair, king of the Melairkyn dwarves. Recently uncovered by umber hulks, it's now targeted by raiders from Clan Ironeye, led by Skella Ironeye, a duergar with an unusual interest in beauty. Additionally, umber hulks roam freely, posing a threat to any who dare to explore.
Level 7: Maddgoth's Castle[]
Maddgoth's Castle is intended for four 9th-level characters, providing enough XP to reach 10th level. It houses Maddgoth, a wizard who preys on other spellcasters, and is guarded by creatures affected by shrinking magic. The stone giants, under the influence of Halaster's magic, guard the castle's vicinity. Maddgoth's homunculus and Otto the faerie dragon are among the residents, each with their own agendas. Maddgoth is absent, but his homunculus awaits his return, while Otto seeks to rid the castle of it.
Level 8: Slitherswamp[]
Slitherswamp is designed for four 10th-level characters, offering enough XP to reach halfway to 11th level. It comprises muck-filled caverns and decaying temples once inhabited by yuan-ti, now ruled by bullywugs under a tyrannical death slaad named Yurk Y'blorkflug. Adventurers may encounter the spirit nagas, Excrutha and Serakath, who seek allies to eliminate the bullywugs. The Blacktongue bullywugs, coated in carrion crawler mucus, serve the death slaad under duress. Additionally, Karstis of Dweomercore monitors the area, supporting those who oppose the factions while guarding access to Dweomercore.
Level 9: Dweomercore[]
Dweomercore, intended for four 10th-level characters, is a magical academy testing its students with traps and challenges. Overseen by an arcanaloth disguised as Halaster and a night hag named Wormriddle, the level hosts evil mages seeking knowledge. Among them is Spite Harrowdale, a deceptive wizard aiming to steal a spellbook, and Cephalossk, a mind flayer plotting against Spite. Other inhabitants include Nylas Jowd, a Thayan necromancer, and Skrianna Shadowdusk, a sadistic illusionist. Tiefling sisters Turbulence and Violence seek escape, while Elan Tanor'thal, a treacherous drow, plots his ambitions. A bone devil, summoned by accident, awaits confrontation in the southern wing.
Level 10: Muiral's Gauntlet[]
Level 10, Muiral's Gauntlet, is tailored for four 11th-level characters, with challenges offering enough XP to reach halfway to 12th level. Previously claimed by Muiral the Misshapen, an apprentice of Halaster, the level is now contested by drow forces led by Priestess Vlonwelv Auvryndar. Muiral, a mutated creature, defends his domain fiercely. The drow aim to establish a stronghold, aided by troglodytes led by Gorzil. Adventurers may encounter Muiral or the drow, facing Vlonwelv's demands to eliminate Muiral. Zress Orlezziir, Vlonwelv's adopted daughter, and Gorzil's troglodyte gang add to the level's challenges.
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Appendices[]
Appendix A: Dungeon Denizens contains stat blocks and lore for 12 monsters, including Halaster Blackcloak, archdruids, champions, githyanki gish, lava children, living unseen servants, Muiral, neothelids, scaladars, shadow assassins, ulitharids, and werebats.
Appendix B: Elder Runes Deck contains printable cards with the elder runes that Halaster uses throughout the dungeon.
Appendix C: Secrets Deck contains printable cards with the secrets of Undermountain that players might learn throughout the adventure.
Appendix D: Dungeon Key provides a key to the maps for each level of the dungeon.
Development and release[]
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External links[]
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