Dungeon Dressing: Bridges
A bridge normally crosses a river, ravine, chasm, gorge or another obstacle. In a dungeon, a bridge could also span a deadly lava flow, glacial lake, pit of spikes, the den of dangerous subterranean creatures or other outlandish terrain feature. Deep pits (or more perilous falls) make bridges dangerous terrain to cross and fight on, particularly for characters without the ability to fly.
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Features
This bridge has been haphazardly constructed from bits of timber left over from other projects. It creaks ominously when used.
This stone bridge has ornate, rusty iron handrails.
This is a drawbridge. The area around the bridge is carved to resemble a large face, and the bridge, when extended, leads characters into the carving’s mouth.
This bridge comprises wooden planks laid over a pair of stone arches.
This bridge is constructed from shaped, poured blocks of concrete.
The bones of a massive creature (or several massive creatures for long spans) comprise the bridge.
Chains affixed to the ceiling support the bridge. The bridge sways back and forth when crossed.
An arched bridge, rising upwards in the middle, provides those on it with half cover from archers and the like beyond the arch.
A guardhouse dominates the centre of this roof-covered bridge.
The bridge is a drawbridge, except both sides rise up and away from the centre.
The bridge is only two feet wide and has no handrail.
The rickety bridge is little more than a set of wooden boards attached to chains hanging from the ceiling.
The bridge lacks side walls and handrails, making it dangerously easy to fall from.
This bridge comprises heavy wooden planks arranged in wide trusses, reinforced with iron bindings.
The middle of this stone bridge is a steel grate, strong enough to support travellers.
The body of a monstrously vast, magically preserved snake serves as the bridge.
This bridge comprises only three ropes: one to walk on and two for handholds.
The bridge is reinforced to carry extra weight; it is wider and thicker than normal.
Two statues flank the entrance to this bridge, staring out at those who approach. Along the span, pairs of statues reach over the bridge, joining hands above explorers’ heads.
This bridge is a 2 ft. wide finger of natural rock.
Minor Features & Dressing
The bridge’s handrails are tall and elaborate, providing half cover and make falling off the bridge impossible.
High winds buffet the bridge.
The bridge is slippery.
A worn wooden sign dangles from the bridge, with the word “Danger” burnt into it.
The muddy footprints of a man-sized humanoid trace a path across the bridge.
A sticky residue of tar covers a five-foot radius on the far side of the bridge.
A profound stench of refuse emanates from beneath the bridge; the chasm serves as a midden for the dungeon’s denizens.
A single bloody handprint mars the bridge’s rail. The bridge has deep gouges in one support from someone who attempted to bring it down with an axe.
The bridge is rough and uneven, coated in calcium carbonate deposits, making it appear as if a thick glaze coats the bridge.
A thin layer of bacon fat coats the bridge as a rudimentary trap; this attracts all manner of vermin and makes the bridge’s surface slippery.
Long scratch marks trail along the bridge as if someone dragged something heavy and sharp across.
A stout chest sits at the centre of the bridge, blocking progress. The chest is a mimic waiting for unsuspecting prey to come closer.
Engraved tiles decorated with images of dragons, griffons and so on cover the bridge.
Lettered tiles cover the floor on the bridge; the letters spell the name of a historical figure, deity or other important individual.
A small statue of a nude elf balances precariously on the bridge’s parapet.
A rough path descends from the bridge to a recently abandoned makeshift camp sheltered under the span.
A humanoid body hangs from the bridge on a rope. Several arrows pierce the rotting corpse.
At the far side of the bridge, a chalk “X” decorates the floor. Stones lie scattered around it.
Part of the bridge’s guardrails has crumbled away.
Chalk arrows sketched onto the bridge point in the opposite direction to the party’s travel. Green and red bloodstains dot the bridge.
Credit
This is a short system-neutral extract from GM’s Miscellany: Dungeon Dressing. The book is available in 5e, System Neutral and Pathfinder 1 editions. The OSR edition will be available in early 2023.
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