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Dungeons
Tree Tops on rope bridge and platforms · Small · Level 2 · Medium

The Lower Tangle

A lantern carved above the arch points down, while the bridge beyond sways without any wind.
Rooms
6
Foes
7, CR 1/8 to 1
Traps
3
Treasure
45 gp
123456Entrance
Select a room on the plan to open it.

The party is in

1. The First Platform

Seen

Something wanders by

At a glance

The threat

A giant spider called the web-spinner has made its lair.

Wandering monsters (1d3)

  1. 1

    1d3× Bark lizardCR 1/8

    When: A creature shakes or strikes the platform boards.A small lizard with a bright throat clings to the underside of the walkway and snaps if cornered.
  2. 2

    SpiderlingCR 1/4

    When: The party cuts or disturbs webbing near or .A giant spiderling follows strands of silk between trunks, testing the party with quick bites before retreating.
  3. 3

    1d2× Canopy stirgeCR 1/8

    When: The party rests noisily or leaves blood on the platforms.A stirge drifts through the leaves, then dives toward the warmest exposed creature.

Rooms

6
1

The First Platform

2 foestreasuresecret

What they see

Read aloud

The entrance platform is lashed around a huge trunk, with an archway of woven branches opening onto a swaying bridge. The wind carries a faint tapping from deeper in the canopy, and a concealed panel in the southern bark reveals the shrine passage.

Features

  • A waist-high rail of knotted rope circles the platform.
  • Three worn route marks are carved beside the western door.
  • The southern secret door is bark-faced and opens when a hidden wooden peg is pressed.

What the GM knows

Monsters

2× Canopy lizardsCR 1/8

Small, mottled tree lizards cling to the trunk and snap at exposed fingers when startled.Tactics. They bite from the bark, then scurry out of reach; they flee if one is killed.

Treasure

Dropped travel purse8 sp

A small pouch caught behind the rail contains a few coins left by a traveler.
Room secrets · GM only

Notes

The western normal door leads to , the northern archway to , and the southern secret door to . The route marks point toward the safe descent, though the final mark is missing. The lizards are more nuisance than threat.

3 doors: W (normal), N (archway), S (secret)

The place

What it is

This small descent of rope bridges, bark platforms, and hollowed tree chambers hangs high in an immense forest.

Atmosphere

Sap-sweet air turns cold and damp as the platforms descend.

The threat

A giant spider called the web-spinner has made its lair.

History

The platforms were built by the Canopy Wardens, who maintained a safe passage from a high forest settlement to the ground below.

Rumors

1d4
Roll a rumor

  1. 1The old canopy route reaches the forest floor, but the last bridge has been cut.
  2. 2A giant spider can hear footsteps through the tree itself.
  3. 3A hidden shrine still answers travelers who leave a light burning.
  4. 4The Wardens marked safe branches with knots, not paint; most people mistake the marks for repairs.

Plot hooks

3
RescueThe Missing SurveyorA caravan guide needs a missing surveyor found. The surveyor was last seen entering the canopy route with a map showing a safe way to the forest floor.From: Dema, a trail guide with a split walking staffReward: A 25 gp payment and a hand-drawn map of nearby forest paths
InvestigationThe Cut LineA settlement's supply rope has been cut, stranding its people above the ground. The party must descend through the platforms and find who has been sabotaging the route.From: Kito, a rope-maker who has climbed down from the settlementReward: A coil of strong silk rope and free lodging for a week
RetrievalFungus at the ShrineAn herbalist wants a rare pale fungus found growing near the old shrine. The fungus is harmless, but gathering it risks disturbing the spirit's prison and drawing the spider's attention.From: Thesi, an herbalist who trades in dried leavesReward: A healing draught and 15 gp

Corridors

3

  • Between and

    A frayed guide-rope runs beside the main walkway; its knots mark the safest handholds, though several have been cut.

  • Between and

    A cluster of broad leaves hides a gap in the planks. A loose rope loop nearby can be used to lower a traveler carefully past it.

  • Between and

    Old wooden chimes click whenever something crosses the bridge, carrying their warning through the canopy.

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