Currently I'm designing a dungeon full of incredibly lethal things that will kill you if you try to fight them, but are otherwise nullified/bypassed/exploited with the right foresight. Right now I've got basic stuff like floor lava and a monster that will always shuffle towards you but will otherwise never run, as well as two undead soldiers who can be convinced you are their superior officer with the right uniform & performance. What else are some fun dungeon ideas that would be fun to beat as a player? I'm thinking things like a sphynx, where yeah you can fight them, or you can solve their riddles
The Sensorium of Exquisite Experiences tests your five senses (taste, sight, touch, smell and sound) to bypass a barrier leading to their treasure hoard. (Imagine a sphere of darkness and silence where you have to unlock a lock by touch, or putting disgusting objects into your mouth to taste them and see if they match the opposite object. Creative skill or ability checks or saving throws might be required to pass the test.)
The altar of the Golden Emperor lies within a small shrine. Living creatures on the altar have their flesh transformed into solid gold. The effect wears off 8 hours after being removed from the altar or being removed from the shrine. The altar currently has a solid gold statue of (insert dangerous creature) on top. Treat damage to gold statues as per the Stone to Flesh spell.
An underground gnome village have developed a unique means of defending their home. At the heart of the village lies an artifact that transforms all creatures into living hollow terracotta replicas of themselves when within its borders. Aggressive outsiders are quickly smashed to pieces by clever traps. The gnomes are peace-loving, and have developed their home into a beautiful underground garden.
The workshop of Jymbro the muscle wizard houses a range of large, arcane torture tools. It's said those who can correctly endure their use may gain temporary boons to their abilities, though for most trying them, it merely ends in sweat, pain, tears and low self-esteem.
Honest Relaet's Curse Free Magic Item Dungeon Shoppe! (No Refunds)
Cursed magic melee weapon. Becomes 1 lbs heavier each time you attack with it, can't be removed when wielded without a Remove Curse or sacrificing an equal weight in flesh (lower maximum hp per lb sacrificed until restored via GM's means of choice such as Restoration or Regenerate spell).
Cursed magic ranged weapon. After first being fired, the wielder is rendered permanently blind unless cured with a Remove Blindness or Remove Curse spell. Their sight returns when the weapon is loaded with ammunition, but from the perspective of the ammunition instead. Once an attack is resolved or if the weapon's ammunition is removed from contact with the weapon, their blindness returns.
Cursed magic wand. After 24 hours in user's possession, wand comes alive and burrows into their body. Unless removed with a Remove Curse or invasive surgery, each time the victim casts a spell, there's a 50% chance of them casting the wand's spell at their target instead, strengthening enemies or harming allies as appropriate. The wand drains the host to maintain its magic, inflicting hit point damage equal to the caster level of the wand's spell when activated.
Cursed magic armor. Consumes user's life force when equipped. Each day the wearer ages one year older. May cause age category advancement and appropriate changes to stats depending on racial average lifespans. Can only be removed using Remove Curse or by sacrificing the life of a young humanoid creature and applying their lifeblood to the armor before removing.