M is for Mascaron

The middle of the alphabet is rich in architectural dungeony things. There are almost as many good M’s as L’s, like Madhouse, Malt House, Mall, Mantel, Martyrium, Mastaba, Mausoleum, and Maze.

Mascarons are stone carvings of grotesque faces—some human, some beasts, and most a mix of the two. The majority of mascarons in a dungeon are ordinary (if unusual looking) stone carvings, but some are magical.

This mascaron’s eyes rove continually, wildly, and not in the same direction. It will jibber and try to bite anyone or anything that comes close:

wild-eyed mascaron

This one truthfully answers one question posed by any Lawful character:

somber mascaron

This one tries to loudly spit on anyone passing below (then look innocent):

sly, cherubic mascaron

Animal noises emanate from this one, although it never moves:

rough mascaron

This one hurls foul insults (in a long-forgotten language) at anyone who passes. If the PC’s somehow manage to communicate with it in its own tongue, it will reveal the location of treasure in exchange for the PC’s telling it salacious stories. When it doesn’t know any more real treasure locations, it will invent treasures to keep the PC’s interest. It leers, and ogles any female party members regardless of their charisma.

wicked mascaron