when they ask to research the dungeon

Maybe the librarians can help them out. This is half rumor table, half dungeon generator.

SCHOLARS FIND AN ACCOUNT WRITTEN BY:

1. An agent of a foreign empire that claimed dominion over the ruins, like Napoleon in Egypt. Inconsiderate and condescending. Mostly describes FLASHY ARTIFACTS that would be good displays.
2. A conqueror’s enslaved scribe. Reluctant and fatalistic in the face of this culture’s destruction by his overlord. Notes LAYOUT AND DEFENSES, claiming their futility.
3. The charismatic leader of a cargo cult. Zealous; earnestly claims rights as the builders’ true heirs. Focused on the trappings of builder culture to reinforce own legitimacy (mostly religion and technology: MAGIC, ARMS & ARMOR, SYMBOLS)
4. A romanticizing poet writing centuries later. Attempts to use report to further ‘noble savage’ or golden age ideology, focusing on EVIDENCES OF SOCIAL ACTIVITIES.
5. A census taker during reign of a prosperous kingdom. Dispassionate and businesslike, mostly just lists. Notes population and amount of taxable goods (TREASURE AND ANIMALS).
6. A sensationalist archeologist, tampering with the findings to win further support. Bombastic clickbait. Describes ALL KEY PARTS of the dungeon but is only correct 50% of time.

THE BUILDERS WERE UNDERGROUND TO:

1. Hide from the sun (biological reason)
2. Hide from surface weather (biological reason)
3. Hide from a particular person (social reason)
4. Hide from an enemy group (tactical reason)
5. Mine (resources)
6. Farm (resources)
7. Conceal an item (burying)
8. Contain a powerful being (imprisonment)
9. Research (observing)
10. (roll twice; unclear or contradictory reasons)

NEW OCCUPANTS HAVE TAKEN AN INTEREST IN:

1. Some sort of technical bow
2. A jade eyepiece
3. An imprisoned catastrophe
4. Ancient aged wine
5. An automatonic knight
6. Information on the Jabberwock
7. A stashed supply of gethre
8. Old, heretical version of current holy symbol
9. A powerful weapon like a cannon
10. A black mirror
11. A poisonous (radioactive) ore
12. An immortal coelacanth/aboleth
13. Orichalc burial armor
14. A mass grave
15. Rare Emperor’s Crown Mushrooms
16. A magnet with the strength to levitate metal
17. Golden oracular skull
18. A hand of glory
19. A bath that reincarnates, but leaves the user with no memory
20. A sword that reflects death magic