Here's something I threw together a session ago that will probably now become one of the four or five main quests to my campaign I have been running for a year and I thought I'd share.

Something I decided to do after exploring thingiverse for some openforge models to print, (I have found that sometimes the models you find there will help you write some great lore and backstories) I found a set of models that built an enormous four level pyramid. I love having big stuff to put on the table but I also love the ability to reuse those models so I often look for modular systems such as fat dragon games Drangon lock system, or Printable scenery rampage system or the free openlock stuff from thingiverse (btw there are adaptors to each system so they will all work together.)

So I have been building this pyramid, that when finished will be about 3ftx3ftx3ft... I think what I am going to do is that them be temples to the four elementals and in those locations the players will find the objects to control and elemental. (Bowl, incensor, etc...) The first of my temples I have placed in the underdark and I think it stands to reason that this temple be to earth. Just something I thought I'd throw out here. Like Legends of Zelda I think I will have each temple corrupted by some difficult foe... for instance the Earth Temple I will place a hive of Mindflyers and an Elder Brain... For the temple of Water I am thinking a Hydra and Yuan-ti... so on and so on... One other element I think I will add in is a key or artifact that can be found at each site that can either unlock something terrible or seal the evil away when found... 

Let me know what you think. Like I said... all of this came about when I was just scrolling through thingiverse looking for models to print. Even if you don't have a printer i think its a great place to get inspiration for writing lore or story.