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===== The Forgotten Caves ===== === Level 1 Exploration Scenario === The PCs are searching for the entrance to a forgotten system of tunnels that provide access to a point of interest, such as ancient ruins or the dungeons of a nearby castle. Though it begins outdoors, the majority of the scenario is within the caves. ==== Map ==== ^ Setting | Dungeon | ^ Type | Normal | ^ Lighting | Dark (except A and D) | <file> (start) A ~ B - C v v D - E - F (goal) </file> ==== Regions ==== ^ (Region A) The Mountainside ^^^ | //The fierce rocky crags seem a bit less imposing up close than they did from farther away. Somewhere around here should be the entrance to the tunnels. Lightning cracks as the weather takes a turn for the worse; you should probably hurry.// ||| ^ Note ||| | This region's setting is wilderness. ||| ^ Exit ^ To ^ Obstacle | | Boarded-up Entry | B | Hidden: 1d6 | ^ Hazards ||| | [[analects_book_4_part_2_chapter_1#thunderstorm|Thunderstorm]] ||| ^ (Region B) The Forgotten Caves ^^^ | //A rickety wooden bridge hangs suspended in these dark caves. You can't see the ground below from the radius of your light.// ||| ^ Exit ^ To ^ Obstacle | | Entry | A | - | | East | C | - | | Down | D | Height 2 fall; -1 damage level from water (2d4) | ^ Hazards ||| | [[analects_book_4_part_2_chapter_2#cave_bats|Cave Bats]] | Respawn: 1; Pursue except to D || ^ Secrets ||| | [[Analects Book 5 Chapter 1|Fortune]] | Hidden: 1d8 || ^ (Region C) Planks ^^^ | //Unstable wooden planks cross dark openings. There's a rusted ladder at the other side of them.// ||| ^ Exit ^ To ^ Obstacle | | West | B | - | | Down | E | [[analects_book_4_part_2_chapter_1#narrow_platform|Narrow Platform]] (Height 2; fall to E) | ^ Secrets ||| | [[Analects Book 5 Chapter 1|Fortune]] | Hidden: 1d6 || ^ (Region D) Pungent Waters ^^^ | //These frigid, dark, 5ft-deep cave waters are covered in a thin layer of awful-smelling slime.// ||| ^ Notes ^^^ | This region requires swimming. ||| ^ Exit ^ To ^ Obstacle | | East | E | - | | Up | B | Height 2 | ^ Hazards ||| | [[analects_book_4_part_2_chapter_1#chilled_winds|Chilled Winds]] ||| ^ Secrets ||| | Bones with a key to the Dungeon Entrance | Hidden: 1d6 || ^ (Region E) Cave Tunnels ^^^ | //Ahead, the open cavern condenses into tight, winding natural cave tunnels.// ||| ^ Exit ^ To ^ Obstacle | | Up | C | [[analects_book_4_part_2_chapter_1#narrow_platform|Narrow Platform]] (Height 2) | | West | D | - | | East | F | - | ^ Hazards ||| | [[analects_book_4_part_2_chapter_1#shallow_pits|Shallow Pits]] | Hidden: 1d6 || ^ (Region F) Castle Dungeons ^^^ | //A collapsed brick wall ahead signifies the end of the caves and entrance to the old dungeons. A locked door guards entry to the rest of the dungeon.// ||| ^ Exit ^ To ^ Obstacle | | West | E | - | | East | Goal | [[analects_book_4_part_2_chapter_1#standard_locked_door|Standard Locked Door]] | ^ Hazards ||| | [[analects_book_4_part_2_chapter_1#small_gelatinous_skulk|Small Gelatinous Skulk]] | Hidden: 1d8 || ==== Tweaks ==== If it is nighttime, region A should also be dark. For slight added difficulty, you might rule that the Blue Mold doesn't glow brightly enough to provide real light, leaving D dark (PCs should still be able to see something faintly glowing from above, but not enough to get details about the region). You may opt to allow a PC that finds the exit in A to immediately play an Action against the Door if they wish. This is especially appropriate with a small player count. If there are only three PCs, particularly if they are light on lockpicking ability, consider swapping the Standard Locked Door in A for the [[analects_book_4_part_2_chapter_1#simple_locked_door|Simple]] version. If you have five PCs, consider adding another Cave Bats to B. You also might give the Small Gelatinous Skulk the ability to target two enemies with its Action. If you want a larger scenario with more stuff for the PCs to find, add another region heading south from E, blocked by [[analects_book_4_part_2_chapter_1#winding_tunnels|Winding Tunnels]] with a Fortune (or specific reward) hidden inside. Since the Winding Tunnels are not a direct threat, consider adding something like [[analects_book_4_part_2_chapter_1#fright_beetles|Fright Beetles]] that can pass freely through the Tunnels, or include [[analects_book_4_part_2_chapter_1#noxious_fungi|Noxious Fungi]] or [[analects_book_4_part_2_chapter_1#wall_darts|Wall Darts]] in the extra region. [[dm_s_toolbox_book_2_chapter_1|More level 1 exploration scenarios]]
