**Fangs of the Forgotten: Secrets in the Silent Cavern**
Setting: The Silent Cavern
Nestled deep within the Oathbreaker Mountains lies the Silent Cavern, a vast underground labyrinth shrouded in darkness and legend. Guides speak of its existence, warning adventurers that those who enter may never return. Shadows dance along the jagged walls, illuminated only by the faint bioluminescent fungi that cling to the damp stone. The air is dense with an otherworldly silence, as if the cavern itself is holding its breath.
Within these halls lies a wealth of lost treasures and ancient secrets—secrets that have drawn many to their doom. An ancient artifact known as the Fangs of the Forgotten is rumored to rest within the heart of the cavern, a necklace said to enhance the wearer’s strength while simultaneously corrupting them with dark magic.
Characters
- Thalindra, the Cavern Warden: A half-elf ranger who knows the caverns like the back of her hand. Thalindra is determined to guard the secrets of the cavern and prevent the Fangs from falling into the wrong hands. She is resourceful and quick-witted and possesses an array of archery skills and nature spells.
- Lucian, Keeper of Shadows: An enigmatic figure shrouded in darkness, Lucian is a powerful sorcerer who seeks the Fangs of the Forgotten for his own nefarious purposes. He is accompanied by shadowy creatures that lurk in the depths of the cavern and will stop at nothing to acquire the artifact.
- Gloomstalker Beasts: These monstrous creatures, a fusion of shadow and flesh, guard the entrance to the depths of the cavern. They are skilled ambushers, able to blend seamlessly into the dark surroundings.
Goal
The party’s primary objective is to retrieve the Fangs of the Forgotten before Lucian can harness its power. To succeed, they must navigate through a series of traps and puzzles, defeat guardians, and confront Lucian in a final showdown.
The Entrance
As the party approaches the cavern’s mouth, a chilling breeze whips around them, carrying faint whispers that grow louder as they get closer. The entrance is narrow and foreboding, almost as if it is a maw waiting to devour them. Beneath their feet, the ground is uneven and treacherous, with sharp stones jutting out and loose gravel that could easily cause a stumble.
Trap: The entrance is rigged with a collapsing ledge that intermittently gives way behind the first adventurer who steps inside. After entering the cavern, each player must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw (DC 14) or take 2d6 bludgeoning damage as the rocky ground crumbles.
Deeper into the Cavern
As the party ventures deeper, the bioluminescent fungi grow brighter but are accompanied by an increase in eerie silence. Symbols from an ancient language cover the cavern walls, hinting at a history forgotten by time.
After walking some distance, the players come across a large, circular chamber filled with a shallow pool of water surrounded by smooth stones. In the center, a stone pedestal holds an ornate orb, shimmering with a soft light.
Puzzle: The Orb of Reflection
To advance into the labyrinth, the players must determine how to cleanse the orb by reflecting light onto it using mirrors positioned around the room. The mirrors, however, are caked with grime and require a DC 12 Intelligence (Investigation) check to notice their purpose. Once they realize the solution, players must use their abilities to move the mirrors into place—this can be done by any means they prefer (e.g., spellcasting, physical strength, etc.).
When the light successfully reflects onto the orb, it releases a burst of bright energy, illuminating a hidden passageway leading deeper into the hallways of the cavern. However, they should be cautious—this will trigger a sudden ambush.
The Confrontation: Attack of the Gloomstalker Beasts
As the light floods the room, shadows converge into a mass of growling shapes, and from the darkness spring the Gloomstalker Beasts. With elongated claws and eyes that reflect light like a beast from nightmare, they charge at the party from the hidden passageways.
Gloomstalker Beasts:
- AC: 14
- HP: 45
- Attack: Melee, +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1d8 + 3 slashing damage.
- Special Ability: Shadow Ambush—When attacking from concealment or darkness, the Gloomstalker deals an additional 1d8 necrotic damage on a successful hit.
The Gloomstalker Beasts work to isolate party members, forcing them into the defensive while also using their environment for tactical advantage. Defeating them will require teamwork, strategic thinking, and perhaps a well-timed spell or two.
The Heart of the Cavern
Once the beasts are vanquished, the party pushes onward, their nerves on edge. They make their way to a massive chamber, filled with echoes of whispered voices—this is the heart of the caverns. Stalactites hang precariously overhead, glistening like fangs, and at the far end, bathed in eerie light, is a stone altar displaying the Fangs of the Forgotten.
However, Lucian stands before the altar, arms raised. He cackles menacingly, drawing power from the necklace even as its dark magic begins to twist his form.
Confrontation: Lucian, Keeper of Shadows
Lucian:
- AC: 15
- HP: 60
- Spellcasting: Can cast spells up to 3rd level, concentrating on maintaining the power of the necklace.
- Special Ability: Shadow Mage—For each attack he makes, he can choose to teleport 30 feet to an unoccupied space within dark conditions.
Realizing that the Fangs amplify his abilities, Lucian should be blasted with spells and attacked promptly to disrupt his concentration. He can summon shadow minions each round to assist him in battle, which can add chaos to the engagement. These minions (AC 12, HP 10, attack +4 for 1d6 necrotic damage) will aim to distract the players, giving Lucian space to regain control over the artifact's energy.
Resolution: The Aftermath
Once Lucian is defeated, the Fangs of the Forgotten lie shimmering on the altar, free from dark influence. The power of the necklace is palpable, but so too are the feelings of dread that accompany it. The players may choose to either claim the artifact, learning how to master its power, or seal it away, ensuring that no one else can harness its corruption.
Should they choose to claim it, the artifact may confer a bonus to Strength or offer resistance to necrotic damage but at a price—a dark influence that could haunt their dreams or entice them toward malevolent actions.
With the cavern now quiet, the players find an exit hidden nearby, which leads them back to the mountain's surface. But as they ascend, they realize that even in victory, the shadows of the Silent Cavern will forever linger in their hearts and minds.
