Rope-a-dope those Caverns!

Last time, we discussed the surprising exploration pace of our party in the newly discovered caverns below the Night Hag’s cabin. We’ve got some more ideas on how to slow the payers down so they avoid treating our beloved gameboard like a video game.

Terrain and monsters are excellent ways to slow down a streaking party and encourage them to soak it all in rather than go all Mario Kart on everything. First, we were inspired by a brilliant Reddit user’s well-written cavern post, and then we also decided to pull a favorite monster off our miniature display shelf.

Let’s start with this Reddit “r/DnDBehindTheScreen” group and the fantastic writings of “famoushippopotamus.” His Cavern Building Primer article is so well done and a must-read. It makes zero difference that the content is eight years old, as that’s the beauty of our beloved Dungeons and Dragons hobby…great DM advice will always be just that (regardless of what edition you’re playing).

He covers entrances/exits, terrain hazards, ecologies, mapping, and even a cool random table all in easy-to-read sections that are chock-full of inspirational game design ideas. The comprehensive list of applicable cave-dwelling monsters was marvelous, but the Habitation Reasons and Terrain/Hazards sections were our favorites.

Let’s start with our cavern monster additions. We’re going with the classic DnD 5e Roper! What’s not to love, right?! It’s got False Appearance (for a nasty surprise round), a multi-attack (four), and, of course, can grapple opponents via Reel with its tendrils. Even worse for the adventurers, if they unknowingly focus on its tendrils, the monster itself doesn’t take any damage on its 93 HP and will grow one back the next round. Vicious.

With an AC of 20 and 93 HP, this is one mean fella. So, DM Ben is inclined to utilize only one monster here. However, he may place a second one in another cavern passageway (especially if he needs to do a Wandering Monster roll).

We have great prepainted monster mini options here, thanks to WizKids.

• Roper from the Underdark set
• Roper from the Against the Giants set

These are both classic sets beloved by collectors like us. If you’re looking for a 3D print, we suggest Cult Miniatures and mz4250.

To illustrate how sneakily hidden they are, DM Ben will remove a standard Dwarven Forge Cavern wall and replace it with our Underdark Roper mini. DM Ben absolutely loves swapping out typical terrain for different pieces (like traps) and hidden monsters (like mimics). This unexpected gameboard update really keeps his players guessing.

The other obstacle we’re going to insert into our twisting underground passages is taken directly from Reddit user famoushippopotamus. To quote him, “Passages that you can crawl through, but not without dumping some gear.” Frickin’ brilliant, especially because the party cannot stand fog of war and unexplored sections on the map.

DM Ben will explain to the party that the elevated hallway they’re traversing suddenly gets incredibly tight. A simple DC 10 Intelligence or Survival check will show that any character under xx lbs might squeeze through the opening, but it will be in their skivvies (no armor, no shields).

Now, if the group is wicked smart, they might slip through first, tie a rope to their discarded gear, and pull it towards them on the other side. However, the opening is at least 30 feet long and very uneven, so there’s a 50% chance the gear will get stuck/hooked on the uneven surface and a 10% chance the character itself will get stuck. DM Ben will also require a DC 12 Constitution save to ensure no one gets claustrophobia jitters.

The area beyond the tight rock formations is home to a grumpy Bulette’s nesting area. Since this large monstrosity can use its mighty claws to tunnel as needed, that tight passage area means nothing to this “momma bear.”

This is a very dangerous part of the cavern, and the Night Hag used several tricks to keep the big baddie Bulette at bay, such as offering food to it and protecting her nest eggs from hungry hunters.

Much to her surprise, she discovered a Corederite mineral deposit beyond it. Infatuated by its potential, she set up an alchemy station to see if she could extract its power (knowing full well about The Forgotten Rails and their Hovertrains). And we’ll share more about these two areas in future posts!

Until next time!