The History of Darkrock Cavern
Nestled deep in the northern Plains of Shalannan, Darkrock Cavern has long been one of Otian’s most prosperous mines. The dwarves of Otian first broke ground over three centuries ago, drawn by rich veins of gold, silver, and a rare mineral known as glowstone, which emits a faint luminescence in the dark. Over the years, the mine expanded, its tunnels sprawling deep beneath the rocky hills. Though its reputation for wealth grew, so did tales of strange happenings—echoes in empty tunnels, tools going missing, and shadows moving where none should be.
The Collapse
Four days prior to the Roving Adventurers’ arrival, disaster struck. A sudden, violent tremor shook Darkrock Cavern, sending slabs of stone crashing down in one of the deeper shafts. Dozens of miners were trapped. Though rescue efforts began immediately, many feared that the worst had befallen those caught within. Some workers, emerging shaken and dust-covered, claimed they had heard something unnatural beneath the earth—a deep, rhythmic noise that preceded the cave-in, like the beating of a massive heart.
The Survivors
Nine miners were pulled from the wreckage, their bodies battered, their spirits rattled. They now rest in Otian’s infirmary, tended to by local healers. Each survivor bears their own account of the catastrophe:
Durnik Stonehand (Male Dwarf): A veteran miner with a broken leg, Durnik swears he saw movement beyond the collapse before the rocks fell—something large and shifting.
Brilda Coppervein (Female Dwarf): Covered in dust and bruises, Brilda was closest to the collapse. She describes a strange vibration in the walls before the stone came down.
Hegrek Flintbrow (Male Dwarf): Shaken but uninjured, Hegrek insists that just before the collapse, he heard whispers in the dark.
Torla Deepdelver (Female Dwarf): A younger miner, Torla barely escaped. She recalls seeing an eerie glow filtering through the cracks just before the rocks fell.
Kolbin Truegrit (Male Dwarf): A steady, no-nonsense miner, Kolbin dismisses the eerie tales but admits the tremors felt unnatural.
Silda Gemeye (Female Dwarf): She clutches a small stone amulet and mutters prayers, claiming that ancient spirits warned her of the disaster.
Perrin Brambletoe (Male Halfling): A nimble tunnel scout, Perrin narrowly escaped with only a few scrapes. He recalls feeling an unnatural pull downward before he fled.
Elra Thornwhistle (Female Halfling): Trapped for hours before her rescue, Elra insists that something was breathing beyond the rubble.
Gurmag the Steady (Male Half-Orc): A powerful miner, Gurmag was instrumental in digging out survivors. He refuses to speak of what he saw, his silence more unsettling than words.
The Adventurers Descend
After speaking with the survivors, the Roving Adventurers prepare to enter Darkrock Cavern.
Mayor Ironvein grants them access, cautioning that they might find more than just collapsed tunnels. The descent is eerie; lanterns flicker, and the deeper they go, the more pronounced the veins of precious metals and gemstones become.
Makhulim’s eyes gleam as he takes in the wealth surrounding them. He runs his fingers along a thick seam of silver, his dwarven instincts warring with his purpose. Marcho, ever watchful, throws him a knowing look but says nothing—for now.
The Collapse Site
Reaching the collapsed tunnel, they find an imposing pile of massive stones, completely blocking the passage. The destruction is extensive, the rockfall too large for mere brute strength to move. The adventurers quickly assess their options.
Makhulim and Nayzungit take a physical approach, setting up pulleys, levers, and reinforced beams to stabilize the rubble as they attempt to shift the smaller stones first. Marcho carefully inspects gaps between the fallen rocks, ensuring no further collapse will occur, while Nayzungit blesses the area, reinforcing their efforts with divine protection. With careful teamwork, they manage to clear some of the outermost debris.
Meanwhile, Faylen and Nayzungit use magic to aid the process. Faylen casts Stone Shape to mold the debris into more manageable sections, allowing for easier removal. She also attempts Detect Magic, hoping to discern any arcane disturbances in the rock itself. Nayzungit calls upon divine power, invoking a Wall of Stone to reinforce sections that seem unstable. Additionally, Marcho finds a few well-placed explosives among the mining supplies, proposing a controlled detonation to loosen the worst of the blockage. After careful consideration and preparation, they execute the plan with precision.
Through a combination of dwarven engineering, arcane shaping, and divine reinforcement, the adventurers gradually carve a pathway through the wreckage, their efforts taking hours but proving fruitful.
An Ominous Sound
As the adventurers work to clear the rubble, a sound echoes from beyond the blockage. It is deep and resonant, like a slow, deliberate inhale. Then, a rhythmic thrum begins, reverberating through the walls, setting the very stone to a subtle tremble. Something waits beyond.
The adventure into Darkrock Cavern has only just begun. What lurks beneath the mine, and what secrets lie buried in the stone? The Roving Adventurers are about to find out.
