Descent into the Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth
Deep in the Yatil Mountains lie the Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth, formerly occupied by the legendary archmage Iggwilv the Witch Queen. Though Iggwilv is long gone, her lair is anything but empty. Demons, giants, and other formidable creatures haunt the perilous caverns, and the archmage's magical defenses remain intact. The rewards for braving these threats defy imagination. Iggwilv is rumored to have amassed a magical hoard of unsurpassed value, a trove of such fame that scores of adventurers have perished in search of it.
This supplement is part of a yearlong celebration of Dungeons & Dragons and its 50th anniversary. The adventure presented herein is an abridged, quick-play version of "The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth," which appears in Quests from the Infinite Staircase. See that book for the full adventure.
"Descent into the Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth" is designed for four to six 9th-level characters.
Using This Supplement
In addition to the adventure, this supplement includes the following appendices:
x presents a small trove of magic items available to all who brave the Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth. At the DM's discretion, the characters might earn one or more of these treasures as a reward for completing the adventure.
x contains a creature that dwells in the Lost Caverns, the pech.
x features a score sheet for use in competitive play. See the "x" section for how to run the adventure as a tournament-style scenario.
x provides six premade characters suitable for this adventure. Each player can choose one of these characters or provide a 9th-level character of their own.
Running the Adventure
To run the adventure, you need the fifth edition core rulebooks: the Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and Monster Manual. When a creature's name appears in bold type, that's a visual cue pointing you to its stat block as a way of saying, "Hey, DM, you should get this creature's stat block ready. You're going to need it." The Monster Manual contains stat blocks for most of the creatures in these adventures; the pech appears in x.
Spells and equipment mentioned in this supplement are described in the Player's Handbook. Magic items are described in the Dungeon Master's Guide.
Background
Iggwilv carved out a kingdom for herself through magical prowess, strength, and wit, bolstered by a horde of demons bound by magic to further her aims. In her quest for absolute power, Iggwilv accumulated countless enemies determined to destroy her. Among these was the demon lord Graz'zt, whom the archmage imprisoned for a time. Eventually, Iggwilv's ambitions proved excessive, and a climactic battle with Graz'zt broke her power. The Witch Queen then vanished. As her evil influence waned, Iggwilv's realm was sundered, and her lair was lost.
This lost lair purportedly lies deep in a series of caverns somewhere in the Yatil Mountains. In the decades since Iggwilv's disappearance, adventurers and treasure hunters have sought the Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth and the treasures within. This adventure assumes the characters know the way to the fabled lair, having assembled fragments of information regarding the caverns' location or learned it from another reliable source.
Adventure Hooks
If the prospect of claiming Iggwilv's hoard isn't enough to persuade the characters to undertake this quest, you can further motivate the party with either of the following adventure hooks:
- Iggwilv's Rival. An archmage who was once embroiled in a heated rivalry with Iggwilv has reason to believe she isn't dead. The archmage recruits the characters to search the Lost Caverns for any evidence of the Witch Queen's lingering presence.
- Margrave's Agents. The margrave of a nation near the mountains has uncovered clues to the Lost Caverns' whereabouts, thanks to a few partially successful expeditions in recent years. Most of the agents the margrave sent came back battle worn and empty-handed, if they returned at all. The margrave hires the characters to recover Iggwilv's hoard before it falls into the hands of his rivals.
Setting the Adventure
On the world of Oerth in the Greyhawk campaign setting, the Lost Caverns hide within the Yatil Mountains, nestled between the nations of Ket and Perrenland, with Bissel to the south.
You can set the adventure in a different world by placing it in any mountain range near a kingdom or settlement—before her disappearance, Iggwilv's influence spanned multiple worlds and planes of existence. Consider the following suggestions:
- Dragonlance. The Speaker of the Suns, leader of the Qualinesti elves, might charge the characters to search for the Lost Caverns in the Kharolis Mountains south of the elves' forest home.
- Eberron. The nations of Aundair, Breland, and Thrane vie to explore the Lost Caverns in the Blackcap Mountains. Iggwilv's experiments there drew power from the depths of Kyber.
- Forgotten Realms. The Lost Caverns are hidden in the Sunset Mountains, northeast of Proskur along the High Road. The High Overseer of Elturel might hire the characters to locate the caverns.
Tournament Rules
If you wish to emulate the competitive adventures of old, you can run this adventure as a tournament-style scenario by following the guidance in this section. Rather than pitting characters against one another, adventuring parties are scored as a group.
These rules are optional. You don't need to score your players to run this adventure. The scoring system included in this supplement is meant to spark joy, not contention.
Rewards
At game conventions and store events, these rules can be used to award prizes to the highest-scoring groups. Otherwise, they mainly exist for groups to enjoy bragging rights, comradery, and other intangible benefits. Consider sharing your group's final score as a lighthearted challenge to other players.
Scoring
Have this adventure's score sheet (see x) handy as you run the adventure. As the characters traverse the Lost Caverns, silently cross-reference the actions of the party with those denoted on the score sheet, making note of any events that qualify for a point increase or deduction.
Keep these actions and their associated point values secret during the adventure. You can share them with the players afterward, along with the group's final score. Alternatively, you can announce these point fluctuations as they occur to your players for comedic or dramatic effect.
After the adventure, use the score sheet to tally the group's points and calculate their final score, then report that score to the players. It's possible—albeit unlikely—to earn a negative final score.
Time Limit
As a tournament scenario, this adventure has a strict time limit: a single game session equal to four hours of play. Encourage players at the onset not to dawdle—the clock is ticking! The adventure concludes once that time has elapsed or whenever any of the following conditions have been met:
- Every character in the party is dead or otherwise out of commission.
- The characters explore every area of the lesser caverns (presented later in this adventure).
- The characters descend to the greater caverns (see x of the lesser caverns) or leave the Lost Caverns altogether. Let players know that these actions will end the adventure (and thus their opportunity to score more points).
Resting
To keep the dungeon challenging, the characters can take only one short rest during the session. Long rests are prohibited for tournament play of this adventure.
Lost Caverns
The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth hide in the Yatil Mountains south of Iggwilv's Horn. Not much is known about the caverns' namesake, the mysterious Tsojcanth, who was eclipsed by the archmage who succeeded them. Whether Tsojcanth was slain by Iggwilv or left before her arrival, this predecessor's only remaining trace is the caverns' name, while the Witch Queen's influence persists long after her departure.
The caverns are divided into the lesser and greater caverns. This abbreviated adventure focuses only on the former.
Starting the Adventure
Read or paraphrase the following text to begin the adventure:
The tunnel slants down to x of the lesser caverns.
Lesser Caverns Features
The lesser caverns form the upper level of the Lost Caverns. Unless otherwise noted, the lesser caverns have the following features:
- Ambience. The caverns are damp, humid, and full of life. Stalactites drip into shallow puddles, and water trickles down the slick cave walls. The sounds of cave bats, small insects, and the caverns' monstrous denizens echo throughout.
- Ceilings. Ceilings are 15 feet high in corridors and tunnels and 20 feet high in chambers.
- Lighting. The caverns are unlit. Denizens carry their own light or rely on darkvision to see. Area descriptions assume the characters have a light source or other means of seeing in the dark.
- Underground Rivers. The rivers that span the lesser caverns have strong currents. A creature that enters a river for the first time on a turn or starts its turn there must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be swept 20 feet in the direction indicated by the arrows on the map.
Lesser Cavern Locations
The following locations are keyed to map 1.1.
L1: Entry Caverns
[image: A ghastly visage outside the entry caverns portends the dangers within]
Each of the carved faces is magical. They are immune to all damage and speak a few programmed messages. When a creature approaches one of the tunnels leaving the chamber, the face beside it animates and warns in a deep, dire tone, "Turn back—this is not the way!"
A character who examines one of the faces and succeeds on a DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check notices the glint of a gemstone in its mouth.
Speaking to the Faces
The faces repeat their warning if spoken to, except in the following two circumstances:
- "Say 'Aah!. '" If a character asks one of the faces to open its mouth, stick out its tongue, or yawn, the face sticks out its tongue and says "aah," revealing a gemstone the size of a hen's egg on its tongue.
- "Truth. " If a character asks one of the faces which way to go or uses the word "truth" while speaking near a face, the faces respond in unison. Five of the faces lie, saying, "My way is the right way." The face marking the southeast tunnel leading to x, however, responds, "I watch the best way."
Treasure
Each of the faces contains a different gem worth 200 gp: amber, amethyst, blue aquamarine, garnet, peridot, and pink tourmaline.
A creature that tries to retrieve a gem from one of the faces without first asking the face to open its mouth must make a DC 17 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check. On a failed check, the creature takes 11 (2d10) bludgeoning damage as the mouth clamps shut. The mouth similarly damages tools or weapons inserted into it without its permission.
L2: Slate Chamber
The figure is a clay golem created by Iggwilv to destroy intruders. The golem attacks any creature that enters the chamber. The golem fights to the death and pursues trespassers relentlessly, even chasing them out of the caverns.
Treasure
The weapon stuck in the clay golem is a slender-bladed Giant Slayer (shortsword). The sword's name ("Longtooth") is engraved into the blade in Gnomish. Once the golem is destroyed, the sword can easily be freed from its chest.
L3: Guano-Covered Cave
The ceiling of this soiled cave is 50 feet high. This cave once hosted dozens of bats, but a cloaker that dwells here devoured them. The hungry creature hides among the stalactites, waiting to fall on one of the characters.
Tunnel Ledge
A ledge on the north wall of the cave stretches out 30 feet above the floor. A short tunnel leads from the ledge to the river beyond. The water's surface is 40 feet below the tunnel's exit.
L4: Littered Cave
The skeleton is that of a minotaur thief who fell prey to the trap in this cave. The two leather sacks beside it are illusions designed to lure greedy intruders to their doom. A character who inspects the sacks and succeeds on a DC 18 Intelligence (Investigation) check or who makes physical contact with one of them discerns their false nature.
Crushing Ceiling Trap
A 20-foot-wide section of the ceiling over the skeleton contains a crushing deadfall. A character who examines the ceiling and succeeds on a DC 17 Wisdom (Perception) check notices bits of decayed flesh stuck to the ceiling, which is flat and made of stone.
Whenever a creature enters the area marked on the map, the trap magically triggers. That section of the ceiling rapidly drops, crushing anything in its path. Creatures in that area must make a DC 17 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 55 (10d10) bludgeoning damage and has the prone condition. On a successful save, it takes half as much damage only and is pushed to the nearest unoccupied space outside the trap's area. Objects wedged under the trap are destroyed. The stone then retracts into the ceiling, and the trap resets.
A successful Dispel Magic spell (DC 17) suppresses the trap and its illusions for 24 hours.
Treasure
A pouch on the minotaur's skeleton holds five diamonds worth 100 gp each. The illusory sacks contain nothing.
L5: Grotto
[image: Four pechs diligently dig a staired tunnel up into the mountain, decorating its walls with carvings]
Eight pechs (see x) are diligently carving a tunnel from this grotto up into the mountain toward an enclosed cavern they can sense. For now, the tunnel leads only to a dead end. If the characters draw attention with light or noise, the pechs investigate.
The pechs are initially indifferent toward the characters, admonishing them to douse any bright lights they carry, as the lights hurt the pechs' eyes. If the characters comply, the pechs become curious and willing to chat. Otherwise, they resume their work, defending themselves if necessary.
In conversation, the pechs warn the characters about the clay golem in the slate chamber (x). Characters can improve the pechs' attitude toward them by offering the pechs at least 500 gp of gems or a unique carving or sculpture, especially one made of stone. Friendly pechs might be willing to help fight the clay golem or use their Communal Spellcasting action to restore petrified characters.
Carvings
The carvings on the walls depict cave-dwelling creatures, such as bats and crickets, as well as creatures from the Elemental Plane of Earth such as dao, pechs, xorn, and earth elementals. Characters who inspect the carvings and succeed on a DC 16 Intelligence (Arcana) check identify the planar creatures.
L6: Fungal Cavern
Three ghost-white cave crickets (use the giant frog stat block) nibble at the glowing mushrooms in this cave, which radiate dim light. The crickets are indifferent toward the characters.
If the characters disturb the crickets, the insects begin to chirp loudly. The trolls in x investigate any loud noises coming from this area.
Mushrooms
The fungi in this chamber are edible, and characters can forage here without having to make an ability check. Doing so doesn't disturb the crickets.
L7: Slimy Cavern
Originally this was another cultivated fungus farm like area L6, but slime molds are overtaking the cave. The cloaked figure is the corpse of an elf adventurer who died here, trapped by the green slime. His body has been partially calcified by the mineral-rich water dripping from the ceiling.
Green Slime
Six patches of green slime (see the Dungeon Master's Guide) cling to the ceiling near the fallen adventurer. A character who inspects the slime and succeeds on a DC 15 Intelligence (Nature) check recognizes the danger it poses. The slime falls on creatures that approach the corpse.
Mushrooms
The fungi here are mostly edible. Foraging in this cavern requires a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Survival) check to avoid the harmful molds and slime. On a failed check, the mushrooms the character gathers are contaminated by the slime. A creature that eats a contaminated mushroom must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or have the poisoned condition for 8 hours.
Treasure
The elf corpse carries a silvered rapier and wears Bracers of Defense.
L8: Stinking Cave
[image: Three hungry trolls pass the time in their foul-smelling cave]
This cave is the lair of three trolls. They regularly gather rotting material from their den and spread it through the nearby fungus caverns (areas L6 and L7) to ensure the mushrooms grow and attract cave crickets for the trolls to feed on. The trolls are ornery, having long gone without the taste of humanoid flesh—their favorite delicacy. The trolls attack anyone they notice, fantasizing aloud in Giant about the meal they're about to have.
Treasure
Gathered under the trolls' beds is their accumulated loot: 120 gp, 900 sp, four gems worth 50 gp each, gnome-sized wooden dentures set with mother-of-pearl teeth (worth 50 gp), a quiver with twenty silvered arrows, and a Potion of Healing (greater).
L9: Bat Corridor
The ceiling of this corridor is covered in thousands of roosting bats. Bright light or any noise louder than a whisper agitates the bats and sends them into a panic, causing a number of swarms of bats equal to the number of characters in this area descend from the ceiling and attack the source of the disturbance. The swarms extinguish any nonmagical light sources they come within 5 feet of with a flurry of buffeting wings.
Whenever a creature destroys a swarm, a new swarm immediately forms in an unoccupied space within 15 feet of the creature. The new swarm acts on the destroyed swarm's initiative count.
If the characters extinguish all light sources and cease attacking and making loud noises, the bats settle back into their roosts at the end of the round. They don't pursue creatures beyond the corridor.
L10: Long Gallery
The indentations are the rock-cyst burrows of four cave morays—sluglike scavengers that slither between the burrow entrances through tunnels in the rock. The cave morays use the giant poisonous snake stat block. They use their reach to bite at prey from the safety of their burrows.
Cave morays inside their burrows have three-quarters cover. A creature within 5 feet of a burrow can pull a cave moray from its burrow by grappling it. If removed from its burrow, a cave moray frantically tries to escape back to its hole.
Loud sounds here, including the din of battle, draw the attention of the fomorians in area L11. The cave morays retreat into their burrows when the fomorians arrive.
L11: Fomorian Cave
Two fomorians inhabit this cave. The beds, fire pit, and utensils are all sized for Huge creatures.
The fomorians are cruel, violent, and bored. When the giants notice the characters, they abandon their meal and attack. One of the fomorians wields the roasting spit as its weapon, tearing bites off the bug-tipped skewer between swings.
Treasure
Stashed beneath the fomorians' beds are two ivory mammoth tusks (each is worth 600 gp and weighs 100 pounds), a Spell Scroll of Levitate, and a beaten copper bowl with lapis lazuli handles, which is worth 750 gp.
L12: River Ledge
This ledge is visible from the lake (area L13) and from the shores of x and L14.
Treasure
The vessel is a Folding Boat created to traverse the lake and the rivers that branch from it. In addition to its usual properties, the boat has an extra command word that functions only while the boat is within the Lost Caverns. A character who knows this additional command word ("Shrimpkin")—discovered by casting the Identify spell on the boat or by examining clues in the boat's intricate designs and succeeding on a DC 16 Intelligence (Arcana) check—can command the boat to row itself in a particular direction at a speed of 30 feet or to hold its position in defiance of the water's swiftest currents.
L13: Underground Lake
The lake teems with blind cave fish and crayfish. These critters are a food source for many of the denizens in the lesser caverns, including predators that dwell within the lake itself. The lake slopes sharply from its shores to a depth of 100 feet.
Four chuuls lurk near the lakebed, 90 feet below the surface. They're content to creep along the lightless depths and prey on cave fish unless something else catches their attention. Bright light draws the chuuls to the water's edge, as does any magic in the lake or near its surface, such as the boat from area L12. If drawn to the surface, the chuuls attack.
L13a: Stone Bridge
An unadorned stone bridge spans the northwest river.
L13b: Gargoyle Bridge
A bridge decorated with reliefs of gargoyles spans the west river flowing from the lake. The sound of roaring water echoes from downstream. A short distance beyond the bridge, the river becomes a waterfall, plummeting 300 feet into an Underdark lake. The lake and the creatures that inhabit it are beyond the scope of this adventure, but you can flesh them out as you see fit.
L14: Basilisk Den
Four basilisks dwell in this cave. Toward the back of the cave is a nest where the basilisks lay eggs. The basilisks are protective of their den, attacking any creatures that enter the cave.
Treasure
The head and shoulder of a petrified gnome lie near the basilisk nest at the back of the cave. The broken statue wears a pair of unpetrified goggles, which are Eyes of Minute Seeing.
L15: Rainbow Cavern
[image: Adventurers clash with the behir Lludd in his lair within the Lost Caverns]
The ceiling of this colorful cavern rises to a height of 50 feet. Careful examination of the floor reveals many cracked bone fragments among the stalagmites. Once the lair of a chimera, this cavern is now home to Lludd, a clever and long-lived behir who ousted the smaller, weaker creature that preceded him. Lludd speaks Common and Giant in addition to Draconic. The behir lurks on a rufous ledge near the entrance to the chamber, waiting for morsels worthy of his hunger.
Lludd is hostile toward intruders, but he doesn't immediately resort to violence. Though he's selfish and cruel, the behir hasn't survived this long by attempting to devour every creature that enters his lair—especially hardened adventurers. When he notices the characters, Lludd greets them in Common.
Parleying with Lludd
If the characters converse with Lludd, he offers to point them toward a place where they can find treasure in exchange for leaving him in peace. The behir keeps no hoard of his own. If they agree, Lludd directs them toward a "vast treasure" in the black-water lake (x).
During the conversation, Lludd sizes up the party. If the characters appear wounded or offend the behir, he seizes his chance and unleashes his breath on them.
Treasure
Inside Lludd's stomach is a Periapt of Proof against Poison left over from an unlucky explorer the behir digested.
L16: Boulder Heap
The boulders are obviously not a natural formation. Lludd, the behir in area L15, piled them here to block the entrance to the greater caverns and prevent creatures that dwell there from taking him by surprise.
With 5 minutes of work, the characters can clear enough of the rocks to expose the tunnel beyond. There, a flight of nine hundred crudely shaped stone steps descends to the greater caverns. If the characters descend the steps, proceed to this adventure's x.
Hollow Boulder
If the characters move any of the rocks, they uncover a smooth, blue-green boulder that's strangely light and clunks dully when moved or shaken, revealing its hollowness. The boulder can be easily broken open with blunt weapons, with tools, or by smashing it against a hard surface.
Graven Glyphs
Inside the hollow boulder is a bronze tablet worth 100 gp. The tablet is etched with a poem for those hoping to delve into the greater caverns. It offers cryptic insight on how to enter Iggwilv's inner sanctum in the greater caverns, where the archmage's true prize resides. The poem reads as follows:
L17: Lavish Parlor
This area is brightly lit. The nobles invite the characters to join the repast, insisting the characters rest and regale them with tales of adventure.
The nobles are part of an elaborate, genie-wrought illusion created by Kashem, a bitter dao bound to guard this chamber by Iggwilv. The Witch Queen imparted a mote of her power to Kashem in exchange for the dao's services. Long after the archmage's departure, Kashem still pursues her original charge to destroy all who enter.
When the characters arrive, Kashem floats silently above the chamber, waiting for a prime opportunity to strike. If the characters consume any of the food or drink, refuse to join the nobles outright, or see through the illusions, Kashem reveals herself and attacks.
Illusory Finery
The room's genie-wrought furnishings and inhabitants are convincing illusions. These illusions blanket dingy, neglected versions of the objects they cover and feel real if touched. To pierce the dao's ruse, a character examining the chamber's fixtures must succeed on a DC 20 Intelligence (Investigation) check. The nobles, however, fail to hold up to physical inspection. A character who touches a noble automatically succeeds on this check.
Poisoned Feast
The food and drink on the table are real—and poisoned. A creature that consumes any of the food or drink must make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 21 (6d6) poison damage and has the poisoned condition for 1 hour. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage only. The illusory nobles nonchalantly partake of the sumptuous feast, politely encouraging the characters to sample the dishes.
Dust to Dust
If Kashem is slain, her body disintegrates into a pile of fine dust. This dust can be used in x to destroy the cage in the lake or prove that Kashem is dead.
Treasure
None of the treasure is real. Coins and precious objects taken from the chamber turn out to be flat stones and obvious counterfeits.
L18: Black-Water Lake
The island is strewn with tiny garnets, which sparkle alluringly in the presence of light.
Lurking Death
Eight aquatic ghasts (each has a swimming speed of 30 feet) lurk in the lake, which is 20 feet deep. Spotting them beneath the water's mirrorlike surface requires a successful DC 20 Wisdom (Perception) check. The ghasts ambush any creatures that enter the lake.
Rebuking Island
Iggwilv recorded a series of messages in this cave to taunt intruders. Each time a creature sets foot on the island, an imperious voice echoes throughout the cave, uttering one of the following reproofs:
- "Fools! This is a dead end. Flee while you still can!"
- "You were witless to enter at all, so you should probably just stay here."
- (Peals of hideous, mocking laughter)
Treasure
Six hundred garnets are strewn across the island, each about the size of a pea and worth 1 gp. It takes 10 minutes for a single creature to collect the gems by hand. The gems have a combined weight of 5 pounds.
L19: Cave of Crystals
Three xorn from the Elemental Plane of Earth found their way to this cave through a planar rift that has since closed, stranding them here. The xorn are initially indifferent to the characters but defend themselves if attacked.
Hungry Castaways
The xorn are discussing their plight when the characters arrive. The creatures are hungry and upset at their situation. Prone to stress eating, the xorn crave any precious gems or metals they can sense on the characters. If anyone in the party can understand the xorn, the creatures explain their dilemma and attempt to persuade the characters to give them a meal of at least 100 gp worth of gems or metals per xorn.
If the characters have a means to send the xorn home—such as the Banishment spell—the xorn offer to help locate other treasure for the characters as payment. Alternatively, a single character can convince the xorn to assist them in defeating a threat elsewhere in the caverns with a successful DC 18 Charisma (Persuasion) check.
Treasure
The xorn stashed 500 gp worth of uncut gems behind a large crystal formation in the northwest corner of the room. A character searching the crystals finds the stash with a successful DC 17 Wisdom (Perception) check.
L20: Pool Cavern
The river dead-ends in this flooded chamber. A marid named Kasdu'ul is trapped at the bottom of the pool, 30 feet below the surface. An unbreakable stone cage etched with glowing runes confines the genie to the pool. Characters who look into the pool and succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check notice the cage's faint, glimmering light in the water.
Bound Genie
Kasdu'ul was trapped here by the dao Kashem (see x) centuries ago, shortly before Kashem was fooled and bound by Iggwilv in turn. A permanent Antipathy/Sympathy spell (save DC 18) protects the cage and repels creatures that aren't native to the Elemental Plane of Earth with its Antipathy effect. The runes on the cage invoke the hatred of Ogrémoch, the Prince of Evil Earth.
While the cage is intact, Kasdu'ul has the incapacitated condition and speaks in a lethargic tone. If the characters overcome the Antipathy effect and approach the cage, the genie drowsily asks them to destroy it.
Destroying the Cage
The cage is immune to all damage and has no locks or opening mechanisms. It can be destroyed in the following ways:
- A creature native to the Plane of Earth—such as one of the pechs in x or the xorn in area L19—can easily break the cage as if it were made of fragile clay.
- If the dust of a slain dao is scattered over the lake, the cage instantly rusts away.
- A successful Dispel Magic (DC 18) spell cast on the cage causes it to crumble.
Kasdu'ul has had many years to contemplate the cage's magical construction. She might propose one of these methods to the party from inside the cage.
Freed Genie
If the cage is destroyed, Kasdu'ul returns to her lively self. The grateful genie urges the characters to find and slay the dao that imprisoned her if they haven't already.
As thanks for freeing her, she's willing to cast Tongues, Water Breathing, and Water Walk on the characters to facilitate their exploration. If the characters also present proof of Kashem's demise—such as a pinch of the dust left behind after her death—or they offer a convincing story and succeed on a DC 17 Charisma (Deception) check, Kasdu'ul summons a water weird and orders it to serve the characters for 1 hour, after which it vanishes. In either case, Kasdu'ul then bids the characters farewell and returns to the Elemental Plane of Water.
Conclusion
Whether the characters found the entrance to the greater caverns (see x), succumbed to the dungeon's many threats, wisely decided to turn back, or simply ran out of time, Iggwilv's greatest treasures remain yet to be discovered. This adventure ends on a cliffhanger.
The rest of the Witch Queen's lair, her hoard, and even more iconic adventures can be found in Quests from the Infinite Staircase!
Appendix A: Magic Items
This section presents four magic items related to Iggwilv and the Lost Caverns. These items are presented in alphabetical order.
Appendix B: Creature
Appendix C: Score Sheet
Use this score sheet to tally the players' points. Players can gain or lose points for each of these actions only once.
Points by Area
| Action | Points | |
|---|---|---|
| L1: Entry Caverns | Caused a face to say "aah" | +1 |
| Asked a face which way to go or used the word "truth" | +1 | |
| Recovered any gems | +1 | |
| Got bit by a stone face | −1 | |
| L2: Slate Chamber | Defeated the clay golem | +1 |
| Removed the sword stuck in the clay golem's chest | +1 | |
| L3: Guano-Covered Cave | Defeated the cloaker | +1 |
| Used the tunnel ledge to access the areas to the north | +1 | |
| L4: Littered Cave | Avoided the crushing ceiling trap | +1 |
| Recovered the treasure | +1 | |
| L5: Grotto | Attacked the pechs | −1 |
| Improved the pechs' mood | +2 | |
| Refused to douse any bright lights | −1 | |
| L6: Fungal Cavern | Disturbed the crickets | −1 |
| L7: Slimy Cavern | Gathered or ate contaminated mushrooms | −1 |
| Recovered the elf corpse's equipment | +1 | |
| L8: Stinking Cave | Defeated the trolls | +3 |
| Found the trolls' loot | +1 | |
| L9: Bat Corridor | Disturbed the bats | −1 |
| L10: Long Gallery | Attracted the attention of the fomorians in area L11 | −1 |
| Pulled a cave moray from its burrow | +1 | |
| L11: Fomorian Cave | Defeated the fomorians | +3 |
| Found the fomorians' loot | +1 | |
| L12: River Ledge | Learned the boat's command word | +1 |
| L13: Underground Lake | Defeated the chuuls | +2 |
| Failed a Strength saving throw in any of the rivers | −1 | |
| Cast Control Water, Water Breathing, or Water Walk | +1 | |
| L14: Basilisk Den | Defeated the basilisks | +1 |
| One or more characters gained the petrified condition | −1 | |
| Recovered the treasure near the basilisk's nest | +1 | |
| L15: Rainbow Cavern | Defeated Lludd the behir | +3 |
| L16: Boulder Heap | Cleared the rocks to expose the tunnel to the greater caverns | +1 |
| Discovered the bronze tablet within the hollow boulder | +1 | |
| L17: Lavish Parlor | Ate any of the poisoned food or drink | −1 |
| Defeated Kashem the dao | +2 | |
| Saw through Kashem's illusions before she attacked | +1 | |
| L18: Black-Water Lake | Gathered all the garnets on the island | +1 |
| Received an insult from Iggwilv | +1 | |
| Used a cleric or paladin's Channel Divinity feature against the ghasts | +1 | |
| L19: Cave of Crystals | Attacked the xorn | −1 |
| Sent any xorn home | +2 | |
| Enlisted the help of the xorn | +1 | |
| L20: Pool Caverns | Freed Kasdu'ul the marid | +2 |
| Provided proof of Kashem's demise or convinced Kasdu'ul of the dao's defeat | +1 |
Additional Points
| Condition | Points |
|---|---|
| Per character death | −1 |
| One or more players thanked the DM during or after the session | +1 |
Appendix D: Premade Characters
If a player doesn't have a level-appropriate character to play, have them choose one from this section. The Premade Characters table summarizes the characters, all of whom are 9th level. Give players who choose from these options time to read over their character sheets before starting the adventure.
Premade Characters
| Name | Species | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Cathartic | Human | Cleric |
| Dunil | Halfling | Rogue |
| Ethelrede | Human | Fighter |
| Flemin | Dwarf | Monk |
| Rustle Berrydust | Gnome | Wizard |
| Weslocke | Tiefling | Warlock |
Credits
- Lead Designer. Justice Ramin Arman
- Designer. Dan Dillon
- Rules Developer. Ron Lundeen
- Art Director. Fury Galluzzi
- Lead Editor. Judy Bauer
- Editor. Hannah Rose
- Graphic Designer. Paolo Vacala
- Cover Illustrator. Jodie Muir
- Cartographer. Mike Schley
- Interior Illustrators. Stephen Andrade, Mark Behm, Zoltan Boros, Adrián Ibarra Lugo, Arash Radkia
- Premade Character Portraits. Fay Dalton
- Consultants. James Mendez-Hodes, Pam Punzalan
- Game Architects. Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins
- Studio Art Director. Josh Herman
- Senior Producer. Dan Tovar
- Producers. Bill Benham, Siera Bruggeman, Robert Hawkey
- Product Manager. Natalie Egan
D&D Beyond
- Product Manager. Jeff Turriff
- Digital Design Team. Jay Jani, Sean Stoves, Adam Walton
Original Credits
- Design. Gary Gygax
- Development. Gary Gygax, Allen Hammack, Jon Pickens, Edward G. Sollers
- Editing. Edward G. Sollers
- Art. Jim Holloway, Erol Otus, Jeff Easley, Stephen D. Sullivan
- Playtesting. Jeff Dolphin, Luke Gygax, David Kuntz, Richard Kuntz, Sonny Savage, James M. Ward
- Special Thanks. Rob Kuntz
- Special thanks to the original designer of this adventure, Gary Gygax, as well as everyone who contributed to it:. Jeff Dolphin, Luke Gygax, Jeff Easley, Allen Hammack, Jim Holloway, David Kuntz, Richard Kuntz, Erol Otus, Jon Pickens, Sonny Savage, Edward G. Sollers, Stephen D. Sullivan, and James M. Ward.