Tunnel That Dreams

The Tunnel That Dreams is a deep cave somewhere within the Forest of Gems.

Geography

The opening to the tunnel is a sink hole that descends 40 feet before exposing an opening 8 feet high and about 20 feet wide. From there, rainwater has worn a meandering path among the remnants of the long-collapsed roof leading deeper into the tunnel. As an active cave, many rock formations fill the space, but a walkable path winds through the many formations.

Hallucinations

People who enter the tunnel, and particularly those who attempt to sleep there, experience visions that seem real enough as to be indestinguishable from the waking world. The events depicted are oftem related to things that have happened in and around the forest itself. Most times they are imperfect recreations or "what-if?" scenarios rather than accurate depictions of real events.

Closed Portal

Deep in the tunnel, long past the last glimpse of sunlight, past the pillars of limestone, and past where the stream of rainwater turns toward an easier path, there is a chamber. There is no indication of how long the chamber has been there, but no rock formations form inside as they have outside. The walls seem to be cut and fitted stones around 3 feet square. A shallow pool fills the room with clear water, populated with small fish and crustaceans. A raised walkway connects the entrance to a platform in the center of the room. On the platform is a ring that is 8 feet across, standing on edge. Strange writing or runes cover the surfacfe, but they are not carved and no amount of age or effort has chipped any paint. The characters seem to be part of the material itself.
The only blemishes in the room are yard-long claw marks near the ring as if something was pulled through a portal before it was shut off. No visible mechanism is in the room or any nearby chamber. It is as if the portal simply sits there, waiting for someone to open it.

Type

Cave

Location under

Forest of Gems