“the crystal caverns”

1. What do people call this unique place? In most lore that speaks of the caverns it is referred to as “the crystal caverns”. Gnomes call this place “the awakening”.
2. Who lives there? The cavern is sacred to the gnomes and the very few who know its location go on a yearly pilgrimage. The only permanent resident is a stone giant, Segojan, who has grown too large to leave. While their presence may be surprising, the Cavern has many ghosts who reside inside. They do not like thieves, but enjoy the visits of any scholar or lore seeker. It is not uncommon for wild animals to wander in. if they were not “awakened” when they entered, they are when they leave.
3. Why do they live there? Segojan guards the cavern, ensuring its gems are not plundered. Long ago he found this cavern and gained much knowledge. Unwilling to part with the majority of it he never left and still guards the cavern. He knows each gem well and even has names for them. The ghosts who haunt the cavern are of gnomish scholars and any other who has found the cavern and wished to return in their afterlife. It is a place where you may gain knowledge endlessly.
4. What conflicts does the terrain foster? The cavern is massive, every foot of it holds a glowing agate inscribed with runes of knowledge. It is said upon entering the crystal caverns you may come to know anything, but you will only leave with the knowledge you “need” or that you “pay for”. There is a small pond fed by and overhead water fall. The pond reflects truth; striping away illusions whether magical, physical, or mental. Unless Segojan or the ghosts have casts illusionary terrain or you are hoping to sleep, you will have little difficulty traversing the terrain. The gems light the cavern throughout with soft light. It can be heard to focus in the caverns, all the gems whispering their own secret knowledge to you it can be very disruptive.
5. Why might the PCs be drawn to this place? Agates from the cavern are the only gems able to be used as for the awaken spell. The only way to get a gem, besides coming here and getting one yourself, is to find one that the gnome pilgrims have spread throughout the world of Dayeimbe. Once removed from the caverns the agates of awakening slowly fade, losing their glow, runes, and voices; only 8 hours of casting time at the appropriate spell level will reawaken them.
6. How do they get there? The caverns may be found at random, wandering through the right forest at the base of the right mountain. A Gnome in possession of the secret location would be able to guide you, if you can find one and convince them to do so. Any wild animal who has been awakened by a gem may find it again. Divine guidance?
7. You do you. The gnomes consider this cavern their birthplace. It is said that when the gnomes were birthed from gems by Garl Glittergold, this cavern is where it happened.
Think a PC can just walk into a gem store and drop 1000 gp on an agate? Think again. I am pretty sure you can buy an agate the size of your hand for under $50, so there had to be something special about that 1000 gp agate … and know you know what. https://dungeonmasterblock.freeforums.net/thread/2371/dm-nastics-154-moving-mountains

Type

Cave