Stygian Caverns

Brief Overview

The Stygian Caverns are mostly known in the Mystical Realm as the home of the Thyxayan elves. The cave system supposedly spans the entirety of the Realm and is thought to have been created by the primordial goddess Tartara.

Geography

The Stygian Caverns is a system of winding caves that is located at the foothills of the Tartarus Mountains and the edge of the Jade Forest, though spreads vastly underneath both areas. Within the cave system there are many shallow pools and narrow passageways. Many areas remain unexplored. In what appears to be the center of the explored areas is a large lake where most of the Thyxayan homes are located.

Fauna & Flora

Flora

There is barely any plant life that grows in the Caverns. Moss and ferns grow at the entrance to the system.

Fauna

Aside from Thyxayan elves, the main animal that lives in the Stygian Caves are various types of bats. Deep in the caves also live glowworms. In the pools and lakes there are fish, shrimp, crayfish, and some salamanders. Various insects also live in the Stygian Caverns. There are also different types of spiders that live in the caves, some reaching enormous sizes.

Habitats

The Thyxayan elves live mostly around the largest lake in the caves within naturally occurring stone coves. Some elves live with the giant spiders in their webs. The largest open space closest to the entrance to the system is where a majority of the bats make their homes.

Interactions

The animals live in relative balance. The elves will hunt the bats, fish, crayfish, and sometimes the spiders. Bats will eat insects. Fungi will remove any decomposing flesh from the caves, keeping them clean. The spiders will eat anything.

Natural Resources

There are many stones and precious metals that can be found in the Caverns. The caves also act as a passage under the Tartarus Mountains.

Alternative Name(s)

Stygian Caves, Caves of Thyxias

Type

Cave System

Related Ethnicities

• Thyxayans