Beast Maw Caves

Deep within the Tarodan forests, where barely any human dares to live, there you can find a giant beast's head apparently made from stone laying on the hills. Its eyes seem to continually glow and its maw is wide open. The beast of ancient times will devour anybody who dares to come close to it!

The Beast Maw Caves are a set of caves at the mountains of the state Tarodan. It has gained its name by the rock formation of its entrance, shaped like a giant skull of an unknown creature, complete with eye sockets and even teeth.
The caves are at least a day's travel away from the nearest settlement (discounting any hamlets) but have grown into a small attraction for outsiders. Several scholars in magic, geology, botany, and zoology (and one Deliarto maestro looking for exotic ingredients) have come to get a look at the beast. For a while, an alarming amount of these scholars have disappeared.

The Terrors of the Beast

The cave prompts multiple dangers, which does not deter any curious visitor, however. The few people living in the vicinity will try to tell enough stories to keep you away, but too many have heard of the cave's wonders and possible treasures.

The cave system is expansive and not mapped at all so far. Curiously, some parts of the system seem to match up the structure of internal organs, but they will open up into several large caverns and labyrinths of other chambers. The Copper Mapping Society has released a few maps but noted the many ways to get lost without guidance.

At least in some decades, this cave has been a hiding place of outlaws and bandits, hiding from the law here. Keen to stay hidden, they were without mercy towards any explorer or magician stumbling across their hideout - especially if that fool brought with him any money or other valuable possessions.

Within the caves, there are areas filled with poisonous gasses or acidic fluids. Over the centuries, many of them seem to have dissipated - but a careless adventurer can accidentally open up any cavities filled with invisible death.

Deep within the cave, there are actually passages protected by magical barriers and other types of traps. It is completely unclear who placed them and how old these contraptions are, but they are certainly deadly to any mortal being.

Possible Origins

A coincidence of nature

It is not unheard of that mortals try to see meaning in natural shapes. Many geologists have tried to explain, how these kinds of rock formations could have formed over centuries due to weather influences and other points. While positively mundane, it is very much possible that most of the cave's exterior was formed by nature -and it was additionally changed to highlight the features by mortals.

A cultural monument

As we know there are other ruins from unknown civilizations before the arrival of the gods. Some of these cultures seem to have worshipped various beasts and build shrines to their honor. Given the reclusive position and the astonishing view of the beast's head, it is easily thinkable this was a giant temple to honor some kind of beast deity. There have been found several ancient artifacts within the caves, from tools to some archaic jewelry, supporting this theory. Certainly, this could fit with the many trap like contraptions found within the cave system

An actual beast

Due to the entrance's shape, it is rumored that this actually is the petrified skeleton of an ancient beast from millennia past. Some belief it to be a dragon or another kind of primordial creature that tried to destroy the world. Quite possibly it could be the Dragon God, Vitukua met on his travels to ascend to godhood.

There are many issues with this specific theory:
The age of the caves dates back far beyond the two millennia since Vitukua's ascension, making the timeframe implausible. Vitukua's life is rather well documented and at least the time when he walked the earth is certain up to a few centuries. The Cave System, however, is at least five thousand years old.
The geographical location in the far west of Rhomedan does not match the known travel route of Vituka and his companions, the meeting between the two beings almost certainly happened in or near El-Ethien.
The actual shape and size of the skull do not match a dragon as well. Contrary to popular belief, dragons are only slightly larger than elves and have a comparable build. Their well-known beast form is most likely a mere illusion and no actual physical transformation.

It is not unthinkable this is the skeleton of a beast, but the species is completely unknown. It does however explain the odd pockets of acidic fluids and poisonous gasses as remnants of a digestive system.

Plot Hooks

A zoologist wants to venture to the caves to measure and map them. She wants to prove that this being is anatomically feasible and has been an actual beast.

The Copper Mapping Society regularly sends out a group to continually map out the cave system. Their last team has not reported back yet and is at least a week overdue.

In dark nights on a full moon, you can hear an ominous chanting from these caves. A priest of Apac worries that a dark cult may have taken root here.

The times of bandits hoarding treasure in these caves have long passed - haven't they?

The unrest of the workers is starting to spread even into the province of Tarodan. Some supporters of the revolution want to set up an easily defendable camp in the caves and are looking for support.

Type

Cave System

Owning Organization

Tarodan