Algolian Caverns

Scattered below the Algol, a river etching its way through the Sian Lowlands, are the Algolian Caverns. The brittle nature of these tunnels and caves has fractured the river, causing unusual deviations, sinkholes, and even minor earthquakes.

Few people are in the know about these caverns, most believing these natural disasters to be forces of the supernatural. Those that have successfully explored the Algolian Caverns have reported unusual structures in the deepest points.

Geography, Location & Climate

Approaching the chasm. Lifeforms Detected.  
...small lifeforms?
  Yes. You are in no danger.  
Okay, that's good. Now tell me where these plants grow. I need to get a good sample.
  Crimson queens grow on the bottom of the Algolian Caverns. They illuminate their environment with the gigantic egg-shaped seed-sac they nurture. Take great care removing the seed-sac; these plants produce a high-pitched ringing noise when injured, capable of paralysing a norrabian.
— Norrabian explorer and his personal AI

About twenty safe entrances to the caverns exist, the largest within the Algol Delta. The underwater caverns often feature powerful currents, dragging small and unknowing creatures deep underground, where they may never escape. Many people have been recorded going missing around the Algol Delta, some speculating they were caught in the currents.

The caverns themselves range in size and span. Most are small and claustrophobic, barely a metre or to in width and height. They are a struggle to navigate, with debris constantly falling from the roofs, and plant and fungi spores clogging breathing systems.

As tunnels collapse, the geography of the Algolian Caverns are in a constant cycle of life and death. Tunnels are formed in hours, caused by the destruction of other tunnels opening up new spaces. Flora and fauna quickly find refuge in new tunnels,

Ecology

Despite the constant danger of collapsing caverns, life seems to thrive. An immense amount of flora grow in the larger caverns, with statute pot warters and the like growing to the ceiling, propping tunnels and caves up. Whittling grasps take advantage of the local currents, using their tentacles to grasp at any creatures floating by, dragging them to be liquefied in its trunk.

Farther down the caverns, around a mile beneath the surface, are some more peculiar foliage. Almost... alien. They share no physical similarities with native plants, their DNA sequences so surreal and unnatural.

Algol Flora
Type
Cave System
Location under
Inhabiting Species

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Cover image: by Mochi

Comments

Author's Notes

This article is an entry to Elspeth's Mystember challenge!

Mystember
Generic article | Oct 1, 2024


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Sep 1, 2024 12:42 by CoolG

Def gonna stay far away from this place, not that I was into exploring caves anyway xD

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Sep 1, 2024 13:37 by Mochi

Good idea xD

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Sep 1, 2024 15:30 by Myth Cross

Your use of flora conjures amazing imagery! It's a lot of fun visualizing what some of these look like!

MYTH X

Tell me stories! Here's your Ticket to the World of Arc Sagas!

Sep 1, 2024 15:33 by Mochi

Thank you so much! <3

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Sep 3, 2024 00:11 by Marjorie Ariel

That's interesting how the caverns form and collapse so quickly.

Sep 3, 2024 23:20 by Mochi

thank you! :D

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Sep 4, 2024 19:04 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

Nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope.

Emy x
Explore Etrea
Sep 4, 2024 19:07 by Mochi

YES YES YES

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Sep 7, 2024 23:03 by Ephraïm Boateng

This places sounds so cool, but there's no way i would explore it lol The plant's DNA being so alien is a nice mystery too!

Sep 8, 2024 18:45 by Mochi

Aw maaaan, the caves don't entice you? xD

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Sep 22, 2024 15:42 by Aster Blackwell

Love this concept. Underwater cave diving freaks me out so much.

Sep 22, 2024 22:07 by Mochi

thank you so much! anything in dark waters freaks me out xD i can't stand the thought of murky water at all, but it's sooo fun to worldbuild

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Oct 1, 2024 14:06 by Elspeth

I love the map, the detail of the flora and the idea that tunnels open up and are destroyed in a matter of hours. I imagine someone could get lost in there forever.

So many worlds to choose from...
Oct 1, 2024 18:16 by Mochi

Thank you so much! <3

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