Cave Encounters
Welcome to the enigmatic depths of cave encounters in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition! Embarking on an underground expedition opens a portal to a realm teeming with subterranean wonders, lurking dangers, and the echoes of ancient secrets. From the resounding drip of stalactites to the unseen scurrying of cavern creatures, caves provide an evocative backdrop for thrilling adventures in the world’s greatest tabletop role-playing game.
In this article, we illuminate the darkness with a diverse collection of cave encounters meticulously designed for D&D 5e. Whether your party faces the stalwart guardianship of crystal golems, the eerie ambience of ghostly miners seeking closure, or the perilous navigation through collapsing tunnels, these encounters will add depth and excitement to your subterranean escapades. So, don your armor, ready your spells, and get ready to spelunk into the depths as we explore the captivating world of cave encounters in Dungeons & Dragons.
Encounter Name: Bioluminescent Fungus Ambush
Description: The party is ambushed by a pack of creatures that use the glow of bioluminescent fungi to their advantage. The creatures may be predators, scavengers, or something more mysterious.
Enemies
Bioluminescent Ambushers
- Various creatures, various alignments
- Armor Class Varies
- Hit Points Varies
- Speed Varies
Glowing Claw/Bite: Varies to hit, Varies damage (various abilities)
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a cavern with bioluminescent fungi, providing dim light.
Tactics
- The creatures use the glow of bioluminescent fungi to ambush the party.
Encounter Name: Cave-In Escape
Description: The party triggers a cave-in, and they must quickly find an alternative route to escape the collapsing tunnels. They may also encounter dangers released by the disturbance.
Enemies
Collapsing Tunnels Hazards
- Various environmental hazards
- Armor Class N/A
- Hit Points Varies
- Speed N/A
Falling Debris/Constricting Roots: Varies effects
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a network of tunnels with the threat of collapsing ceilings.
Tactics
- The party must quickly find an alternative route and avoid dangers released by the disturbance.
Encounter Name: Subterranean River Crossing
Description: The party comes across a subterranean river blocking their path. They may need to find a way to navigate the river, whether it’s by building a makeshift bridge or seeking assistance from creatures native to the underground.
Enemies
Subterranean River Creatures
- Various aquatic creatures, various alignments
- Armor Class Varies
- Hit Points Varies
- Speed Varies
Bite/Tentacle Attack: Varies to hit, Varies damage (various abilities)
Terrain
This encounter takes place at the edge of a subterranean river with limited visibility.
Tactics
- The party must navigate the subterranean river, potentially encountering native aquatic creatures.
Encounter Name: Crystal Golem Guardian
Description: The party discovers a cavern guarded by a crystal golem, a construct animated from the surrounding mineral formations. The golem may be a guardian or a threat to intruders.
Enemies
Crystal Golem Guardian
- Large Construct, unaligned
- Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
- Hit Points 105 (10d10 + 50)
- Speed 30 ft.
Crystal Slam: +8 to hit, 3d8 + 4 slashing damage.
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a crystal-filled cavern, with reflective surfaces and limited visibility.
Tactics
- The crystal golem may be a guardian or pose a threat to intruders in the cavern.
Encounter Name: Myconid Spore Circle
Description: The party encounters a circle of myconids performing a spore ritual. The myconids may be peaceful, offering a vision or a shared dream, or they may be threatened by an external force.
Enemies
Myconid Spore Ritualists
- Medium Plant, neutral
- Armor Class 12
- Hit Points 27 (5d8 + 5)
- Speed 20 ft.
Spore Burst: DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 minute.
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a mushroom-filled cavern with the myconid spore circle.
Tactics
- The myconids may be peaceful, offering a vision, or threatened by an external force.
Encounter Name: Cave Chimera Lair
Description: The party stumbles upon the lair of a cave chimera, a hybrid creature adapted to the subterranean environment. The chimera may be territorial or guarding valuable treasures.
Enemies
Cave Chimera Guardian
- Large Monstrosity, chaotic evil
- Armor Class 14
- Hit Points 84 (8d10 + 40)
- Speed 30 ft., fly 60 ft.
Multiattack: +6 to hit, 2d6 + 3 slashing damage (claw) and 2d6 + 3 piercing damage (bite).
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a cavernous lair with stalactites and stalagmites.
Tactics
- The cave chimera may be territorial or guarding valuable treasures within its lair.
Encounter Name: Underdark Trader’s Market
Description: The party stumbles upon a market set up by traders native to the Underdark. The traders may offer unique goods, information, or seek assistance in dealing with a common threat.
Enemies
Underdark Traders
- Various creatures, various alignments
- Armor Class Varies
- Hit Points Varies
- Speed Varies
Melee/Ranged Attack: Varies to hit, Varies damage (various abilities)
Terrain
This encounter takes place in an expansive cavern turned into a market, with traders and various goods.
Tactics
- The Underdark traders may offer unique goods, information, or seek assistance from the party.
Encounter Name: Shadowy Ambush
Description: The party is ambushed by creatures native to the shadows, taking advantage of the darkness in the cave. The creatures may be shadowy assassins or predators.
Enemies
Shadowy Ambushers
- Various creatures, various alignments
- Armor Class Varies
- Hit Points Varies
- Speed Varies
Darkness Strike: Varies to hit, Varies damage (various abilities)
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a dimly lit cave, with shadows providing cover for the ambushers.
Tactics
- The creatures take advantage of the darkness in the cave to ambush the party.
Encounter Name: Dwarven Excavation Site
Description: The party discovers a dwarven excavation site deep within the cave. The dwarves may be friendly, seeking assistance, or cautious and mistaking the party for intruders.
Enemies
Dwarven Miners
- Medium Humanoid, lawful neutral
- Armor Class 13 (leather armor)
- Hit Points 22 (4d8 + 4)
- Speed 25 ft.
Mining Pick: +3 to hit, 1d6 + 1 piercing damage.
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a cavern converted into a dwarven excavation site.
Tactics
- The dwarves may be friendly, seeking assistance, or cautious and mistaking the party for intruders.
Encounter Name: Carrion Crawler Nest
Description: The party stumbles upon a nest of carrion crawlers, subterranean scavengers known for their tentacles. The crawlers may be territorial or pose a threat to the party.
Enemies
Carrion Crawlers
- Large Monstrosity, unaligned
- Armor Class 12
- Hit Points 51 (6d10 + 18)
- Speed 30 ft.
Tentacle Attack: +4 to hit, 2d4 + 2 slashing damage.
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a cavern with a nest of carrion crawlers.
Tactics
- The carrion crawlers may be territorial or pose a threat to the party.
Encounter Name: Dark Elf Assassins
Description: The party is ambushed by a group of drow assassins in the cavern. The drow may be seeking revenge, carrying out a mission, or attempting to eliminate witnesses.
Enemies
Drow Assassins
- Medium Humanoid, neutral evil
- Armor Class 15 (studded leather)
- Hit Points 27 (5d8 + 5)
- Speed 30 ft.
Shortsword Strike: +5 to hit, 1d6 + 3 piercing damage.
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a dimly lit cavern, with the drow using the shadows for cover.
Tactics
- The drow assassins may be seeking revenge, carrying out a mission, or attempting to eliminate witnesses.
Encounter Name: Ooze Infestation
Description: The party encounters an infestation of oozes in the cavern, each with its own unique properties. The oozes may be drawn to the party’s presence or guarding something within the cavern.
Enemies
Ooze Infestation
- Various oozes, various alignments
- Armor Class Varies
- Hit Points Varies
- Speed Varies
Pseudopod Attack/Engulf: Varies to hit, Varies damage (various abilities)
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a cavern with an infestation of various oozes.
Tactics
- The oozes may be drawn to the party’s presence or guarding something within the cavern.
Encounter Name: Medusa’s Gaze
Description: The party encounters a medusa in the cavern, a creature with a gaze that can turn creatures to stone. The medusa may be guarding a hidden treasure or be a threat to intruders.
Enemies
Medusa Guardian
- Medium Monstrosity, lawful evil
- Armor Class 15
- Hit Points 127 (17d8 + 51)
- Speed 30 ft.
Snake Hair Bite/Gaze: +7 to hit, 2d4 + 3 piercing damage (snake hair bite); DC 14 Constitution saving throw or turn to stone (gaze).
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a dimly lit cavern with the medusa lurking in the shadows.
Tactics
- The medusa may be guarding a hidden treasure or be a threat to intruders.
Encounter Name: Goblin Market
Description: The party stumbles upon a goblin market set up in the cavern, with goblins selling stolen goods, trinkets, and oddities. The goblins may be mischievous but not necessarily hostile.
Enemies
Goblin Merchants
- Small Humanoid, neutral evil
- Armor Class 12 (leather armor)
- Hit Points 7 (2d6)
- Speed 30 ft.
Dagger Stab/Sling Shot: Varies to hit, Varies damage (various abilities)
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a cavern converted into a makeshift goblin market.
Tactics
- The goblins may be mischievous but not necessarily hostile, selling stolen goods and oddities.
Encounter Name: Deep Gnome Explorer
Description: The party encounters a deep gnome explorer in the cavern, mapping the tunnels or searching for valuable minerals. The deep gnome may be friendly, seeking assistance, or cautious of outsiders.
Enemies
Deep Gnome Explorer
- Small Humanoid, neutral good
- Armor Class 15 (leather armor)
- Hit Points 27 (6d6 + 6)
- Speed 20 ft.
Crossbow Shot/Shortsword Strike: +4 to hit, Varies damage (various abilities)
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a cavern, with the deep gnome explorer mapping the tunnels.
Tactics
- The deep gnome may be friendly, seeking assistance, or cautious of outsiders.
Encounter Name: Underground Garden Guardian
Description: The party discovers an underground garden tended by a guardian creature. The guardian may be protecting the garden, seeking assistance, or be a threat to intruders.
Enemies
Garden Guardian Creature
- Various creatures, various alignments
- Armor Class Varies
- Hit Points Varies
- Speed Varies
Nature’s Wrath: Varies to hit, Varies damage (various abilities)
Terrain
This encounter takes place in an underground garden, with vibrant flora and bioluminescent plants.
Tactics
- The guardian may be protecting the garden, seeking assistance, or be a threat to intruders.
Encounter Name: Shadowfell Portal
Description: The party discovers a portal to the Shadowfell within the cavern. Creatures from the Shadowfell may emerge, and the party must deal with the otherworldly threat.
Enemies
Shadowfell Creatures
- Various creatures, various alignments
- Armor Class Varies
- Hit Points Varies
- Speed Varies
Otherworldly Attack: Varies to hit, Varies damage (various abilities)
Terrain
This encounter takes place near a portal to the Shadowfell within the cavern.
Tactics
- Creatures from the Shadowfell may emerge from the portal, posing a threat to the party.
Encounter Name: Ghostly Miners
Description: The party encounters the spectral forms of miners who met a tragic end in the cavern. The ghosts may be seeking closure, offering information, or seeking revenge against those responsible.
Enemies
Ghostly Miners
- Undead, various alignments
- Armor Class 11
- Hit Points 45 (10d8)
- Speed 0 ft., fly 40 ft.
Incorporeal Touch: +4 to hit, 2d6 + 2 necrotic damage.
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a cavern haunted by the spectral forms of miners.
Tactics
- The ghosts may be seeking closure, offering information, or seeking revenge against those responsible for their tragic end.