Veil of Crashing Waves: Secrets Beneath the Tidal Cavern
Setting: Tidal Cavern
The adventure begins at the edge of Moonstone Cove, a picturesque seaside village nestled between steep cliffs and endless ocean. For weeks, the sea has been unusually turbulent, leading to ominous whispers among the villagers about ancient guardians beneath the waves. Local fishermen have reported strange sightings, and boats have gone missing due to mysterious tempests.
Our heroes gather at the village tavern, “The Drunken Mermaid,” where the local bard regales them with tales of the Tidal Cavern. This well-hidden cavern, only accessible during low tide, is said to hold the secrets of the ocean's wrath—hidden treasure, ancient relics, and perhaps the key to restoring calm to the sea. The local fishermen offer them a reward: 100 gold pieces for whatever they can uncover, plus an additional 50 gold pieces for each safe return of their lost boats.
Goal: Discover the Source of the Turbulence
The party has one primary goal: to navigate through the Tidal Cavern, uncover the source of the tempest, and retrieve any artifacts that could placate the ancient sea spirits. They must also find a way to safeguard the fishermen's boats from being dragged into the sea's depths forever.
Entrance to the Cavern
As the party approaches the Tidal Cavern at low tide, they notice intricate carvings on the cavern's entrance that depict sea creatures and ancient seafarers. The smell of saltwater fills the air. As they step inside, glowing bioluminescent algae light their path, casting eerie shadows on the damp walls.
Trap: Shifting Sand Floor
Upon entering a larger chamber, the party must proceed with caution. The ground here is covered by an illusion of sand that shifts and pulls—any character stepping into the area must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw. A failure results in them sinking into a quicksand-like trap, restraining them and dealing 2d6 bludgeoning damage until they can escape.
The Guardian of the Cavern
As the party regains their footing, a low growl echoes from the water. Emerging from the depths is the Tidal Wyrm, a large water serpent adorned with barnacles and corals—a corrupted guardian of the sea. It roars defiantly and is protective of its territory.
The Encounter: Tidal Wyrm
- HP: 80
- AC: 15
- Speed: 30 ft., Swim 60 ft.
- Abilities: Multiattack (Bite and Tail Whip), Water Breath (a 30 ft. cone of water that deals 3d8 cold damage, DC 15 Constitution saving throw for half damage)
- Actions: Iconic tidal water moves, escape into the depths to avoid damage for a round, and return with a surprising lunge attack.
The encounter with the Tidal Wyrm requires a balance of strategy and teamwork. While it presents a challenge, the cavern’s bioluminescent glow can be manipulated by the spellcasters using spells like Light or Dancing Lights to disorient the creature.
Unveiling the Puzzle
Once the Tidal Wyrm is defeated, its dying roar resonates throughout the cavern, dispersing magical energies surrounding a gigantic conch shell at the far end of the chamber. The shell sits upon a pedestal with runes carved into its surface.
Puzzle: The Conch’s Whisper
The puzzle consists of the runes that need to be deciphered, requiring the players to work together using various skill checks to solve the riddle inscribed on the shell.
- Characters can make an Arcana, History, or Nature check (DC 14) to figure out the importance of the runes.
- Successfully parsing the riddle reveals the following prompt: “Sing the song of the sea, and the tides shall abide by thee.”
Players must then produce a melodic rhyme or sing a sea shanty. For every unique contribution to the performance, roll a charisma check (DC 12). Accumulating three successes will summon an ancient spirit of the ocean, while any failure has chaotic consequences.
Ancient Spirit Encounter
Should they succeed, the spirit materializes, resembling the majestic physical embodiment of an ocean wave. The spirit provides vital information about the turbulent seas and possible relics in the cave. They also offer a ritual to perform with the found artifacts, pledging to calm the ocean if they can retrieve the Heart of the Tides—an artifact located deeper within the cavern.
The Spirit’s Challenge: The Depths of Dreams
The spirit warns the party of the next challenge: navigating through the submerged tunnels, which are rife with coral traps and hostile denizens of the water. If players decide to pursue, they must swim through the complexes, maintaining proficiency in survival and dealing with potential challenges.
Enemies Beneath the Waves
Beneath the water’s surface lurk hostile aquatic creatures eager to defend their territory. As the group navigates deeper, they encounter:
- Sharkfolk Warriors: Resilient and equipped with tridents, these creatures employ ambush tactics, gaining advantage on surprise rounds.
- Coral Elementals: Animated constructs of coral, dealing piercing damage on contact and limiting movement through their spore-laden defenses.
While the terrain is limiting due to submerged areas, characters proficient in athletics can swim and navigate the challenges together while the party provides ranged support.
The Heart of the Tides
Eventually, the players discover a hidden chamber containing the Heart of the Tides—an iridescent pearl of immense size, resting on a rock outgrowth. Removing it, however, activates an ancient trap:
The Trap: Chaotic Tidal Surge
When the Heart is touched, the chamber floods rapidly. The players must work against time to swim back to the initial chamber they entered. Each round they delay, they must make a DC 12 Strength saving throw to avoid being swept away with the rushing waters.
Resolution: Calming the Seas
Upon retrieving the Heart and successfully returning to the large chamber, the party can perform the ritual guided by the ancient spirit. Placing the Heart in the conch shell and reciting their earlier rhyme allows the spirit to harness the energy to calm the turbulent waters.
As the players exit the cavern, they notice that the sea has calmed, boats have returned, and the villagers rejoice. The party earns their rewards and newfound allies in the fishermen who promise to share more tales of adventure in the days to come.
As they part from Moonstone Cove, the ocean mirrors the peace they restored—a tranquil expanse, waiting for the next heroes to rise.
