Caves

Caves (synonyms: caverns, holes, pits; fictionalized examples: The Cave of Seven Wonders, The Serpent’s Throat, Mugmire Caverns) are subterranean spaces either dug out by an animal or created naturally by some geological process. Caves may be cenotes. They may contain underground chambers, chasms, underground rivers, underground lakes, and crystal formations. Often in fictional worlds caves will lead into abandoned mines, underground ruins, old smuggler’s tunnels, or subterranean cities. Caves may collapse in narrative worlds and in game-oriented worlds they are often dungeons. They may be home to beasts, monsters, spelunkers, and trolls.
When designing caves for a fictional world, consider how the cave is laid out in three dimensions. Caverns will often drastically change elevation and abrupt vertical drops may exist. If you are designing a cave that will be explored, consider what sources of light may exist. Fictional caves will often include glowing rocks, crystals, creatures or fungi.


Element | Icon | Description | Sub-Elements | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Animal Den | ![]() | a | What kind of animal makes its' home here? | Explore | |
Aquifer | ![]() | a | Porous rock that contains groundwater | ||
Belly Crawl | ![]() | a | Simplified | A tight and narrow chute | |
Bioluminescent Fungi | ![]() | s | Simplified | What colors do they glow? | |
Boulder Choke | ![]() | a | Simplified | A tight space full of rubble | |
Bridge | ![]() | a | Simplified | A narrow rock outcropping over a chasm | Explore |
Calcite Rafts | ![]() | s | Mineral rafts that float on top of water | ||
Catacombs | ![]() | a, b | That's a lot of bones… | Explore | |
Cave | ![]() | a | A large underground chamber | Explore | |
Cave In | ![]() | a, e | Simplified | Guess we'll need to find another way out… | Explore |
Cave Paintings | ![]() | a, s | How old and what of? | Explore | |
Cellar | ![]() | a | Whose house is this? | Explore | |
Cenote | ![]() | a | A natural well or sinkhole | Explore | |
Chamber | ![]() | a | Simplified | A large open space underground | |
Chandelier | ![]() | s | A cluster of ceiling crystals or other outgrowth | ||
Chasm | ![]() | a | Simplified | A deep trench | Explore |
Collapsing Floor | ![]() | a, e | Simplified | The ground is unstable here | Explore |
Column | ![]() | a, s | A vertical structure formed by the union of a stalagmite and a stalactite | Explore | |
Crystal | ![]() | s | How large? | ||
Crystal Chamber | ![]() | a | Simplified | A chamber full of crystalline structures | |
Dogtooth Spar | ![]() | s | Large crystals that form near seasonal pools | ||
Dungeon | ![]() | a, b | Simplified | Hope it's the fun kind | |
Flooded Chamber | ![]() | a | How extensive is the flooding? | Explore | |
Flowstone | ![]() | s | Rock deposited from flowing water | ||
Fossils | ![]() | a, s | Simplified | Of what sort of beast? | Explore |
Frostwork | ![]() | s | Needle-like growths of crystal | ||
Gas Explosion | ![]() | e | BOOM | ||
Gaseous Buildup | ![]() | e, a | Simplified | Don't light a match… | |
Gemstones | ![]() | s | How precious | ||
Grotto | ![]() | a | Simplified | An especially picturesque cavern | |
Hideout | ![]() | a, b | Who's hiding? | ||
Jagged Rocks | ![]() | a, s | Sharp and pointy | Explore | |
Lantern | ![]() | s | Simplified | Does it still work? | |
Lava Chute | ![]() | a | A tunnel formed by lava | ||
Lava Flow | ![]() | a, e | Avoid | ||
Magma Chamber | ![]() | a | A chamber full of lava | Explore | |
Mine | ![]() | a, b | Simplified | What's mine is ores | Explore |
Mine Cart Tracks | ![]() | s, b | Simplified | Where do they lead? | Explore |
Mushrooms | ![]() | s | Simplified | Do not eat | |
Ore Vein | ![]() | s | Simplified | What kind of ore? | |
Pipes | ![]() | s, b | Where do they lead? | Explore | |
Pit Cave | ![]() | a | A cave or cave system primarily composed of vertical shafts | ||
Rock | ![]() | s | Neat rock right there | ||
Roots | ![]() | a, s | Simplified | Roots growing down from above. Are they small or large? | Explore |
Sea Cave | ![]() | a | A cave located on the coast | Explore | |
Sewers | ![]() | a, b | Simplified | The stench is overwhelming | Explore |
Smuggler's Tunnel | ![]() | a, b | What were they smuggling? | Explore | |
Squeeze | ![]() | a | A narrow passage | ||
Stalactite | ![]() | s | Simplified | A tapering structure that hangs from a caves ceiling | Explore |
Stalagmite | ![]() | s | Simplified | A mound or column that rises from a cave floor | Explore |
Storehouse | ![]() | a, b | What is being stored? | ||
Submarine Cave | ![]() | a | A cave under the ocean | ||
Subterranean River | ![]() | a | Simplified | A river or potion of river that resides underground | Explore |
Subterranean Waterfall | ![]() | a | An underground waterfall | Explore | |
Subway | ![]() | a, b | Is this the ruins of what once was, or do the trains still run? | ||
Sump | ![]() | a | A waterfilled low spot | ||
Tomb | ![]() | a, b | Simplified | Fit for a king | Explore |
Torch | ![]() | s | Simplified | Lit or unlit? | |
Underground Bunker | ![]() | a, b | Who built it? | Explore | |
Underground Lake | ![]() | a | An underground lake | Explore | |
Underground Ruins | ![]() | a, b | Simplified | A castle, a temple, a spaceship? | Explore |
Well | ![]() | a, b | Simplified | One way up to the surface | Explore |