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"Well, well, well! Such nice visitors." A raspy yet smooth voice speaks down into the watery pool where the bodies lay.

The paladin blinks, and attempts to shift their leg as a thunderstorm of pain surges down their back. Their gaze strains downward towards a rubble-battered lower half, for what plate mail could do in a terrible fall had done its part.

The sage lay exhausted. What little they could muster to wield magic to cushion the fall had expended such energy as to make the old scholar inert.

The thief was saved the most of the damage, though visibly bloodied through sharper edges. Acutely aware of the stranger approaching, they were best to play incapacitated.

In steps forth a short and pale figure beholding a light in their palm. Whitened fish scales glimmered in the light. Blackened eyes gaze into the underground lake-side shallows. "I'll gather the others shortly"

Greetings friends,

Do you know what geographic feature I find fascinating? Underground lakes!

PHOTO: Dariusz Jemielniak(CC BY-SA 3.0)/WikimediaCommons

Here is a quick photo of Reed Flute Cave, located northwest of Guilin City, illuminated with colorful lighting! Filled with crystal clear ponds, and fascinating stalagtite/mites. … This cave was one of the places our college choir visited during our China trip over a decade ago, and I remember us standing and singing “For the Whole Universe” with my classmates within the reverberating corridors of the cave. Amazing memory!

This cave is fascinating not simply due to its interior, but legends surrounding it. Its many formations resemble known structures and landmarks. One giant stalactite is fabled to have been the magic spear of the Dragon King, used by the Monkey King Sun Wukong in the Chinese Buddhist classic: Journey to the West.

My prompt to you: … What is a cave in your world or setting that carries legendary allure around it? What are its tales? What mystic beliefs surround its creation, events, or surroundings?

This is the first that I’ve used the forward as a “world-building prompt”, and I could always use more feedback! … If you have thoughts or suggestions on what you’d like to see on the Dungeon Delve newsletter, »»»»please feel free to reach out here!«««

I’m striving in late-2025 to model the newsletter on what interests the readership the most! … Your feedback is super needed and appreciated. … Thank you for your love and patronage!

Onward to the round-up!!

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