Explorable areas new location - A Dark Cave

[Lyrehc]

I've been running one of my alts a lot recently and she just started accessing Fogbough tonight. On her first roll she got a cave encounter that I don't remember from when I've been in Fogbough before. Is this something new or am I losing my mind?

It is not the cave with the Carverclaws/Troll, it's not the cave in the briars associated with the tattered wolf items, it's not one of the 3 crypts.

I don't have the flavor for when the encounter started because I thought it was a different encounter, but I'm getting messages like this now which remind me more of Mezaryl's cellar:

With your light source scattering the shadows, you cautiously make your way along the rough, uneven passages of the gloomy cave.

Your exploration of this dark, damp cave comes to an abrupt halt as an unwelcome sight emerges from the gloom.

You quickly assume a combat-ready stance as you prepare to engage some of the prowling denizens of this shadowy lair.
At last, with no more enemies in sight, you relax your stance and exhale sharply, thankful to have survived the brutal engagement.

You've defeated a total of 14 enemies while exploring this cave. You estimate that a dwindling number of enemies remain.

After carefully checking over your equipment, you once again resume your exploration of the cave.

It finally concludes with this.

Well done! You've successfully cleared the cave of its sinister inhabitants.

XP +64 You've been awarded a total of 64 Experience...
64 xp applied to general...

With no fear of any further encounters, you make a thorough search of the cave...

After making certain you haven't overlooked anything, you check over your equipment before setting off to make your way out of the cave.

* Please continue...

Am I missing something? I'm wondering if there is something else I should have done. I'm really not remembering this encounter from before. When I exit the cave I got this:



You're standing in Fogbough Forest (Outer Wood), directly in front of the broad, forbidding mouth of a dark cave.

* Enter the cave...

* Move away from here and continue on your way...

When I leave there isn't the option to return.

[Lyrehc]

I just got it again. I think maybe the GM has added to the encounters in Fogbough.

Exploring Fogbough Forest (Outer Wood)...

Suddenly...

While exploring Fogbough Forest (Outer Wood) you suddenly find yourself approaching the broad, forbidding mouth of a dark cave.

* Enter the cave...

* Ignore the cave and continue on your way...

[Oldschool]

I don't recall it either but I'll check the wiki.

From your posts it seems since it doesn't "save" and appear as "return to a previously discovered location" I'm wondering if that's a bug. It seems like it should.

Again it sounds new. It also sounds like you may get the option of eventually clearing it like our grand basements which should give an end reward or open something else up.

Also did you get any drops? Maybe a chance for more Aldvarian Artifacts. I'm guessing the GM may be introducing some random encounters.

EDIT: Nothing jumped out from the wiki. Maybe just maybe..... DEJINXING DONE..... this'll be the conclusion of those Tattered Wolf Pelt items.

[Lyrehc]

I got a lot of stuffed dropped - 99.98% of it was common but there were a couple sturdy items. No artifacts.

I've encountered this cave 4 times now. Each time the point I entered was different but the layout was identical otherwise.

ETA - each of the encounters ended with 64 XP.

[Oldschool]

I'm in there now and it DEFINITELY is different/new. Another nice catch and report btw.

Real reminiscent of the crypts during Explore the Realms especially this bit, You've defeated 1 enemy while exploring this cave. You estimate that a considerable number of enemies remain. I'm guessing the GM just tweaked that encounter somewhat.

Also can't recall the exact text but normally when we get something that is added to "....previously discovered locations" we get text indicating we can leave and return. Which is missing from this so I'm wondering if it isn't intended to be like this.

GM's definitely keeping us on our toes. Again don't know if this and/or the wandering bandit encounter are just that or will lead to a conclusion.

[Oldschool]

Also noticed it has a clickable "exploration status" like Tarn does. Makes me wonder where else the GM has added stuff.

Not unusual for him to add "surprise stuff" especially when you consider we've been traveling around more for the ogre encounter and exploring Fogbough more for artifacts. Thereby more likely to stumble upon this stuff.

I wonder if there is more than one map layout since the explore the realm ones have at least two different ones.

EDIT: Two explorations later just got the cave again with a different "floorplan".

EDIT2: Here's what you get on the exploration status before you clear it.

A Dark Cave - Exploration Progress

You've defeated a total of 6 enemies while exploring this cave. You estimate that a dwindling number of enemies remain.

By completely clearing this of its sinister denizens, you'll be able to make a thorough search of it.

[Oldschool]

Lyrehc since this is new I took the liberty of moving it from help to here and changing the title. Again thanks for the heads up.

[Oldschool]

Just got a artifact on Hawk's third cave which was his third floorplan which had an inaccessible area. I reported it and took a screenshot but my isp email says it's too big even cropped. Btw, I tried Woodsmanship and Thievery just in case. I advised the GM I could send it from another email acct. if he needed it.

Again I wonder if other stuff has been added elsewhere.

[Snake]

I just got the cave.

Exploring Fogbough Forest (Outer Wood)...

Suddenly...

While exploring Fogbough Forest (Outer Wood) you suddenly find yourself approaching the broad, forbidding mouth of a dark cave.

Enter the cave...
Ignore the cave and continue on your way...

[Snake]

It looks like the cave map changes with some of the caves.

[texlaw1992]

Great, I'll check it out.

[scout1idf]

So far Scout has gotten 2 caves. Both were different.

The first was bigger and had 20 enemy's and the second had 15.

[Snake]

I just had my 4th cave encounter and so far, there was a new map design in each one.

[Snake]

WOW!!!! Biggest drop I have ever seen. I got all of this from my 4th cave encounter.

You discover the following items...

Take ? Dagger (common)

Take ? Iron Staff (common)

Take ? Spear (common)

Take ? Cutlass (common)

Take ? Club (common)

Take ? Axe (sturdy)

Take ? Hide Greaves (common)

Take ? Hide Greaves (common)

Take ? Hide Boots (sturdy)

Take ? Leather Greaves (sturdy)

Take ? Chain Belt (common)

Take ? Studded Leather Sleeves (sturdy)

Take ? Scale Breastplate (common)

Take ? Banded Gauntlets (sturdy)

Take ? Chain Sleeves (common)

Take ? Scale Breastplate (sturdy)

Take ? Splint Greaves (common)

Take ? Banded Boots (unmatched)

Take ? Splint Breastplate (well-crafted)

Take ? Ring Greaves (unmatched)

The 2 unmatchable stats and worth are:

Banded Boots (unmatched) --- Stamina Points: +7 --- value: 2,500

Ring Greaves (unmatched) --- Stamina Points: +8 --- value: 5,000

I got 20 items.

I will also add that these encounters give unmatchable drops if your lucky.
I still can't beleive I got 20 items after finishing the cave and then searching it for any items. And it happened to me. WOW!!!!!! :D:) :cool:

[Snake]

I have been in over 17 cave encounters during the last hour. Each time I went into a new cave, there was a different map design. I have received only 2 different experience rewards which are: 64ex. and 96ex.

I have gotten over 7 unmatchable items from the caves. Really good place to find them. I've never gotten so many within just an hour. Thanks GM for the cave encounters. Keep up the great work.

[Oldschool]

I have received only 2 different experience rewards which are: 64ex. and 96ex.



That's nice to know as I've only received the 64xp reward so far. Thanks Snake.

[Snake]

That's nice to know as I've only received the 64xp reward so far. Thanks Snake.

I've only received it twice out of 23 encounters.

[thingirl]

My game brain is saying, "Nice. Now I have a reason to go to Fogbough. :D"

My wiki brain is saying, "Wow............ That's a lot of maps........ *sigh*."

[Oldschool]

I dunno if I'd do maps - well I know I wouldn't, lol. But you get the drift. Maybe a blurb about random maps similar to the crypt ones in explore the realms.

Hmmm.... again I wonder if these type of encounter has been added elsewhere or if the maps in the explore crypts have been adjusted "similar" to these.

These seems like it'll be random with no conclusion while the On the Road could have a conclusion considering Harn or at least a tie in with Merzekk events.



**** GROANER ALERT ****

Maybe we'll find Harn in Tarn along with the Tarn Hurn. The Tarn Hurn singing a Tarn Tune http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-cool05.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php) while Harn spins a Tarn Yarn. http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-talk024.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php) :rolleyes::cool:

[thingirl]

ROTLF!!!!!! Bad nice one!!! It's nice because it's bad.

[texlaw1992]

I did it twice - I think it's the same number of map squares each time randomized as to location. It's something to keep us busy - even got a common artifact.

[racey]

Is this another new encounter? (seperate from the caves)...

You're passing through a particularly thick section of the rotting, cursed wood when you suddenly become aware of something moving off to your right. You turn and glance in the direction of the movement and are shocked at the sight that greets your eyes.

Dirt, leaves, sticks, stones, and innumerable other bits of debris from the forest floor are swirling about in a frenzy, despite the lack of wind beneath the trees.

You watch in amazement as the whirling mass slowly transforms into a towering, broad-shouldered humanoid, constructed entirely out of the rotting matter swept up from the ground.

The massive being, its head a collection of bark and stone, turns and starts slowly toward you.

As the towering creature draws closer you note, with great dismay, that long, dagger-like claws of jagged rock are swiftly emerging from the bundles of rotting vegetation that serve as its fists.

Hold your ground and engage the strange creature...
Flee immediately...


The towering, broad-shouldered humanoid figure, formed out of the rotting vegetation and debris that litters the forest floor, stomps forward and attacks, swiping out at you with its stone-clawed hands.

This ancient guardian of Fogbough, now twisted into a creature of evil by the dark curse that hangs over the forest, assails you with unnerving speed and ferocity.

Got 1 combat xp and a seperate 8 xp to general for defeating it.

It has been a good long while since I have explored this area so it may be an encounter I just don't recall.

[shadowblack]

That one is an old encounter, racey. The general exp for winning the first is either 8 or 16 (random).

[racey]

That one is an old encounter, racey. The general exp for winning the first is either 8 or 16 (random).

Yeah I see that encounter on the Wiki now that I had time to look it up. Thanks shadowblack.

[scout1idf]

Just got a artifact on Hawk's third cave which was his third floorplan which had an inaccessible area. I reported it and took a screenshot but my isp email says it's too big even cropped. Btw, I tried Woodsmanship and Thievery just in case. I advised the GM I could send it from another email acct. if he needed it.

Again I wonder if other stuff has been added elsewhere.


Is this the one you mean or is there another?

http://www.srythforum.com/picture.php?albumid=11&pictureid=218
I sent an in-game bug report on this one so the GM would have the page #.

EDIT: The picture is linked from my photo album but I went ahead and attached a copy. I also just changed it (spoiled picture) to the BB code to see you can see it...

[Oldschool]

Don't know I don't see anything in the spoiler. I quoted your post and just copied pasted the link and still nothing.

EDIT: Ditto on the in game report - didn't think about different maps having different page numbers though.

[texlaw1992]

It's clearly the same number of squares randomized. The randomizer just happened to put two squares in an inaccessible position.

[Snake]

Another big drop.

An exhaustive search of the cave turns up the following...



You discover the following items...
Take ? Hide Greaves (common)

Take ? Aldvarian Artifact (common)

Take ? Flail (common)

Take ? Quarterstaff (common)

Take ? Cutlass (common)

Take ? Cutlass (sturdy)

Take ? Leather Breastplate (common)

Take ? Spiked Club (well-crafted)

Take ? Chain Belt (well-crafted)

Take ? Padded Shirt (exceptional) --- value: 1,500

Take ? Ring Sleeves (superior) --- value: 1,500

Take ? Splint Helm (superior) --- value: 2,500

Take ? Banded Helm (exceptional) --- value: 5,000

Take ? Banded Greaves (superior) --- value: 2,500

Take ? Splint Breastplate (superior) --- value: 5,000

Take ? Spiked Club (exceptional) --- value: 1,500

Take ? Ring Belt (superior) --- value: 1,000




I'm must be lucky.

[Snake]

That's nice to know as I've only received the 64xp reward so far. Thanks Snake.


This is the other 96ex. drop besides 64ex.
This is my 3rd time getting it.

Well done! You've successfully cleared the cave of its sinister inhabitants.

XP +96 You've been awarded a total of 96 Experience...
96 xp applied to general...

With no fear of any further encounters, you make a thorough search of the cave...

Please continue...

[Snake]

I just did my 65th encounter of the new cave.

[zmflavius]

Just noticed this thread, I suppose I should be reading this section more carefully.

Anyhow, found the cave once so far.

[Snake]

Once again another big drop but this time I have gotten the biggest gold trinket payout for this encouter so far.

An exhaustive search of the cave turns up the following...

You discover the following items...
Take ? Scimitar (common)
Take ? Iron Staff (common)
Take ? Two-Handed Sword (common)
Take ? Dirk (common)
Take ? Iron Rod (sturdy)
Take ? Rapier (common)
Take ? Club (common)
Take ? Aldvarian Artifact (common) Take ? Leather Greaves (common)
Take ? Ring Boots (sturdy)
Take ? Studded Leather Gauntlets (well-crafted)
Take ? Quarterstaff (superior) Take ? Spiked Club (superior)
Take ? Banded Gauntlets (unmatched) --- value: 2,500
Take ? Bone Greaves (exceptional) --- value: 1,500
Take ? Plate Belt (exceptional) --- value: 2,500

You find 58 gold tokens here.

You discover 11 valuable trinkets with a total value of 525 gold. The gold value for these trinkets will be reflected in the total below.
GOLD + 583 You've acquired 583 gold tokens.

After making certain you haven't overlooked anything, you check over your equipment before setting off to make your way out of the cave.

[zmflavius]

Once again another big drop but this time I have gotten the biggest gold trinket payout for this encouter so far.

An exhaustive search of the cave turns up the following...

You discover the following items...
Take ? Scimitar (common)
Take ? Iron Staff (common)
Take ? Two-Handed Sword (common)
Take ? Dirk (common)
Take ? Iron Rod (sturdy)
Take ? Rapier (common)
Take ? Club (common)
Take ? Aldvarian Artifact (common) Take ? Leather Greaves (common)
Take ? Ring Boots (sturdy)
Take ? Studded Leather Gauntlets (well-crafted)
Take ? Quarterstaff (superior) Take ? Spiked Club (superior)
Take ? Banded Gauntlets (unmatched) --- value: 2,500
Take ? Bone Greaves (exceptional) --- value: 1,500
Take ? Plate Belt (exceptional) --- value: 2,500

You find 58 gold tokens here.

You discover 11 valuable trinkets with a total value of 525 gold. The gold value for these trinkets will be reflected in the total below.
GOLD + 583 You've acquired 583 gold tokens.

After making certain you haven't overlooked anything, you check over your equipment before setting off to make your way out of the cave.

Dang! That's one haul!

[Snake]

Exactly!!! These caves have some rare drops full of umatchables. I posted an earlier drop I got and it was 20 items and I listed the price of the best ones.

[Oldschool]

Spencer posted earlier that he found this in Fang Ridge. Don't know if it's "A Dark Cave" though.

If so, title change forthcoming - again.

[thingirl]

I fount the Fang Ridge thine once. Seems to be the same. Random 17 square map with a random number of random enemies with drops and 64 XP.

[Snake]

I fount the Fang Ridge thine once. Seems to be the same. Random 17 square map with a random number of random enemies with drops and 64 XP.

I have gotten the 96ex. from the dark cave in Fog. 5 times.

[Lyrehc]

I just got an amazing gold payout.

You find 137 gold tokens here.


You discover 14 valuable trinkets with a total value of 644 gold. The gold value for these trinkets will be reflected in the total below.

GOLD + 781 You've acquired 781 gold tokens.

This is a great place for grinding. The one problem I keep running into is that the cave is popping up so much that I'm not finding much else in Fogbough and I'm trying to get Axxera to find the pouches, pool, and tangled vines. But at the same time, the grinding is very nice.

[Snake]

I just got an amazing gold payout.



This is a great place for grinding. The one problem I keep running into is that the cave is popping up so much that I'm not finding much else in Fogbough and I'm trying to get Axxera to find the pouches, pool, and tangled vines. But at the same time, the grinding is very nice.


Exactly. This is the most common spot to find unmatchable items and on top of that, if your lucky, good gold payouts.

[Oldschool]

Spencer posted earlier that he found this in Fang Ridge. Don't know if it's "A Dark Cave" though.

If so, title change forthcoming - again.

Thread title changed. And if anyone doesn't know when you click 'exploration status' "Dark Cave" shows as the area.

Is this the one you mean or is there another?


It was different and after reading Texlaw's later post what he posted makes sense.

It's clearly the same number of squares randomized. The randomizer just happened to put two squares in an inaccessible position.

Actually I think there was a similar issue before (open inaccessible area in a mapped area) but I can't recall if it was single run or replayable content.

[Snake]

I got lucky with another drop.

An exhaustive search of the cave turns up the following...

You discover the following items...
Take ? Cutlass (common)

Take ? Halberd (common)

Take ? Two-Handed Sword (common)

Take ? Cudgel (common)

Take ? Padded Sleeves (common)

Take ? Club (sturdy)

Take ? Leather Boots (sturdy)

Take ? Padded Boots (common)

Take ? Padded Boots (sturdy)

Take ? Banded Helm (common)

Take ? Studded Leather Belt (well-crafted)

Take ? Ring Breastplate (common)

Take ? Scale Belt (well-crafted)

Take ? Banded Gauntlets (exceptional) --- value: 1,500

Take ? Plate Gauntlets (unmatched) --- value: 5,000

Take ? Studded Leather Sleeves (unmatched) --- value: 2,500

Take ? Plate Helm (well-crafted) --- value: 2,500

Take ? Scale Helm (exceptional) --- value: 2,500

[Kyshwn1]

I've been seeing these pop up a lot lately as well and figured they were just a new random encounter, but I have yet to find the Carver Claw Lair after a week of trying. Anyone else unable to find the Lair?

[thingirl]

Edanust hasn't, but IDK if that's because she's non-AG.

[Kyshwn1]

LOL about two minutes after I posted this, guess what showed up on my explorations.

[thingirl]

Ahh, I see. You are versed in the 12th power: Forum Magic. Forum Magic is an ancient manifestation of appealing to a higher power. It is used when you complain about something on the forum, or even if you just mention it. Forum Magic will then change the game mechanics and you will get what you complained about. Please note that Forum Magic can have the opposite effect too.

[spencer]

When my secondary did Fogbough, that was the very last event that he got and it did take a good while.

[Lyrehc]

I got the Carver Claw cave, but even though I've been piling up Totems I don't have a Goblin Totem Block to put them in. It's driving me nuts trying to find the silly moths.

[thingirl]

Sing a song of random,
A pocket full of cry.
Four and twenty places,
Shoved into the forest.

When the forest's open.
The places are found;
Isn't that a lovely gift,
To give adventurers?

[Lyrehc]

I got the Carver Claw cave, but even though I've been piling up Totems I don't have a Goblin Totem Block to put them in. It's driving me nuts trying to find the silly moths.

Wow - forum magic does work. The moths came up less than 10 minutes after I posted that.

[Young Ned]

I noticed the same phenomenon years ago at the KoL forums. Our theory there was that the game's RNG (random number generator) must read the forums... ;)

[zmflavius]

I noticed the same phenomenon years ago at the KoL forums. Our theory there was that the game's RNG (random number generator) must read the forums... ;)

He does lurk in chat, believe it or not. Despite my repeated attempts to get him to hex me, so far he doesn't really seem to exert his influence...

[Young Ned]

He does lurk in chat, believe it or not. Despite my repeated attempts to get him to hex me, so far he doesn't really seem to exert his influence...

Who does? The RNG? Wasn't aware they'd created an account with that name. Cute. :)

[zmflavius]

Who does? The RNG? Wasn't aware they'd created an account with that name. Cute. :)

Yep, they did.

His DC case is filled with goats, 8-balls, and stuffed angry cows. Occasionally, he doles out blessings or curses. And his outfit changes according to his mood.

[thingirl]

Really? What's his ID?

I mean, We should probably try to stay on topic here...

[scout1idf]

Really? What's his ID?

I mean, We should probably try to stay on topic here...

http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-char016.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-char022.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php) Watch out you guys, it's the stay on topic police. http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-char022.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-char016.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)

[thingirl]

This can also be found in *******New content******* The Griffon Crags.

[SiannaDey]

so has anyone come up with a theory why the rewards are so varied?

Ive tried to only kill multiples or only single encounters while in the cave.
Ive tried to kill only certain types of the bugs, etc.

Currently Ive found nothing that seems to indicate a pattern for they type of rewards.

any other clues??

maybe no use of magic....only killing with non magic items....???

[Doolipalally]

so has anyone come up with a theory why the rewards are so varied?

Ive tried to only kill multiples or only single encounters while in the cave.
Ive tried to kill only certain types of the bugs, etc.

Currently Ive found nothing that seems to indicate a pattern for they type of rewards.

any other clues??

maybe no use of magic....only killing with non magic items....???

Well, given the way most of this game works, there's no reason to suppose there should be a pattern! Just random.

[Corgrim]

I like the mechanism (much more fun than endless 1 XP encounters). But it would be more fun if the monsters were at fixed random locations, so you really had to clean out the cave. As it is, you could theoretically just move back and forth on two squares. (Of course, my OCD won't let me get away without entering each square, but...). Or if there were rewards at random fixed locations (that didn't show on the map)