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DM Drops

Drops / Nov 3, 2026

Encounter

The Forgotten Cavern

Moderate fight for 4 level-3 characters in the caves below

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A2 × Giant SpiderB1 × Minotaur Skeleton1party1 square = 5 feet
XP
850 of a 900 XP moderate budget
Party
4 characters of level 3
Glowing fungi paint the cavern walls in soft blue and violet. The air is cold, damp and smells of mold and old iron.

Setup. Two giant spiders and a minotaur skeleton are acting strangely, eyes glowing faintly, as if something is steering them.

Terrain

  • Crystal echoes: sound carries strangely; Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing have Disadvantage.
  • Stalagmites: the forest of stalagmites gives half cover and is Difficult Terrain.

Tactics. A mother defends her young to the death; the rest scatter if she falls.

Twist. Someone in the party recognizes a symbol carved here from their own past.

Adjust on the fly

  • Easier: Remove one giant spider (−200 XP).
  • Harder: Add one more giant spider (1,050 XP total, high for this party).

Treasure. 210 gp and 640 sp; Potion of Growth.

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