Module
Troglodyte Caves
Foul subterranean warren east of the lake cavern — stench, chameleon ambushes, Carrion Crawler, Chief Grash, and signature loot.
Module — Troglodyte Caves
Status: Ready to run. Replayable optional side branch accessible after the lake cavern or duergar district.
Canonical PDFs & Guides:
Live Session Plan: After Grey Burrower (Session 5 Plan)
Overview & Dungeon Background
Branching off the eastern side of the subterranean lake cavern lies a warren of foul natural caves inhabited by a clan of Troglodytes. Unlike the organized military outposts of the Duergar, these caves represent a primitive, reptilian hunting ground filled with mud, decaying bone piles, and suffocating stench.
The warren is led by Chief Grash, a brute troglodyte who has bound a glowing green Ethium crystal into his bone chestpiece. The caves offer a high-risk, high-reward side delve rich in magical treasures (including Mithral Armor, a Javelin of Lightning, and a Stone of Good Luck).
Key Areas & Read-Aloud Descriptions
1 — Stench Threshold (Approach)
The stone tunnels narrow into wet, algae-covered rock.
Read Aloud: The cool cavern air suddenly grows thick, warm, and stomach-churning. A suffocating stench of rotting reptile scales, sulfur, and stagnant sludge fills the tunnel. Scraped claw marks and crushed animal bones litter the muddy ground.
- DM Tip — Stench Warning: The smell serves as an immediate environmental warning. Rushing in without precaution triggers the Troglodyte Stench trait immediately upon entry.
2 — Ambush Galleries
Natural rock ledges and side fissures overlooking a muddy passage.
Read Aloud: The cavern opens into a split gallery with natural stone ledges overhead. Dark water trickles down the walls. Nothing seems to move, yet the overwhelming stench is almost deafening.
- Chameleon Ambush: 3–4 Troglodytes cling to high ledges using Chameleon Skin (+6 to Stealth, advantage on Hide).
- Stealth vs Perception: Troglodyte Stealth check vs Party Passive Perception. Surprised PCs cannot act on Round 1.
3 — Carrion Choke (Refuse Pit)
A wide cavern filled with bones, discarded gear, and rotting carcasses.
Read Aloud: The floor gives way to a shallow pit choked with bone piles and rotting hides. Hanging upside down from stalactites in the ceiling is a ten-foot, worm-like horror with writhing tentacles around its mouth and razor mandibles.
- Encounter: 1 Carrion Crawler.
- Tactics: The crawler drops from the ceiling onto the character carrying the brightest light source, attempting to paralyze them with tentacle strikes.
4 — Chief Grash’s Den
A large chamber centered around a crude bone throne and a green crystal altar.
Read Aloud: At the back of a filthy cavern, seated atop a mound of stolen shields and bones, sits a massive troglodyte with dark emerald scales. Bound to his chest by leather thongs is a glowing green crystal stone. He snarls, raising a heavy stone club as four guards step from the shadows.
- Encounter: Chief Grash + 3 Troglodyte Guards.
- Green Stone Surge (Bloodied Feature): When Chief Grash drops below 18 HP ($\le 50%$), the green crystal surges with energy. Grash regains 1d8 HP, grows in size (+2 Strength), and gains an extra claw attack each turn.
5 — Hidden Treasure Cache
A dry alcove hidden behind Chief Grash’s bone throne (DC 11 Investigation to spot).
Encounters & Creature Stats
Warren Hunters & Predators
| Creature | AC | HP | Attacks & Traits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Troglodyte (×3–4) | 11 | 13 | Multiattack: 1 Bite +4 (1d4+2) + 1 Claw +4 (1d4+2). Stench (creatures starting turn within 5 ft make DC 12 CON save or become Poisoned for 1 minute). Chameleon Skin (adv. on Stealth). |
| Carrion Crawler | 13 | 35 | Tentacles +8 (1d4 + DC 11 CON save vs Paralyzed for 1 min), Bite +4 (2d4+2). Spider Climb (walk on ceilings). |
| Otyugh (Lake Cavern) | 14 | 75 | Bite +6 (2d8+3), Tentacle +6 (1d8+3 + Grapple DC 13). Foul Sludge Spray (1/encounter: 15-ft cone, 2d6 poison + Poisoned, DC 13 CON half). |
Boss Lair
| Creature | AC | HP | Attacks & Traits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Grash | 13 | 35 | Multiattack: 1 Bite +4 (1d6+2) + 2 Claws +4 (1d4+2). Stench (DC 12 CON). Green Stone Surge at $\le$ 18 HP (+1d8 HP heal, +2 STR damage, 1 extra claw attack). |
Treasure & Signature Loot
Complete Cache
- Mithral Armor (Scale Mail): Medium armor (AC 14 + DEX max 2), lightweight, imposing no disadvantage on Stealth checks.
- Javelin of Lightning: Magic weapon (+0). When thrown and the command word spoken, it transforms into a bolt of lightning dealing 4d6 lightning damage to all targets in a 120-ft line (DC 13 DEX half) + 1d6 spear damage to the primary target. (Recharges at dawn).
- Stone of Good Luck (Luckstone): Wondrous item. Grants a +1 bonus to all Ability Checks and Saving Throws while carried.
- Potions & Coins: 3 × Potion of Healing (2d4+2 HP), 80 gp, 1400 sp, 2600 cp.
- Gemstones: Azurite, banded agate, malachite, tiger eye (worth 10 gp each).
Key NPCs & Creatures
| Creature Profile | Role & Personality |
|---|---|
| Chief Grash | Brutal warren chieftain empowered by a green Ethium crystal. |
| Carrion Crawler | Ceiling ambush predator in Area 3. |
| Otyugh | Subterranean lake scavenger. |
Maps & Visual Assets
| Asset Name | View Link |
|---|---|
| Troglodyte Route Map |  |
| Beyond the Pool Cavern Map |  |
| Duergar Route Map |  |
Related Documentation & Links
| Category | Reference Link |
|---|---|
| Live Session Plan | After Grey Burrower (Session 5 Plan) |
| Prior Modules | Duergar Outpost Module · Ethium Pool Hub Module |
| Place Lore | Ethium Underground City Lore |