Echoes Beneath Las Coronas: 5e TTRPG Encounter

A mysterious dungeon beckons adventurers, where ancient staircases spiral into the depths and eerie energies hum beneath the bioluminescent glow of fungi—an epic 5e TTRPG encounter in the heart of Aithos.

A 5e TTRPG Encounter in the world of "Aithos: Dragonsfall Cycle" 

* This 5e TTRPG encounter is intended for PC’s who do not decide to directly investigate the site of the Anchor shard mentioned by the Hunters

Location:

The Whispering Caves – A hidden cavern system beneath Las Coronas, uncovered after the recent Anchor disturbance.

After the chaotic events at the Red Stag, whispers spread through Las Coronas—not just of the Anchor shard, but of something stirring beneath the village. The hunters claim to hear voices in the night, echoing from the hills. The local blacksmith's forge has gone cold, its embers inexplicably extinguished overnight. And a young girl, Esmeray, has disappeared after speaking of “the voice in the stone.”

The villagers beg the adventurers to investigate. Deep within the nearby cliffs, an ancient cave system—once thought sealed by time—has cracked open. Within its depths lies an unsettling truth: the Anchor’s presence awakened something beneath Las Coronas.

The Descent into the Whispering Caves

Inside the lost cavern of a forgotten age, ancient pathways wind amidst mysterious symbols and hooded figures, echoing the secrets of a bygone Watch.

The entrance to the cave is a jagged, crumbling fissure in the rock, barely wide enough for a person to squeeze through. Within, the air is damp, heavy with the scent of earth and decay. Bioluminescent fungi cast an eerie green glow, and the walls hum with a faint, unnatural vibration—the lingering effects of the Anchor’s energy.

The Situation:

Not only must the adventurers find Esmeray, but they must also uncover the source of the whispers—an ancient dragonbone relic that has begun to stir beneath the cave’s depths.

Encounters & Skill Challenges

Navigating the Caves (Survival DC 12 / Perception DC 14)

The tunnels are unstable and riddled with hidden pitfalls and twisting passages. The adventurers must carefully navigate the dark terrain to avoid getting lost or triggering a cave-in.

• Success: The players efficiently navigate the tunnels and pick up Esmeray’s small footprints, leading them deeper.

• Failure: They take a wrong turn, encountering a hazardous drop-off or a collapsing tunnel, requiring quick thinking to escape unscathed.

The Whispers in the Dark (Insight DC 14 / Arcana DC 16)

As they descend, the adventurers begin hearing voices—not their own, but whispers in an unknown tongue, echoing from the stone itself.

• Success: A player discerns that the whispers react to their thoughts, hinting at a sentient force tied to the Dragonbone relic.

• Failure: The whispers distort their perception, causing momentary confusion or fear, making further checks harder.

Rescuing Esmeray (Stealth DC 14 / Athletics DC 15)

Deep in the caves, the adventurers find Esmeray trapped, curled up against a glowing bone-like structure, her body trembling as if listening to something unseen.

A formidable stone golem brandishes a club, roaring with unleashed fury and raw power in this 5E TTRPG adventure

Just as the PC's approach, stonebound guardians—constructs made from alchemically-infused rock and bone—lurch from the cavern walls, protecting their long-buried secret.

• Success: The players rescue Esmeray without alerting the guardians.

• Failure: The constructs awaken, seeing the adventurers as a threat to their ancient charge.

Combat Encounter: The Stonebound Guardians

Enemies:

• 2x Stonebound Guardians (CR 1) – Slow but resilient creatures infused with Dragonbone energy. They strike with petrifying claws and attempt to drive intruders away.

• Lair Effect: Each round, shifting stone makes the battlefield treacherous, forcing Dexterity Saves (DC 12) to maintain footing.

Combat Objectives:

• Fend off the Guardians while extracting Esmeray safely.

• Disrupt the Dragonbone Relic using Arcana (DC 16) or raw force to weaken the guardians.

Outcomes & Consequences

Victory:

• The players rescue Esmeray, though she is deeply shaken.

• They retrieve a Dragonbone shard, revealing that more relics lie buried across Aithos.

• They learn that something ancient still lingers beneath the surface, waiting… watching.

Failure or Retreat:

• Esmeray is left behind (or worse).

• The villagers grow fearful, believing the caves curse their town.

• The whispers grow louder, suggesting the Dragonbone’s power is awakening once more.

Call to Adventure:

The adventurers return to Las Coronas, but their journey is far from over. The Dragonbone relic they found hints at lost knowledge from the age of Anchors.

Where did these guardians come from?

What other secrets lie buried beneath the world of Aithos?

And who else is listening to the whispers?

And for those who want to dive deeper into the mysteries of Aithos, the novel awaits…

Read Aithos: Dragonsfall Cycle to discover the full world beyond the game!

GET AITHOS HERE

This weekly encounter series will continue exploring new locations, conflicts, and legendary mysteries within Aithos. Dungeon Masters, how will your players handle the madness of the Anchors? Stay tuned for next week’s adventure!