Exploration and Survival

Stygian Depths is about surviving in hostile underground environments.

Light and Darkness

This is crucial: There are two types of vision in the depths:

• Darkvision (dim light only):
• Deep Darkvision (true darkness):

• Standard racial darkvision only works in dim light
• Does NOT work in complete darkness (most deep caves)
• You still need light sources in absolute darkness
• Rare ability that functions in absolute darkness
• Most characters don’t have this
• Can see in magical darkness

Without Light in Absolute Darkness

• Disadvantage on everything
• Vulnerable to ambush
• Risk getting lost
• May trigger corruption/mutations

Light Sources You’ll Need

• Torches (6 hours of light, 30-foot radius)
• Lanterns (24 hours with oil, 30-foot radius, adjustable)
• Magical light sources

Resources Matter

Track these carefully:

• Food and water: 1 ration per day, or you weaken
• Light sources: Torches burn out, oil runs out
• Ammunition: Arrows and bolts are limited
• Spells: Lost on failed casting until you rest
• Hit Points: Don’t heal automatically

Rest and Recovery

Short Rest (1 hour):

• Catch your breath
• Bind wounds (but does NOT restore HP)
• Eat and drink
• Risk: Random encounter check

Long Rest (8 hours):

• Recover one hit die worth of HP (roll your hit die + CON modifier)
• Regain all lost spells
• Remove exhaustion
• Risk: Multiple encounter checks, must find safe location

Travel and Time

The DM tracks time in different scales:

Typical cave exploration speed: Depends on your species, but most move 20-30 feet per turn (10 minutes), slower if searching or being cautious