The Cavern

The words we write, the worlds we create, are reflections of ourselves - does it not then make sense that the Cave that houses us all reflects us as well?

— One of the Chiropteran Monarchy

 

As time continues and our culture, ideals, beliefs shift, so too may the Cavern show off differing aspects of itself. Never losing what was, but keeping itself as needed in the current generation, every generation

— A preface to a diary in the Royal Archives

 

What is the Cavern?

The Cavern is the traditional home and stronghold of House Chiroptera. It appears to be some kind of pocket dimension that reflects aspects of caves in the physical world to which it is connected, and will add more of those caves, or change them, over time, collecting new shinies and rocks, as well as opening up more connections around the world.  

Where is the Cavern?

Currently, its entrance is housed within the Jenolan Caves, west of Sydney in NSW Australia.
  The Cavern's main entrance and populace are located within a cave closely associated with Chiroptera's House Leader. As the current House Leader is Queen TaraFaeBelle, the Cavern is in Australia. The Cavern attaches itself to an existing cave in the Tomeverse, seamlessly leading into its own space. Recently, Queen Tara and Knightwing Phyreball have found the exact walls where the Jenolan Caves completely end and the Cavern's pocket dimension can be felt... granted they can't feel the 'pocket dimension' itself, but they can feel the difference in Literomancy within the walls (after extensive time of placing Tara's literomancy and Phyreball himself within the walls) between the 'messy middle' where the merging of Cavern and Jenolan Caves reside and the Cavern (on its own) walls.
  Also note that the Cavern often takes a piece (or copy) of caves they have previously been entwined with. Some of the thickest Cavern walls could be mined to find the layers of past caves.
 

How big is it?

The Cavern has its own rules for size, being the semi-sentient being it is. As it also effectively lives in its own pocket dimension, the Cavern can be as big as it wants ... or maybe it does have a size, but only shows as much as it wants to the current people within the Cavern at the time they are in it.
 

You said Semi-Sentient?

Yep! The Cavern can change its walls at will.

• Ever noticed how there is always a room that's needed?
• 'New' spaces are always being found.
• And when Chiroptera is small, its hard to get lost within the known areas...

That's because the Cavern knows what's needed at the time. Does it take into account what it hears from people within? Does it take on what it can learn from the House Leaders literomancy? Does it spend quality time with Riona the ghost of the Sekret Library and the Iron Tome (when they are around)? Probably all of the above.
  The walls have not yet been found to move as a constantly changing maze in order to confuse those entering. Given the civil war in Chiroptera hundreds of years ago, maybe it has happened before? We can only speculate (until evidence is found—probably in the Sekret Library, or possibly in the Royal Archives).
  When a new House Leader takes on the call, the Cavern shifts to a cave close to that House Leader's home. The Cavern's space that houses Chiroptera may shift as well. What used to be an underground castle in Queen Siobhan's turned into an underground town under Queen Tara's reign. This is the most movement at a time we have seen in recent years.
  As the Cavern has merged with various caves around the world due to the House Leaders choice of home, it is possible for one to 'travel the cave' from the Cavern's current space in the Tomeverse to another cave the Cavern has previously connected with.
  Without knowing what the Cavern was, Tara attempted to turn it into a giant golem that may combat the Undead. That was not possible. However, she did start to tune into the Cavern's literomancy and got way distracted. Some of said distraction was a very good thing: creating the East Wing and Encouragement Walls for example. Some of said distraction, was, well, lets just say her collection of shiny gems and places to hide from admin & the Self Care Mafia are constantly growing. Tara also believes she can talk to the walls. Anyone can 'talk to' the walls, but having a conversation is not something that has been effectively established. Unlike the Iron Tome and Tara's estranged and energetic communication, the Cavern has not even been one to directly respond. Tara would argue that allowing her to play with the walls, and new spaces opening up when needed are a response, but the Iron Tome just filled her dreams with laugh emoji's when she told them, so who can say?
 

Cavern Security

There are 10 known levels of security that are electronic (and Tara has added her literomancy to the top 3 levels.)
  There are paper mâché stalactites and stalagmites all over the Cavern. Under the entranceways to each section, hidden and ready for the Undead to step on, paper mâché covered stalagmites are ready to raise, with stalactites chomping down from above, known as Chompers. Paper mâché is made with various special ink-glue mixes made by Tara and her literomancy.
 

Areas of the Cavern

As noted by the Totally Bat Squad

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Royal Archives
Includes previous Royal rooms; Royal jewels & crowns etc; the shrine; ... These extend from behind Queen Tara's room. Only Tara has access to them as the House Leader, and they are primarily a testament to those who came before her - the Cavern storing their sekrets. Not all can be seen either, Tara has not even seen most of those who came before her, whether the Cavern has limited her access, or she wasn't able to emotionally process the passing of her aunt Queen Siobhan and thus unable to see those before her is a question Tara will deflect.
  The Rest (Unknown as of yet)
Don't wander away from others past the labelled areas. If you do, make sure someone knows before hand. It could be dangerous... If you do wish to explore the Cavern, register with the Adventuring Guild and start your journey!