Steve's Cave
Type: Magical Realm (Dream/Vision Location)
Region: Unknown (Supernatural Plane) - Opposite ledge from Dream Temple
Status: Active, Accessible via Dream Temple
Tags: #location #location/magical #location/mysterious
Description
Small outcrop cave on opposite ledge from Dream Temple in shared dream/vision realm. Contains boulder with face called "Steve" by Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian, though unclear if Steve is real entity or Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian talking to himself. Cave has fluid portal door leading back to temple. Writing in unknown language on cave wall. Cave appears empty when Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian not present, but "Steve" reportedly makes later solo appearances.
Geography
Location:
- Opposite ledge from Dream Temple main entrance
- Accessed by jumping off main ledge, being caught by Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian
- Small outcrop/cave opening
- Not large room - compact space
Features:
- Big door in wall with fluid portal (same type as temple entrance)
- Boulder in corner (Steve)
- Writing on wall in unknown language
- No other furnishings or features
Key Features
- "Steve": Boulder with face carved/formed in it, responds to Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian in voice identical to Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's own
- Portal Door: Fluid wall portal leading back to Dream Temple
- Wall Writing: Unknown language, Elik'r Stormswallow memorised pattern
- Empty State: When Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian absent, cave contains only outcrop and wall writing (no Steve visible)
Population
Inhabitants:
- "Steve": Boulder with face, unclear if real entity or Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's manifestation
- Visitors: Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian (frequent), party members (Session 28)
Leadership
None - small cave with single boulder
History
Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's Relationship:
- Visits frequently when "stuck" in Dream Temple
- Has conversations with Steve (doing both voices himself)
- Treats Steve as real companion despite being rock
- Refers to Steve familiarly: "That one's Steve, you'll meet him later"
Party Discovery (Session 28):
- Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian brought Ser Tessell Highfrost and Elik'r Stormswallow to meet Steve
- Conversation occurred with Steve responding in Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's voice
- Elik'r Stormswallow eventually realised Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian doing both voices
- Later, Elik'r Stormswallow returned alone - found cave empty except wall writing
Steve's Nature - Ambiguous:
- Initially appeared as boulder with face responding to questions
- Voice sounded exactly like Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian
- Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian doing both voices confirmed
- Yet "Steve" reportedly makes later appearances when Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian not present
- True nature unclear: Hallucination? Manifestation? Actual entity?
Current Situation
Active Mystery:
- Steve's true nature unexplained
- Wall writing in unknown language (not translated)
- Elik'r Stormswallow memorised writing pattern
- Cave's purpose in dream realm unclear
- Relationship to Dream Temple puzzle unknown
Access Status:
- Accessible from Dream Temple main ledge
- Requires jumping off ledge (endless chasm loop unless caught)
- Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian catches visitors and pulls them into cave
- Portal door provides return to temple
Connections
Nearby Locations:
- Dream Temple - Opposite ledge, accessed via portal door in cave
Part of:
- Same supernatural realm as Dream Temple
Inhabitants
"Steve":
- Boulder with face (or boulder Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian talks to)
- Gruff voice identical to Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's
- Presence ambiguous - visible when Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian present, absent when he's not
- Reportedly makes solo appearances in later sessions
Visitors:
- Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian (frequent)
- Ser Tessell Highfrost (Session 28)
- Elik'r Stormswallow (Session 28, returned alone later)
Related Quests
- Quests - Mysteries#Shared Dream Vision - Part of dream realm exploration
- Quests - Mysteries#Steve's True Nature - What is Steve? Real entity or manifestation?
- Quests - Mysteries#Unknown Language - Wall writing not translated
Appearances
- Session 28 - 6 September 2025 - Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian brought Ser Tessell Highfrost and Elik'r Stormswallow to meet "Steve." Jumped off main ledge, caught them on opposite ledge, pulled them into small cave. Boulder with face sat in corner. Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian introduced: "Right then, here he is. Say hello." Steve responded "Hiya" in voice identical to Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's. Conversation occurred about mirror room, Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian getting stuck, refusing to return to temple. Elik'r Stormswallow eventually noticed Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian doing both voices - rock just a rock. Later, Elik'r Stormswallow returned alone via portal - found cave empty (only outcrop and wall writing, no Steve). Wall has writing in unknown language which Elik'r Stormswallow memorised pattern of. Portal door provides return to Dream Temple.
Notes
- Steve's Nature Ambiguous: Appears as talking boulder when Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian present, absent when he's not, yet reportedly makes solo appearances later
- Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian's Behaviour: Treats Steve as real companion, has full conversations doing both voices
- Wall Writing: Unknown language, not translated, Elik'r Stormswallow memorised pattern
- Purpose Unclear: Why does Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian visit this cave repeatedly when stuck?
- Portal Access: Easy return to temple via fluid door
- Empty When Alone: Elik'r Stormswallow found no Steve when returning without Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian
- Later Appearances: DM noted Steve makes appearances in later sessions without Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian present, suggesting possible independent existence
- Part of larger Dream Temple supernatural realm with unclear rules and physics