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)

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