(The Cave of Life was a PBeM that ran from November 2003 to March 2004. It was the first major adventure for Ground Zero and was generally considered a success. This game is now complete, but the archives are still available for your viewing pleasure.)
The Nightwind Tribe has long held one hallowed site sacred above all others. It is a certain mystical cave, to which young warriors of the tribe are sent to prove themselves as men in the eyes of their peers. The aspirants who go there not only face the legendary dangers and thus prove themselves brave, but also are sent to retrieve a substantial supply of the fresh water hidden there to keep the village sated. Explorers must survive the threats of the cave and return laden with water to the community so that they can take their place among the worthy.
Recently, five brave adventurers made the trek to the Cave of Life. Facing many dangers and risking death, they defeated a great monster and claimed the Cave for their tribe. It is now a Nightwind outpost, and the legend of the brave explorers is told to the youngsters of Lau.
Here are the character sheets for the five Cave of Life PCs as they were at the end of the adventure:
- Krang-Nar: Joe's character; an incredibly dextrous mutant fringer with unsightly cranial defects. (Character Profile.)
- Martuk: Ian's character; a mutant enforcer of the big frikkin' sword variety. (Character Profile.)
- Clacher. Rob's character; a mutant fringer with a third arm and piercing shriek attack.
- Nappy. Derek's character; a mutant thinker with a small body but a big brain.
- Beeblebrox. Simon's character; a bizarre mutant scavenger with two heads, pincers, and a tentacle. (Character Profile.)
(Note that some of the stats may not match the latest revision of the Ground Zero rules.)
The complete archives of the Cave of Life PBeM are recorded here:
- Introduction: The adventure begins.
- The Cave Entrance: Our heroes arrive at the Cave of Life. (Player responses.)
- The Ladder Down: Clacher is attacked by a deadly jetder. (Player responses.)
- Down the Shaft: Martuk & B-Brox scout the elevator shaft. Nappy gets wet. (Player responses.)
- The Entrance Tunnel: Our heroes enter the main complex.
- Searching the Sphere: Where our intrepid explorers find treasure - and a deadly threat. (Player responses.)
- The Great Ooze Battle: Our heroes run into problems when Martuk is engulfed by an ooze.
- A Restful Interlude: The group takes some much-needed R&R. (Player responses.)
- The Water of Life: The characters find the legendary source of water. (Player responses.)
- Screams in the Dark: Our heroes realize that they are not alone. (Player responses.)
- The Survivor: B-Brox and Clacher suffer the Survivor's wrath. (Player responses.)
- Counterattack: Nappy is wounded, but the Survivor is defeated. (Player responses.)
- Recovery: The party returns to their lair and recover from the battle. (Player responses.)
- The Journey Home: The triumphant return of our heroes. (Player responses.)
- Epilogue: The Cave of Life is claimed as a Nightwind outpost.