Caves formed by biology, not just geology

[mithriltabby]

In the Frasassi cave system in Italy, scientists have found biofilms full of sulfur-consuming bacteria that eat hydrogen sulfide and excrete sulfuric acid. These can then erode the limestone walls of caves. If you’re the sort of game master who likes to brush up on geology before sending a scenario into a cave system, this could be a useful source of inspiration. (If elves can culture trees into cities, shouldn’t dark elves be able to herd biofilms to sculpt their caves?)

Comments

[sistercoyote.livejournal.com]

That's cool!

[roseembolism.livejournal.com]

And given what hydrogen sulfide smells like, it gives one an idea of the ambiance of dark elvin cities.

It would reduce the attraction of Dark Elves quite a bit if they were known as "fart herders". (Thanks for the reference, S.)

[mithriltabby]

I was thinking “snot herders”, but that’s at least as unglamorous...