Editing Undercave

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{{Stub|reason=Compile rewards odds, compilation of unique structures and other defining features of the caves, differences in biomes if applicable, enemy types, etc.}}
{{image wanted|reason=Include images of examples of an entirely explored cave, and notable structures.}}
The '''undercave''' is a sprawling cave network located underneath a colony, accessed by entering a [[pit gate]], which is filled with [[fleshbeast]] [[entities]].

== Summary == 
In order to enter the undercave, the colony must have a pit gate open in a prior event. The undercave is not a conventional quest site and does not appear on the world map, meaning you cannot [[caravan]] inside normally. Furthermore, pawns within the undercave cannot be added to newly formed caravans. However, an option to form a specialized caravan into the undercave can be accomplished by selecting "Enter pit gate" while inspecting the pit gate structure on the home tile.

A map will be created once the first colonist is sent inside to explore. Exploration begins at a random point in the tile, where a ''pit gate exit'' is spawned. On the same tile, a section of unrevealed cave will house a [[dreadmeld]] which must be defeated to close the pit gate. To progress farther within the caves, [[fleshmass]] must be damaged to create passageway or the rock walls must be mined out to make tunnels through the ground. A warning [[letter]] will alert the player when a colonist is close to the dreadmeld's position.

Prior to defeating the dreadmeld, the cavern will be able to be explored at will, at the cost of potential fleshbeast raids{{Check Tag|Verify|Can fleshbeast raids occur while colonists are exploring the undercave?}}. Once defeated, the undercave will become unstable, giving any pawns 10 hours to evacuate the tunnels. As this timer approaches zero, rock falls consisting of [[collapsed rocks]] will become more and more common. These may potentially damage pawns or items, or block routes back towards the exit. Colonists, items, and entities remaining within the caves after this timer expires will be lost forever. Once the undercave collapses, the pit gate will disappear which prevents reentry.

== Design ==
The undercave is a 100x100 map tile consisting of winding caves filled with fleshmass and fleshbeasts. The entire area is classified as being underneath [[overhead mountain]] and sits at a constant 15°C (59°F){{Check Tag|Verify|Same for all biomes?}}. Despite these factors, [[insects]] will not be found within the cave system and [[Hive]]s will not spawn{{Check Tag|Verify}}.

The ''pit gate exit'' is a 3x3 structure consisting of a rope line back to the surface, and is generated when the first colonist enters the area. It is the only method of returning colonists safely to the surface{{Check Tag|Verify|Do psycasts like farskip allow return?}}. A clear area with a radius of 5 tiles will be generated around the created exit. Colonists may return here to the rope and interact with it to return to the surface.

The cave network is generated similarly to how caves spawn within mountainous regions. [[Stone]] found within these caves may be different compared to the stones native to the tile where the pit gate originates. [[Ore]] veins will appear underground and can serve as an alternative to a [[long-range mineral scanner]] or [[ground-penetrating scanner]]. Underground plant life may also be encountered, all of which are listed below.

Most of the cave system is choked by large amounts of fleshmass which must be burned or attacked to advance. Within these walls, [[flesh bulb]]s can be found that light the immediate area, and [[flesh sack]]s which may contain a varied assortment of loot. Once the caves become unstable, most of the fleshmass will gradually dissolve which may reveal new areas not explored previously. These areas may or may not contain more enemies which can overwhelm groups if released in quick succession.

Much of the cave [[floor]] is made up of various stone types, or a flesh flooring wherever fleshmass was previously cleared from. Occasionally, patches of shallow water may be found that can impede movement. Rarely, one might find patches of rich [[soil]] with [[wild healroot]] growing from it. This may be harvested if the plants are mature enough, but will not grow further due to the lack of adequate sunlight.

The entire border of the map will not contain flessmass and will always be surrounded in a type of stone wall. This wall may still be mined past like any other to reach the map edge. Strangely, the green border used to escape a tile found while attacking [[faction]] settlements will appear if any bordering rock wall is destroyed. However, this cannot be utilized as an escape method from the caves. It is unknown whether this is intentional or not.

=== Structures ===
All of the following structures may be found within the undercave:
* [[Fleshmass]] - A fleshy barrier which must be destroyed to grant passageway{{Check Tag|Add Details}}.
* [[Plants]] - Several forms of plant life can be found within the undercave:
** [[Agarilux]]
** [[Wild healroot]] - Found rarely within patches of rich soil underground, will not grow due to lack of sunlight.
** [[Timbershroom]]{{IdeologyIcon}}
** TBD {{Check Tag|Add Details}}
* [[Ruins]] - Similar to the structures found above ground, multiple man-made buildings can be encountered within the caves. Examples:
** [[Ancient generator]]
** TBD {{Check Tag|Add Details}}
* TBD (compile any other structures found within the caves here){{Check Tag|Add Details}}

{{Move|destination=Flesh sack|reason=Unclutter structures and create dedicated page for Flesh sack loot chances}}

* [[Flesh sack]] - Containers made from the same flesh as the surrounding growths they are typically encased in. A pawn may attack the pod which will then drop its contents on the floor nearby. May contain:
** {{Icon Small|Tome}} [[Tome]]
** [[human]] [[corpse]]es - Stripping these corpses may yield more loot within the dead pawns inventory:
*** [[Tainted
*** [[Meal]]s
**** [[Simple meal]]
**** [[Fine meal]]
**** [[Packaged survival meal]]
** ?{{Check Tag|What else?}}

=== Loot ===
(Loot)

=== Dangers ===
Some sections of the caves might contain enemies. These foes may be asleep upon discovery and might wake up if the area is entered or a disturbance is caused{{Check Tag|Verify}}.
Enemies that can possibly spawn within the caves:
* [[Fingerspike]]
* [[Trispike]]
* [[Toughspike]]
* [[Bulbfreak]]
* [[Dreadmeld]]

The similarly themed [[fleshmass heart]] will not be encountered within the undercave.

Insects will not be found within these caverns, despite the entire map being classed as overhead mountain and within the temperature range for hives to spawn.

== Analysis ==
(Analysis)