> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.sunflower-land.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.sunflower-land.com/roadmap/chapters/chapter-16-cave-dwellers.md).

# Chapter 16: Cave Dwellers

📅 **November 2026 – February 2027** | 🎟️ Chapter token: **Duende Cap**

The current chapter. Something is stirring beneath your farm: dig into the **Cave**, grow mushroom beds full of **Beetles**, and raise the farm's newest animal, the **Pig**.

***

### 🕳️ The Cave

Build the **Cave** from the Workbench once you reach **Level 11** on Petal Paradise. Inside, a **Myco Bin** grows a buried 5x5 patch. Start a batch with one of three mixes:

* 🍄 **Mushroom mix** (Wood): more Mushroom tiles
* 🪲 **Beetle mix** (Eggs): more Beetle tiles
* 🟫 **Mud mix** (one crop of your choice): double Mud from every Mud tile

After **12 hours** the patch is ready to dig. A **Sand Shovel** digs one tile and a **Sand Drill** clears a 2x2 square. Each tile you dig up shows a number: how many **Beetles and Mushrooms** are hidden in the tiles directly above, below, left and right of it (not diagonally). Use the clues to find them!

{% hint style="info" %}
Your very first batch is quick: **Gloomwick** walks you through a 10-minute Mushroom mix so you can try digging straight away.
{% endhint %}

Patches give **Mud**, **Wild Mushrooms**, the occasional **Magic Mushroom**, and **Beetles** in four rarities: Green, Blue, Pink and Amber.

### ⛏️ Cave Tiers

Expand the Cave through **8 tiers**. Each tier adds another Myco Bin with its own patch. Higher tiers ask for more Mud, Wood and Stone (plus Leather and **Pig Bristles** later on), and each needs a further island, from Desert all the way to Marble.

### 🐖 Pigs & the Pigpen

From **Level 30** on Petal Paradise, build a **Pigpen**. It comes with **3 Pigs** and costs **Mud** to build, so dig in the Cave first. Pigs eat **Slops**, mixed from crops, fruit, fish and mushrooms in four tiers (Basic, Hearty, Rich and Gourmet). Their favourite Slop changes as they level up.

* 🍄‍🟫 **Truffles**: the Pig's produce, with more Truffles at higher levels
* 🐗 **Pig Bristles**: earned when you trade in a Pig of level 3 or above, or sell one to the Bounty Board. Higher-level Pigs give more
* 🟫 **Mud baths**: coat a Pig in **25 Mud** for **+25% feeding XP** until its next harvest (or the next two with a Vibraphone placed)

Truffles go into **Truffle Seasoning** at the Spice Rack (feed it to any animal to halve its next sleep) and into three new dishes: **Ember-Roasted Truffle Potatoes**, **Truffle Cake** and **Creamy Truffle Risotto**.

### 🪲 Beetle Feeding

Any animal can eat a **Beetle**. The rarer the Beetle, the more XP it gives, so a good dig in the Cave is a fast way to level your herd.

### 🎯 Cave Skill Tree

A new **Cave** [skill tree](/player-guides/skills.md) arrives with 11 skills. Use them to grow batches faster, spend fewer ingredients, uncover extra Mushroom and Beetle tiles, keep your shovels and drills, and improve your Beetle rarity odds.

### 👺 The Goblin Cave Merchant

**Gloomwick**, the Goblin Cave Merchant, comes by every few days and stays for 48 hours. Each visit he brings different bulk trades that link systems which don't normally meet, and the deals are always in your favour. Higher Cave tiers unlock more of his offers.

### ⚖️ Trading

**Beetles**, **Pig Bristles** and **Truffles** can be traded on the [Marketplace](/player-guides/marketplace-and-trading.md).

### 🏆 Chapter Track & Rewards

Complete deliveries, chores and bounties to earn **Duende Caps** and climb the chapter's **reward track**. Wear the **Duende Shoes**, **Duende Pants** or **Duende Shirt** to earn bonus Duende Caps.

The track's boost rewards include the **Pig Onesie** (+5% feeding XP for all animals, not counting Beetles) and the **Ascension Staff** (shorter power skill cooldowns).

### 🍄 Collectibles & Auctions

A new set of chapter mutants: **Mushroom Chicken**, **Ladybug Cow**, **Beetle Sheep** and the **Cyclops Bloom** flower. New chapter fish swim in: **Betta**, **Macropinna** and the **Manatee**, this chapter's marvel fish. The **Clover Coin** artefact can be found by digging in the Desert. There's also the **Duende Monument**, the **Pig Plush** and **Pig Doll** from the Crafting Box, and a new wave of megastore items, auction drops and raffle prizes.

***

👉 The Cave and the Pigpen are permanent additions to your farm. Grab a shovel and start digging!