# Dark Rooms

## Overview

A **Dark Room** is a hidden, optional mini-dungeon located in each region. Corrupting a closed section of the region, it is often maze-like, with toxic black sludge pouring from the walls and covering some parts of the floor. When the player enters the Dark Room, the door will shut behind them, locking them in. They must navigate to the end of the Dark Room, destroy the Dark Heart, and escape, without being spotted by a [Searcher](https://bluesod.gitbook.io/soulblaze-gdd/characters/enemies/dark-hivemind/searcher).

Should the player be spotted by a Searcher (and fail to kill it before it shrieks), Shriek Doors will close and the [Stalker](https://bluesod.gitbook.io/soulblaze-gdd/characters/enemies/dark-hivemind/stalker) will wake; a titanic, invincible threat that slowly scuffles about until awoken. The Stalker will then pursue the player until they break line of sight with it for long enough, attempting to grab the player. If they are grabbed, the player has one chance to time a difficult QTE to escape and blind the Stalker, but if they fail, the Stalker impales the player with their horn, killing them instantly.

## Relevant Objects

{% content-ref url="../../characters/enemies/dark-hivemind/dark-heart" %}
[dark-heart](https://bluesod.gitbook.io/soulblaze-gdd/characters/enemies/dark-hivemind/dark-heart)
{% endcontent-ref %}

<details>

<summary>Shriek Door</summary>

A special door that remains open until a Searcher shrieks. It will then close, allowing only the Stalker to pass through.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Sludge Pool</summary>

A pool of black sludge. The player can walk on it, but while doing so, cannot jump and moves much slower. Their HP will slowly drain at a rate of 2% per second.

</details>
