Editing Floro Caverns

{{level infobox
|image=[[File:Floro Sapien Caverns.png|250px]]
|code=5-3, 5-4
|game=''[[Super Paper Mario]]''
|boss=[[O'Chunks]] <br> [[King Croacus IV]]
|before=[[Gap of Crag|<<]]
|after=[[Sammer's Kingdom|>>]]
|track=Floro Sapien Caverns
|sample=[[File:SPM Floro Sapien Caverns.oga]]
}}
The '''Floro Caverns''' is a vast cave system which serves as the setting of Chapters 5-3 and 5-4 in ''[[Super Paper Mario]]''. It is the home of the [[Floro Sapien]]s, who use it to mine gems for [[King Croacus IV|their king]], who resides in a palace deep in the caves. [[Mario]], [[Princess Peach]] and [[Bowser]] meet the [[Pixl]] named [[Dottie]] here.

==Chapter 5-3: A Crag in the Dark==
'''Storyline text'''
<blockquote>''{{hover|After repelling [[O'Chunks]], Mario and Co. followed the Floro Sapiens underground...|After repelling O'Chunks, Mario and Co. followed the Floro Sapien underground... (PAL version)}}''

''{{hover|Was the hideout of the Floro Sapiens just up ahead?|Was the Floro Sapien hideout just up ahead? (PAL version)}}''

''"Wow, it's dark! And narrow!" "Hey, who just kicked me?!" "Sorry. All me."''

''Our heroes followed the long, dark corridor, listening to echoes of their own voices.''

''As they groped their way along, the light at the end of the tunnel grew brighter...''

''{{hover|They had finally arrived at the inner sanctums of the Floro Sapiens...|They had finally arrived at the Floro Sapien inner sanctums... (PAL version)}}''

''The Cragnons kidnapped from [[Downtown of Crag]] had to be around somewhere...''</blockquote>
[[File:SPM Flint Cragley Meet.png|thumb|left|First time meet-up with Flint Cragley.]]
[[File:SPM Floro Caverns Mine Cart Ride.png|thumb|Mario in Floro Caverns.]]
The first area of the level is mostly empty, save for some [[Hard Block]]s and a [[? Block]] containing a [[Super Mushroom|Super Shroom]]. Soon, the heroes come across a [[Cragnon]] named [[Flint Cragley]], who is filming an [[Flint Cragley, Cragtrotter|adventure show]] in the caverns. After brainstorming several title ideas for the episode, Cragley notices the heroes and asks them what they are underground for. He then explains that his camera crew is lost in the caverns and he needs them to continue. He tells the heroes to keep an eye out.

Down a [[Warp Pipe]], there is a room with a locked door, several pipes, and some [[Buzzy Beetle]]s and [[Spike Top]]s. All of the pipes are unusable except the farthest one. Through the pipe is an area which resembles [[World 2-1 (Super Mario Bros.)|World 2-1]] of ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' This area is full of Buzzy Beetles, Spike Tops, [[Spania]]s, [[Piranha Plant]]s, [[Putrid Piranha]]s and [[Floro Sapien]]s. There are also many [[Brick Block]]s and ? Blocks. About halfway through the area is a door. Nearby, there is a block with a ladder that leads to a [[Coin Heaven]]-like area, which is also a shortcut through some of the area. Through the door is a track which can be ridden in a minecart. At the end of the track is a pipe that leads to a seemingly empty room, revealed to be filled with Floro Cragniens in 3-D. By [[flip]]ping during the cart ride, though, the player can take a deviating track that leads to a door. Through the door is a room with many Floro Sapiens and Cragniens, as well as a [[Zombie Shroom]]. In a small alocove, the heroes find [[Hornfels]], Flint Cragley's boomer, who returns to Flint when the heroes tell him where he is. They then return to the main area of the caverns.

At the end of the room is a [[Trampoline]] to clear a tower of blocks and a [[Yellow Block]] covering a door. Through the door is another minecart track, this one more elaborate, with many loops and jumps. After the cart ride is an area with some [[Floro Cragnien]]s. A [[Zombie Shroom]] and a Spania [[Catch Card|card]] can be found here. Through a path of Hard Blocks, some of which are actually Brick Blocks, as seen in 3-D, the player will reach a crossways, a room with several Floro Cragniens below and an area where [[Monzo]] is found above. Monzo is Flint Cragley's cameraman, who also goes back to his boss.

The heroes, too, go back to Flint, who demands a [[Cave Key|key]] from his crew. However, they claim that Flint took the key, fearing the crew would lose it. He denies this, but finds the key in his pocket. As he is afraid of what lies ahead, Flint gives the heroes the key, allowing them to unlock the door seen before. Beyond the door is another cart ride, followed by an enemy infested area with a [[Mega Star]]. The final door is hidden behind a Yellow Block and leads to the [[Star Block (Super Paper Mario)|Star Block]].
{{br}}

===Enemies===
*[[Buzzy Beetle]]
*[[Floro Cragnien]] (returns to the [[Land of the Cragnons]] after obtaining the indigo [[Pure Heart]])
*[[Floro Sapien]]
*[[Piranha Plant]]
*[[Putrid Piranha]]
*[[Spania]]
*[[Spike Top]]

===Items===
{{RPG item locations
|item1=[[Shroom Shake]]
|image1=[[File:Shroom Shake SPM.png]]
|location1=In a 3D-accessible area on the other side of a camouflaged [[yellow block]] which can be destroyed by Cudge, via a piranha-infested pipe right next to the door leading to Hornfels after a minecart ride.
|item2=Caught Card
|image2=[[File:CatchCardOrangeSPM.png]]
|location2=[[Spania]], in a small 3D-accessible area under the blocks leading to Monzo.
|item3=Super Card
|image3=[[File:CatchCardSilverSPM.png]]
|location3=[[Hornfels]] & [[Monzo]] '''(Map 35)''', use [[Fleep]] on the cluster of purple ores in the minecart area right before the door leading to Monzo.
|item4=[[Shooting Star]]
|image4=[[File:Shooting Star SPM.png]]
|location4='''(Map 34)''', use Fleep above the tallest protruding blue crystal in the area where the Star Block is. 
}}

===Menu description===
*''"The Floro Sapiens live in this gem mine."'' (before meeting Flint Cragley for the first time)
*''"This Floro Sapiens cave is studded with gems. The abducted Cragnons were forced to mine the gems. You met Flint Cragley, the crag-vision star, here."'' (after meeting Flint Cragley for the first time)

==Chapter 5-4: The Menace of King Croacus==
'''Storyline text'''
<blockquote>''"You want REAL danger?! How about my duel with the foul Rainbowzilla?!"''

''As the heroes descended into the Floro Caverns, Flint Cragley entertained them all.''

''"Boss. BOSS! Cragnons heard that story 255 times, brah... You making my crag hurt.''

''"Brah, if you count time we weren't tied up, then it 256 times."''

''Mario and Co. glanced over at the weary faces of Flint's crew as they delved deeper.''

''But a light grew... Was it a ray of hope from the Pure Heart, or an evil illusion?''</blockquote>
[[File:Gabbro.PNG|thumb|left|Dottie and Gabbro.]]
[[File:DimentioAndO'Chunks.PNG|thumb|[[Bowser]] about to face O'Chunks.]]
The heroes continue on with [[Flint Cragley]] [[Monzo|and]] [[Hornfels|crew]] until they reach what appears to be the [[Floro Sapien]] capital. Flint and his crew move ahead to continue filming, while the heroes continue their mission to find the [[Pure Heart]]. After passing a [[Putrid Piranha]] and some Floro Sapiens, they go through a hall and come across a room with what appears to be a scanner. A [[Floro Cragnien]] stands under the scanner and it searches its head. It then allows him to pass. The heroes, however, cannot pass. Heading back down the hall, there is an area with a tiny pipe, three [[? Block]]s, one containing a [[Mushroom]] and the other a [[Zombie Shroom]]. There is also a [[Warp Pipe]] leading further underground.

In the next area, there is a [[Save Block]] next to a white door, leading to an area with another door that will not open without a [[Card Key (Super Paper Mario)|Card Key]]. To the right is a pipe spawning Floro Sapiens and, to the far right, a locked door. In 3-D, Mario finds a hidden area with two Floro Cragniens and a large button. The button will only activate using the combined weight of a hero and an enemy, which can be held by [[Thoreau]]. The button reveals a pipe, leading to a room with a door on the right and a pipe on the left. The door leads to a room with two [[Reversya Cursya]]s, a pipe in the center and a door on the right. The door leads to a room with three [[Spike Top]]s and a pipe on the right, which leads to a room with a [[Blomeba]] and writing on the wall reading "Behind the Skull", according to [[Tippi]]. The door to the left leads to a room with two [[Heavy Cursya]]s, a pipe in the center and another door on the left, leading to a room with two [[Spania]]s. This room has a drawing of a skull on the wall, which releases a key when [[Fleep]] is used on it.

The key unlocks the previously mentioned locked door. There the heroes find the [[Pixl]] [[Dottie]], who is hiding with a [[Cragnon]] named [[Gabbro]]. Gabbro is initially afraid of the heroes, but Dottie convinces him that they are benevolent. She then tells Gabbro that they must part ways, as he needs to return home and she needs to join the heroes. She is able to shrink the heroes to fit into small spaces. This allows them to enter a small hallway in the room through the white door and collect a card key to enter the Processing Center, where Cragnons are outfitted with brainwashing [[Floro Sprout]]s. By hitting a giant [[! Switch]] with [[Thudley]], the heroes free the Floro Cragniens, but must use Hard Blocks to avoid [[stomp]]ing the Cragniens and reach a pipe. (Oddly, a [[Cursya]] is present in the Processing Center).

Through the pipe, the heroes encounter [[O'Chunks]] and [[Dimentio]]. Dimentio warps everyone to [[Dimension D]] and reveals a Floro Sprout on O'Chunks's head, which he has used to brainwash the warrior and rename him "O'Cabbage". Dimentio teleports away and leaved his creation to fight the heroes. O'Cabbage is much faster than normal and is also more unpredictable. However, he is still defeated and the sprout falls off his head, dead. Not remembering anything, O'Chunks prepares to fight his enemies, but leaves after hearing his stomach growl. The heroes take the dead Floro Sprout, able to wear it without being brainwashed. After they leave, Dimentio appears and muses about how powerful the heroes have become.

By wearing the Floro Sprout, the heroes are able to bypass the scanner at the beginning of the level and enter [[King Croacus IV]]'s palace. The palace is decorated with much gold and jewels, as well as paintings of the four rulers of the Flora Kingdom. Several Floro Sapiens guard this area. Beneath each painting is a cracked floor that can be destroyed by [[Boomer (Super Paper Mario)|Boomer]] to access a small pit. Each pit contains a switch block that changes colors when hit, alternating between blue, red, black and white. There is a Floro Cragnien and an [[Ultra Mushroom|Ultra Shroom]] in the first pit, nothing aside from the switch block in the second pit, a Floro Cragnien in the third pit, and a Save Block in the fourth pit. By matching the switches' colors to the colors of their respective paintings, the heroes reveal a door, leading to King Croacus himself.

King Croacus initially believes the heroes to be some of his slaves, but soon realizes that they are intruders. Switching to a battle form, he attacks them. They defeat him and he begins to wilt. The Floro Sapiens enter and mourn their king. They explain to the heroes that it was the Cragnons who (accidentally) started the war by polluting the water with trash. Drinking it drove King Croacus and the Floro Sapiens mad. Flint Cragley hears this and claims that he knew all along, promising to tell the Cragnons. Recognizing the heroes for who they are, the Floro Sapiens hand over the indigo Pure Heart, grateful for peace.
{{br}}
'''Storyline ending text'''
<blockquote>''"{{hover|Men of true grit witness live what others can only see through crag-vision.|Men of true grit witness live what others can only see on crag-vision. (PAL version)}}"''

''"That is what moves me to travel into the belly of the beast week after week."''

''"Thanks again for watching, and until the next time... CRAAAAAAAAAGLEY HO!"''

''Having wrapped their latest shoot, Flint and crew went back to Downtown of Crag.''

''Mario and friends clutched the sixth Pure Heart as they walked back toward [[Flipside]].''

''Our heroes had taken a new step toward overturning the prophecy of destruction...''</blockquote>

===Enemies===
<gallery>
SPMBlomeba.png|[[Blomeba]]
SPMCursya.png|[[Cursya]]
FloroCragnien.png|[[Floro Cragnien]] (returns to the [[Land of the Cragnons]] after obtaining the indigo [[Pure Heart]])
SPMFloroSapienVariant1.png|[[Floro Sapien]]
SPMHeavyCursya.png|[[Heavy Cursya]]
File:SPMKingCroacus.png|[[King Croacus IV]] (Chapter 5 Boss)
OChunksSprite.PNG|[[O'Chunks|O'Cabbage]] (boss)
SPMReversyaCursya.png|[[Reversya Cursya]]
SPMSpania.png||[[Spania]]
</gallery>

===Items===
{{RPG item locations
|item1=Super Card
|image1=[[File:CatchCardSilverSPM.png]]
|location1=<nowiki/>
*[[Floro Cragnien]], in a chest at the far left of room with the caged Floro Cragniens.
*[[King Croacus]] '''(Map 37)''', use [[Fleep]] on the blue gemed-black cat statue right next to the portrait of [[King Croacus III]].
|item2=[[Poison Shroom]]
|image2=[[File:Poison Shroom SPM.png]]
|location2='''(Map 36)''', use Fleep on the righter cluster of red ores in the room with two Heavy Cursyas, east of the room with two Spanias along with a skull drawing which hides the Cave Key.
}}

===Menu description===
*''"This Floro Sapiens cave is home to King Croacus. Dottie joined your cause after you met her. You freed the Cragnons and restored peace to the area. You also found another Pure Heart here. It had been given to King Croacus by the Ancients..."''

==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names
|Jap=ハナーンのどうくつ
|JapR=Hanān no Dōkutsu
|JapM=Floro Sapien Cave
|Ita=Le Caverne Floro
|ItaM=Floro Caverns
|Spa=Grutas Floro
|SpaM=Floro Caverns
|Ger=Floro-Höhlen
|GerM=Floro Caverns
|Fre=Cavernes Floro
|FreM=Floro Caverns
|Kor=화모사피의 동굴
|KorR=Hwamosapi-ui Donggul
|KorM=Croacus's cave
}}

;A Crag in the Dark
{{foreign names
|Jap=暗やみのどうくつで・・・
|JapR=Kurayami no Dōkutsu de...
|JapM=In the Dark Cave...
|Fre=Un Crag dans la nuit
|FreM=A Crag in the Night
|Ita=Un Cromagnoide nell'oscurità
|ItaM=A Crag in the dark
|Spa=Una roca en la oscuridad
|SpaM=A Rock in the Dark
|Ger=Klippulaner in der Dunkelheit
|GerM=A Crag in the Dark
|Kor=암흑 동굴 속에서...
|KorR=Amheuk Donggul Sogeseo...
|KorM=In the dark cave...
}}

;The Menace of King Croacus
{{foreign names
|Jap=キング・ハナーンのきょうい
|JapR=Kingu Hanān no Kyōi
|JapM=The Menace of King Croacus
|Spa=La amenaza del Rey Marchitus
|SpaM=The Menace of King Croacus
|Fre=La menace du roi Crocus
|FreM=The Menace of King Croacus
|Ita=La minaccia di Re Cardo
|ItaM=The menace of King Croacus
|Ger=König Krokus' Bedrohung
|GerM=The Menace of King Croacus
|Kor=화모사피킹의 위협
|KorR=Hwamosapi King-ui Wihyeop
|KorM=The Menace of King Croacus
}}

==Trivia==
*Some parts of Chapter 5-4 resemble [[X-Naut Fortress]].

{{SPM}}
[[Category:Mines]]
[[Category:Underground areas]]
[[Category:Super Paper Mario levels]]
[[Category:Super Paper Mario locations]]