Caves of Despair

History[]

Years ago[]

While searching for the Tomb of the First Spinjitzu Master, Morro entered the Caves of Despair in his quest. However, he would end up getting trapped in a chamber filled with a kethanol geyser and was killed by the explosion,^[1] his soul being sent to the Cursed Realm while his deceased body remained in the Caves of Despair.^[2] Later, shortly after Garmadon's banishment, Master Wu hid the Scythe of Quakes in the Caves and placed the Earth Dragon there to guard it.

The Golden Weapon[]

In search of the Scythe, Samukai began mining operations in the caves with several Skulkin. However, due to Nuckal misreading the map, their search was hindered as they began digging in the wrong places, allowing the ninja to sneak past them and retrieve the Scythe of Quakes. Shortly detecting the ninja's presence afterward, the Skulkin clashed with the ninja over the Scythe of Quakes, though both factions were forced to flee upon the arrival of the Earth Dragon.

The Snake King[]

Cole attempted to one-up the mysterious samurai, who was fighting Serpentine in the Caves of Despair.

Shadow of Ronin (non-canon)[]

In an attempt to regain their memories, the ninja sought out the Obsidian Scythe hidden within, only to be confronted by several Constrictai that had been brainwashed by Ronin. Defeating their controlled allies, the ninja succeeded in getting the Obsidian Scythe and restoring Cole's memories, before leaving.

The Crooked Path[]

While the ninja were looking for the Tomb of the First Spinjitzu Master, Ronin, possessed by Morro, sent them a video claiming the Tomb was inside the Caves of Despair, with Ghoultar carving false symbols to fool the ninja. Falling for the trick, the ninja entered the Caves and eventually stumbled across Morro's corpse, besides a geyser of kethanol only for Ghoultar to seal them in the room. Even as the geyser began to build up for a massive explosion, the ninja managed to escape, traversing through a mine-cart rail system and destroying Ghoultar in the process. They eventually escaped with the help of R.E.X., even as the Caves of Despair detonated, overflowing with lava in the process.

LEGO.com description[]

Hiding place of one of the Four Golden Weapons of Spinjitzu, the Scythe of Quakes. This was the first location to which the ninja traveled in search of the Golden Weapons. The caves are part of one of the largest mountains on NINJAGO Island and stretch for kilometers. Samukai ordered a Skeleton Army mining operation here in an effort to find the weapon, which resulted in the laying of railroad tracks, the carving of new tunnels and the construction of Skeleton Army watchtowers. The ninja succeeded in finding the Scythe first, but it was guarded by an Earth Dragon. The creature eventually became Cole’s mount.^[3]

Geography[]

The caves were built into the side of one of Ninjago's largest mountains. A crater is carved out of it, and during Samukai's mining operations, several Skulkin watchtowers were constructed here.

Following the events of Possession, they were completely destroyed in a massive kethanol geyser explosion caused by Cole.

Animal life[]

• Earth Dragon (formerly; deceased)
• Burning Snakes
• Wicked Spiders
• Rockslide Bats

Vegetation[]

• Mushyrooms
• Pop-Rock-Corn
• Lime Stones

Areas[]

• Mud Slide
• Snake Scale Wall
• Skeleton Mining Area
• Lost Lost Tunnel
• Maze of Doom
• Earth Dragon's Cave

Appearances[]

Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu[]

Pilot episodes[]

• 1. "Way of the Ninja" (pictured)
• 2. "The Golden Weapon"

Season 1: Rise of the Snakes[]

• 6. "The Snake King"

Season 5: Possession[]

• 48. "The Temple on Haunted Hill" (pictured)
• 51. "The Crooked Path"

Decoded[]

• 2. "Vehicles and Mechs" (video)

Season 8: Sons of Garmadon[]

• 80. "The Quiet One" (mentioned)

Video games[]

• Spinjitzu Smash! (non-canon)
• Spinjitzu Smash Party (non-canon)
• LEGO Ninjago: The Final Battle (non-canon)
• LEGO Ninjago: Shadow of Ronin (non-canon)

Trivia[]

• The Caves of Despair are the only location for the Golden Weapons that is confirmed to be destroyed.

Gallery[]

In Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu[]

Pilot episodes[]

Season 5: Possession[]

In other media[]

Concept art[]

Translations[]

Foreign language	Translation
Czech	Jeskyně beznaděje (pilot) Jeskyně zoufalství (S5-S8)
German	Höhlen der Verzweiflung
Polish	Jaskinie Rozpaczy
Russian	Пещеры отчаяния
French	Grottes du Désespoir
Japanese	絶望の洞窟

References[]