Absalom's catacombs
Chapter V
Morticia
Nisitus
Undead Ogre
The Absalom’s catacombs
The Catacombs are a labyrinthine network of tunnels and chambers that wind beneath the ancient city. These subterranean passages are steeped in History, with each twist and turn whispering tales of a bygone era. Dimly lit by flickering torches, the catacombs exude an eerie ambiance that both intrigues and terrifies those who dare to venture within.
Once serving as burial sites for the city's most revered ancestors, the catacombs are now a repository of both skeletal remains and forgotten relics. The walls are adorned with macabre carvings and cryptic inscriptions, remnants of a time when the living sought to honor the dead through art and text. Echoes of the past seem to resonate through the corridors, creating an almost palpable feeling of being watched by unseen eyes.
Explorers and historians alike are drawn to Absalom’s catacombs, seeking to uncover the secrets buried deep within. Among the most notable features is the Grand Ossuary, a vast chamber where countless bones are meticulously arranged in intricate patterns, forming a stark yet hauntingly beautiful tableau. There is also the Silent Hall, a solemn space where the air is heavy with the weight of centuries, and even the faintest whisper seems sacrilegious.
Legends abound of hidden treasures and spectral guardians, adding an element of mystery and danger to the allure of the catacombs. Many have claimed to hear ghostly footsteps or to feel an inexplicable chill, and tales of lost adventurers serve as a cautionary reminder of the perils that lie in wait.
The Absalom’s catacombs offer a glimpse into the city’s rich and tumultuous History, a journey into the depths where the past is preserved in stone and bone, waiting patiently to reveal its stories to those who are brave enough to listen.
Into the Catacombs
Shaezhar's Mirror
Following an 8-hour journey through the depths, you eventually reach Shaezar's mirror. This old chamber features five doors positioned around its perimeter, though none lead anywhere. A fountain once stood in the centre, but now the entire region is flooded. As you circle what used to be the fountain's boundary, the crushed bones underfoot makes traversing the terrain challenging.
But all gates are closed and none will open. Except when requesting Thelgax to pass when the waters are calm and mirror-like. This transforms the all room into a passage to the darkland dropping everyone in the tomb of silence with no chance of coming back through the same portal.
The Guardians
As you find yourselves in the dark chamber, a massive zombie emerges from the bones scattered on the ground, soon joined by two more. They seem ready to attack.
NPCs
If Morticia could choose, she would avoid entering the water to prevent being taken to the Tomb of Silence.
Nisitus is hiding (sometimes invisible) and plans to travel directly to Shaen alone, knowing where Shaezen’s mirror leads.