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Episode 40 – This Place is Cursed

Our Heroes continued scouting every intact building they could find, and while this exploration was mostly peaceful, each overturned stone seemed to have a new curse in store. Furthermore, their Kobold companion Gupe had grown to such a large size that he could no longer squeeze his way through most doorways. His demeanor remained unchanged but our heroes were keeping an eye on him.

The Hall of Weightless Wonder

Our Heroes stumbled on a vast dome supported by 4 columns. Each column magically lifted our heroes into the chamber above, where mummified residents of Ythrn remained cross-legged and serene. The chamber caused all who entered to become weightless. The Professor explained that these members of the Ythrn Elite would come to meditate, and project their consciousness into the city.

The Tower of Enchantment

This tower belonging to one of the Eight archmages of Ythrn had been vandalized by madman’s ravings. As our heroes ascended the writing on the walls grew increasingly disturbed, written in wine, blood and pitch. The doorway leading to the Archmage’s chamber was marked “Destory the crown, free my memories”. Inside, what appeared to be the mummified remains of Ivara the Enchantress sat motionless in a throne, wearing a crown. Yrso was able to determine that Ivara was in fact alive, but catatonic. Largo attempted to identify the crown but it defied scrutiny. Destroying the crown could be possible using the Anvil found earlier, but none risked picking up the cursed item. Our heroes took note of an Octet verse and left Ivara alone.

The Tower of Illusion

This tower was covered in carved eyes that appeared to follow our Heroes movements. As our heroes ascended, mist rolled from the doorways and plunged our heroes into horrible nightmares of their worst fears. The effects of these nightmares were very real, causing psychic injury before disappearing. In the chamber at the top, a verse of the Arcane Octad was found and determined by Lynnaea to be false, an illusion covering the real verse. Thankful to never have to return to this place of nightmares our Heroes left.

The Obelisk

Our Heroes found a monumental Obelisk driven into the ground in the north end of the city. It was speculated that this could be an artifact recovered from the Giant Kingdom of Ostoria. When examined thoroughly, Lynaea also discovered the obelisk held all types of magic including the ancient school of Chronomancy, knowledge of this school has been lost since the time of Netheril. The Arcane Brotherhood companions Vellyne and Dzaan furiously recorded the runes in their own records.

The Tower of Evocation

The interior of this tower was marked with evidence of acid, fire and lightning. The chamber above was ringed with 10 foot cube alcoves, filled with ice. One alcove’s ice contained the skeletal remains of an Archmage suspended within. Our heroes recorded the Arcane Octad inscription, and left the archmage in his tomb.

The Theatre

Our Heroes entered the city’s Theatre, which, unlike the symphony hall, had been completely abandoned. Backstage, our heroes found a curiously locked desk, wrapped in chains locks of every description. These old chains were no match for the destrutive power of a smashing, and inside the desk was a 5-part play called “A Blasphemy of Kings”. This play tells the story of 5 siblings, each expecting to claim the throne of their late father. As they try to prove their worth, it’s revealed they are all dead, having perished along with their father in a cataclysmic event that destroyed their kingdom.

Five parts, five heroes. Perhaps against their better judgement our heroes decided to perform this play in the theatre. Each taking a script of the Martyr, The Traitor, the Bewitched, the Haunted, and the Fool. Expecting a reward, our heroes instead were cursed with the aspect of their chosen character: Largo the bumbling Fool, Vellyne the indecisive Bewitched, and Dzaan the obnoxious traitor.

The Menagerie

Miniature biomes filled the menagerie, and in the centre was a machine that accepted blood in return for a mystery. Our Heroes gave this machine their blood and in return were bestowed a magical babboon with iridescent fur.

Our Heroes took a break here, resting to regain strength. During the night, 2 gargoyles could be seen flying overhead.

The Observatory

This conical tower held upright by buttresses has a large hole in the roof where something has fallen in. The entrance is guarded by 7 Magen who warned our heroes of an outbreak contained inside. Our Heroes backed away slowly and instead approached the Market district.

The Bazaar of the Bizarre

This once well-furnished bazaar was now all but destroyed by the rampaging headless body of the Iron Golem’s head found in the caves of Hunger. Our Heroes pillaged what remained while Gupe bearhugged the golem into submission, finding magical paint whose images become reality.

Hall of Silk

This well-preserved building is the only functional store remaining in the market district. Magen still operate the store, warning shoplifters and offering free samples to newcomers. Phase Spiders rapidly weave custom pieces for visitors, and after the first free garment each costs 250 gold. Yrso chose a robe with their new baboon’s face on it, very snappy indeed. A tiny jacket was weaved for the babboon, and Vellyne commemorated her long standing friendship with the kobolds by creating matching jackets, and a single glove for Gupe due to his immense size.

The Tower of Necromancy

Our Heroes now find themselves at the ruined remains of the collapsed tower of necromancy, teeming with crawling gray hands.

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