It's been two years since you first came to reside in the ancient structure, known collectively to the Kargat, as La Maison Soulombre.
Knowledge of its existence is carefully controlled, restricted to Brethren who have proven their dedication to the Kargat's goals and politics. Including yourselves and Snorri there are 15 members that take up permanent residence here. But other passing agents do sometimes come through.
Kargat members who cross between Darkon and the Southern Core, or vice versa, are enjoined to take shelter here. Benefiting from the strong group of Kargat controlling the monolith, and also its precautions against their movements' being revealed. Nonetheless, stories that the residents of La Maison Soulombre have been quietly working on something elaborate have seeped out to the populace. Possibly even the Darklord of Richemulot.
Inside La Maison Soulombre, certain tunnels and rooms change daily. Much of the megalithic structure has been sealed off, by the Snorri to discourage looters, or (more subtly) to secure the site and lock away several of his dubious were-rat experiments. Snorri has added his own protective spells to certain parts of the building, Both to prevent fires from spreading in the library, and to frighten away people outside with illusions that are nearly real.
The Main Hall is one of the most stable and safest places. Its a extremely large gathering room with a ring of eight smoky, guttering torches, ever-burning and never exhausted, which illuminate the chamber. Circling that is a shallow furrow in the stone, which the Kargat fill with holy water as an abjurative precaution, fearing a Darklord might be spying. A length of heavy chain dangles from an eye bolt at mid-ceiling, and streaks of blackened stone, permanently shadowed, show where the ancient framework of beams were once positioned.
At the center of the chamber, hemmed in by a gauntlet of painted ritual circles, warding spells, and acidic booby-traps, a solid oaken pedestal rises to knee height. Carved with images of the Darkonian mythic. Snorri has resorted to what most here would call extreme measures to gather information, summoning and binding is very rare, and extremely dangerous in Ravenloft.
The Pit goes from 10'ft - 30'ft across. Its depth appears to fluctuate widely. Its paired staircases sometimes taking mere seconds to traverse, other times, many minutes or even a few hours. Descending from above, new arrivals pass through a darkened patch of stairs on which no light source, natural or otherwise, suffices to illuminate more than three or four adjacent steps Those traversing either stair invariably lose their sense of direction in this area, and must resort to running their hands along the walls in order to reassure themselves that they are still advancing up or down. Ascending either stairs with anyone for more than a few steps invariably causes people to lose sight of the other, although both can be seen ascending into the darkness when viewed from floor level.
Many have resorted to flying or other means of moving down the pit.
In the Underground area.The stonework walls vary, in areas it resembles a typical basement -- complete with rodent infestation and crumbling mortar --, in others its more cavernous like while its torrid temperature, sweltering humidity, and fetid aromas are reminiscent of the deep bayou. An occasional rat or black widow spider skitters across the grimy flagstone floor, and water drips down from a distant, unseen ceiling, obscured by impenetrable blackness some distance overhead. No matter how brightly illuminated is the room below, this overhead darkness remains undiminished. Decrepit, malodorous, and with a climate fit to make even the calmest of folk sweat like pigs, The underground area conveys a sense of confinement akin to being buried alive.
Two weeks ago Snorri first informed the group about finding information of a small sect of adventurers dissapeared in the domain of Barovia. He has sent for more Kargat replacements and decided to send you, the strongest members of his team to investigate. Since then he has been continously divining and researching.
The short passage Snorri discovered mentions three holy shrines dedicated to the saints, as well as two powerful artifacts. One is a holy symbol thought to be a part Ravenloft it self. The other is said to be the power of the Sun. He has been able to determine that all of that information is true. The Mists have prevented him from seeing where these items may be found, but he is certain they are there. Since he must remain at the Maison Soulombre, he has arranged for his personal assistant Gevyen to follow and help you. The trip can be extremely dangerous though. Many Kargat have travelled to the Southern Core only to never be seen again.
As Sun sets the autumn wind blows cold with the promise of frost tonight as the sky darkens over Pont-a-Museau. Motes of dust dance in the light, stirred up from the floor by your presence as the group makes its way through the mazelike complex.
Gevyen has gathered you all and asked that you follow him. He has taken you deep within La Maison Soulombre, to a small tunnel that had previously been sealed. When you reach the end you come to a unusually small and wide door. Gevyen ushers you all into the room and closes the odd little door behind you.
The room inside is all wood, and is 40 feet in diameter. Beams of wood rise up from the sides of the room to meet at the center. Forming some sort of odd looking archway. Candles at the base of each beam cast an eerie light into the room, and a small starwell sits under the very center of the arch.
At the far end of the room, three long chains stretch from the walls, holding a black, metallic circle taught about six feet above the floor. On the ground, a circle of five-foot radius is marked out with red candles, each of which is wrapped in a chain over which the red wax drips and melts.
Kneeling in the middle of the circle is Snorri, caked in sweat, his face pointed upwards towards the black metallic device that hangs above. His arms are held out before him, suspended only inches above two tall, red candles.
Even from here you can see the angry, reddened flesh just above the flames. Piercing the skin on each of his forearms are two large hooks, attached to a chain that reaches down to two metal weights lightly resting on the ground. The sleeve's of his robe have been rolled up, revealing an arm networked with scars, angry red burn marks, and scabby wounds.
As you watch, he shudders and lifts his arms slightly from the burning flames—only to make the hooks pull sharply at his flesh, a trail of blood dripping down the rusty chain. As he peers upwards, his irregular breath reminds you of sobbing—or is that laughter?
Gevyen begins to approach the smaller circle
They are here master, are you ready?"No, please— . . . not yet, don’t come closer. I always . . . learn so much from this.”Snorri's glazed eye seems to both confirm his wish and yearn for escape at the same time. His face is a twisted mesh of pain, determination and revelation that is nothing less than confusing.
Geveyen turns back towards you all.
Hmm sorry.. I thought he would of finished by now. Lets wait for him in the private study for a moment. Its down the stairs. He leads you down the narrow stairwell for nearly 3 minutes before you enter into a large auditorium styled room.
Sorry about that... The Soulombre house never ceases to amaze. This is Snorri's personal study, he will be with you all in a moment. There is all sorts of books and oddities around to keep you occupied. He has some important information to go over with you. It shouldn't be long, I'm going to head back and help him finish up. After that he promptly leaves.
((hey all - all pics of the haunt, snorri and gevyen can be found in the other thread.
so I will be using Red and Maroon for NPC speech. you all of course know each other so don't bother with the intro's, you're all the strongest of the kargat present at haunt. btw its assumed that you are always battle ready here at the haunt. its not unknown for things to pop out of nowhere.
also for now, please post your character name at the top of your post. just so i can keep track easier.))
