Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2017 13:27:58 GMT -5
We explored the ruined Bath Halls of the Vision Goddess the other day. This dungeon sits nestled between narrow limestone hills, atop a natural hot spring that feeds into a nearby river. The spring is of ancient and holy significance. Consulting the Historikon Fantasikraton of Morod the Red, we read that the druids still know of the place as Dubroi Heole in their own language, but Morod prefers its more proper name in the tongue of the Old Empire, Aquae Sulis. However, he admits that both names have the same meaning, 'The waters of the Vision Goddess'.
The dungeon is accessed from the stately baths that rest above ground, abandoned to the elements. Naturally, as is common with sites like these from the Old Empire, we found the ruin guarded by living statues.
The pools above ground were slick with growth and smelled of sulfur. As we explored we encountered not only the living statues, but green slimes, yellow molds and an algae horror.
Broken lead steam pipes ran through the place, causing us much discomfort with their outbursts if we were not careful. Finally, before descending into the underground complex, we rested beside the King's Bath. According to Morod the Red, the King's Bath is sourced directly from the runoff of the Sacred Spring. After a peaceful rest we continued our exploration, but found many of the vestigial entrances blocked by debris; in the end we located a camped runoff that still flowed with water, through which we achieved our descent.
Travel beneath the surface was difficult. Much of the upper floor had fallen away to reveal the old heating floor underneath, so that we were constantly climbing over and around things. It is no wonder that exploratory movement in the dungeon is so slow!
In several rooms we came across the ghosts of bathers past, who seemed to be ignorant of our presence so long as we kept to ourselves.
At last, we found our way to the outrun of the Sacred Spring itself. Through our diligent reading of Morod the Red before our adventure, we had already determined that the Sacred Spring would be our goal. Upon reaching this place, there was no doubt but that the presence of Sulis flowed up from its turbid depths! One of our number even claimed that he could hear the River Master Himself murmuring through the water; though I have heard that the River Master only speaks to those of Neutral alignment, and so I wonder if my companion had heard some other river spirit instead.
Among the magic items we uncovered, the one which drew my attention the most was a stone slab that glowed with a map of the baths as they were in ancient days; we delighted as we watched the tiny spirits of bathers long dead going about their business upon its surface, sacrificing at the altars and taking pleasure in the pools' many magical properties. So peaceful! Truly, so full of simple pleasures were those times!
May inspiration come to you in myriad ways!
The dungeon is accessed from the stately baths that rest above ground, abandoned to the elements. Naturally, as is common with sites like these from the Old Empire, we found the ruin guarded by living statues.
The pools above ground were slick with growth and smelled of sulfur. As we explored we encountered not only the living statues, but green slimes, yellow molds and an algae horror.
Broken lead steam pipes ran through the place, causing us much discomfort with their outbursts if we were not careful. Finally, before descending into the underground complex, we rested beside the King's Bath. According to Morod the Red, the King's Bath is sourced directly from the runoff of the Sacred Spring. After a peaceful rest we continued our exploration, but found many of the vestigial entrances blocked by debris; in the end we located a camped runoff that still flowed with water, through which we achieved our descent.
Travel beneath the surface was difficult. Much of the upper floor had fallen away to reveal the old heating floor underneath, so that we were constantly climbing over and around things. It is no wonder that exploratory movement in the dungeon is so slow!
In several rooms we came across the ghosts of bathers past, who seemed to be ignorant of our presence so long as we kept to ourselves.
At last, we found our way to the outrun of the Sacred Spring itself. Through our diligent reading of Morod the Red before our adventure, we had already determined that the Sacred Spring would be our goal. Upon reaching this place, there was no doubt but that the presence of Sulis flowed up from its turbid depths! One of our number even claimed that he could hear the River Master Himself murmuring through the water; though I have heard that the River Master only speaks to those of Neutral alignment, and so I wonder if my companion had heard some other river spirit instead.
Among the magic items we uncovered, the one which drew my attention the most was a stone slab that glowed with a map of the baths as they were in ancient days; we delighted as we watched the tiny spirits of bathers long dead going about their business upon its surface, sacrificing at the altars and taking pleasure in the pools' many magical properties. So peaceful! Truly, so full of simple pleasures were those times!
May inspiration come to you in myriad ways!
