Ancient Shrine Pilgrimage

A visit to the Ancient Shrine in Zul Logothby Chairman Shirkon Rockcleaver.

You see Shirkon Rockcleaver the Warlord.
He appears to be a Dwarf of the Kazunel Clan.
He is short and appears to be advanced in years. He has tired steel grey eyes and dark skin. He has thinning, unruly deep red hair with a large bald spot. He has a weathered face, a broken nose and a long braided beard.
He has a rearing pooka tattoo on his wrist, and a faint silvery mark on his wrist.
He is in good shape.
He is holding a dwarf-cut ruby in his right hand.
He is wearing a gold-fluted blue velvet vest, a grey canvas mining pack, some grey steel vambraces set with dark storm agate, a vultite wall shield emblazoned with the image of a fiery phoenix rising from smoldering ashes, some war-torn steel full plate, a bear skin weapon sling, a pair of black gillies and hose, some rugged red thrak hide gauntlets, a silver kilt pin wrought to resemble a sprig of heather, a leather pouch, a lustrous deep golden amulet, a polished golden charm, a heavily enruned gold ring, a small gold sleigh bell on a green velvet cord, an appliqued brocade greatcloak, an emerald green mein key suspended from a fine gold chain, a black enameled bracer with a silver gryphon set in a ruby circle, a fine woolen red and black kilt, a soiled leather-wrapped flask, an etched gold talisman, a white diamond phoenix pin, a butterfly charm, a Warrior Guild Master pin, a wide gold ring, a leather survival kit, a leather phoenix-tooled armband, a sapphire-eyed mithril dragon armband, a griffin-winged pauldron, a twisted gold and silver armband, a filigreed bloodjewel wristlet, a rune-etched platinum buckle, a silver bound lacquered ankle sheath fringed with griffin talons, a malachite inset platinum clasp, a pair of wire-framed spectacles, a pale crystal bagpipes pin, a tooled silver alloy buckle, an obsidian-bound bronze Adventurer's Guild badge, a brilliant white diamond beard-clip, a silver-bladed dagger medallion, an elegant copper alloy bracer, and a dark green Tam-o'-shanter.

[Zul Logoth, Ancient Passage]
Faint light trickles into the area from the crack in the wall to the south, its dim illumination highlighting the smooth walls and floor of the circular chamber. Grooves in the walls create ornate patterns that are shadowed in places where the ambient light is unable to reach its deeper sections. Traveling upward, a set of stone stairs disappears into the wall, each step large, wide, and crafted of stone. You also see a rock-edged tall arch.

Slow and steady, you gradually make your way up the stairs as they twist and turn on a sinuous path through the mountain.

[Zul Logoth, Ancient Passage]
Created at the apex of two sets of stairs, one traveling downward and one upward, the corridor is carved out of the very stone of the mountain. Potted toadstools follow the curve of each wall to create a circle of illumination for travelers and acts as a showcase for the tiled murals that are imbedded into the floor.

You see several tiled murals. Looking at the murals, you see a blue and white-tiled mural, a tiled aquamarine mural and a broken and crushed mural.

Curving along half of an adjoining semi-annular mural, the blue and white-tiled mural is comprised of hundreds of tiny glass pieces and is flanked by a broken mural. Bright azure tiles mingle with grey and white ones to create a fantastical thunderstorm that is interrupted by the image of an older man with a thick beard tangled with green seaweed. Stretching his arm downward from his position within the clouds, the man's shadow illuminates several aquatic animals that are swimming within a dark blue sea.

Centered within the confines of a blue mural and the remnants of a broken mural, the aquamarine mural is a perfect circle. Grey tiles create the sleek forms of dolphins as they dart between aquamarine tiles designed to look like cresting waves. Perched upon the back of the center-most mammal is a beautiful-looking young woman, her body wreathed in shells and seaweed. Sheltered in the shadow she casts are several survivors of a shipwreck, who float amid colorful anemones.

Occupying the eastern section of the floor, the broken mural is roughly semi-annular in shape and shares lines with two murals that are whole and well-preserved. No trace of the original colors used to create the design, or even what the design might have been, are evident, and any debris that could have identified the artwork has been removed.

You see two sets of stairs. Looking at the stairs, you see a set of downward stairs, a set of upward stairs and two sets of stairs.

Slow and steady, you gradually make your way up the stairs as they twist and turn on a sinuous path through the mountain.

[Ancient Passage, Niche]
Thin and wide, the corridor is a straight line that leads from a set of upward spiraling stairs to a set of downward ones. Carved into the eastern wall is a mural of an enormous forge that is illuminated by crimson toadstools set before it, while the western wall houses a large niche. Candles litter the floor beneath the alcove, many of which show eminent signs of expiring.

Deeply carved from floor to ceiling in the smooth eastern wall, the mural is an enormous replica of a working forge. Center-most in the image is a hearth surrounded by troughs designed to house water, while to its right are enormous billows. The left section is occupied by a gargantuan anvil that is surrounded by various bars of metal. Shelves fill every available space, their smooth planes covered with tongs, bars, hammers, and all manner of completed projects.

Domed at the top, the niche is carved into the wall and set about seven hand-spans above the floor. The smooth and flat base houses a large donation bowl and a tall stone statue, with plenty of room to spare.

Heavily muscled, the statue resembles a short man dressed in durable pants and a crafter's apron. Clasped in his right arm is enormous forging hammer, its handle intricately carved with strange runes, while his right arm appears to be crafted entirely of something metallic. His facial expression is a mixture of impatience and distraction, and his bearing is surly.

In the donation bowl you see the following:
29 Gems: some polished red coral, a small dark crystal, an uncut diamond (x4), some glaes dust, an uncut emerald (x3), some blue lapis lazuli (x2), a pale blue moonstone, a fire opal, a small pink pearl, a tiny white pearl, an uncut ruby, a blue sapphire, a clear sapphire, a green sapphire (x3), a star sapphire, a violet sapphire (x3), a violet spinel, a green malachite stone, a clear topaz

In a strange gesture, you bow to a tall stone statue.

Slow and steady, you gradually make your way up the stairs as they twist and turn on a sinuous path through the mountain.

[Zul Logoth, Ancient Passage]
Vaulted ceilings disappear into darkness, their heights unfathomable by the dim light used to illuminate the landing. The smooth floor transitions into textured walls that have had interwoven patterns of elliptical scrollwork carved into them. Evenly spaced among the walls are tiled murals, the first starting near the set of upward spiraling stairs and the last near the downward ones.

Ever tightening, the elliptical patterns that dance across the wall form intricate spirals that have a braided finish. A carved volley of arrows finds its way through the circles, though some arrows are depicted as if they would explode if they touched upon the thick lines between them.

You see a pair of tiled murals. Looking at the murals, you see a tiled azure-skied mural and a tiled autumn-kissed mural.

Viridian and cerulean tiles are fused together to create a sunny meadow backdrop locked in spring's embrace. Standing at the center of the piece, and surrounded by dark, sinister shadows, is a beautiful young woman with azure eyes and mahogany hair. A plain blue tunic is belted over her athletic form and falls to her thighs, while a pair of sandals adorns her feet, their laces wrapped about her calves. Though she stands before a horde wielding only a dagger, the woman's expression is confident and cool.

Crafted of thousands of tiny glass tiles, the mural depicts a glade surrounded by towering trees painted at the height of autumn's embrace. Locked in combat at the heart of the piece is a young man dressed in simple leathers and an enormous bear. Though the bear appears to be putting forth a lot of effort in the wrestling match, the young man is casual and lighthearted in nature. A silver mace rests at his feet, its head wrought in the shape of a fist.

Slow and steady, you gradually make your way up the stairs as they twist and turn on a sinuous path through the mountain.

[Zul Logoth, Ancient Passage]
Labyrinthine patterns stretch across the walls, their deeply incised lines illuminated by the potted toadstools that are arranged in a single line down the center of the corridor. Tile-framed murals, their pigments bright and vibrant, interrupt the strange, scrolling designs at even intervals, though some appear to have sustained enough damage to make their scenes impossible to decipher. At either end of the wide room are stone stairs, one leading up and the other leading down.
Obvious exits: none

Encompassing the entire eastern wall is a series of labyrinthine lines that weave an intricate pattern between various disks that dot the stone surface. Each disk houses the image of a different item. Jugs, balls, paint brushes, bells, and similar items are just a few of the things represented within the disks.

You see several tile-framed murals. Looking at the murals, you see a broken and cracked mural, a crimson and gold-tiled mural, a grey-whorled glass tile mural and a broken and cracked mural.

Though once perhaps a piece of art, the mural that occupies the northernmost space of the western wall is cracked, fragmented, and utterly broken. Any imagery that was once contained within the tiled framework is completely gone making the piece totally indecipherable.

Crimson tiles mingle with bright golden ones to create a checkered backdrop that stretches the entire length of the piece. Dressed from head to toe in fine, merchant-class clothing is a jovial man with a slightly round face. Despite the distinction of his clothing, the cloak that falls from his shoulders is nearly threadbare and heavily patched. Clutched in his hand is a golden lute, which he plays with a mocking flair.

Tiny grey tiles create a whorled background that is accented by thin black and white lines. Set into the foreground is the image of a somber man, his eyes distant and his face displaying a slightly saddened contenance. Though he wears drab clothing, his hands are covered with spots of vibrant paint. Two pedestals stand nearby, one housing a crystal ball and the other supporting a blank canvas.

Slow and steady, you gradually make your way up the stairs as they twist and turn on a sinuous path through the mountain.

[Zul Logoth, Ancient Passage]
Three panels, two vibrantly tiled murals and one devoid of art, occupy the eastern wall, while the western wall has a bas-relief garden of herbs, plants, and flowers carved into its slightly curved surface. Arranged in a neat row down the center of the corridor is a series of votives, their brightly burning wicks offering ample illumination for pilgrims as they make their way from the downward spiraling stairs to the upward ones, and back again.

You see a series of three panels. Looking at the panels, you see a green sapphire-tiled panel, a jade green-tiled panel and a tileless stone panel.

Large and small tiles fashioned of green sapphire create the alluring backdrop of the jungle scene set within the panel. Lush vines dangle from the top edges and dip towards the cool vein of blue sapphire water that trickles through the verdant landscape. Star sapphires inset into the water are carved into the shape of lilies, while lavender ones create water lilies. Standing among the lush plant life is a delicate woman with kind eyes.

Jade green tiles mingle with amber and brown to create a verdant landscape. Tidy rows of cultivated herbs are arranged along the left half of the panel, while the right shows the same herbs growing wild and free among trees and bushes. Standing between the two worlds is an enormous man dressed in robes the hue of all the tiles combined, his broad shoulders appearing to stretch the very fabric of the garment.

Completely devoid of tiles, this panel is framed by a narrow, unimpressive lip of stone. The interior is smooth and featureless, without even a single scratch where tiles may have once rested.

Carved in bas-relief, the garden that occupies the center of the western wall is arranged in orderly rows and lanes that are a contrast to the chaos of the jungle that surrounds it. Tall plants are arranged in the back aisles, while progressively shorter plants are positioned in the front. Tangled vines, wild flowers, and wide-leafed trees threaten to invade the garden from the edges, but are kept at bay by a small fence.

Stone depressions, carved into the floor of the corridor, house tiny votives crafted of beeswax. Each miniature candle burns with a soft glow that is enough to illuminate the area. Occasionally, the movement of air sets their flames to fluttering, though they calm almost immediately.

Slow and steady, you gradually make your way up the stairs as they twist and turn on a sinuous path through the mountain.

[Ancient Passage, Niche]
Carved stone creates a forest glade of thick bushes, lush grasses, and tall trees. Roughly textured, even the floor is carved with tangled roots that spread outward from the thick tree trunks, and rendered tufts of grass and moss that make the ground uneven, but not unpleasantly so. Nestled within a particularly ornate tree is a large stone niche that is surrounded by much smaller ones filled with candles. At either end of the landing are staircases that lead up and down.

Standing out in bas-relief from the floor and walls, the forest glade is three-dimensional and life-like. Branches stretch into the open space of the landing, their limbs brimming with leaves and in some instances, tiny blossoms. Between each tree stands berry-laden bushes and in the northwestern corner, a small brook disappears into the stone. Though uniformly grey in color, the garden's lack of verdant hues is made up for by its texture and variety.

Dominating the eastern wall, the boughs of the carved tree disappear into the shadows of the distant ceiling. Recessed into the center of the wide trunk is a large stone niche that houses a large donation bowl and a carved stone statue. Small niches are carved into the surrounding branches and have small candles placed in them, creating a halo around the larger opening.

Cut into the wall, the tiny niches are each carved upon a different limb of the ornate tree that dominates the eastern wall. Each bears the shape of an oak leaf, though much larger than the average specimen, and has a small beeswax candle set within it that gives off a warm, gold glow.

Adorned in a robe of interwoven flowers and leaves, the young woman's features are delicate and refined. A crown fashioned of braided oak leaves and wheat sheaves rests upon her noble brow. Sheltered at her feet within the folds of her robes are all manner of wild animals ranging from predators to prey and avians to reptilians.

Domed at the top, the niche that is carved into the ornate tree is set about seven hand-spans above the floor. The smooth and flat base houses a large donation bowl and a carved stone statue, with plenty of room to spare.

In the donation bowl you see an the following:
8 Gems: some glaes dust, an uncut emerald, an aquamarine gem, a clear glimaerstone, some blue lapis lazuli (x2), a moonglae opal, a blue sapphire

Slow and steady, you gradually make your way up the stairs as they twist and turn on a sinuous path through the mountain.

[Zul Logoth, Ancient Passage]
Intricately carved patterns dance across the western wall as they travel from the downward spiraling stairs to the upward ones, their thick and thin lines are a combination of whorls and musical notes. Dim light, created by four potted toadstools, illuminates the corridor and draws attention to the colorful murals that are housed within the eastern wall. Faint and carefree, the sound of a fife playing a joyful tune fills the air.

Deeply incised into the stone, a series of whorls dance across each of the corridor's walls. Carved at the end of each design is a half note, full note, or musical clef. No discernable pattern can be found in the placement of the notes or clefs.

Rising tall and proud out of a clay pot, the toadstool has a narrow stalk that supports a plump, round cap. The ribbed underside of the cap gives off a soft white glow, while the top creates a faintly greenish hue brought out by the large spots located there.

You see a series of colorful murals. Looking at the murals, you see a tileless stone mural, a wide broken mural, an azure and niveous-tiled mural and a glass-tiled vibrant mural.

Cracks in the framework of the mural make the original design indecipherable.

Jagged rents and tears in the wide panel make it difficult to determine what the original design might have been. Small bits of debris litter the ground beneath it.

Azure tiles of glass mingle with niveous ones to create a sky filled with fluffy clouds. Brown, green, red, and yellow birds of all sizes share the air, their colorful beaks as different in shape and size as the hues of their feathers. Perched upon a large cloud at their center is a young man, his back adorned with three pairs of bright white wings. His expression is lighthearted, and his lips curve upward in a playful grin as he watches the antics of the avians that surround him.

Glass tiles decorate the stone panel, their colors vibrant a contrast to the dull grey of the smooth stone they are recessed into. Traveling a road at the edges of a small village is a man with wide eyes and tawny hair. A traveling cloak drapes from his shoulders, its expanse patched with tiny squares, and a lute is strapped to his back. Dangling from his right hand is a tambourine, while his right holds a fife to his lips.

A pair of young acolytes makes their way up the stairs, hoisting the hem of their robes just high enough to prevent them from tripping as they make their climb.

Slow and steady, you gradually make your way up the stairs as they twist and turn on a sinuous path through the mountain.

[Zul Logoth, Ancient Passage]
Faint light creates shadows on the walls which are carved with conflicting spiderweb patterns and archaic designs. Nestled within the strange images upon the western wall is an enormous mural depicting an ancient throne room, while the eastern wall houses a mural that is fashioned largely of dark and sanguine tiles. At either end of the corridor, stone staircases disappear into the southern and northern wall, one leading up and the other leading down.

Rising from the blood-stained figure in the throne room mural, a series of interconnecting carved lines form a spiderweb pattern that disappears into the depths of the distant ceiling. To the right hand, a large star spreads its eight points outward and cleaves the tendrils wherever they touch.

Carved into the smooth surface of the grey stone wall, the archaic designs trickle downward from the ceiling and grow sparse the closer they get to the floor. Stylized at best, the intent of their construction is difficult to discern. While some of the designs appear to be paw prints, others seem to be erratic slashes in the stone.

Silver and black tiles are blended together to create the image of a throne room that appears to have been pulled from the annals of time. Raised upon a dais, an ornate golden chair beset with crimson cushions sits vacant and alone. Two figures stand upon a series of three steps. The first is dressed in chainmail, her face a mask of carefully controlled anger, while the second is bedecked in blood-stained leather armor with a strange wound on her lip.

Sanguine tiles of glass create the backdrop of the various dark-tiled felines that lounge about the large mural. Casually reclining within the center of the furry masses is a lithe man dressed in form-fitting black leathers. Languid and resting, the man's features are angular, and his larger than usual eyes are bright yellow.

Silver and black tiles are blended together to create the image of a throne room that appears to have been pulled from the annals of time. Raised upon a dais, an ornate golden chair beset with crimson cushions sits vacant and alone. Two figures stand upon a series of three steps. The first is dressed in chainmail, her face a mask of carefully controlled anger, while the second is bedecked in blood-stained leather armor with a strange wound on her lip.

Slow and steady, you gradually make your way up the stairs as they twist and turn on a sinuous path through the mountain.

[Zul Logoth, Ancient Passage]
Rough and irregular, the floor of the landing is pitted with small and large holes. Stalactites and stalagmites reach towards each other from their positions in the distant ceiling and on the uneven flooring, their coarse edges displaying the distinct patterns of a carver's chisel. Murals, one upon the eastern wall and the other upon the western wall, stretch between the staircases, the images they house illuminated by the flickering light of nearby candles.

Hanging from the distant depths of the shadow-enshrouded ceiling, the stalactite falls in a jagged point. The dryness of the cavern, the stone housed within it, and the distinct markings of a chisel on the monolith's face denote that the object is clearly man-made. Images, that from a distance form no distinct pattern, reveal themselves upon closer inspection to be skeletal warriors. A quick glance at other stalactites proves that each and every one of the twenty formations bears the same image.

Raising from the uneven floor, the stalagmite is a towering man-made monolith. Chiseled images, obscured at a distance, reveal themselves to be robed creatures with scaled skin. A quick glance at other stalagmites proves that each and every one of the twenty formations bears the same image.

You see a pair of tiled murals. Looking at the murals, you see an emerald-tiled mural and a sanguine-tiled mural.

Comprised largely of emerald and copper glass tiles, the scene within the mural is of a cavern that has been converted into living quarters. Bookshelves, armor stands, weapon racks, and potion-filled cupboards are arranged around a desk where a large cobra sleeps in a coil. Standing above the desk, and positioned as if giving orders to a shadowy figure, stands a robed man whose tongue is forked.

Sanguine and violet tiles blend together to create a swirling backdrop of hues. Grey tiles outlined in gold form the image of an altar that has the remains of a sacrificial lamb upon it. Standing above the bloody victim is a white-haired, lean, muscular man whose skin is a perfect bronze hue. Bright dye creates his slitted eyes, while crimson stains the white of his trousers.

Slow and steady, you gradually make your way up the stairs as they twist and turn on a sinuous path through the mountain.

[Ancient Passage, Niche]
Decorated with small, intricate patterns, the western wall holds carved decorations, while the eastern houses a large niche. Rising solemn and alone at the heart of the room, a beautifully carved stone statue is ringed by glass-shielded candles that bathe it in a gentle, greyish light. Twin staircases, one leading up and one leading down, are the only exits from the chamber.

Small, delicate whorls upon the western wall form lazy patterns across the smooth surface and slowly descend towards the ground where they are fused together to create a line of sickles. In contrast, the patterns upon the eastern wall are nothing more than delicate feathers falling in a gentle rain around a large niche.

Domed at the top, the niche is carved into the wall and set about seven hand-spans above the floor. The smooth and flat base houses a large donation bowl and a beautifully carved stone statue, with plenty of room to spare.

Bathed in the greyish light of nearby candles, the statue is the carved image of a breathtakingly beautiful woman. Long hair frames a fragile face that has gentle eyes inset with sapphire irises. Robes hide her form, while a cloak trails down her back between a set of majestic wings. Clinging to her legs are amorphous shapes drawn to her final embrace, her hands resting upon their heads.

Small beeswax candles are set in a ring around the beautifully carved stone statue that stands in the middle of the chamber. Blown glass orbs with holes in their centers enclose the candles to shelter them from any mishaps that may befall them. Grey whorls, added to the glass during their crafting, lend the room a faint greyish hue that is accented by the soft moss green they are blended with.

In the donation bowl you see a the following:
19 Gems: a crimson blazestar, some polished red coral, a void black rune-carved deathstone, an uncut diamond, some glaes dust, a dragonfire emerald, a dragon's-tear emerald, an olivine faenor-bloom, a golden beryl gem, a piece of banded onyx, a deep blue mermaid's-tear sapphire, a lavender shimmarglin sapphire, a violet sapphire, a yellow sapphire, a polished jet stone, a white sunstone, a clear topaz, a golden topaz, a pink topaz

Slow and steady, you gradually make your way up the stairs as they twist and turn on a sinuous path through the mountain.

[Zul Logoth, Ancient Passage] Ambient light filters into the circular chamber from the downward stairs and the upward spiraling ones, its diffuse hues creating a soft illumination for the area. Carved patterns rise out of the smooth floor to create a forested scene on the walls that stretch towards an enormous set of gates. Twin murals, their faces limned in golden tiles, stand at opposite ends of one another, their broad expanses depicting wildly different scenes.

Rising out of the floor, their peaks disappearing into the shadowy depths of the ceiling, is a pair of gates. Set in the exact center of their wide expanse is a white and ebon-tiled mural. Stretching outward on either side of the entry is a thick wood filled with tall pine trees. Dwarves, elves, and various people from all of the races are carved into the spaces between the conifers, their faces turned towards the towering gates.

You see a pair of carved murals. Looking at the murals, you see a black and white-tiled mural and a white and ebon-tiled mural.

Outlined in gold, the mural depicts a thin woman whose alabaster face is framed by a delicate fan of ebon hair. Her body is shrouded in twin layers of white and black robes, and at her side rests an enormous ring filled with golden keys. Patience is written in her eyes, and her expression is solemn.

Ivory skeletons dominate the mural, their thin bodies stained by yellowed glass, and their hands filled with all manner of twisted weaponry. Standing in their depths, tall and defiant, is the image of a man wearing black chainmail. Wielding a large weapon in one hand and holding a white shield close to his side, he cleaves a path through the advancing horde.

Slow and steady, you gradually make your way up the stairs as they twist and turn on a sinuous path through the mountain.

[Zul Logoth, Ancient Passage]
Dimpled craters stretch across the white stone floor which is rounded and slightly inclined at the center, while twin orbs, bearing the same indentation as the floor, rise out of the walls. Occupying the entire expanse between the two pitted objects, one of which holds a red pigment and the other black, is a large mural crafted of glass tiles. Sharing a wall, the downward stairs disappear into darkness, while a sanguine light spills down the well of the upward stairs.
Obvious exits: none

Silver, grey, and ebon glass tiles create a panoramic landscape of what it might be like to stand upon one of Elanthia's moons. Dark skies arc away from the cratered surface of the satellite and are filled with glittering, silver stars. Small beneath the breathtaking scene, a youthful woman stands alone in her grey tunic and silver breastplate. Wild silver hair falls in a chaotic mane about her delicate features which are dominated by large green eyes, and insanity boldly written in her countenance.

Slow and steady, you gradually make your way up the stairs as they twist and turn on a sinuous path through the mountain.

[Zul Logoth, Ancient Passage]
Four large murals line the smooth stones walls, their images ranging in hues from sanguine to niveous. Carved patterns, each transforming from one mural to the other, travel between the pieces and are illuminated by a tall pillar of candles that occupies the center of the floor. Traveling in opposing directions, a pair of staircases provides twin exits from the chamber.

Rendered in a wild arc that travels between the murals, the patterns carved into the wall change design based upon the nearest piece of artwork. Where at first, it is fashioned of many scimitars cleaving the empty stone, it fluidly transitions into daggers, and then into mangy jackals. As the pattern eclipses the final mural, it has reduced itself to simple wisps that disappear near the stairs.

Spiraling upward from the smooth floor, the central pillar of the chamber is fashioned of concentric bands that are stacked haphazardly together to form small shelves. Perched upon each protrusion is a small beeswax candle that burns steady and bright.

You see a quartet of tiled murals. Looking at the murals, you see an emerald mural, a white mural, an ebon mural and a sanguine mural.

Emerald tiles stand out upon a backdrop of ebon. Upon the left-hand side, the green pieces resolve into the delicate skirts and veils of a woman dancing, her nubile form barely concealed beneath their bounty. However, the right-hand side displays a different image of the woman, one bathed in a plethora of tentacles that are bubbled with disease.

Niveous tiles create a backdrop that is speckled with crimson and ebon splatters. Wounded men and women, their bodies broken and in agony, kneel in homage and prayer before a robed and manacled man. Gazing down, the man's features are at once sad and compassionate, yet at the same time, there is the distinct impression that the man revels in the pain brought before him.

Ebon tiles create a shroud of darkness that stretches across the large space. Yellowed eyes and ivory teeth hide within the shadowy depths which transition into a cloak that is draped upon the shoulders of large man whose head is that of a furry jackal. Golden pigments outline the cold, cruel cast of his eyes, while crimson tiles draw his lips back in an empty sneer.

Sanguine tiles mingle with sandy brown to create a ringed coliseum that is disrepair. The bodies of the fallen lie in final repose upon the dirty ground, their twisted limbs reaching for the distant heavens above, and their mouths yawning open in death. Standing tall, proud, and fierce within the center of the destruction is a white-skinned man with coal black eyes. Dressed in leathers, his expression is one filled with righteous vengeance.

Slow and steady, you gradually make your way up the stairs as they twist and turn on a sinuous path through the mountain.

[Ancient Passage, Niche]
Shadows jump across the wall, their forms created by the flickering candles that are recessed within fist-sized alcoves that ring the chamber. Stylized flames carved into the wall appear to dance beneath the erratic patterns of the wavering light. Standing at an angle so that her stony gaze rests upon both the upward and downward spiraling stairs, a female stone statue dominates the center of the chamber, while beyond her, a niche housing a large donation bowl basks in her silhouette.

Tall, exquisite, and beautiful, the darkly alluring female statue is clothed in a weighted robe that pools on the ground around her. Lavish jewels adorn her fingers, wrists, and brow, their splendor glittering in the flickering candlelight. With her head tilted back, and her fiery, piercing gaze focused upon the stairs, her expression is fierce and cruel.

In the stone niche you see a a large donation bowl.

In the donation bowl you see a a peridot inset ora bowl and the following:
18 Gems: a golden blazestar, a dragon's-tear diamond, an uncut diamond (x3), a pale yellow heliodor, a black opal, a blue peridot, an uncut ruby, a green sapphire, a pink sapphire (x2), a star sapphire, a violet sapphire, a violet spinel, a black tourmaline, a blue tourmaline (x2)

Slow and steady, you gradually make your way up the stairs as they twist and turn on a sinuous path through the mountain.

[Zul Logoth, Ancient Passage]
Housed within patterns that alternate between frenzied whorls and even, tidy lines, the three murals that occupy the walls in this chamber are wildly different from each other. Where one is a study of order, another is rife with chaotic destruction, and the third bears a cold indifference in the lines of its imagery. The warm illumination that spreads across the floor is borrowed from the stairs that leads upward, while only a faint reddish glow rises from the downward spiraling stairs.

You see a trio of contrasting murals. Looking at the murals, you see a dusty library mural, an ebon and sanguine-tiled mural and a dark chaotic mural.

Brown and grey tiles form the many shelves and cases that line the walls of the intricate library that is depicted within the mural. Dusty volumes, ancient scrolls, and writing implements spread across every available surface in an organized fashion that is almost fastidious in its tidiness. Standing amid the collection and holding an open volume in his hand, is an ancient man that is bent in study.

Sanguine-tiled fire burns within a small circle of rocks, its lusty glow casting ebon-tiled shadows upon the back and edges of the mural. Bent and broken upon the ground, a man with a shard of wood sticking out of his back lies beside the fire, his life bleeding out upon the brown earth. Resting near the fire is another man, blood on his hands, and in the darkness behind him is the cold, impenetrable gaze of a cracked skull.

Purposeful destruction darkens the tile-framed mural, its chaotic landscape thrashed by lightning and dimpled with ragged craters. Strange shadows hobble across the landscape, the earth blistering and splintering wherever they walk. In the distant skies, the clouds hover mostly in darkness, though some are illuminated by the white-blue glow of lightning and bear the impression of strange tentacles.

Slow and steady, you gradually make your way up the stairs as they twist and turn on a sinuous path through the mountain.

[Zul Logoth, Ancient Passage]
Four dogwood trees are carved into each of the chambers walls, their four-petaled blossoms hollowed out to create petit shelves that house hundreds of tiny candles. Tiled murals stand beneath the flower-laden boughs of the blooming beauties that occupy the eastern and western walls, while to the north, a set of stairs leads upward and to the south, another set leads down.

Carved directly into the wall, the spindle-limbed dogwood stretches outward towards the ceiling. Smooth grooves in the curving bark give the beauty a life-like quality that is echoed in the various knots and curves of the rising limbs. Delicate and detailed, the dainty blossoms have been created with a bowl at their center that cups a fitfully burning beeswax candle.

You see a series of tiled murals. Looking at the murals, you see a quiet garden mural, an azure cloudy mural, a mournful shrine mural and a spangled nightscape mural.

Bedecked in white, a beautiful woman with golden blonde hair stands poised within a garden that displays budding life. Tiny birds, shadowed by larger parents, flit about her head and draw her charming gaze to their aerial antics. Her gentle, nurturing countenance exudes an amorous nature that is hard to miss.

Rife with clouds, the mural is a mixture of azure, niveous, and grey tiles blended together to create a brilliant summer sky. Reclining upside-down, his head hanging off of one enormous cloud, is a lithe young man dressed in a simple tunic. Nearly hidden in the nebulosity, a plain brown messenger pouch rests on its side with its strap dangling downward.

Ebon hues create a mournful scene where a young man stands watch over a young woman. Kneeling before an altar, the maiden is clearly consumed with grief. With one hand extended to rest upon her shoulder, the young man gazes on with compassion and understanding.

Ebon tiles create a spangled nightscape speckled with stars above and moon-hued grasses beneath. Sitting in a tree, a young man dressed in courtly attire rests his brilliant blue eyes upon a young couple. The male in the duo is dressed in the shabby clothing of the impoverished, while the female is dressed regally in a formal riding outfit. Abandoning all care, the pair runs from a distant castle beneath his watchful gaze.

Slow and steady, you gradually make your way up the stairs as they twist and turn on a sinuous path through the mountain.

[Ancient Passage, Niche]
Rising from the center of the chamber is an ornate stone throne fitted with emerald shards. An enormous male statue sits upon the furnishing, his back straight and his gaze pointedly fixed upon the downward stairs. Candles recessed into the enormous construction filter greenish light throughout the chamber and illuminate the large niche is fitted into the wall beside the upward spiraling stairs.

Monstrously large, the throne occupies the center of the chamber and dwarfs everything else surrounding it. Ornate scrollwork chiseled into the stone creates the framework for small cubbies that are filled with candles and shielded with thin panes of emerald glass.

Regal and imposing, the enormous man seated upon the throne has a commanding bearing that is hard to miss. His hands rest lightly upon the armrests, his back is straight, and his feet are firmly planted upon the smooth stone floor. Perched upon his noble brow is a golden crown inlaid with emerald cabochons.

Domed at the top, the niche is carved into the wall and set about seven hand-spans above the floor. The smooth and flat base houses a large donation bowl and an enormous male statue, with plenty of room to spare.

In the donation bowl you see a the following:
11 Gems: an emerald blazestar, a golden blazestar, an uncut diamond (x2), some glaes dust, a fairy-shaped emerald, an uncut emerald, a yellow sapphire, a white-swirled pink morganite stone, a clear tourmaline, a yellow zircon

Slow and steady, you gradually make your way up the stairs as they twist and turn on a sinuous path through the mountain.

[Zul Logoth, Ancient Passage]
Positioned each within the middle of the eastern, western, and southern walls are three murals illuminated by a cluster of candles that are neatly arranged upon a central bench. Twin staircases lead away from the chamber, one leading up and the the other leading down.

You see a trio of tiled murals. Looking at the murals, you see a white-tiled mural, an onyx-tiled mural and a gold-tiled mural.

Frosted white tiles craft a veil of mist that recedes around a mature woman garbed in flowing light grey. A marble table of scrolls lies before her, the spread of parchments bound in red, blue, black, green, and white ribbons.

Silver-flecked pebbles of onyx interspersed among pieces of caliginous tiles create a glittering nightscape backdrop for a graceful unicorn crafted from milky chalcedony chips. Alongside the steed's noble form, a slender man garbed in black rests a single pale hand upon the equine's white-maned neck.

Polished tiles of gold-flecked blue frame a vivid depiction of a cloudless sky. White fluted columns break up the cerulean field, a tanned figure leaning upon the rightmost pillar. His chiseled features are highlighted in gold as he gazes up at a hammered bronze sun.

Covered with candles, the bench is rough from all of the wax that has melted on it over the years.

Slow and steady, you gradually make your way up the stairs as they twist and turn on a sinuous path through the mountain.

[Ancient Passage, Landing]
Stone benches line the remarkably smooth walls of the chamber. Upon one bench, someone has left a pitcher of water for thirsty tourists, while upon another, there is a washbasin and some cloths that have been arranged for the hygiene-conscious. Standing at opposite ends of the small landing, a pair of downward spiraling stairs affords passage below, while a large stone archway leads deeper into the mountain.

[Ancient Passage, Altar Chamber]
Illuminated from above, the triangular chamber's air is heavily scented with myrrh. Matching the shape of the room, a small dais supports a three-sided stone altar crafted of smooth grey, white, and black tiles. Three corridors exit deeper into the mountain, while the archway in the eastern wall leads to a landing and the stairs beyond.
Obvious exits: north, southeast, southwest

On the stone altar you see a crystal amulet, an aquamarine gem, a sprig of alyssum, some acantha leaf, a clay cup of cold water and a yellow zircon.

[Chamber of the Grey]
Smooth grey stone rises from the even floor to create the curved walls of the circular chamber, their peaks disappearing into the shadows of the distant ceiling. Warm and bright light emanates from candles that are arranged in tiny alcoves around the archway that leads to the south, while to the north, a series of large obelisks dominates the chamber.

You see a series of large obelisks. Looking at the obelisks, you see a slender green Aeia obelisk, a wide red Arachne obelisk, a moss green Gosaena obelisk, a thin black Huntress obelisk and a pitted black Zelia obelisk.

Highly stylized, complex patterns reveal themselves to be overlapping veins carved into the green monolith's slender body. Thin skeins of marble are inlaid into a smooth circle at the heart of the obelisk and create the image of a delicate white lily.

Traceries of intricate webbing lace about the crimson monolith as it towers towards the distant ceiling. Alum inlay forms the image of a black widow's body within a circle at the heart of the obelisk, its plump body inlaid with a garnet hourglass.

Intricately carved with overlapping, stylized feathers, the moss green monolith stretches towards the ceiling in a straight, unyielding line of solid stone. A smooth circle at the center of the obelisk is inlaid with silver and forms the image of single sickle.

Deep grooves and intricate lines wind their way up the smooth, ebon face of the monolith to create the ornate image of intertwined scythes. Silver inlay creates the image of an eight-pointed star within a smooth, unornamented circle at the heart of the obelisk.

Half-moon symbols, carved with overlapping labyrinthine patterns, trace across the pitted black face of the stone, their chaotic patterns dizzying and intricate. A smooth circle at the center of the obelisk is inlaid with silver and forms the image of a crescent moon.

[Ancient Passage, Altar Chamber]
Illuminated from above, the triangular chamber's air is heavily scented with myrrh. Matching the shape of the room, a small dais supports a three-sided stone altar crafted of smooth grey, white, and black tiles. Three corridors exit deeper into the mountain, while the archway in the eastern wall leads to a landing and the stairs beyond.
Obvious exits: north, southeast, southwest

[Chamber of the Dark]
Smooth ebon stone rises from the even floor to create the curved walls of the circular chamber, their peaks disappearing into the shadows of the distant ceiling. Warm and bright light emanates from candles that are arranged in tiny alcoves around the archway that leads to the northwest, while to the southeast, a series of large obelisks dominates the chamber.

You see a series of large obelisks. Looking at the obelisks, you see a tall red V'tull obelisk, a golden Sheru obelisk, a cold black Onar obelisk, a stained white Mularos obelisk, a jagged grey Marlu obelisk, a rough brown Luukos obelisk, a slender red Ivas obelisk, a dusty grey Fash'lo'nae obelisk, a cool grey Eorgina obelisk, a tall red Andelas obelisk and a wide crimson Amasalen obelisk.

Tall and imposing, the red obelisk is scarred with nicks and abrasions. Cradled at the heart of the structure is the image of a black scimitar, its edges limned in silver.

Crimson flecks interrupt the smooth face of the golden obelisk, the dark inclusions glittering in the ambient light. Wreathed in alum, the image of a black jackal's head stands out from the gold at the heart of the structure and is inset with glittering yellow topaz eyes.

Largely cast in the shadows of its brethren, the cold black obelisk has an oiled finish. Standing out in stark contrast to the rest of its looming body is the image of a cracked white skull.

Crimson stains mar the face of the towering white monolith, the dark splotches brown in many areas. A single pristine circle of white at the center of the obelisk displays a dagger piercing a heart.

Jagged, cracked, and uneven, the grey monolith rises towards the ceiling, its edges displaying signs of crumbling. Trapped in the center of the structure is a black, six-tentacled star.

Coarse, brown stone rises out of the ground of the chamber to create an enormous monolith that is etched with large and small scales. Wrapped in a coil at the center of the obelisk is a slender green serpent.

Curving and wavy lines wind a sinuous path up the red monolith, their thick and thin expanses swirling in labyrinthine patterns as they vie for the top. Positioned in the center of the structure, a circle houses a stylized, green wisp design that resembles drifting smoke.

Dusty and tall, the monolith bears the image of hundreds of books stacked upon one another. A circle of grey inlaid into the center of the structure houses the image of yellow, slit-pupiled eye.

Intricate patterns rise in a steady line up the face of the grey stone monolith, their deeply incised marks forming the whorled image of a fireball. Eahnor inlaid into the center of the structure creates a perfect circle of grey that has garnet-inlaid, stylized flames.

Dark red in hue, the towering monolith bears large and small slashes that cut deeply into the rock. A single smooth circle at the heart of the obelisk is inlaid with the image of an onyx cat's head.

Sinuous lines wreath the crimson monolith and coalesce into serpentine bodies with diamond scales. Black alum inlay creates the crimson outline of a hand, while amethyst shards craft the image of a twin-headed serpent entwining the appendage.

[Ancient Passage, Altar Chamber]
Illuminated from above, the triangular chamber's air is heavily scented with myrrh. Matching the shape of the room, a small dais supports a three-sided stone altar crafted of smooth grey, white, and black tiles. Three corridors exit deeper into the mountain, while the archway in the eastern wall leads to a landing and the stairs beyond.
Obvious exits: north, southeast, southwest

[Chamber of the Light]
Smooth white stone rises from the even floor to create the curved walls of the circular chamber, their peaks disappearing into the shadows of the distant ceiling. Warm and bright light emanates from candles that are arranged in tiny alcoves around the archway that leads to the northeast, while to the southwest, a series of large obelisks dominates the chamber.

You see a series of large obelisks. Looking at the obelisks, you see a shiny black Voln obelisk, a light red Voaris obelisk, an azure Tonis obelisk, a dark blue Tilamaire obelisk, a wide black Ronan obelisk, a pale blue Phoen obelisk, a red Oleani obelisk, a pale blue Niima obelisk, a smooth Lumnis obelisk, a sleek ebon Lorminstra obelisk, a cobalt blue Leya obelisk, a dark purple Laethe obelisk, a brown Kuon obelisk, an emerald Koar obelisk, a thick crimson Kai obelisk, a banded Jaston obelisk, a slender grey Jastev obelisk, a forest green Imaera obelisk, a golden Cholen obelisk, a sea blue Charl obelisk and a smooth grey Eonak obelisk.

Rising tall and proud from the shelter of the other obelisks, the stone monolith has a glossy black finish that glints softly in the ambient candlelight. Set precisely at the center of the structure is a single white shield.

Delicate and thin, the light red monolith has tiny inclusions of jasper imbedded into its face. Standing alone at the center of the structure, a yellow rose sheds its petals.

Stylized clouds are etched into the azure obelisk which is dimpled here and there with the imprints of horseshoes. Depicted at the heart of the structure is a golden pegasus, its wings drawn back and its front hooves raised in challenge.

Instruments carved into the base of the dark blue obelisk are ringed by a series of yellow jade-inlaid musical notes that dance up the length of the structure.

Fashioned of smooth black stone, the obelisk is wide at the base and narrows near the top which disappears towards the ceiling. Silver inlaid into the center of the structure creates the image of a single sword that stretches the entire length of the monolith.

Glossy smooth and whorled with white, the pale blue obelisk glitters in the ambient light. Fashioned of gold, a stylized sunburst is inlaid into the heart of the structure, the wavy rays radiating outward.

Carved to resemble the many petals of a rose, the obelisk is a rich, vibrant red hue. Nestled within the heart of the structure is a plump heart.

Pale blue in hue, the obelisk is carved with stylized waves. Silvery grey dolphins crest some of the higher waves, their sleek forms rising from some and disappearing in others.

Smooth as silk, the obelisk is rounded and inlaid with concentric bands that overlap each other. Each of the five rings is a different color - blue, red, white, black, and green.

Sleek and cold, the ebon obelisk has a rime of hoarfrost lightening its oily face. Gold wire inlaid into the center of the structure creates the image of a single key.

Lapis lazuli invades the cobalt blue stone that the obelisk is fashioned of, its darker inclusions standing out against the vibrant lighter color. Inlaid into the face of the structure is a single ivory-hilted dagger crafted entirely of chalcedony.

Delicate and thin, the dark purple monolith has tiny inclusions of amethyst imbedded into its face. Standing alone at the center of the structure, a black rose sheds its petals.

Textured and veined in a pattern that is similar to an acantha leaf, the monolith is a uniform brown hue. A golden leaf, sitting within a circle of alum, decorates the face of the structure.

Crafted of stone mingled with emerald shards, the obelisk rises tall and imposing above the others. A round disk is inlaid into the center of the structure and has a golden crown carved into its face.

Rising tall and proud, the crimson obelisk is thick and pitted with fist-shaped indentations. A silver circle in the center of the structure houses the image of a silver arm clenched in a fist.

Fashioned of malachite and chalcedony, the towering obelisk bears alternating bands of green and white. Cradled within a circle at the center of the structure is the simple image of a feather.

Thin carvings in the face of the obelisk create the gentle impression that a brush has been used to paint its face a pale grey hue. Located in the center of the structure is a glass-inlaid crystal ball.

Carved with the image of oak and maple leaves, the slender obelisk bears a rich, forest green hue. Sheaves of wheat create an interlocking circle around the image of a wide-eyed doe that is housed at the center of the structure.

Carved musical notes dance across the face of the golden obelisk, their measures denoting an ancient tune. Musical notes wreath a circle of gold, upon which has been inlaid a crimson lute.

Stylized waves carved into the face of the sea blue monolith create concentric bands that encircle its bulk. Oriented in the obelisk's center is an enormous circle that prominently displays an emerald trident.

Carvings designed to look like instruments, tools, and gears spread across the face of the obelisk. Set precisely at the center of the structure is the image of an anvil.