The Abyss
To reach the realm of the Abyss one must find a portal from the land of Mortals and the living to the dark and dreary underworld, the land of the dead where Hades rules. It is rumoured these portals can be found deep in the darkness beneath Masuleums or under the dank earth of ancient grave-yards. The most well known portal and the one favoured by summoners is located deep within the heart of the Necropolis of Nubswood. This city of the departed rises above the blighted forest, a towering ediface of dreary and maudling white and grey marble watching over the dank countryside beyond.
No one is really sure how the Necropolis came about, it is rumoured to be ancient beyond understanding, the Morticians who guard and run the city of the dead are an enigmatic bunch, drawn from many races and backgrounds. Some are gifted to the Necropolis as apprentices when they are young, others come at later stages of their life drawn their to tend and prepare the dead. They are experts in the burial practices of most worlds, reknowned for their skill and expertise in restoring even the most mangled or decayed corpse to a state of peaceful repose before they are set to their final rest. They ask no charge, no monetary cost for the care of preparing and setting the dead to rest within the Necropolis. Sometimes they issue invitations to people to be buried within the city, othertimes it is just known that a newly departed family member should be laid to rest in the city. Most people send gifts of clothing or food to the Morticians the only gold or precious objects that enter the Necropolis are those to be interred with the dead.
The leader of this city is the oldest, the Moulder and it is to him that Summoners who wish to pact the dark spirits of the Abyss must come. It is he who holds Hades' blessing and holds the Key of Souls that opens the lowest gate and permits one to pass through into the realm of the Abyss.
Path of Shale
Beyond the lowest gate is the entrance to the abyss, a dark realm where no light is welcome, no sound is made and the only source of illumination is the faint, ancient phosphorescent glow of the Path of Shale. Winding its way through the darkness, a branching, curling, curving path that leads to the regions of the underworld. To leave the path is to invite death or worse in the darkness and the only path that is ever clear is that leading back up and out, to traverse the Path of Shale to the realms of the abyss one must:
System Mechanics to follow
The Regions
There are three regions known to exist off of the Path of Shale, the homes of the denizens of the Abyss. Each comes with their own unique dangers and rewards for braving them. The regions are:
- Deadwood - Home of Hades & Cerberus
- The Station - Where The Doom Train stops
- Catacombs of Kharma - Realm of the Tonberry King.
There are some rules that govern all of these regions and the smart traveller would do well to remember them for breaching them will bring the ire and wrath of the Spirits of the Abyss.
- The dead may not be forced to speak of what they wish not to. Their memory is all they have, and it must be given willingly.
- Do not make loud sounds.
- Do not bring bright lights.
- Respect the dead, no matter the nature of their passing.
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