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Although it’s not the first city in the history of
fantasy games to do so, The City of the Whispering Sword gives us the
opportunity to bring the traditional dungeon crawl into the city proper. The
Rubble – the still ruined part of the city – holds any secrets that we deem it
should. As laid out previously it was the home to many of the bigger buildings,
including religious structures, educational structures and governmental
buildings. To many that means there is a treasure trove of lost knowledge, and
possibly actual treasure to be found.
Inhabitants
One of the reasons the Rubble hasn’t been fully excavated
yet, in addition to the lack of fund in the fledgling government, is that the
ruins are considered haunted. Although some think of this as mere superstition,
the truth is it bears some weight. A number of ghosts and festering spirits
still inhabit the area, whether they are remnants of the original population or
explorers who died here later is unknown.
Undead things that cling to this place for reasons only
they know are not the only creatures that inhabit the rubble. The snake-like
rodents known as Slitherrats also make a home for themselves here. The ratfolk
have already had to deal with colonies of them while cleaning out the shadows.
One of the few crews of explorers that have made it out of the rubble claim to
have seen a mass of rats with their tails knotted together. Tales of a rat king
have spread among the people of the city as a result.
The most disturbing rumor that has come from the rubble
is that of a centipede-like creature. More than one sighting of the horse sized
monstrosity on the outskirts of the rubble has caused panic. Its long
many-legged lower body supposedly supports the upper half of a cruel-faced orc.
Whether or not this is a sign that orcs have once inhabited this city is
unclear, and research into the beast by the learned of the city has produced no
leads.
The Temple of the Sun and Moon
Once a great temple to the star crossed lovers Shizuru and Tsukiyo, after the fall of the city the temple has been
desecrated by its former master. When the disaster that befell the city
happened, the head priestess of the temple Mari Yoshiko sought succor from her
goddess and found none. In that moment of inescapable death the high priestess
turned to whoever would answer and she received the blessing of Lady Nanbyo.
The blessing of the Widow of Suffering was, of course,
more like a curse. Mari did not leave this plane to her final reward, instead
she was left as a dark custodian to look after the Lady Nanbyo’s new temple.
The desecration of the temple also transformed the remaining priests and some
of the supplicants who came seek solace into lesser undead minions of the
temple’s caretaker. The trapped souls tortured, but unable to move on through
no fault of their own.
The Great Library
The library was once a wondrous hall of learning but has
now sunk deep into the earth, only the uppermost floor of the five story
structure remains above ground. Although many of the books were destroyed in
what appears to have been a fire, and many more were stolen as the city tore
itself apart, there are still no small amount of tomes within. Although open to
the public as a conventional store of knowledge, the secreted recesses of the
library housed a cache of magic lore.
Pushed further into the darkness as the building
collapsed, the secret portions of the library remain untouched. Over the course
of time however, much of the magics have leaked out of their tomes and scrolls,
unleashing many things that should not be; twisting normal creatures with their
power and even wholly creating grotesque things of pure magic.
One summoning scroll long ago let its magic loose and
dragged a devil from the depths of hell into the lower area of the library. The
cabal devil, or uniila, is a diabolist of the highest order and has been forced
to spend the intervening years watching in horror as magic has dissolved never
to be used again right before its eyes. The uniila collects and catalogs what
little magic remains, hoping to find a way home with at least sliver of the
vast arcane knowledge that once resided here.
The House of Wu Shang
This small temple was once a dojo for those seeking to
master the martial arts. Its first master, Wu Shang, gave it its name. The
monks who taught here were resigned to their end, and in the small courtyard
the oddly preserved bodies of six of the brothers sit cross-legged. The temple
itself is in ruins but some knowledge of the Wu Shang style still remains
within.
The greatest treasure to those seeking knowledge is the
statue of Wu Shang in a trapped secret room below the temple. Wu Shang was so
intent on seeing his pupils prosper that he linked his soul with the statue.
Although he most times lies to rest in the realm of Shizuru, his spirit can be
called to the statue when needed. Those who are found worthy may find answers
to the deepest philosophical questions. Those who are not may only find death.
Pavilion of the Lord of First Vault
Abadar’s worship reaches even to the land of the Tian,
and as such many money collectors look to the god of trade to help them in
their duties. The Pavilion of the Lord of First Vault was where the city
treasury was located. Whether or not there is still anything of value left
therein is anyone’s guess. The faithful of Abadar have surely not left what
might remain unprotected. Mundane traps and safeguards as well as divine
protections keep whatever is lost within the vaults safe – for
now.
So there are a few places for your players to explore,
although it isn’t an exhaustive look at the area. What do you think should be
located in the rubble of a fallen city? What other inhabitants do you think
would be appropriate?
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