This massive gate is some fifty feet across. Rendered in bronze and enchanted marble it has protected the city of Sanctuary from the Unders for as long as it has stood. Locked once, it has never been opened.
The Unders were once a place to plunder and exploit, home to unique creatures with valuable resources of minerals, fungalite, and untapped magic sources. But the people of Sanctuary delved too deep, and things that were not meant to be seen were awakened. The horrors rose and chased mankind from the cave system. Fighting it off was a failed proposition, every position taken was forced back. But miners and defenders of the city fought back hard enough, long enough, for the gate to be constructed and the Unders sealed.
it has been well over two hundred years since the gate was shut. Quiet has marked that time, the Unders seemingly falling dormant once the way was sealed. Perhaps the threat has passed and it can be opened up again for the riches the deep might hold. Yet, it stands locked.
The gate has a smaller doorway, held fast by five locks. But these are no ordinary locks. Installed by a master locksmith, all five must be unlocked at the same time. The door itself is a construct, and after one minute if the locks have not all been opened, they will shut again and refuse to be unlocked for 24 hours. The four locks on the outside can be opened with Thieves’ Tools using Intelligence on a DC 23. The center lock however, requires a DC 27 check. A hard lock to crack. Most think it best that way, people shouldn’t delve back into the megadungeon of a cave system.
For those who don’t wish to prove their lockpicking prowess, there are five keys to be found. The keys were distributed when the gate was closed. Different factions and representatives throughout the city were entrusted with them some two hundred years ago. Some have been passed down, some hidden away. Perhaps others forgotten.
| Key Gemstone |
Recipient (~200 years ago) |
| Sapphire |
Sapphire Hold Given to the Town Guard |
| Emerald |
Viktor Greywater, found in the Ashworks |
| Ruby |
The Forgotten Hero |
| Citrine |
House Zhou, located in the Diamond District |
| Tourmaline |
The Other Side, they stand closest to the gate and have a vested interest in representing the community |
Once opened, access to
The Unders becomes available to all PCs.
The gate has a smaller doorway, held fast by five locks. But these are no ordinary locks. Installed by a master locksmith, all five must be unlocked at the same time. The door itself is a construct, and after one minute if the locks have not all been opened, they will shut again and refuse to be unlocked for 24 hours. The four locks on the outside can be opened with Thieves’ Tools using Intelligence on a DC 23. The center lock however, requires a DC 27 check. A hard lock to crack. Most think it best that way, people shouldn’t delve back into the megadungeon of a cave system.
For those who don’t wish to prove their lockpicking prowess, there are five keys to be found. The keys were distributed when the gate was closed. Different factions and representatives throughout the city were entrusted with them some two hundred years ago. Some have been passed down, some hidden away. Perhaps others forgotten.
