Sapphire cross
The underground mountain pass doubled as a hotel for travelers moving from one side to the other of the Isle of the Lost, named for the large sapphire deposits scattered throughout the halls. Falling into disrepair for unknown reasons, The halls are now said to be haunted, the truth however is closer to a horror tale.
Reason for construction
With several small villages and a larger town showing up on both sides of the mountains from various refugee groups, communication between these areas relied on traversing the more treacherous waters of the Tempest Sea or spending a week traveling around the north. In response to this several Tiefling merchants banded together to build a passageway through the mountain, Using a Sapphire mine one already owned. Once the main pass was built it was discovered that even this trip took two days on horseback so they agreed to make the journey slightly longer and turn the passage into a hotel, Hiring skilled Dwarfs to construct their vision.Design
The merchants split the passage into five sections, three for each day of travel and two entrances. The three middle sections in turn were divided into two themselves, the customer section and the worker section. Large Sapphire deposits were left in several of the customer sections as decorative displays. The working part of each section was made up of a basic market, warehouse, and rooms for those working within that section with the entrance workers being on the edge of the adjacent section. Secret passages led to nearly every location within that section and a main road linking the worker sections together. The customer sections are large decorated avenues with various entertainment facilities along the route. in the middle of each tends to be a lift down to a tavern with a variety of rooms and bars around a central hall area. above this was the market where people could buy various wares and an amphitheater for entertainment. The entrances were massive marble-cased granite archways decorated in sapphire and gold art. A main desk at each end charged admission that allowed people to enter the area and use the services within.Expansion
As time went on the passage saw increased usage, with the first two sections on each side seeing a particular increase in travel. To cope with this the inns were expanded with new passages on the upper level with new shops and entertainment facilities being opened up. A large upper black market showed up in the middle section, with secret stairs leading up to it. With popularity still increasing and rooms frequently being full a second layer of the inn started to be constructed under the first. This second expansion was never completed.Omens of Horror
Several warning signs on what was to be the future of the hotel showed up right at the start. These omens were often ignored by the owners and especially the later owners. During the construction of the larger sections, the builders often mentioned the sound of rapid tapping and movement. This was especially prevalent in the lower sections. Frequent raids from the Goliaths in the mountains also became a problem, though no one was ever hurt, supplies were stolen and structural damage was caused, slowing down construction. The raids always ended with a shaman telling those present to stop their folly and turn away from the mountain. While decorating the main chamber, the sculptor, claiming he was inspired by strange singing, did a statue of Lilsea as a beautiful young maiden, riding a giant spider naked. Whenever anyone attempted to remove it, they seemed to come into a trance and just walked away. Once construction was completed things seemed to quieten down after construction, however, strange occurrences started happening shortly after the first set of expansions. Several disappearances took place, leading to a private guard being hired. Though this was put down to political machinations caused the increased traffic, despite rumors that several workers had also disappeared. Several sections also seemed to become prone to cobwebs and dust, Though once again the owners, rather than investigation, blamed it on lazy staff. Several people also complained about 'scuttling' noises of a night, though this was in newer sections so was put down to the rock 'just settling'Haunted
After starting the second expansion project the situation quickly got worse, with an entire section of guests just disappearing. sightings of strange shadows and movement in the various grates around the entire passage. The entire thing was abandoned suddenly with only around half the staff being accounted for, and those refusing to speak of what happened. Rumors of it being haunted quickly spread with a few inquisitors visiting to cleanse the area, though none ever left furthering the rumors. It has remained in this state ever since with almost anyone who enters never being seen again, and those who do refuse to speak of what they saw.Stay away from the mountain, nothing but death and despair await underground.-Warning from Goliath Shaman
RUINED STRUCTURE
423 Chroma
423 Chroma
Founding Date
562 Blood to 571 Blood
Type
Ruins
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