23 Eleint 2993
Newly arrived members of the R3C Styx Riviera, Caviar Cubby, and Tonk (having left the group resting in the sludge room overnight on the 22nd of The Fading) leave Gosterwick to explore the Cliffs of Arden to the west of the Tears of Arden. Securing passage on the dingy of Seamus, a fisherman who plies his trade on Totey Lake, the party starts to make its way across the lake formerly called, in ancient days, the Thoth’s Eye. The party learns that there may be mysteries under the waters of the ancient lake that they pass over darkly. Arriving on the far side to the west, the party makes its way to the base of the cliff and finds that the old switchbacks up to a visible, grand entrance into the Halls are destroyed.
Taking their time to scale the cliff from safe spot to safe spot, Styx shows off her climbing skills as the party reaches the former grand entrance that they have learned used to be the main entrance to the precincts of Set. They find that the entrance is caved in shortly into the face of the wall with the floor of this cave strewn with small mammalian bones and the occasional humanoid. Investigating, the party determines that the denizen of the cave is a mountain lion. From this location they see two paths, one slick and very dangerous down and towards the falls with no visible end, and a narrow but passable goat path up and to the west to a ledge that has a wooden and metal pulley set up. The party knows that the cult of Set operates a wicker basket up and down the cliff at night for their own purposes but also to bring visitors up and down to the Forum of Set. Reaching the level of the ledge the party pauses to consider their next steps; will the cult of Set be purely evil and kill or capture them, will they simply be avaricious and welcome the party, what other dangers will they face on the new level of the Halls of Arden Vul. While they ponder they hear an approaching group of people and are met by a wizard and his flunkies. Introducing himself as Hrodulf IceBlood, male human Wiskin magic user, he studiously ignores his companions, a human male Wiskin fighter who party later learns is Ulf, another female fighter, a female cleric of the Wiskin god Heimdall, and a torch bearer. The wizard group tells the party that the cult of Set will respect the party if they show strength and no hint of weakness and tell the party the path to take to the Forum of Set.
Armed with this information, the party heads into the cliff. Following the path designated, they ignore first one, then a second natural tunnel to the east, then at a third widening, amidst three large stone heads the party ignores a tunnel to the west before coming to a chamber, which, before it, has a force field protected supply depot placed by the Cult of Set. In the first worked chamber they find two wooden statues showing a shockingly pallid aspect of set in human form with bright red hair, and a set animal-headed version of set. Heading up and up over 80’ the party comes to another small room containing a Thothian teleportation ring. Continuing north the party finds The Red Bridge of Set: This 8’-wide stone bridge is one of the iconic locations in Arden Vul. Constructed of red granite, it is slender and seems to rise effortlessly above the chasm. Balustrades (4’ tall) flanking the bridge are carved in the shape of standing Set animals. The bridge is anchored on either landing by 8’-tall marble pillars. This bridge spans a chasm which continues east to west too far to see the ends of but whose ceiling is 50’ above the bridge. Locating this iconic location reminds these three new members of the R3C of rumors that Axle heard on the 13th day of Highsun:
Attracted by the magical properties of Arden Vul, the legendary dwarven smith Zhorak set up his forge under the cliff of Arden Vul.
We know exactly where the fabled forge of Zhorak can be found. It is located at the bottom of the lesser chasm in Set territory, that is, beneath the Red Bridge.
Zhorak, the great dwarven smith, crafted wonderous enchanted items at a special forge heated by lava. He specialized in automatons, including the infamous Myrmex.
Crossing the bridge, the party hears their footfalls magically amplified and echo around the chamber. Upon reaching the other side the party sees a 10’ x 10’ marble slab standing on the other landing with a riddle inscribed in it, to wit: I shelter brave men. With my bloody back I ward off blows, thwarting spears, giving life to some. I lay my body against my lord’s left hand. They also notice another force field blocking their way north to the Forum of Set. Realizing that the riddle speaks of a shield the party say this out-loud and the force field dissipates. Continuing north the party notices two doors, cracked open shortly up a 20’ wide grand staircase. Peering around the left door, the party discovers a set of Set guardsmen and a sergeant, who rise and ask what the party’s business is, but let them ascend the stairs unmolested. The grand, broad, 20’-wide stairway rises from the chasm of Set at 4-119 to the Forum itself (4-2). It provides the primary access route to the Forum from both outside and within Arden Vul. The stairs are brightly lit with continual light spells. They are composed of marble steps worn down in the center by the tread of countless feet over the centuries. Six semi-circular niches line the stairway; each holds a stone bust of a former Set priest.
About half way up the staircase, to the left they notice a new wooden door, locked, and spiked shut from their side. Carved into the lintel in formal, majuscule Mithric letters it says: “Set Vanquishes the Serpent”. On the door, however, someone has hastily painted, in Archontean: “No access. Stay out! This means you!”
Continuing up the broad staircase, the party encounters a wall of blackness, clearly magical darkness. They see a plaque in the eastern wall of the staircase and approach. Before reading, they hear a stentorian voice coming from within the darkness say in mithric, “Set accepts the reverence of the humble. Approach as a supplicant, and be spared! Approach with hostility and be scourged!” Reading the plaque, they find the following preamble in mithric before the Laws of the Forum of Set are set out in writing below, “Visitors to the Forum shall advance f ive paces, turn to the right, and advance another five paces before submitting to inspection. Hostile actions will be met with a swift and severe response. Death, loss, or servitude is the just fate of all who trifle with Lord Set or neglect to adhere to his most reasonable laws.”
Passing warily through the darkness, the party finds a heavily armed group of Set Guardsmen who, absent a personalized travel pass or being personally known to the sergeant on duty, must pay 10 gp each, and disclose their names, professions, and reasons for seeking entrance to the Forum. The party gets the feeling that any evasiveness or arrogance will cause the guardsmen to empty every pack and sack, while taking note of everything of value. These particular troops are wearing huge goggles set with strange, greenish, crystalline lenses, that the party determines allows them to see into the magical darkness at approaching travelers after learning of their arrival from the booming voice from out the darkness.
Paying the entrance fee and giving the required information, the party heads into the Forum of Set.
In terms of people always present at the Forum of Set the party sees the following:
Elite Guardsmen and the Duty Deacon: Two sections of elite guardsmen are present at all times in the Forum. Each section consists of 3 elite guardsmen and a sergeant. One section stands by the northern exit to Set’s Way (4-1), ensuring that only approved persons enter the private areas; an advanced acolyte leads this group. The second section moves slowly through the Forum in a regular pattern. Attached to this section is the Duty Deacon, a Set deacon deputed by High Priestess Stephania to act as the reigning authority over the forum. The Duty Deacon and her
guards will be summoned, for instance, if visitors refuse to pay their dues to the Forum Inspectors.The Conquered Foes: At all times three pitiful slaves are shackled to the feet of the great cult statue of Set (4-2A). Each slave is clothed in rags save for an elaborate leather-and-metal helmet made to look like one of Set’s traditional enemies: the hawk for Horus, the ibis for Thoth, and the tyet (knot of Isis) for Isis. They quite commonly writhe about and sometimes call out wordless pleas for help. Cultists passing through the forum kick them regularly. When one slave dies, another is quickly selected to take up the role.
Forum Inspectors: These three senior cultists wander slowly through the Forum enforcing the Laws of the Forum. They have the power to question any non-Set person/creature whom they suspect of having engaged in commerce without paying the proper tax. Habitués of the Forum know that it is wise to seek them out immediately after a purchase or sale in order to pay the requisite fee, for Set does not smile on efforts to avoid his due.
Cultists: There will always be 3-24 Set cultists present in the Forum in 1-4 distinct groups; the cultists mill about, admiring the sites, bartering for trinkets, waiting for access to the mysteries, and hoping to make the pilgrimage to the main temple.
Off Duty Set Guardsmen: There will always be 3-12 off duty, but armed, Set Guardsmen at the food stalls 4-2C.
Porch of Scrutiny: Unknown number of Setites can be seen observing and moving up on the Porch of Scrutiny at 4-2F.
Money Changer and Guards: The Set money changer at 4-2G is accompanied by two elite Set Guardsmen
Slave Market, when auctioning: The auctioneer and four guildsmen.
In addition to the various groups of Setites that are always present at the Forum of Set, there will be four groups of occasional visitors that one might encounter.
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Looking around the Forum of Set, the party notices Vincent running up to them.
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