The Creation and Layout of Sepulcrum Labyrinthus |
A Need Arose |
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When I first realized that there was nothing to be done about the genocide that was befalling my fellow clan-mates, I turned my attention to obtaining a secret living space for myself, not only so that I could outlive my enemies, but so that I could continue my arcane studies without disturbance. I needed a location both completely secret yet fortified enough to withstand the ravishes of time and siege. I went searching through some manuscripts and history books of the time, searching for an acceptable venue. Soon I quit, realizing that none of these places would do...it was only until I was doing some research on some ancient burial tombs did I find a suitable location for my haven. Quickly I captured all of the documented reports of this tomb to prevent anyone's ability in exposing this perfect lair. I travelled to the location swiftly, ensuring that no one followed me, not even members of my own clan...I couldn't risk it, not knowing who among them sympathized with the Giovanni. Upon arrival to the site, I created several ghouls and set them to work upon the site. Such then do I delve into the history of the site, continued in the below heading. |
History |
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The haven's history is a long one, a history that I am now adding to, but to better understand it's composition and appearance, one needs to know at least a little of it's history. In the times of old, long before the onslaught of Christianity, the people of the world took much time and effort in the construction of burial tombs, especially in the case of kings and prophets. For obvious reasons, one such as I would prefer an underground location, for I needed a home that would stand the test of time: A tower or castle drew too much attention and they have always stood as a target for siege. But this tomb, of a king that shall remain nameless, was deep enough and secret enough to withstand all that would threaten it. In this location, in the center of a large cemetary, there was a deep tomb with many passages and rooms, some of which are still intact. Within these was the tomb of the said king, which to me was quite fitting, and seemed a good omen. Beneath this place of death, with hundreds of human remains above and in caskets and neatly stacked piles, my ghoul workers set out at once, expanding and developing the site to what it is now. The entrance to the haven became a complex and dangerous labyrinth, fraught with pitfalls and guardian beasts. Only after following the correct path did one gain entry to the inner chambers...but first came the restored tomb of the king...in all the splendor of the original crypt. With this I hoped to detract from further examination, if anyone happened to get that far. Hidden in this royal chamber there is a secret panel, secured with a complicated lock and trap system, designed by a Master Thief of the Ravnos Clan...when he was finished and came for his pay I gave him much gratitude...then I quaffed him...his vitae was some of the strongest that I'd ever tasted...but such was a necessary precaution. Beyond this portal was another network of passages, these too being dangerous to anyone not aware of their secrets, but these halls and rooms became Sepulcrum Proper, the inner-most chambers that I would in time convert to the plush living areas that they are now. On the surface much work was done as well. In order to prevent the excavations of graverobbers (I don't take well to being called as such) I had my ghouls remove all of the gravestones and corpses and relocate them below (how all this work was done without anyone noticing shall remain a secret) in collective graves and in piles and carved shelves...they died a long time ago...I had no fear of their unrested souls. After the bulk of the work was done I executed the least reliable of the ghouls, keeping just enough to complete the finer details within the inner chambers. |
The Long Sleep |
| After the halls were complete, I had the outer halls locked up, and I sealed myself up within my home, secure and safe while my brothers and sisters were destroyed. During these times I lived peacefully enough. I was attended by a family of twenty, both ghouls and kine, until the last of them passed on many decades later. After those times I slept, to be awakened at several occassions during the centuries. The secrets of how that came to be will not be dicussed upon these pages, however. I would prefer to discuss how things came to be after my Longest of Sleeps, when I lay silent and walked the planes for over two centuries. The last time I contacted humanity was during the middle 18th century...I walked among the kine for a few years, but was startled at the power of the church within those times...I feared discovery so terribly I retreated to Sepulcrum quickly. My travels told of a surging population, and of the danger of my haven being exposed. When I entered the passageways I purposely set off several landslides to deter any possible investigation. Once back in the inner chamber I entered into a deep sleep that spanned two long millenia, and would have lasted longer if something hadn't come along. |
The Haven Now |
| When I awoke, I heard the sounds of industry and the hum of thousands of human thoughts buzzing around me in close proximity. My haven had been annexed into the center of a large city. Only the fact that the halls had been carved out of heavy rock had saved it from leveling...instead the anjoining caves had been transformed into the main sewer system of the city. Once during this process I had been awakened, but I don't remember the event clearly...but some research turned up something interesting...during the early 60's a drilling worker mysteriously vanished from a partially completely sewer passage...later I discovered the foolish human's remains in one of the old halls. Now the halls are quite nice, although the smell is quite pervasive. Most of my visitors know of the park entrance, but few know of the secret exits that I worked on since I've been awake. Visitors coming via the sewers are advised to use perfume to drown-out the smell, and are also required to bring a silver chime whenever they visit, as a calling care to the guardians I have in place. An excellent decription of the pathway into the haven via the park is told here The Way The old passages are only rarely used, for I comissioned a modern passage that connects my halls to the city's sewers. The inner halls are still quite well-kept, although less than half of the rooms are in constant use. I do not entertain often, but when I do my guests are welcome to bathe in the spa tub, or sleep in one of the many plush bedrooms. The walls are always adorned with tapestries and the rooms are lit pleasantly. I now keep many servants, some willing to play the part of vessel, some being my domain alone. Well, if you have any other questions, either email me and ask, or keep searching for the dirt on the other pages... |