Palace Ruins - Lvl 5, The Spritian Burrow

Purpose / Function

When first built, it was meant to be the fortress protecting the chief of the Spritian Nation. The tunnels beneath were meant to protect their history and culture.

Design

The tunnels are laid out in a maze that is difficult to navigate or map. It is likely that most of it hasn’t even been discovered yet.

Entries

The only known entrance is through a small, hidden hatchway from the cave.

Sensory & Appearance

Down in the tunnels, it is very dark, and when a lantern is lit, it casts an eerie glow around the rough-hewn corners. The air is musty, as if it hasn’t been disturbed for centuries. It is neither warm nor cold, which causes most creatures to feel pleasent yet slightly uneasy. Lesser elves strangely seem to feel slightly at home in the tunnels.

Denizens

Nothing alive ever seems to be down there. However, there are rumors that strange beings used to live in the tunnels, and they are what sealed off the cave above.

Contents & Furnishings

The tunnels seem to be more or less unfurnished. Small chests or tables exist in some corners and dead ends. There are also a small handful of rooms that seem to have one been lived in and are furnished accordingly.

Valuables

Various treasures and Spritian artifacts can be found in the tunnels.

Hazards & Traps

The tunnels themselves are a sort of hazard, for it would be incredibly easy to get lost in them. There is also the possibility of cave-ins, so it wouldn’t be too difficult to become trapped.

Special Properties

In some places, there seems to be a magical wind blowing through the tunnels, carrying life-giving oxygen with it, though the wind doesn’t seem to have a point of origin.

Architecture

When first built, the structure was a dwelling built into a relatively roomy cave. It was slightly larger than the average home. Buildings and building materials were not very good at that time, so caves were the best way to build a reliable structure. Large branches reinforced the opening, and rooms were created by hanging skins used as partitions. Some measure of wealth was shown in nice, relatively expensive decorations, such as shells, skins of large animals, and some gold and pearls.
When the building was destroyed, the valuables were stolen, and everything else was burned, including the current chief. The real treasure, however was left mostly undisturbed, for it was underground. Only have more recent archaeologists discovered the catacombs beneath. They were filled with the real wealth and treasures of the Spritian people. They were small tunnels dug beneath the surface, reinforced with pillars of wood and large stones.

Defenses

Reinforced entryway (large branches), guards armed with bows and arrows stationed all around the fort

RUINED STRUCTURE
1900 BA

Founding Date

1950 BA

Alternative Names

The Spritian Catacombs, The Spritian Tunnels

Type

Catacomb

Parent Location

The Grand Palace of Alia

Environmental Effects

There isn’t much oxygen in the tunnels, so extended time in them might not be advised.

Ruling/Owning Rank

King or Queen of Alia

Owning Organization

The Monarchy