This gate is at the end of a system of five galleys, each larger than the last, descending down into the volcano. The gate is somehow linked to the lunar cycle. At times of the new moon it is rusted iron, feeling like hot moldering coals, that refuse to open. As the moon gets brighter, the gates turn to fire, opening wide. Thus at the half moon they resemble beautiful gold, burning bright and are half open, opening wide at a touch. At a full moon they are wide open, composed of pure fire. At the gibbous they are red iron that glows of its own inner power, closed but will open with a touch. The aura here is +4.
In 1199, the ghost of Issil, reunited briefly with his former staff, was able to lock the fire gate. The mai have been unable to find out how to unlock it at the present time. The gate, when locked, continues its lunar cycle.
This gate leads into a series of gallerys and a whole corridor complex beyond. This is part of the lower levels of the Serpent precint.
The firegate opens out to a tiered grotto, approximately thirty paces long and 20 paces wide, ovaloid in shape. The grotto is filled with crystals, blazing with an inner fire no matter the season. The gates on this side always appear as brilliant flames, making them difficult to touch at the best of time. The gate is an entry way into a regio, aura of 5.
This grotto opens up to a labyrinth of tunnels. Most are what you expect, ruined empty chambers branching through the stone of the mountain as far as you have been able to explore them. Several, however, offer more intersting opportunities.
Perhaps the one of most importance to the covenant is what appears to be the primary corridor, a rubble filled route about 6 paces wide. This corridor has many branchings off of it, some rooms, others a labyrinth of tunnels. After 740 paces enters into a long, strait promenade, ten paces wide at an incline of thirty degrees. The stone of this corridor, a rich red marble is pitted and cracked. Along the walls are signs of rot and water damage, obscuring whatever once graced them. The floor has clumps of mud and piles of gravel scattered all through it. The point you enter it seems to have once been an arch, though it is now to damaged to say exactly. You need to step over rubble to get through. Going downwards, the corridor ends abruptly at a solidified flow of rock, about 1200 paces downward from the entry way.
The corridor progresses upwards for another thousand paces, keeping the same incline. It opens to a long gallery, perhaps 1000 paces long and 700 paces wide, and very high at 60 paces. It appears to be domed. The room itself is lite from 27 crystal trees spaced equidistant from each other in a circle. These are head to see from the entry way for the room itself is filled with flowers and ornamenetal trees. This is a riot of growth, most of the plants being much larger than they would be in real life. This is also the first indication of habitantion, as local-folk can be seen going to and fro through here, and often picking fruit.
There is a small regio in the center of this chamber. This is a temple columned affair, with an altar. The following is inscribed on a marble slab:
O Ever untamed Fire, who reign'st on high
In Zeus's dominions ruler of the sky;
The glorious Sun with dazzling lustre bright,
And moon and stars from thee derive their light;
All taming power, aetherial shining fire,
Whose vivid blasts the heat of life inspire:
The World's best element, light-bearing power,
With starry radiance shiningm, splendid flower,
O hear my suppliant prayer, and may thy frame
Be ever innocent, serene, and tame.
From this grotto there are seven exits, spaced equidistant around. Each has an array of corridors leading from them. Most are deserted and ruined. The one opposite the main procession, is however, fileld with life. The art here, that which is preserved, is different and the motifs and architecture style changes. You are reminded somewhat of the Arabs but that is not quite right. There is many comings and goings here of the local inhabitants.
This section is the place where those who followed Issil in the schism dwell. It is important to note that the majority live no different than they did before. They believe that the defilers will go away on their own, and that to deal with them would pollute their own spiritual well-being. This group would react badly to any intrusion from the magi.
A small group still follow Issil's legacy are actively taking a stronger stand. They have discovered 22 stone tablets which Issil has 'translated'. These tablets are teaching them a way of magic, one based on Theurgy and dealing closely with fire. They have also discovered a trove of items, preserved somehow, of magic items, hermetic and otherwise. These followers have disappeared, dispersing to who knows where following the death of their leader. Their current plans are unknown.
Issil's former stronghold is protected by a crystal door, which the magi can easily open with any appropriate third magnitude spells. It is voice activated in a foreign tongue. Beyond the door is a large circular chamber, dominated by a mosaic of fire, in the finest gems. Significant sections are reworked and redone, indicating a major repair job. Beyond that is a large rhombus chamber, which contains stairs leading upwards, 2000 steps later it exits on a cliff overlooking the caldera, with two large bronze braziers and an altar. The only other chamber here is a small bedroom, deserted now.
Last modified: Fri Oct 22, 1999 / Jeremiah Genest