The Ring of Laments

What is the Ring of Laments?

The Ring is one of the most mysterious places in Castellac: an ancient labyrinth of catacombs where the local Malorians, whether from aristocratic descent or more humble origins, have buried and celebrated their dead for centuries.

Throughout its existence, it has garnered a dark reputation. Some parts of the catacombs are now off-limits. The rituals are in and around the Temple of Morilupe and Marwolaeth - the Frencalian twin gods of death, and no one in their right mind wanders off much from the lit-up corridors.


  The Ring of Lament's corridors (Ai generated)

Purpose

People from the Kingdom of Malory have always celebrated and worshipped their ancestors. Many complex rituals are performed in the Ring temple to appease the deceased. Within the wealthiest and aristocratic families, the burial can take days. The Ring is a sacred place for the Malorians, and its profanation warrants the death penalty.

Geography

The Ring is located north of the town, deep beneath the hills that dominate the view in that direction: the Raven Downs. Access to the Ring's gates is through a narrow wooded gorge. No constructions are allowed near or above the Ring, and the place is kept dark at all times.

Buildings

Only the High Clergy within the Ring's temple possess a map of the catacombs, albeit many say these are not accurate or complete. The catacombs themselves are supposed to be built in the shape of a ring - a symbol of eternity. Both the gods Morilupe and Marwolaeth are always represented with a band of gold on their middle finger.

Architecture and Art

The Temple of the Dead is one of the newest additions to the Ring. The temple is a dark yet lavish and beautiful building, constructed from black marble, silver, and gold. It was the present Emperor's father, Joolian the Bright, who donated the funds to build the temple sixty years ago. Castellac was a favourite place of his mother, Empress Seraphine, and she expressed a wish to be buried there.

The older parts of the Ring represent a mish-mash of styles, as the catacombs and their myriads of chapels were built by various wealthy benefactors over time. The poorer members of the community are buried in simple rock sconces with little decoration.

Secrets of the Catacombs

The Ring has several hidden entrances, and some of these are well known to smuggler gangs who use the dark reputation of the underground tombs to hide and traffic valuable cargoes.

The Ring is also home to a secret society of necromancers: Morilupe's Chosen. The Dark Art is, of course, forbidden in the open in Frencal, and practitioners need to hide their talents. The Ring is the perfect place to practise one's skills in that area.

The Ring has also attracted unwanted attention from tomb raiders. Rumours of untold riches in ancient barrows have surfaced once or twice over the years. However, if caught, the pillagers face the death penalty.

Characters