The Essence Spire

Look, I know you're all slavering to get out and find some ruins to explore, but trust me: stay away from the Essence Spire. All the treasure in the world won't matter when you're dead.

— - Commander Harkin - New Recruit Briefing

At the very center of Islingrath Lake lies the Essence Spire, the ruin of an ancient wizard's tower, partially submerged in the waters. One of the best-known ruins in The Far Reaches, the tower has tempted many would-be adventurers from nearby Redoubt. None have made it inside the tower and returned to speak of it.

Legend and Rumor

Stories say that the tower was once the property of the wizard, Islingrath, from whom the lake derives its name. The legends claim that the wizard, mad with power and desirous of immortality, sacrificed the people of the nearby village in an attempt to appease the dark powers of death. They say that the crazed wizard was granted one additional life for each villager. Some believe that he still inhabits the tower and abducts any who come near in order to sacrifice them. Some believe that he abandoned the tower centuries ago and now travels the planes as a functional immortal. Whatever the truth, none can credibly claim to have ever met him.

Observations

It doesn't look like much from the shore. The tower juts out of the lake, partially below the water line. On the shore, dilapidated buildings squat toward the center like supplicants. It's all quiet - eerily quiet.

— - Private Yarin, 1st Recon

During the day, there appears little enough to see at the Essence Spire and throughout the village that surrounds it. Reports claim that the village appears abandoned entirely, and perhaps the Spire too. Everything appears lifeless. Some repeat visitors have reported that tools, especially in the small blacksmith's shop have apparently been moved from visit to visit, but this is possibly the work of grave robbers or pranksters. Interestingly, the village is still decently stocked with tools and implements, things that would normally have been removed by salvagers at this point.

You told me tha' place was abandoned! We heard noises - saw people movin'. Gave me the creeps, and Bim run off altogether. I'll not be goin' back there!

— -Private Sahl, 3rd Recon

By night, the ruin changes entirely. Those few who have braved a close nighttime view report that the village is alive with activity. Talking, singing, and the clamor of daily routines sound through the night, though no light can be seen within the village. In the tower, however, observers in the night have seen glowing lights in all manner of odd colors as well as movement in the windows. This fuels the rumon that Islingrath remains within to sacrifice any unwelcome visitors.

The Toll

All in all, twenty four people have disappeared into the Essence Spire, and all are presumed dead. They entered the structure during the day, but by nightfall, the tower was acting as it always does. It is as if they were swallowed whole. While the garrison at Redoubt maintains a bounty for information on the missing adventurers, Commander Harkin refuses to release details to just anyone. Seasoned adventurers only need apply.