Dark Lady
A fountain in the center of the Dust Quarter, along the Avenue of Gleaming Gems, the Dark Lady is a famous landmark in the Gloomwrought. It's the meeting place of business contacts and young lovers alike. The liquid within is extremely cold and salty. Only the Dark Lady's Miracle makes the site valuable to natives of the city.
Sensory & Appearance
Set about with gargoyle statues, a fountain stands among the dusty stones, the liquid in it reflecting little light. Air near the fountain is bitterly cold, suggesting the liquid's temperature. The fountain's centerpieve is an onyx statue of a female humanoid in a flowing robe, her hands raised to the sky.
Hazards & Traps
Cold Liquid: The fountain's liquid is a magical substance. Any creature that ends its turn in the fountain or drinks the fluid takes ongoing 10 cold damage (save ends). A creature that ends its turn carrying some of the liquid takes ongoing 5 cold damage (save ends), at which point the fluid turns to dark red dust that looks like dried blood. The liquid also changes into a poweder if it is splashed or thrown.
Special Properties
If people nearby are lying, the Dark Lady frowns disapprovingly, thus helping to ensure the honesty of dealings made in the statue's presence.
The statue reflects other emotions as well. If people who have fallen prey to the melancholy of the Shadowfell come into the Dark Lady's presence, the figure expresses sadness and sympath. True happiness on the lady's face is rare. When those who are honestly in love meet before the statue, however, it acquires a look of such radiant joy that hearts cannot help but be lifted.
History
No one knows the identity of the Dark Lady, or even if she is human or something else entirely. What is known is that the statue's expression changes depending on what is said in its presence. To swear "by the Dark Lady" is a common expression throughout the city, referring to this specific phenomenon and to the Raven Queen. A popular tale says that the Dark Lady and the diety of death (Raven Queen) are one in the same.
Natives of the Gloomwrought frequently suggest the fountain as a meeting place to those who might not know the secret of the statue (Streetwise moderate DC to learn the truth before such a meeting). Bluff checks take a -5 penalty when made against those near the statue who know of its nature.
Type
Fountain
Parent Location
Comments