The Catacombs
Content
## Overview The **Catacombs** are the subterranean reaches of Xuchotl, serving as the resting place for the city's ancient dead and a source of dark, forgotten magic. ## Mechanics and Rules * **Contents:** They contain the bones of "terrible kings" and ancient wizards who ruled Xuchotl in past centuries. The dead are often wrapped in moldering cloths and kept in stone crypts. * **Magic:** The catacombs are the source of various occult artifacts, most notably the **Burning Skull** and the **Pipes of Madness**. The wizards of Xotalanc are known to delve into these depths to conjure or retrieve demonic entities and ancient secrets. * **Superstition:** Inhabitants believe the ghost of **Tolkemec** haunts these crypts, appearing as an ancient man with a white beard and luminous eyes. Some believe the rats that gnaw the flesh of the newly dead are actually ghosts. ## Narrative Significance The Catacombs represent the historical and supernatural foundation of Xuchotl's current misery. They link the present-day survivors to a "black century" of magic and provide the warring clans with the tools of psychological and supernatural warfare.
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Reality Layers
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Chicmec
A scout for the Tecuhltli clan whose death serves as a narrative catalyst.
Characters
Valeria Discovers the City of Xuchotl
manuscript
Plot & Structure
The Great Hall System
## Overview The **Great Hall System** is the primary architectural and navigational artery of the city of **Xuchotl**. Unlike traditional cities, Xuchotl is constructed as a single, massive, interconnected structure under one roof, with the Great Hall serving as the equivalent of a main street. ## Mechanics and Rules * **Orientation:** The hall traverses the entire city from the **North Gate** to the **South Gate**. * **Dimensions:** It is described as being of "heroic proportions," with a length so vast that its vista grows indistinct in the distance. * **Construction:** The floor is composed of square tiles of a red stone that smolders with the reflection of flames. The walls are made of green jade, and the vaulted ceiling is crafted from lapis lazuli. * **Illumination:** The hall is lit by clusters of **Green Fire-Jewels** set into the ceiling, which glow with a poisonous radiance, supplemented by crystalline skylights that allow filtered sunlight to enter. ## Narrative Significance The Great Hall represents the only major open space within the claustrophobic, palace-like city. It acts as the boundary between the warring factions of **Tecuhltli** and **Xotalanc**. Techotl notes that the city gates, which terminate this hall, have not been opened for fifty years, emphasizing the isolation of the inhabitants.
World & Mechanics