231 rooms · level 50
Hot wind rises from the magma below and buffets anything that flies here. Just north lies the shore road of the ruined city, and the sea stretches east toward a strait before the island, and west into its northwest reach. Far below, the magma sea churns and spits; to fall would be the end of anything.
The air above the northwest reach of the Sea of Living Fire shimmers with heat, and jets of flame leap now and then from the molten surface below. The sea runs on to the east and south of here, curving around the volcanic island at its heart. Far below, the magma sea churns and spits; to fall would be the end of anything.
The sea bends toward its northwest reach here below the ruins of the armory quarter, its surface crusted with black slag that splits to show the glow beneath. The sea runs east and west from here. Far below, the magma sea churns and spits; to fall would be the end of anything.
Firebirds wheel and shriek in the smoke over this part of the sea. The shore road of the city lies just north, near the old marketplace; the sea continues west toward the northern strait and east to its northeast reach. Far below, the magma sea churns and spits; to fall would be the end of anything.
A blistering updraft rises from the lava beneath this stretch of the sea. The city's eastern shore road lies just east of here, and the sea runs north to its northeast reach and south toward the eastern strait. Far below, the magma sea churns and spits; to fall would be the end of anything.
The northeast reach of the Sea of Living Fire bends here, its lava bubbling and hissing under a pall of smoke. The sea runs west along the northern shore and south along the eastern. Far below, the magma sea churns and spits; to fall would be the end of anything.
Smoke rolls across the sea here from the direction of the old palace, its towers just visible beyond the shore road to the east. The sea runs north toward the eastern strait and south to its southeast reach. Far below, the magma sea churns and spits; to fall would be the end of anything.
The air above the southern part of the sea is thick with ash. The southern shore road lies just south, and the sea runs east to its southeast reach and west toward the southern strait. Far below, the magma sea churns and spits; to fall would be the end of anything.
The sea narrows between the city's eastern shore and the island; just west, the volcano's eastern base rises out of the magma. The sea continues north and south from here. Far below, the magma sea churns and spits; to fall would be the end of anything.
The southeast reach of the sea turns here below the palace quarter. Waves of heat ripple the air so that the ruins seem to sway. The sea runs north along the eastern shore and west along the southern. Far below, the magma sea churns and spits; to fall would be the end of anything.
The gold of the Temple of the Sun's dome glints through the smoke beyond the southern shore road, just south of here. The sea runs east toward the southern strait and west to its southwest reach. Far below, the magma sea churns and spits; to fall would be the end of anything.
Between the southern shore of the city and the island, the sea runs narrowest here; just north, the volcano's southern base rises from the lava. The sea continues east and west. Far below, the magma sea churns and spits; to fall would be the end of anything.
A hot wind from the lava below carries the reek of sulfur. The western shore road lies just west of here, and the sea runs south to its southwest reach and north toward the western strait. Far below, the magma sea churns and spits; to fall would be the end of anything.
The southwest reach of the Sea of Living Fire bends here, flames dancing over its slow, glowing currents. The sea runs east along the southern shore and north along the western. Far below, the magma sea churns and spits; to fall would be the end of anything.
The sea is narrowest here between the city's western shore and the island; just east, the volcano's western base rises black out of the magma. The sea runs north and south. Far below, the magma sea churns and spits; to fall would be the end of anything.
The checkpoint at the corner of the shore road can be seen to the northwest through the smoke. The western shore road lies just west; the sea runs north to its northwest reach and south toward the western strait. Far below, the magma sea churns and spits; to fall would be the end of anything.
This is the narrowest part of the sea between the city and the island of Montserrat. Directly south, the black rock of the volcano's northern shore rises out of the lava; the sea runs on to the east and west. Far below, the magma sea churns and spits; to fall would be the end of anything.
This is the magma sea itself, a superheated mass of plasma capable of melting anything, including the most fire-resistant stuff. Anything that ends up in here instantly turns to ash in a fiery blaze. For living beings, this transformation is excruciatingly painful, but mercifully short.
This is the northern shore of the volcanic island at the heart of Montserrat. To the south, the rocky slopes rise several thousand feet toward the summit, where a thin black plume of smoke climbs into the sky. North of here lies only the magma sea, and the narrow strait across it to the ruins of the old city.
The trail from the northern shore reaches the path that circles the volcano halfway up. The circling path runs east and west across the north face, the shore trail falls away to the north, and a steeper climb leads south toward the summit.
This is the northeast shoulder of Montserrat, looking out over the magma sea toward the old Market Quarter. Much of the land visible from here is burning ruins, the price of the endless fighting between the Red Wizard and the legions of lizardmen. The path around the volcano bends here, running west and south.
Halfway up the east face of the volcano, the circling path runs north and south. A trail falls away east to the island's eastern shore, and a steeper way climbs west toward the summit rim.
The island's eastern shore is a ledge of black, glassy rock barely above the lava. A trail climbs west up the volcano's flank; east lies the strait across the magma sea toward the palace quarter of the ruins.
The circling path crosses the south face of Montserrat here, running east and west. A trail drops south to the island's southern shore, and a steep climb leads north to the rim of the summit.
This is the southeast shoulder of the volcano, looking out over the Sea of Living Fire toward the old Palace Quarter. The peak belches forth a plume of dark smoke now and again, and the minions of the Red Wizard can be seen moving over the sea and the slopes. The path around the mountain bends here, running north and west.
The southern shore of the island is littered with cooled lava bombs flung from the summit. A trail climbs north up the volcano; south, across a narrow strait of fire, the Temple of the Sun can be seen among the ruins.
From the southwest shoulder of the mountain, the gilded dome of the Temple of the Sun can be seen rising above the ruins across the sea. Loose scree makes the footing poor. The path around the volcano bends here, running east and north.
The northwest shoulder of the mountain looks out over the magma sea toward the old armory, one of the few buildings of the city still whole. Heat rises off the rock in waves. The path around the volcano bends here, running east and south.
The volcano's western shore is cracked and smoking, the rock warm even through boots. A trail climbs east up the mountain, and the strait across the magma sea leads west toward the armory and the western streets of the old city.
Halfway up the west face, the path around the volcano runs north and south. A trail falls away west to the island's western shore, and the climb continues east to the rim of the summit.
This is the western rim of the opening into the great volcano of Montserrat. The footing is a little treacherous, with one false step threatening to send one tumbling down the mountainside. To the east, smoke billows out of the crater; the way down leads west to the circling path.
This is the northern rim of the opening into the great volcano. The footing is treacherous: one false step could start an avalanche down the mountainside. Smoke billows out of the crater just south of here; the way back down runs north to the circling path.
The eastern rim of the summit crater is a jagged lip of rock, hot to the touch. To the west the crater yawns open, smoke pouring up from deep within; the way down leads east to the circling path.
The southern rim of the summit is cracked and steaming, and the rumble from inside the mountain can be felt through the soles of one's feet. The crater opens just north; the way down leads south to the circling path.
This is the very top of the volcano known as Montserrat, in the middle of a yawning opening to the insides of the mountain. Thick, dark smoke flows up and around anyone standing about here, coming from deep within the heart of the volcano along with an ominous rumble. It seems the volcano is rather hollow and could be entered below, but for the faint of heart it's still possible to head out to the outer slopes.
This appears to be a region of air about two-thirds up the inside of the great volcano of Montserrat. The air is warm and humid, and filled with smoke that billows up from the magma pool below. Small ledges exist on all sides of this narrow shaft, but none of them seem large enough to hold anything of any great importance.
This is a narrow volcanic ledge just overlooking the main shaft of the great volcano. The air here is very warm, feeling almost like a furnace without a vent to let some heat off. The cavern itself is amazingly small, and seems like it could barely fit more than a few people. As such, it's not surprising that the only exit lies back into the main parts of the volcano.
This is a narrow and shaky ledge overlooking the shaft up the heart of the great volcano of Montserrat. This small cavern is filled with the ashes of long-decayed corpses and a handful of charred bones here and there, but it isn't much larger for much else. The air is immensely warm, as if the heat of the volcano were just released or building for another such release.
This is a ledge just south of the main shaft of Montserrat. The area radiates heat like a blacksmithy in operation, probably due to the fact that this is the inside of an active volcano. The ground is covered in a thick layer of ash, perhaps the remains of whatever might have been here from time to time over the centuries. The only exit leads back into the deadly main shaft of the volcano.
This is a small cavern just west of the main shaft through the heart of the volcano. The air is amazingly warm and humid, enough so to make anyone not used to extremes of heat uncomfortable. A small layer of ashes has been strewn about haphazardly, almost as if the remains of something. The ground gives a little tremble, warning that this spot may not be as safe as it appears.
This appears to be the middle of the great volcanic shaft running through Montserrat. Far below, the smoldering crimson glow of the lava pit can be seen burbling and letting off great amounts of heat and steam as if it were rather active. The volcano seems to be rather hollow here, as a small cavern can be seen spreading out on all sides. Dark shapes seem to be moving through the heat-warped air as well, so someone must definitely be home.
This appears to be a rather broad and steady ledge about halfway up the inside of the volcano. Just to the east of here, the ground drops away into empty air down the heart of the volcano, and the glimmerings of the magma pool can be seen at the bottom. A thin layer of ash coats just about everything here, though trails of footprints through them indicate this place must be inhabited.
This is the western end of this volcanic cavern high above the depths of Montserrat. The air is very warm and warped by the continual currents that heat this cavern to an amazing degree. Dark figures can be seen moving throughout the cavern, though their true distance and nature is somewhat cloaked by the curtain of heat. A thin layer of ash covers the ground, perhaps the remains of previous adventurers reduced to dust by whatever lies nearby.
This is a corner of the hollow cavern deep within the volcano. A thin layer of dust and ash covers everything, although giant footsteps seem to indicate that someone or something makes its home here. The ground seems rather firm, although there is an occasional tremor to remind one that this may not be the safest of resting places.
This appears to be a rather broad section of the volcanic caverns inside the great mountain of Montserrat. A dim, red glow from the depths of the volcano far below casts an eerie light upon everything, and the waves of heat rising up distort anything more than a few steps away. One can see some sort of lifeform shuffling within the deeper reaches of this cavern, but it's too far away to tell what that might be.
This appears to be a dead end within the volcanic caverns of Montserrat. A series of clear spaces within the ashes that coat the cavern indicate that this may well be some sort of sleeping area for whatever inhabits this floor, although none seem to be present at the time. From the faint glow within the cavern provided by the distant magma pit, it appears the only exit out of here is south, back towards the main shaft.
The cavern wall curves gently here, meeting the outer shell of the volcano as it proceeds further away from the main shaft. A dim red glow, probably from the great magma pit at the base of this volcano, sheds scant light on this place, enough so that the few crevasses and other obstacles along the floor of the cavern can be avoided with care. A thin, black ash seems to gather almost everywhere, perhaps remnants of centuries of volcanic eruptions.
This appears to be a section of the volcanic cavern just off the main shaft running through the heart of Montserrat. An angry red glow comes from the deadly shaft just west of here, and illuminates much of what lies around, at least what can be seen through the waves of heat that rise up from below. Large footprints appear along the dust and ash that cover the floor of this ledge, indicating that some form of life exists along these reaches, but gives few clues as to what form it might take.
This is the eastern end of the volcanic ledge within the heart of Montserrat. This area is rather dark, although a dim, red glow from the volcanic shaft provides some light. The ledge is filled with a pile of old and decaying bones and other assorted humanoid remains, almost as if this were the communal trash pile for whatever lairs here.
This appears to be a bend in the southeast corner of the cavern. An angry, red glow emerges from the main shaft of the volcano to the northwest, shedding ample light for one to see by. A thick coating of black ash covers the floor, absorbing and reflecting the heat of this volcano in great quantities, enough to make the air shimmer with waves of heat, thus making it more difficult to see what's happening on other parts of this level.
This is a narrow stretch of rocky ledge just south of the main eruption shaft of the great volcano Montserrat. The air is very warm and humid, with waves of heat rising up out of the center of the cavern and distorting the images of everything around. An angry rumble sounds as well, seeming to imply that this volcano is ready to erupt yet again.
This is a small niche in the walls of the volcanic cavern. Unlike much of the rest of the ledge, this area is free of the piles of thick, black ash, as if it were swept away by something intelligent enough to want a clean area to do things in. The air is still warm and humid, and the waves of heat blur anything more than a few paces away from being seen very clearly.
This is the southwestern end of the large volcanic cavern. A dim, crimson light seems to cast an evil glow over everything, although it does help the visibility quite a bit. Footprints can be seen trampled through the carpet of ashes, rather sizable ones at that, as if something rather large lived in this cavern.
This is the heart of Montserrat, mere inches above the magma pool from which the eruptions of this volcano are fed. The air is blistering hot, threatening to melt metallic items simply by being near the magma. A large cavern spreads out around the crater, although waves of heat make it nearly impossible to see what might or might not live there. An angry rumble sounds from below, indicating that the pool might soon erupt.
This is a gently sloping portion of the volcanic crater, sliding downhill from west to east towards the magma pool. The air seems to be lit by an angry reddish glow from that same pool, casting ample light by which to see that this is an enormous cavern. Dark shapes move along different paths within the cavern, although their true nature is disguised by the waves of heat which emanate throughout.
West of the magma pool, the crater floor runs toward the inner wall of the volcano past great boulders blackened by fire. Huge footprints are pressed into the ash. The pool lies to the east, and the floor continues west to the wall.
The crater floor here northwest of the magma pool is rocky and strewn with rubble from recent eruptions. The pool's red glow lights the area and raises the heat past anything most beings could bear. The floor runs east and south around the pool.
From the pool's edge a narrow passage runs to the crater wall and ends in a hollow worn into the rock. Black glass crunches underfoot. The magma pool is back to the south.
This is the crater floor just north of the magma pool, close enough that its red glow lights everything and its heat is nearly unbearable. Rubble thrown out by recent eruptions lies everywhere. The floor runs on east and west around the pool, and a narrow passage leads north toward the crater wall.
Against the eastern wall of the crater, someone has carved a sanctum out of the living rock: a round chamber whose floor is inlaid with a circle of red runes, glowing as if lit from below. Rubble has been stacked around its walls with care, and the heat is like an open forge. This is the lair of the Red Wizard who rules the volcano. The only way out is back west.
Piles of rubble lie in rows here northeast of the magma pool, almost as if something had stacked them deliberately. A thick layer of dark ash covers everything and holds the heat. The floor of the crater runs west and south around the pool.
Between heaps of ash a passage runs east from the pool toward the crater wall, where something has cut a broad doorway into the rock. The heat here is somehow even greater. The pool lies back to the west.
East of the magma pool the crater floor is cracked into plates of black rock, red light glowing in the seams. The floor runs north and south around the pool, and a passage through the ash heaps leads east toward the crater wall.
A tongue of cooled lava runs out from the pool's southeastern edge here and ends against a jumble of fallen rock. Steam hisses from the cracks in it. The crater floor is back to the north.
Southeast of the magma pool, the ground is coated in ash that gives off a great deal of heat. Now and then the ground rumbles as if an eruption, or an earthquake, were near. The crater floor runs north and west around the pool.
This is the southern part of the great crater. A thick blanket of ash covers the ground, and a narrow crevasse in the rockface here gives the only cover from the heat and from whatever lives down here. The magma pool lies to the north.
This is a rocky surface just south of the burning magma pit at the heart of the volcano. The ground itself is part of a sloped surface which forms a bowl-shaped crater within the base of the mountain. Waves of heat rise up off the ash-covered rubble, distorting the air around and making it impossible to discern the true identity of any of the dark figures walking around elsewhere on the crater.
This is the southwestern edge of the crater floor around the magma pool. Ash drifts against boulders thrown from the pool, and dark forms can be glimpsed moving through the shimmering air. The floor runs east and north around the pool.
This is a section of the crater floor along the inner wall of the volcano, coated in black ash that gives off a great deal of heat. The ground gives a sudden rumble, as if an eruption or a minor earthquake were near. The crater floor leads back east toward the pool.
This is a large, and very hot magma pool. This might actually be some sort of conduit to the Para-Elemental Plane of Magma, from which the Red Wizard draws many of his minions, but being ill-equipped to deal with such extremes of heat, you'll never find out.
Suddenly a loud rumble is heard, and the magma pool below erupts with cataclysmic fury! A huge burst of lava shoots up the shaft, incinerating anything unfortunate enough to be caught in its path, which just happens to include you. Death is extremely painful, but mercifully it's over rather quickly as well.
The road curves here along the crumbled ruins of the former city wall of Montserrat, heading away south and east. Between the two branches of the road lies the armory building, one of the few structures to survive the fall of the civilization and the years of the abandonment relatively intact. A cold breeze sweeps down the empty streets, and the howling of the wind almost sounds like the spirits of the condemned crying out for some sort of release.
The roadway runs east and west here along a narrow path that must once have been the edge of town. To the south lies an ancient building of unknown architecture, apparently an armory from the appearance of it. Just north of here lies the broken city wall, with gaps large enough to admit an army. Beyond there, the wastelands of the Plains of Dust beckon the foolish and suicidal to wander out and wait to die.
Two roads intersect here and head off into the darkness and unknown of the ruins of Montserrat. The main thoroughfare runs east and west along the ruined walls that separate the old city from the desert wastelands just north of here. Another road starts and heads south, past the old armory building and into the darkness further along. A low growl echoes through the abandoned ruins, implying that one is not quite alone here.
This road heads east and west through the edge of the ruined city of Montserrat. Many collapsed buildings line the southern end of the road, while the remains of an old city wall lie between here and the desert wastelands to the north. The street seems rather abandoned, although signs of more recent habitation than the fall of Montserrat are present.
This narrow road continues its east and west trail through the north section of the ruins of Montserrat. Scattered remains dot the roadside, most likely buildings that long ago were reduced to rubble. Scorch marks appear on the stonework of the roadway, at least what is left, indicating that a fire may have once taken place here. A chill wind blows through, carrying tumbleweeds and reinforcing the notion that this might be a ghost town.
Two roads intersect in this portion of the ruins, with a north-south thoroughfare crossing into a T-intersection with the main road inside the city walls. The remains of the old marketplace can be seen just to the southeast of here, with some of its buildings actually standing and seeming to have survived the last several centuries intact. A dim, red glow comes from the distant south, but its source isn't apparent from here.
This is a narrow cobblestone roadway just north of the old marketplace. That marketplace appears to be in rather good condition, given the destruction of the old civilization of Montserrat several centuries ago and all the abandonment between then and now. A thin layer of dust has accumulated over the roadway, although footprints of some sort can be seen in them, implying this town isn't as empty as it seems.
This is the northeast corner of town, near the old marketplace. Much of this section of town appears to be in good repair, almost as if some presence had come in and cleaned it up recently. The roadway runs west and south from here, into shadows and darkness, although some sort of lifeform can be seen at the very horizon of one's vision. A low growl echoes through the ruins as well, but gives little clue as to what its source may be.
This is the eastern edge of Montserrat, inside the city walls that separate the ruins from the wastelands beyond. Just west of here lies the old marketplace, which is in surprisingly good condition despite many centuries of abandonment. In the distance to the south, something can be seen moving about the town, but it's too far away to tell exactly what that might be.
Two major roads intersect here along the eastern edge of the city, one heading north and south alongside the crumbling city walls, and one heading west past the marketplace and into the city proper. Much of the construction around is in ruins, having crumbled long ago from lack of use and solid repair. Heavy footprints are visible in the roadway, and while nothing living is presently in sight, whatever made them cannot be very far away.
This is a narrow alley running between collapsed buildings to the west and the city walls to the east. A harsh wind blows over that wall and through the remains of the eastern quarter of the town, causing a moaning noise that reminds one of the cries of tormented souls. Long shadows are cast over the roadway, serving as terrific cover for anything that might be lurking about.
The narrow alley continues north and south here through the darkness and shadows cast by the looming structures of the collapsed buildings to the west and the city walls to the east. The area seems abandoned and almost lifeless, save for the moaning of the wind and the growls which are carried upon it. A quick glance about seems to indicate that one is alone here, but a sixth sense seems to warn of lurking danger.
Two roads intersect here, with the main wall road leading north and south while another road starts just west of here. The magnificent structure of the sultan's old palace rises above the terrain to the southwest, amazingly having withstood the rigors of time and the destruction that wiped the people of Montserrat off the earth. Some movement can be seen within the nearby ruins, as if someone or something were out there.
Long shadows are cast over this section of the roadway by the great palace of the sultans of Montserrat, darkening this area and turning it into a wonderful ambush spot. Other than that, the roadway seems almost normal, although in some disrepair, much like the walls to the east of here. The ever-present wind has suddenly died, leaving the area still and silent save for some guttural growls from nearby.
This is the southeast corner of old Montserrat, just inside the city walls that separate the town from the wastelands beyond. Just northwest of here, the palisades of the old sultan's palace rise above the terrain, still standing tall and proud after all these years. Decaying roads lead north and west from here, past the palace and into the darkness of the ruins.
The ancient, east-west street continues here, running between the walls of old Montserrat and the equally ancient palace. The palace actually looks like it's been through some wear and tear from this angle, although the rear of such buildings rarely look as nice as the majestic view from the front. Just east of here, the road reaches the edge of the city and curves out of sight, while to the west the street runs into darkness.
This is a T-intersection along the end of town, one road heading east and west, and the other beginning here to continue north. The palace of Montserrat lies just northeast of here, the only building in view that seems to have survived the centuries without crumbling into ruins. The streets look to be deserted, although growls and snarls echo from deep within the ruins.
This is a narrow alley running east and west between piles of rubble along the southern edge of town. Just in view to the south lies the desert wastelands, land that must have been fertile centuries ago at the height of this civilization. Dark figures can be seen moving through the shadows further down the street in both directions, but shrouded enough by the darkness to be indistinguishable.
The narrow alley continues east and west here, running along the south end of town. Most of the buildings around have long since collapsed and are covered in dusty vines and other growth from the wastelands to the south. The wind blows from that direction too, with a howling that can only be compared to a banshee. Dark shapes move about the ruins a fair distance away from here in both directions, but the distance prevents any sort of positive identification from being made.
This is an intersection of two major roads near the southwestern corner of town. Just north and west of here lies the old temple, one of the few recognizable buildings of Montserrat that has stood the test of time over the centuries of abandonment. Roadways lead east and west of here, and another to the north, all disappearing into the darkness and shadows of the ruins. The howling of the desert wind blows off the wastelands to the south, more than sufficient to drown out any noise the denizens of these ruins make.
This appears to be a street around the south side of Montserrat's Temple of the Sun. A narrow road runs here, east along the edge of the ruined city and west around to the rear of the Temple where the road seems to turn and continue. Much of the stonework here seems to be in rather good repair, perhaps a result of better construction or perhaps luck in surviving the test of time. Most of the city seems to be rather quiet and lifeless, leaving just the forlorn howling of the wind.
The road bends here north to east around one of the back corners of the great Temple of Montserrat. The temple is one of the few pieces of Montserrat construction to survive the centuries of abandonment, as opposed to the city walls which separate the ruins from the desert wastelands around the city. A stinging wind blows off those wastelands, bringing with it a keen howling that drowns out any other noises that might be coming from the ruins.
This is the southern end of a north-south thoroughfare running behind the Temple of the Sun of Montserrat. Most of the roadway has decayed, with only patches of stonework still remaining in between the flora and fauna that has sprouted in centuries of abandonment. The palisades of the city lie just to the west, also in crumbled ruins, beyond which lie the endless desert wastelands that now surround the city.
Two roads come together here at the edge of town, just northwest of the Temple of the Sun. One road runs north and south along the western edge of the town, just a spear's throw from the desert wastelands that lie beyond. The other road starts here and runs east into the ruins, beyond the Temple of the Sun and into the darkness. Dark shadows can be seen moving in the distance on all the roads, but too far away to make out any specific details.
This is a narrow north-south road along the fringes of the Montserrat ruins, just east of the crumbling city wall and the desert wastelands beyond. Much of the road shows signs of age and lack of repair, with rotting plants draped all over it, apparently trampled to death by a large host of creatures. Low, angry growls echo from nearby in the ruins, sounds of creatures angry that their territory has been violated.
The road runs through piles of rubble here, narrow and treacherous given the unstable state of the buildings. Just north the road opens up near a large building still intact after all these years. Beyond the broken wall to the west lie the barren wastes, once farmland, eroded by time. The city seems quiet, almost too quiet, as if this were an ambush waiting to happen. The road runs north and south.
Two roads meet here at the western edge of town. The outer road runs north and south along the remains of the city wall, and a street leads east toward the armory's entrance and the shore of the magma sea beyond. Clawed footprints criss-cross the dust.
The road runs north and south along the western wall of the city, past the side of the old armory, whose blank stone wall rises to the east. The wall on the west is little more than a line of rubble, and the wind brings dust in from the wastes beyond. The northwest corner of town is just north.
This is a narrow road just south of a large structure still standing. From the faded signs and illuminations along the building's sides, it would appear that this is the old armory building, perhaps also a barracks for the soldiers of old Montserrat. The road continues west a short distance towards the city walls, and also to the east into the city proper. Low growls come from somewhere nearby, rather indistinguishable but definitely not human.
This is a narrow alley running between two sets of collapsed buildings. Much of the rubble has spilled over into the roadway, making walking a time consuming task if one doesn't wish to be hurt. Imprints of claws appear in the open ground of the alley, quite possibly those of the new owner of this area of the ruins. Low growls come from somewhere nearby, something more beast than human from the sounds of it.
This is the remains of a once-proud road through the Temple Quarter of old Montserrat. Many collapsed homes and other buildings line each side of the road, just one indication of how far this civilization and city have fallen in years of abandonment. The old temple can be seen just to the south of here where the alley opens up, and the armory can be seen at the other end of the alley.
This is one side of the old temple within the ruins of Montserrat. The temple actually still stands rather solidly, proudly soaring above the rubble and remains of much of the rest of the town. A rather clear road runs east and west here, although the walls of the city are but a short walk in the latter direction. A narrow alley starts here and leads north, but dark shadows can be seen moving about there, and growls come from that direction as well.
This is the intersection of two major roads just southwest of the flaming sea. Both roads seem to be in rather good repair, although some plants have overgrown the stonework in the past few centuries. Avian shapes can be seen soaring high above the sea to the northeast, and beyond them lies the towering volcano for which this region is named. To the south lies the entrance to Montserrat's Temple of the Sun.
This is a narrow roadway just west of the Sea of Living Fire. Many of the remaining stones of the roadway show great signs of fire damage, as if the sea overflowed its banks now and then. To the south and west of here rises the Temple of the Sun, one of the few remaining structures from ancient Montserrat. The other noticeable landmark is the great volcano, rising high above the magma sea to the distant east.
The narrow north-south road continues its trek along the western edge of the Sea of Living Fire here. Much of the roadway lies scorched, and the body of some lizard-like humanoid creature lies charred along one side of the road, testaments to the danger of this region of the world, and of the magma sea in particular. Just north of here looks to be some sort of guardpost at the intersection of two roads, and beyond that the old Armory building stands proudly as well.
A makeshift roadblock has been set up here, obviously designed to hold up anyone lurking through the ruins without some owner's permission. Many sets of clawed footprints appear in the roadway, indicating some host of guards that must keep an eye on this place from time to time. Roads lead in all four directions from here, and to the southeast lies a large, red lake.
This is a narrow roadway intersection just east of the old armory building. One road runs north and south along the side of the armory, from the city walls in the former direction past a guardpost in the latter and along the edge of the magma sea. Just east of here, a narrow and rubble filled alley begins, dark shadows moving through them in some sort of military fashion. The ruins are silent, but a sixth sense seems to warn of nearby danger.
This is the western end of a narrow alley crossing through the northern section of Montserrat. Much of the alley is overgrown by plants or covered with rubble, making it difficult to cross through to the other end. Just west of here lies the old armory building at the mouth of the alley, a solid stonework construction still standing after all these centuries. To the east the alley disappears into darkness, dark shapes moving through the shadows as if they were looking for something.
This is the eastern edge of a narrow alley running through the ruins of Montserrat. Just to the east lies the edge of the great marketplace, though it too seems to lie in ruins. The alley seems rather quiet, in fact too quiet given the creatures rumored to lurk within the city. A low growl echoes from somewhere nearby, sounding bestial and rather unhappy.
This is the intersection of a broad north-south road with an alleyway to the west, just at the fringe of the marketplace of Montserrat. Much of the surrounding construction lies in ruins, much like the greater city as a whole. A ways to the south, an angry red glow shines over the road, and some sixth sense seems to warn that region of the city might be very dangerous indeed.
This is the intersection of two major roads within the ruins of Montserrat. Just to the south and west of here lies the Sea of Living Fire, an inland sea now filled with fiery lava and rumored to be patrolled by the fierce constructs of the Red Wizard who has conquered the ruins. To the northeast lies the old marketplace, still somewhat intact after centuries of neglect, but also showing the same signs of decay as the rest of the city.
Along the northern shores of the Sea of Living Fire, a narrow roadway perches precariously at the rim of the magma sea. Much of the roadway lies in crumbled ruins, and the rest show scorch marks and indentations from some sort of clawed foot, a clear sign of the dangers present here and nearby. The great volcano rises above the sea to the distant south, and dark specks can be seen moving along it, forces of the Red Wizard rumored to have his lair within the mountain. Low growls and animal shrieks shatter the lonely quiet of the ruins, each sounding closer than the last.
This is a narrow roadway along the northern end of the Sea of Living Fire. The roadway is badly damaged, decayed from the rigors of time and scorched by occasional lava overflow over the road and onto the smoldering rubble just north of here. Beyond the magma sea to the south rises the great mountain for which the kingdom was named, now a semi-active volcano. To the west the road reaches an intersection, with some sort of crude barricade also within view.
This is a narrow north-south roadway running along the eastern edge of the Sea of Living Fire. Much of the stonework of the roadway is badly damaged, either from erosion and decay, or from scorch marks of some sort, perhaps caused by lava or other fire. To the north and east, the great marketplace of Montserrat can be seen, somewhat in ruins but also standing in places. The road itself is abandoned, although guttural growls echo through the ruins, signs that something is present and perhaps nearby.
This is a narrow section of roadway running along a low ledge above the magma sea at the heart of Montserrat. Like much of the rest of the ruins, the roadway and surrounding buildings are badly damaged, the wear and tear of the centuries only partially explaining the miserable state of the construction. Just south of here appears to be some sort of crude barricade across the center of a roadway intersection, and beyond that rises the ancient palace of the Sultans of Montserrat. To the distant west, and a wee bit north, the great volcano rises high above the terrain.
A crude barricade lies across the center of this four-way intersection. From its haphazard construction, it appears rather recent and fused together by great force, but obviously not built by a military mind. To the southeast lies the palace from which the sultans of Montserrat dictated the path of Montserrat society and life. To the north and west lies the great magma sea, and beyond that the volcano for which this region is named.
This is a narrow roadway just south of the shores of the Sea of Living Fire. Much of the roadway has decayed, either destroyed by the effects of time, or overgrown with weeds and other assorted flora and fauna from centuries of neglect. Most of the ruins along the south side of the roadway have long since collapsed and now serve as hiding spots for forces involved in the battles that wrack present-day Montserrat. Just to the east of here a crude barricade has been erected across the road, while in the other direction the path disappears into darkness.
This is a section of roadway through the ruins of Montserrat, just south of the boiling magma sea. To the east and west this roadway runs through the darkness and shadows of the ruins, eerily empty despite the cacophony of growls and other assorted animal snarls that echo through the region. In the distance to the north, the great volcano of the region towers over the landscape, with dark specks of some troop assemblage moving along its slopes.
This appears to be the western side of the old palace of Montserrat, just east of a narrow alley. Unlike much of the surrounding ruins, the palace still stands intact, and even shows signs of its opulence centuries after the city's fall. A narrow alley runs west of here with dark shadows shifting indicating the presence of some force, perhaps hostile. The main road continues north and south.
This is a narrow and dark alley just west of the old palace of Montserrat. From the decayed roadsigns and the remains of the burnt-out shells of buildings, this might once have been a quarter for the nobles and other rich to stay when they visited the city. Now, this area looks much like the rest of the ruins, crumbled and a shadow of its former self. The alley continues west, swiftly disappearing into shadows and darkness.
This is a dark roadway running through the southern quarter of old Montserrat. From the appearances of buildings all around, this must once have been a high-class neighborhood, as the gutted shells of multi-level houses and the rubble of elegant construction lies strewn across the road like so many toys. A short distance to the west lies the Temple of the Sun, while the alley also continues to the east.
Two roads intersect here, just in front of the main doorway into the structure of the Temple of the Sun. That temple, which occupies the western portion of this intersection, is a mighty construction, and still standing despite the rigors of centuries of abandonment. A narrow road leads into the ruins to the east, perhaps the old palace road based on the charred roadsign lying near it. The other road heads south to the city walls, and north towards the center of town.
This is a small square formed at the intersection of two roads within the ruins of Montserrat. A narrow alley leads to the north, filled with rubble and cloaked in shadows, while a major road seems to lead east and west from here. Dark shapes can be seen moving about the city a ways off to both the north and west, and their growls definitely sound more animal than human.
This is a narrow and dark alley running north and south through the ruins of old Montserrat. Much of the roadway has been overgrown with weeds or is covered with rubble, making travel through here a dangerous and time-consuming process. Just south of here the alley opens up onto a small square before the great palace. The alley seems rather quiet, although dark figures can be seen moving throughout the area.
This is a narrow and twisting alley through the eastern quarter of the ruins. Much of the roadway is blanketed in large piles of rubble, mostly from the buildings alongside the road that collapsed long ago. A short distance to the north of here the alley opens up onto the southern portion of the old marketplace, but to the south the alley disappears into darkness and shadow.
A major east-west road intersects with a narrow alley here, just south of the old marketplace. The alley itself looks nearly overrun with rubble and weeds, providing ample cover for anything lurking in there. Just to the east of here lies the city walls, beyond which the desert wastelands can be seen in gaps. To the west, the roadway continues through the ruins, running alongside the magma sea at the heart of Montserrat.
This is a narrow roadway running through the southern portion of Montserrat's old marketplace. Much of the stonework is cracked and in various states of decay, weeds sprouting up through and blanketing the area in patches of green. Just south of here lies the main section of the ruins of the city, meeting the roads that run alongside this market. To the north the remains of old stalls can be seen littering the market square.
This is a narrow, north-south stonework road leading towards and through the heart of the marketplace. Much of the road has decayed, however, and now shows clear signs of neglect and age. The shells of former shops sit along either side of the road, while the central market square can be seen just ahead to the north.
This is the inside of what must once have been a rather nice shop near the center of the old market. Now, much of the construction is failing, beams hang loosely from the ceiling and great holes are in the walls, providing a nice, if unsafe, view of the rest of the market. The doorway back to the main road lies to the east, its door lying rotted just inside the shop, conveniently pushed to one side by someone or something.
This is a rubble pile just east of the main road through the market. From all indications, this must have once been a rather nice shop that fell prey to fire and the erosion that centuries of abandonment naturally cause almost any structure. The make-up of the rubble pile prevents one from heading towards the northern road, but passage back to the west and the main north-south market road should be possible.
This appears to be the center of the old market square, or at least what's left of the market square after all these years. Many of the flagstones used to construct this square have been removed, or have decayed and no longer exist. Two roads intersect here, one leading north and south, and the other east and west, bisecting the marketplace and running by the remains of many shops.
This is a narrow trail running east and west through the remains of the ancient marketplace. Much of the stonework construction is gone, removed, or decayed, leaving mostly a dirt trail overgrown with the flora and fauna that always seems to be present in the ruins of cities. The remains of ancient shops can be seen both north and south, and also across the market square to the west.
This is a narrow east-west trail running through the fringes of the old marketplace of Montserrat. Much of the construction, both from the road and the surrounding shops, has crumbled to dust or otherwise been destroyed. To the west the old market square can be seen, with the hollow shells of old shops still standing here and there. Just east of here lies the old wall road, along the very edges of town.
This is a narrow, but decayed roadway running east and west through the western half of the marketplace. The burnt-out husks of old shops line both sides of this road, all that remains of a once prosperous region of the old city. Just east of here lies the market square, and to the west the ruins of the old city are within view.
This is a narrow pathway running through the western edge of the old marketplace. Small stone areas seem to have been cleared to either side of this pathway for makeshift stalls, though they now are overgrown with weeds and other assorted plantlife. To the west of here begins a road deeper into the ruins. Just east of here lies the market square, and most of the rest of the market lies within view in that direction as well.
This is a narrow, north-south path through the old marketplace of Montserrat. On either side of this road lie the crumbled remains of what must have been major shops. Now, they are simply shells of their former glory, much like the rest of the city. The market square lies to the south, and the city walls are within view to the distant north.
This is the gutted remains of a once-proud shop, or what must have been a rather proud shop all those centuries ago. Little remains of the interior of this building save a few piles of charred wood that remain from the last fire that must have hit this place. The walls and ceiling show signs of major disrepair as well, and creak alarmingly when the wind blows through them. For the faint of heart, an exit lies just east onto the main marketplace path.
This shop contains some charred ruins and other assorted rubble that has gathered over the centuries of abandonment. Other than that, it's quite possible to imagine what this shop must have been like in its prime, given that most of the furniture seems to have survived intact save a bit worse for wear. A doorway lies to the west, leading out onto the main roadway through the market.
This appears to be the northern end of the old marketplace, just south of the northern wall road. Much of this roadway has decayed and shares the deteriorated appearance of the rest of the ruins of Montserrat. To the south of here, the remains of the marketplace are within clear view in varying states of decay. The market square lies along that direction as well.
This is the front hall of the old armory building, a room that seems to double as an entrance foyer. Much of this room actually seems to have escaped the destruction and erosion of the rest of the city, as the frame of the building looks rather secure and the walls and ceiling could almost have been built yesterday. Despite appearances, a horrid smell permeates the air, a rather nauseating smell that reminds one of a sewer in a major city. The hallway continues east and west, while the front doors lie to the south.
This is the southern end of the east wing of the old armory. Much of the stone framework seems to have survived rather intact, and as such provides some cover from the elements outside. A rather sour smell wafts into the room from somewhere nearby, the stench of death and decay, perhaps a reminder of what the city once went through. The entrance to the armory lies to the west.
This is part of the east wing of the armory, one of the few buildings which has survived the fall of Montserrat mostly intact. Just north of here appears to be a small cramped room, quite possibly barracks for the soldiers who were posted here year round. A narrow hallway also exits to the west, the deplorable stench in this building seemingly coming from that direction.
This is an old barracks room primarily used by those soldiers who lived in the armory year round while in Montserrat. Much of the furniture that used to be here lies in ruins around the room, some rusted and some blasted and charred by some other force. A small opening in one of the walls seems to serve as a window, and as such brings in fresh air to counteract the odor of death and decay that hangs in the air.
This appears to be the center of the armory building, part of a hallway that bisects the building from east to west. A pair of rusted double doors hang loosely on their hinges just north of here, probably the entrance to the old storage room. The nauseating stench that permeates this building seems to be at its strongest here, although there doesn't seem to be any visible source. It just reminds one of the sewers and the disgusting creatures which inhabited it.
This is a small, rather secure room at the rear of the armory. The construction here seems to be amazingly solid and barely shows any signs of neglect from the centuries of Montserrat's abandonment. Many racks of weapons are scattered about the room, weapons from an old time that have since rusted or rotted away, and lie useless in small piles around the floor. Just to the south of here lies a hallway through the armory, and it is from there that the hideous stench of the armory comes.
This is the western wing of the armory, a narrow north-south hallway through this part of the building. A cramped room lies to the north, perhaps a barracks room for soldiers who had to stay to guard the weaponry and armor present when this building was in use at the height of Montserrat's power. Just to the east lies another hallway, a hallway from which air currents bring a disgusting smell, enough to make one want to throw up.
This is a cramped room, formerly a barracks from the obscene scrawlings evident on the walls where writing hasn't faded away over the years. Much of the furniture that must have once been in this room lies in multiple pieces on the floor, some rotted or rusted but others torn apart by a powerful force of unknown origin. Just to the south of here lies a narrow hallway, with a strong stench of death and decay coming from it.
This is a narrow north-south hallway along the western end of the old Armory building. Much of this area is rather empty, whatever contents that used to be here long ago having been stolen or destroyed when the city was overrun. Just east of here lies another hallway, apparently passing the front doors of this building along its way. From the north, shifting air currents bring a nauseating stench, much like the odor of the sewers or trash dump of a major city.
This appears to be the main foyer of the Temple of the Sun, the central place of worship within old Montserrat. A golden arch soars high above the room, mysterious runes scrawled upon its length in an undecipherable language. The rest of the room shows signs that it too must have been rather luxuriously decorated, at least until it was looted or destroyed by the fighting of centuries past. The main temple lies just west of here, while the ruins of the old city lie to the east.
This is a cavernous hallway, the arched ceiling soaring thirty or more feet above the remains of the tiled floor. The hallway still shows some signs of its opulence, as some of the frescoes can still be seen along the walls and ceiling. The main sanctuary of the temple lies just west of here, while the entrance foyer to the temple is to the east.
This is a narrow hallway along the northern end of the Temple of the Sun. A large bronze statue of some deity stands in the middle of the hallway, badly vandalized over the years. Echoes of footfalls reverberate through the halls, though it is hard to tell what makes them or how close they are. The hallway runs west to a meditation chamber, and the great hall lies to the south.
This is the western end of the once-elegant hallway running through the northern wing of the Temple of the Sun. Despite the destruction of years past and all the abandonment, this hallway still shows some signs of the wealth that must have been put into building this temple. A small, austere chamber lies just to the west, strangely out of place in this building, while the hallway continues off to the east for a short bit and then curves out of sight.
This is a small, blocky room isolated within the north wing of the Temple of the Sun. The room seems oddly peaceful and very silent, making it perfect for the aspiring priest to take time and meditate and pray to his deity without interruption. The room seems oddly quiet and dust-free as well, showing signs of recent use but not at the present. Just east of here lies an opulent hallway.
This is a narrow hallway along the southern end of the Temple of the Sun, its walls painted with fading scenes of priests greeting the dawn. Rubble from a collapsed section of ceiling lies along one side. The hallway runs west to a meditation chamber, and the great hall lies to the north.
This is the western end of the cavernous hallway through the south wing of the Temple of the Sun. Most of the area has long ago been plundered of its beauty and exotic trappings, although some carvings of various sun-related activities remain along the upper walls and ceiling, probably where they were out of reach of the vandals. The hallway runs to the east of here, though it disappears around a bend a short ways off. Just west of here lies a small, spartan room.
This appears to be a rather austere meditation chamber deep within the cold confines of the Temple of the Sun. This room lacks decoration or comfort and is eerily quiet, making it a great place to get in touch with one's inner self or deity. A small door lies within the east wall, appearing to be the only exit from this room.
This is the back end of the chapel within the Temple of the Sun. Much of the seating has been destroyed, or simply eroded away over the centuries since this place was last used. A majestic altar, or what is left of it, lies towards the west at the front end of the chapel. To the east of here the main hallway through the temple can be reached.
This is the front end of the chapel within the Temple of the Sun. Very little remains of what must have been a rather grand worship area, but from the fragments scattered about it's obvious this was quite a place back in its heyday. Sun streams down through an opening at the top of a flight of stairs, and an altar can be seen to the west of here as well. The rest of the chapel can be reached to the east of here.
This is a large balcony overlooking the western region of the ruins and the desert wastelands beyond that. The remains of a once-fine altar lie along the edge of the balcony, discarded by whatever appears to have torn it apart when they were done with their sacrilege. A narrow flight of stairs descends into the main chapel of the Temple itself, the only obvious exit from this balcony.
This appears to be a lesser altar room from the general lack of decoration about. This room, however, does provide a splendid view of the chapel to the east of here, implying that it was used with some frequency by the priests of Montserrat. The room seems to have escaped some of the damage and decay the rest of the city suffered during its overthrow centuries ago, but there seems to be no obvious reason why this would be the case.
This appears to be a walkway through the outer walls of the palace of Montserrat. Just to the north, the rusted remains of the gates hang somewhat proudly over their opening, enough so that they can still be used as intended by their creator. To the south, the remains of the Sultan's gardens can be seen, though obviously lacking the beauty they must have had when the city was populated.
This is the inner courtyard of the Palace of the Sultans of Montserrat. Once a place of beautiful gardens and fountains, all that remains from that day is the memory of what it must once have been like. Just to the north of here lie the outer gates to the palace, while a second set of doors can be seen leading into the palace to the south.
This is the northeast corner of the courtyard of the Palace of the Sultans of Montserrat. Much of what wasn't plundered when the city fell lies here in ruins, shards of stonework and ceramic pottery intermingled with the weeds of centuries of neglect. The courtyard itself is empty, though the front doors of the palace lie a short distance to the south and west.
This is the southeast corner of the old courtyards of this palace. The smashed remains of a majestic fountain lie strewn all about the place, part of the rubble that has accumulated since the fall of Montserrat. Just to the west of here the double doors leading into the palace itself can be seen, the only visible exit from the courtyards.
This is the southern end of the courtyard of the palace. Just south of here a pair of double doors lead into the palace itself. Much of the courtyard lies neglected, overrun by plants and rubble from centuries of decay, although heavy footprints have crushed the weeds down as if to make a path here and there.
This is the southwest corner of the courtyard. A small pile of bones lies abandoned in a dark corner, perhaps the final remains of some servant who tried to hold back the marauding armies at the fall of the city. The rest of the courtyard is covered with weeds and rubble, though oddly there is a clear trail leading both east and north from here, cleared by some sentient being for its own purpose.
This is the northwest corner of the old courtyard and gardens of the Sultan's Palace of Montserrat. Much of the area has fallen victim to the same decay as the rest of the city, although there are some clear areas where one might not expect them in the mess of plants and demolished stonework. A narrow path has been beaten down to the east and south, looking rather recent as if someone had been through a short time ago.
This is the main foyer of the Palace of Montserrat. Much of the room is bare and covered in piles of dust, bones sticking out of them here and there. A narrow staircase ascends one side of the room, leading up to the upper floors of the old palace, while a long hallway starts just south of here, leading into the heart of the structure.
The remains of a once elegant hallway surround one here, showing scant signs of the sheer luxury that the rulers of the city must have lived in. A pile of bones, looking rather fresh, lies strewn across the hallway, some even leading into a room just east of here. The hallway also continues to the north and south, showing little signs of ending in the latter direction.
The shattered remains of expensive furniture lie strewn about this room, which must once have been a rather nice guest room. Nowadays, large blankets of dust lie across almost everything, indicating this room has not been used in quite some time, perhaps since the fall of the city. The room is eerily silent, reminding one of a tomb. A doorway lies just west of here, leading back into the main hall.
This hallway continues north and south through the heart of the Palace of Montserrat. The air lies still here, allowing the stench of death to hang motionless in the air as if something had died nearby. A small room lies off the hallway to the west, being the only other exit besides the continuation of the hall to the north and south. An eerie moaning noise seems to be coming from somewhere, but the echoes of the architecture make it hard to discern a source.
This is a small, dark room just off the main hallway through the palace. The remains of a map case and several yellowed pieces of parchment lie discarded in some corner, covered by a healthy layer of dust that seems to cover almost everything away from the doorway. The room seems quiet, but some other presence almost seems to be about, watching and waiting for something..... or someone.
This is the southern end of the hallway through the Palace of the Sultans of Montserrat. Just east of here lies a small room shrouded in deep shadows, while to the south seems to be the throne room from which the sultans dispensed their justice to the people of this civilization. An eerie moaning noise comes from somewhere, its source seems to be near, but the pattern of echoes makes it hard to tell what direction the noise comes from.
This is the old kitchen of the Palace of Montserrat. Much of the cooking utensils lie rusted on the floor looking as if they haven't been touched since the fall of Montserrat. A putrid smell, the odor of death and decay, comes from somewhere along the back wall of the room, but is nauseating enough to preclude anyone from investigating what might be the source.
This is the old throne room of the Sultans of Montserrat. Like the rest of the palace, and the ruins as a greater whole, the furniture that remains here has been smashed into bits, with any valuables long ago having been stolen by whomever was left standing. A raised dais lies at the back end of the room, though it too shows signs of vandalism. The rest of the palace lies north of this location.
This is a hallway leading through the second floor of the Palace of Montserrat. The hallway itself runs north and south, apparently past a series of bedchambers likely unused for several hundred years. The tattered remains of silk curtains lie along the east wall, fluttering in the slight breeze caused by movement through the rather still air, separating this hallway from a room beyond.
This is the northern end of a small hallway through the second floor of the palace. The crumbled remains of a narrow staircase lie in a pile of rubble along one wall, along with a rusted metal door that might have matched the doorway along the west side of the hallway. Beyond that doorway seems to be a bedchamber of sorts, while the hallway continues just to the south of here.
Shattered furniture lies along the walls of this bedchamber, which must once have been beautiful, but is now a plundered wreck like the rest of the city. The room is large and spacious, and windows provide a view of the Temple Quarter of the city in the distance beyond the palace walls. Just east of here lies a doorway leading back out into the main hall.
This is the southern end of a short hallway leading through the upper level of the Palace of the Sultans of Montserrat. A doorway lies along the west wall, with a rusted iron door hanging precariously by one hinge, causing an obnoxious squeaking noise anytime it moves. Beyond the doorway lies a bedchamber, large enough in size to have served royalty. Just to the north of here lies the main staircase down to the lower floor of the palace.
This appears to be a badly vandalized and neglected bedchamber. The room itself is large and must once have been decorated with the finest adornment money could buy, but would have long ago been plundered by someone at the fall of the city or shortly thereafter. Panoramic windows provide a view of the southern sections of the city and the desert wastelands beyond, a once wonderful view for anyone reclining in the marble bathtub embedded in one corner of the room. A doorway lies to the east of here, leading back into the hallway.
This appears to be a large room once used to house the harem that served the Sultan's every need and desire. The remains of once luxurious pillows and scarves lie rotted in a pile in the center of the room, seemingly arranged there by someone searching the room for any remaining baubles of treasure. The remains of the silk curtains that separated this room from the main hallway adorn the doorway just west of here.
The northern sewer ends here in an old cistern beneath the marketplace, where a broken fountain still trickles water down from the streets above. The sewer runs west from here, and another passage leads south along the eastern side of the city. A low hissing echoes through the darkness, coming from somewhere nearby.
The tunnel runs east and west beneath the city, the murky water about two feet deep. Slimy creatures slither past now and again, and clawed footprints mark the mud along the walls. A low hissing echoes through the darkness, coming from somewhere nearby.
The northern sewer runs on east and west here, its brick walls crusted with slime. Rusted pipes hang dangerously low from the ceiling, a headache for the tall and unwary. A low hissing echoes through the darkness, coming from somewhere nearby.
This stretch of the northern sewer runs east and west beneath the streets of the old city. Dark pools of slimy water cover much of the floor, and pipes overhead drip constantly. A low hissing echoes through the darkness, coming from somewhere nearby.
A ladder of rusted iron rungs climbs from this chamber to a trapdoor in the ceiling, under the floor of the old armory. A glowing green moss grows on the damp walls. Sewer passages lead east under the streets and south toward the depths of the system.
This area of the sewers is cramped, with dark pools of slimy water filling much of the floor; but for that it is clean for a sewer, and a glowing moss lights the walls and ceiling. The passage runs north to the chamber beneath the armory and south into the depths.
The western sewer runs on north and south. A glowing green moss covers the walls, giving a little light to see by. A low hissing echoes through the darkness, coming from somewhere nearby.
This passage runs north and south beneath the western streets of the city. The ceiling is low and dripping, and the water is cold and black.
The western sewer runs north and south beneath the city. Here a short passage branches off to the west, into darkness where the hissing grows louder. A low hissing echoes through the darkness, coming from somewhere nearby.
This is a junction deep within the sewer system beneath Montserrat. A stream of water pours in from the passage to the north and drains into the grated floor, disappearing to places unknown far below. Passages lead east and west.
The southern sewer runs on east and west here. The water has drained to an inch or two, leaving a crust of slime and bones on the floor.
A short passage leads west from the western sewer and ends at a wall that seems out of place: its bricks are newer and cleaner than the rest. The hissing breathing is very close. The western sewer is back to the east.
The southern sewer runs east and west beneath the old palace road. Strange plants grow on every surface they can cling to, some of them glowing softly in the dark. A low hissing echoes through the darkness, coming from somewhere nearby.
The eastern and southern sewers meet here in a wide chamber beneath the palace road. Water swirls in a drain in the center of the floor. Passages lead north and west.
The sewer ends here beneath the temple quarter. The water is low, and strange glowing plants cast a soft light. A side passage leads north, and the hissing breathing heard throughout the sewers is loud here, as if its source were close. The main sewer runs back east.
This dead end of the sewers is very dark and very quiet, but the hissing seems to come from behind the eastern wall itself, where the bricks are newer than those around them. A passage leads back south.
This appears to be the remains of a small office deep within the sewer system. A narrow staircase lies in the center of the room, in need of much repair from years of neglect, but still disappearing into the darkness below. A large host of hisses sound from the bottom of the staircase, as if a large hive of snakes lived below in the darkness and safety of the abandoned lower levels.
This passage beneath the city's eastern side runs north and south. Water pours from a grate overhead whenever it rains in the streets above, and the floor is deep in silt. A low hissing echoes through the darkness, coming from somewhere nearby.
The eastern sewer runs north and south here, the brick slick with a green slime that glows faintly in the dark. Something large has scraped long gouges along the walls.
Two pipes empty into a large pool here, easily three or four feet deep, before the water flows on along the tunnel. The rush of water drowns out most sounds, though the hissing breathing seems closer than ever. The sewer runs north and south.
The passage runs north and south through clouds of steam. The ceiling sags here, held up by a few rotting timbers that look as if they would not survive much longer.
The eastern sewer runs on north and south. The water here is warm and smells of sulfur, and the bricks are cracked by the heat of the nearby sea of fire. A low hissing echoes through the darkness, coming from somewhere nearby.
This passage runs north and south beneath the shore road on the east side of the city. The walls are warm to the touch, heated by the magma sea not far away, and steam hangs in the air.
This is the hub of the catacombs of the dragonmen: four corridors lead off into the darkness, north, east, south and west. A rickety staircase climbs up into the sewers, and the floor around it shows the outline of another way down. The construction is ancient but well kept, far better than most of the ruins above. The hissing breathing from the sewers is loud here and seems to come from every direction.
A dark corridor leads north from the hub of the catacombs. A handful of paintings adorn the stone walls, most of them damaged or faded to drab shells of their former beauty. From the hissing, the dragonmen must be all around. The hub is back to the south.
The corridor runs on north, its walls hung with old banners of the city, torn and stained. Bones have been swept into the corners. A small shrine lies just ahead to the north.
This is a small shrine deep within the catacombs of the dragonmen. A few talismans of some arcane sort decorate a silver altar at the back of the room, and the bare skull of a long-dead human floats in mid-air above it. This is plainly the sanctuary of a dragonman priest or priestess who would not welcome intruders. The only way out is back south.
The western corridor of the catacombs leads away from the hub. Faded murals of the Temple of the Sun line the walls, scratched over with claw marks. The hub lies to the east.
The corridor runs on west toward a room lit by a flickering lamp. The floor is worn smooth by the passing of many clawed feet. The hub is back to the east.
This is a war room of the dragonmen. A large table fills most of the room, maps of the ruins spread out upon it, with battle lines marked in ink: the dragonmen are preparing an attack on the other dark forces holding parts of the ruins. The volcano at the heart of Montserrat is marked with a large red X. The corridor leads back east.
A corridor leads south from the hub of the catacombs, between walls carved with the coiled shapes of dragons. The air is close and smells of reptile. The hub is to the north.
The corridor runs on south. Skulls set into niches along the walls stare out at anyone who passes. A shrine lies just to the south.
The southern corridor ends at a small shrine, a place of worship to whatever dark deity the dragonmen draw their power from. Apart from the human skulls and other signs of death it seems almost an ordinary shrine. The hissing of the dragonmen is very close now. The corridor leads back north.
The eastern corridor of the catacombs leads away from the hub, past alcoves where dragonmen sleep curled on piles of rags. The hub lies to the west.
The corridor runs on east toward a lamplit room. Scraps of parchment, orders and reports, litter the floor. The hub is back to the west.
This is a second war room of the dragonmen, its table covered with maps of the sewers and the streets above, with the patrol routes marked in red. Reports from the patrols are stacked at one end. The corridor leads back west.
This is a large, well-decorated room at the base of a flight of rickety stairs. A large doorway lies along the eastern wall, leading into another room also luxuriously decorated, quite possibly the home of the legendary Queen of the dragonmen. Shadowy niches can be seen throughout the room, obvious hiding spots for the royal guard of the queen, used to hide from unwary intruders until the time is ripe for an ambush.
This is a large chamber decorated with treasures of former Montserrat to the point of decadence. A large throne of bones lies along the back wall of the room, quite possibly the seat of power for the legendary Queen of the dragonmen. A few other seats are provided as well, for guests or royal advisors. If the Queen does lair here, now might be a good time to depart, before she arrives and notices guests in her room.
This appears to be the treasure room of the dragonmen of Montserrat. Some of the faded pieces of artwork lie across the room, as well as the shattered remains of statues from the Temple of the Sun above. The room seems fairly cramped though, with the only door leading back into the Queen's chamber, and from there into the dragonmen hive, quite possibly the best defense against thieves with greedy hands.
A forlorn wind blows over this gap in the broken wall, driving sand toward the ruins. The dark road at the edge of town lies just south, the plains to the north, and the line of the wall runs west.
Here the wall of Montserrat has collapsed into a broad ramp of rubble between the Plains of Dust and the city. The road at the edge of town lies just south, the dunes north, and the line of the fallen wall runs east and west.
A gap in the city's broken wall opens here behind the armory, wide enough to admit an army. The plains stretch north; the road behind the armory lies just south. Sand drifts against the fallen stones east and north.
The dunes here bend east toward the ruins of Montserrat, whose broken walls can be seen on the horizon. Clawed footprints march in lines through the sand before the wind erases them. The plains run north and east.
This is the heart of the Plains of Dust, low hills and flats as far as the eye can see. A stiff breeze rearranges the dunes almost at random, like a small god at play. A guttural growl sounds from somewhere nearby. The plains run north toward the desert's edge and south toward the ruins.
The sand here is churned by the tracks of patrols, lizardmen from the look of the prints. The ruins of Montserrat lie to the southeast. The dunes run east and west.
This stretch of the plains lies just north of the city's broken wall, near the old armory. The dunes run east and west, and a gap in the wall leads south.
This is a region of desert wasteland, almost endless in every direction save the south, where the ruins sit on the land. Shifting sands erase the signs of everything that has come before. A low growling comes from nearby. The dunes run east and west, and a gap in the wall lies south.
The eastern end of the dunes north of the city. Beyond the broken wall to the south rise the ruins of the old marketplace. The plains run west, and a way leads south through the rubble to the wall.
The Great Desert gives way here to the Plains of Dust, the wastes that have swallowed the farmland around fallen Montserrat. To the west the open desert stretches away; the plains run south toward the ruins. The shriek of vultures drowns out the wind for a moment, then falls silent. A forlorn wind drives sand and dust across the dunes.