Hall of Ascension

Area 1-9 – Hall of Ascension

The hall once served as a testament to the Theophages’ devotion in their quest to shake free the shackles of mortality. The passage offers clues to activating the portal to the Elemental Plane of Fire in area 1-10.

Cautious characters investigating the seven stair sets discover that none of them are trapped. Each set is, in turn, seven in number, and the face of each seventh step is carved to mirror the adjacent panel. The steps are very low, each rising no more than 2” in height.

With 4 panels on the west side, and 3 on the east, the walls are not symmetrical. The tile mosaics are blackened with greasy soot and have cracked open in places, weeping greasy oils that instantly catch fire before flaring out.

In order, moving from north to south:

First pane (west wall): Seven Theophages processing in a row, bearing faint candles through the darkness. Oppressive gods threaten from all sides.

Second panel (east wall): The seven Theophages stand in a circle; their flames have combined to force back the darkness and the gods.

Third panel (west wall): The seven cultists anointing one another with soil, water, fire, and darkness.

Fourth panel (east wall): Seven Theophages gathered before an enormous golden egg, wreathed in blazing fire.

Fifth panel (west wall): The seven Theophages bear the flame to a mighty mountaintop, where their brethren await.

Sixth panel (east wall): Fire, stone, water, and darkness combining to form a four-headed dragon. Theophages encircle the dragon, their arms raised in triumph.

Seventh panel (west wall): The seven Theophages, suffused with light, lording over the universe.