## The Schism / The Funnel / Well Way (PATH UNDER THE ZIGGURAT) The path from beneath the Ziggurat of House Vateri is one of apparent frequent use. The spirling natural tunnels leading down with hand hewn steps and a low ceiling with constant poking roots is well worn. The smell of earth and dirt is a welcome one after being used to the city. The way is long and tiresome, but eventually the cave opens up at a sort of level base. High above you, suspended hundreds of feet is a massive reddish purple crystal. Chains, each link the size of a small house, strain to hold it where it remains in the midst of a great void, the Schism. ## The Web Way Down the schism, down the winding stairs of the funnel, beyond the depths where rock and stone blot out the moonlight, the wind turns sour, air heavy with dust and dirt. Craggy passes and twist turn ways web out like the legs of a spider before you. It would be good to have a guide, but perhaps one with the correct skills could navigate. Three of the passages look promising, but you are uncertain which way leads where. ## Ooze God’s Way The caves have all looked quite the same for some time now. What seems to be developing as you travel this path is the smell. Something sickly at first, then perhaps sweet. But this swing of scent that catches you off guard with tainted whiffs continues to see-saw. A dampness then takes its hue along the slick stones and your footfalls must become more cautious. Whatever influence or phenomena is present down here is one you’d just as soon avoid. ## Ooze God’s Realm The caves open up to a plateau within a cavern that has walls traveling up and into the inky blackness above. Who knows how deep you are now, far below the city Taembria above. That fishy smell of the docks in the Sticks you suddenly miss with the oppressive weight of miles of dirt above you, the putrid stench of continual rot and perfidious acidity. At least the chamber has a pleasant, if sickly glow to it. The plateau you stand upon is like a natural shelf, it overlooks seemingly miles of cave beyond it. Stalks of dim mushrooms as tall as evergreens stand in copses, muted glowing stalactites give a hint of the vastness above. A constant dripping and hissing of hot gas vents keeps the air warm and wet. A burbling shower of acid splashes off the far side of the plateau. But the vastness of this realm isn’t what brought you here, it is the altar nestled along the exterior cavern wall, not far from the entrance. It stands hideous in the near dark, the glow of bile and filth irradiated runs along the bones affixed like a spiderweb beyond a stone altar, pocked with the presence of ooze, marbled with… remains in gelatinous repose. ## Drow Way / Entrance to Skolash’s Lair (Beholder - Slain) Asdf