Moonrise Towers

Lore & Background

Originally an ancient structure of strategic importance, Moonrise Towers was repurposed by Ketheric Thorm to house his alliance with the Absolute. The tower's architecture blends sturdy stone construction with oppressive shadow magic that corrupts the land nearby. It serves as a hub for harvesting souls and creating undead soldiers loyal only to the Cult. The presence of Githyanki warriors within its walls suggests a complex pact involving Vlaakith and the Mind Flayers' interests in the region. This alliance allows Ketheric to maintain immortality through the power of an Elder Brain, making the tower a critical linchpin in the broader conflict against the Absolute's influence.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled around the stone battlements, carrying whispers that were not quite human. A lone traveler stepped into the courtyard, their boots sinking slightly into ash-covered ground. Above, the twin spires of Moonrise pierced the gray sky, glowing with a faint, sickly purple light. Shadows seemed to detach themselves from the walls, watching with unseen eyes as the Githyanki patrol marched in perfect silence, their weapons glinting under the dim moon.

Reader's Guide

Moonrise Towers looms as a dark silhouette against the gray sky, its stone walls radiating cold necromantic energy. The outer courtyard is patrolled by Githyanki warriors and undead constructs, requiring stealth or combat prowess to navigate safely. Inside, the corridors twist with oppressive shadow magic that can hinder movement and summon spectral enemies. Key landmarks include Ketheric Thorm's personal sanctum at the tower's peak, where his immortality is anchored. The lower levels contain prisoner cells and alchemical laboratories used for creating death knights. Hidden secrets often lie in locked chests behind magical barriers or within secret passages accessible through puzzle-solving. Exploring this location is narratively vital, as it reveals the true nature of the Absolute's influence over the region. Environmental hazards include shadow pools that deal damage over time and areas where light sources are dimmed by curse magic. Defeating the leadership here is essential to breaking the Shadow Curse affecting the surrounding lands.

Did You Know?

• The tower's location marks the epicenter of the Shadow-Cursed Lands' blight.
• Githyanki patrols are stationed there due to a pact involving the Absolute.
• An entrance connects the fortress directly to the Underdark below.
• Ketheric Thorm utilizes the structure to conduct forbidden necromantic rituals.