Here shall be recorded that sordid information about the world above that has been made true. When a character's backstory establishes something in the world above that TD hasn't already set forth this information shall be recorded here. When the characters discover something within The Oubliette that establishes a bit of information about the World Above it too shall be recorded here.

Slowly, the picture of the World Above shall come more and more into focus...

The City of Black Gate

Once this was a thriving city that grew fat upon the bounty of treasures being recovered from The Oubliette. Now a shadow of its former self it is common to see abandoned houses leaning badly against each other or packs of wild giant rats poke their heads out of the nearly abandoned sewer system.

In the center of the town is the Dungeon Mouth. This is a fortified courtyard built around a black basalt doorway. Once activated the doorway is filled with a blue light that flows like water. Anyone who passes through that doorway is transported into a random location somewhere within The Oubliette. The doorway is one way.

Once a week the bells in the towers of Dungeon Mouth will ring and summon the people of the town. Those who arrive will get to watch the portal opened and all of that week's prisoners get thrown, tossed, or shoved inside. This is often a great spectacle with people coming from the outlying villages to shop, or take in the entertainments of the city. Jesters will ply their trade, while stalls sell fried food or beer. Speeches are given that underline the wisdom, justice, and mercy of King Alfred III for giving such undeserving souls a chance at redemption. Trinket sellers will claim to have personal possessions of the prisoners that they sell as morbid souvenirs to gullible passers-by.

Then, when the last prisoner is gone and the last drink has been consumed, the people slowly return to their lives. They mourn their lost loved ones. They till their weed-infested fields. They all thank their lucky stars that they were not the ones to be thrown in that day. Meanwhile, the justice of the courts in the surrounding lands, as well as the far off capital city, continues to grind on and prepare the next batch of poor unfortunate souls to be cast into The Oubliette.

Known or Suspected Magic Items

Long ago, when adventurers were exploring this place, many Scrolls or Stones of Returning were created. These magical items would allow a user to open a portal to a location upon the surface. Perhaps one or two of them are still somewhere in the dungeon hidden in the pack of some forgotten dead adventurer?
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:51, Wed 03 Mar 2021.

Order of Those Devoted to the Gods

Once, not too long ago, this order of holy men and women had been established in a temple atop a hill outside of Black Gate. Dedicated to the worship of the entire pantheon instead of simply a single deity their halls became a haven for all worshipers. Many would-be heroes graced their halls seeking miracles of healing and restoration. Donations flowed into the stone halls and the Order flourished.

Some jealous voices whispered rumors of decadence and arrogance taking hold upon the clergy there. Of secret eyes and ears sent among the people to root out heresy. Yet, somehow, the loudest whisperers soon either recanted such lies or met with tragic accidents. All the while the Order grew in power and influence.

None could deny the blessings of the many Gods that were bestowed upon the faithful. Crops bloomed in abundance, cattle were fattened, and many holy rites were performed that ensured the survival of the temple and its followers. Their gardens bloomed while Black Gate itself was slowly abandoned and fell into disrepair. A small village had grown up around the temple to house the growing families and friends of the clergy and their servants.

One night, however, a bright green blaze could be seen in the stormy sky. Those of the Black Guard who remained at their posts noted that the fire seemed to come from the Temple of the Order of Those Devoted to the Gods. By the time a column of riders could be mustered in sufficient strength the temple and surrounding buildings were fully engulfed. Those few survivors of the green witch-fire whispered of shapes moving among the flames. Shapes that should have been asleep in their holy crypts.

Their temple gone, and thus their wealth, the few survivors scattered to the winds in search of the other houses of worship that might take them in. If any of these survivors knew the truth about that night of fire and death they did not share it. The burned out ruins remain atop the blackened hill to this day.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:57, Thu 04 Mar 2021.