Necronomicon: The Wanderings of Alhazred (Part 2)

Introduction

The journey through the darkness beneath the earth reveals a landscape twisted by time and inhabited by ancient and perilous beings. The Hollow of Fallen Irem invites adventurers to delve into its depths, yet only those unhinged by madness dare to bear witness to what lurks there.

Time and Creatures of the Caverns

In the darkness under Irem, time behaves oddly, dragging along like years have stretched into agonizing eternity. Such peculiar temporal anomalies allow some creatures—thought to have once been human—to live well beyond any ordinary lifespan. Among them is Ethaka, a grotesque entity who has lost all semblance of humanity yet possesses vast knowledge accumulated over aeons. Her power lies not only in her survival but also in her understanding of ancient tongues and lost lore.

Ethaka, who now dwells in a cave, trades wisdom for offerings of food. Her jealousy drives her cruelty, especially towards beauty, and those unwise enough to provoke her wrath might find themselves in grave danger. She shuns the lovely and favors disfigured lives, finding amusement in their grotesqueness.

The Nameless City

Deep below the ruins of Irem lies a nameless city, constructed from solid rock, where once an ancient reptilian race thrived. This city is devoid of human life but retains the designs and beauties of forgotten civilizations. The walls adorned with murals tell tales of their lives, their eventual decline, and a looming catastrophe that led to both their downfall and an unexplained connection with the city above.

Among the remnants within the city, a bronze sword lodged within a skeleton hints at violent conflict. The old ones used ancient magic to further their demise in a final act of defiance against humanity.

The Starlet Chamber and Soul Travel

Travelers fortunate enough to navigate this underground world may encounter the Starlet Chamber, a vast space filled with glowing jewels and murals depicting realities beyond our comprehension. Within this chamber lies the potential for soul travel, a risky venture that allows one to inhabit the bodies of denizens from other realms, learning their customs and histories.

The mechanics of this travel are crucial, as the soul must navigate the perils of being ensnared by the consciousness of the host and risking death in two worlds. Should one fall prey to dangers while soul traveling, profound consequences can manifest back in their original body.

The Isles and Lands Beyond the City of Irem

As the traveler continues this surreal journey, they may descend into further realms described as alien to our own—Lang, the City of Heights, and Yoth. Each realm presents its own dangers and wonders; Lang is populated by nomadic tribes and monks whose dark secrets go unnoticed. The City of Heights belongs to the Elder race, who once filled the void of a young world with life.

Equally perplexing is Yoth, a place of darkness emanating from sulfurous vents, home to armored warriors tending to crops vital for their survival.

Atlantis is painted vividly within the annals of the Necronomicon, a lost civilization filled with beauty and cruelty, ultimately undone by ambitions and betrayal. The city's ruins tell haunting tales of lost knowledge and the fateful choices made by its inhabitants.

The Cult of Albian

Among the ancient remnants scattered in the depths of time lies the Temple of Monoliths on the Isle of Albian, where remnants of forgotten faith encourage the continuation of darkness through sacrificial rites. Unique rituals utilize the cosmic intersections to harness the powers that flow within the earth and beyond.

Here, human sacrifices are made, and dark gods are worshipped in silence, their true nature obscured by the veil of history.

Drawing on the power of words and ancient symbols allows the aspiring sorcerer to engage in dealings beyond comprehension, but discretion is imperative, as knowledge unspoken risks awakening wrath better left dormant.

Keywords

• Ethaka
• Nameless City
• Starlet Chamber
• Soul Travel
• Lang
• City of Heights
• Yoth
• Atlantis
• Temple of Monoliths
• Albian

FAQ

What is Ethaka's role in the Necronomicon? Ethaka is a grotesque creature, once human, who possesses vast knowledge accumulated over ages. She offers trade in wisdom for food but harbors malice towards beauty.

What happens in the Nameless City? The Nameless City lies beneath Irem, filled with remnants of an ancient reptilian race. Discovery of this place hints at the calamity that led to both their extinction and the downfall of Irem.

How does soul travel work? Soul travel allows a traveler to inhabit the body of another creature in different realms. However, it comes with risks of losing one's consciousness or even facing death.

What is the significance of the Temple of Monoliths? Located on the Isle of Albian, the Temple serves as an ancient site of sacrifice and worship where knowledge and dark practices are intertwined with the fabric of the earth and cosmic forces.

Can the traveler influence events while soul traveling? No, the traveler cannot influence events while inhabiting a host body; they can only observe due to the constraints set by the reptilians who built the portals.