The Vanishing Tower

On the night of Flamerule 23, 1369, AFAL entered The Vanishing Tower, a mysterious tower dedicated to Shar that only appeared during new moon nights. They ransacked it, defiled it, and didn't wipe their feet. For the full story, see the Log. Here are some additional notes:

The Inscription on the Steps

The following inscription was written on the fronts of the steps on the ground floor grand staircase in Thorass (ancient written common). Note that capitalization was not usually used in the poetic form of Thorass. 

conceived in darkness
raised in the darkness
used in the darkness
standing for darkness

as night falls on the
age of the mages
rises our tower
with well hidden might

guarding her secrets
standing for so long
as tower shall hide
the moon's fickle sight

for the glory of
our darkest mistress
may it forever
blot out the light

standing for darkness
used in the darkness
raised in the darkness
conceived in darkness

The Hidden Murals

These murals, on the magically dark level of the tower, seemed worth noting at the time. 
    Mural depicting several Sharoids sealing off a side passage containing
        a large chest in the shaft/stairway below the electrical statue in
        Undermountain.
    Mural depicting Sharoids hiding in a hidden chamber in a hidden
        cave on the face of a cliff which is one wall of a hidden pass
        through the Nether Mountains to Silverymoon.
    Mural depicting Sharoids burying two bodies and a chest within
        sight of the Standing Stone in the Dales.

The Boahb Letters


Note 1, in coffer in second chest:

To My So-Called Friend Radagashier,
I'm afraid your misleading suggestions reached me too late. With the help of some real friends, I had already worked the remainder of this little puzzle out and put together a second expedition. One which, as you can see, was both succesful and faster than the one you are no doubt planning as I write this. I'm certain you will agree that it is best that we never meet again, but rest assured that my thoughts will often be with you as I am sipping the fine wine and gazing at the finer ladies that this gold will not be buying for you. However, so that you don't think me unkind, or incapable of generosity now that I am a wealthy man, I am leaving you a collection of copper pieces as a token of the esteem I hold you in.
-- Your Extremely Rich Ex-Friend Boahb

Note 2, attached to 2 yr. old corpse with a dagger in next to last chest:

Sorry Radawhatever, the rest of us weren't feeling that generous. At least you get to see your old friend again.
-- Boahb's Other So-Called Friends

The Loot They Lifted


The following treasure was collected in and around the Vanishing Tower:

In the wardmist outside the tower, the party found a dead ghoul, from whom they (carefully) took a single, hollow glass ball, 1.5 inches across, which was later revealed to be magic.

When blood was spilled upon the altar of Shar, there appeared a Gold, Jade-&-Jet-Set Chalice (1500gp/1500gp) containing the following: 

        32 Gems:
            2 Red Tears - 800gp/750gp ea.
            6 Identical Rainbow Obsidian Ovals - 30gp/50gp ea., but
                300gp/350gp for the whole set
            3 Large Faceted Korneupines - none/125gp ea.
            4 Coral Cubes - none/100gp ea., sold to Henkles
            1 Large, Uncut Tomb Jade - none/200gp
            7 Assorted Smokey Quartz - none/avg. 40gp ea.
            3 Nice Cabochon Hypersthenes - 100gp/100gp ea., sold to
                Darius
            1 Small Faceted Jargoon - none/100gp, sold to Dexter
            1 Ball of Amber - 100gp/75gp
            1 Large Purple Spodumene (Kuntzite) - 100gp/80-100gp
            3 Medium Green Spodumene (Hiddenite) - 50gp/50gp ea.
        Magic Rose Quartz Prizm
        Fancy Platinum Key - 100gp
        2 Gold Keys
        12 plain keys - 1 toothless with slots in end
        1 Tarnished Silver, Magic Key
        Magic Silver Ring
        Peridot Necklace - 1000gp/1000gp
        Red, White & Yellow Gold Ring - 100gp/150gp, sold to Maanamere
        Blue Euclase Ring - 500gp/500gp, sold to Maanamere
(The values given are the estimates given by Stewart and Bruce, respectively. Bruce was not shown the keys.)

Inside the altar itself was a strange deck of cards which radiated magic strongly enough to knock Darius unconcious when he cast Detect Magic on it.

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