Contents
Chapter 29: The Profane City
Overview
Hadrian’s party descends into a colossal subterranean city ruled by the unseen Undying. The populace is subdued, watched by corpse-like SOM guards. A beggar, Shara, hints at omnipresent surveillance and forbids Kharn Sagara’s name. When Hadrian seeks parley, SOMs encircle the team, ignore negotiation, and initiate force.
Summary
During a long, tense descent inside a lift threading a mile-high obelisk, Hadrian dozes and dreams of drowning and commanding voices calling his name. The cable car enters an enormous dome-city carved beneath the ice, threaded with towers, bridges, and a river, revealing a surprisingly populated yet somber urban world.
On the plaza, the group advances toward the main street, noting the silence, absence of advertisements, and citizens who avoid eye contact. The atmosphere recalls Hadrian’s austere home, and Valka observes that such order requires force. They spot eerily still guards whose blurred features mark them as SOMs.
A ragged woman, Shara, approaches offering guidance to “magi” and wares of the City. Hadrian asks about Cielcin and the City’s master. When he mentions the Undying, she implies he is everywhere and watching. Pressed, Hadrian names Kharn Sagara, which terrifies Shara, who flees as guards converge.
Dozens of faceless, corpse-like SOMs close in, lit from within by green-gold light. Their spokesman repeats a mechanical command to disarm. Hadrian identifies himself as Hadrian Marlowe, on imperial diplomatic business, and cites a Cielcin baetan and prior dealings, seeking audience with the Undying.
The SOMs do not engage, only reiterate their order and advance. As Hadrian clips away his sword and attempts dialogue, the automatons remain unresponsive. The lead SOM raises its stun baton and strikes, cutting off negotiation and plunging the party into imminent conflict under the Undying’s silent authority.
Who Appears
- Hadrian MarloweLeader; dreams of a calling voice, seeks audience with the Undying, attempts diplomacy with SOMs.
- Valka OnderraScientist; observes SOM behavior, critiques enforced order, warns Hadrian as guards close in.
- IlexIdentifies the faceless guards as SOMs; stands ready during the confrontation.
- CrimComments on the city’s construction and illicit services; cautions Hadrian mid-escalation.
- PallinoVeteran; notes the desolation and keeps guard as SOMs surround them.
- SwitchYoung gunner; nervous, weapon drawn, reacts to the SOM threat.
- SharaBeggar-guide; hints at the Undying’s omnipresence, panics at Kharn Sagara’s name, then flees.
- SOM guardsFaceless, corpse-like enforcers; encircle the party, demand disarmament, and initiate force.
- The Undying (Kharn Sagara)Unseen ruler; rumored immortal, omnipresent in the City; his forces intercept the group.