- Pronunciation
- Stoy-kie-o-rack-u-lum
The Stoicheioraculum was a tower located at the delta of the Pandy river at the southern end of the Bonourd Desert in the Kingdom of Neskar. They would observe celestial bodies from the upper levels of the tower, with giant telescopes and magical instruments helping them chart the cosmos. This astronomical knowledge would be carefully recorded in the vast library, which could be filled with intricate star maps, ancient astronomical theories, and records of celestial events. The lower levels of the tower, closer to the trove of knowledge at its heart, were a magical laboratory. Here, the brightest mages would experiment with spells and arcane rituals, using the knowledge gleaned from the stars and the tower's trove of knowledge to push the boundaries of magic.
Secrets of the Tower
Deep within the depths of the archive, shrouded in an air of mystery and immense significance, lies the final secret that Zahra Neferankh sacrificed her life to protect. It is whispered that this secret, if unveiled, could have altered the course of the devastating war that engulfed the ancient Kingdom of Neskar. The nature of this knowledge remains veiled in uncertainty, its true power and potential consequences known only to Zahra and those who have encountered her ethereal presence.
This final secret, carefully safeguarded by Zahra's spirit and the unwavering vigilance of Haroon, holds the key to untold possibilities. It is a revelation of profound magnitude, believed to possess the potential to bring about a transformative shift in the conflict that ravaged the land. Its acquisition could have turned the tides of war, offering hope and salvation to those who fought valiantly and suffered immeasurable loss.
Yet, the revelation of this secret is not easily obtained. It remains locked within the archive, inaccessible to all but those who prove their worth and demonstrate their noble intentions. Only when the guardians are vanquished or willingly grant permission shall the final secret be released, its power unveiled to those who prove themselves worthy of wielding its potential.
The seekers who venture into the tower, drawn by the allure of ancient knowledge and the desire to uncover the truth that eluded Zahra, must confront the daunting trials and challenges that stand in their path. The final secret serves as the ultimate reward for those who can prove their purity of purpose, their commitment to the greater good, and their readiness to bear the weight of the knowledge that could have changed the course of history.
Guardians of the Tower
Within the ancient ruins of the Stoicheioraculum, an indomitable duo stands as eternal sentinels. Zahra Neferankh and Haroon Rakshan, bound together by love, loss, and a shared duty, safeguard the tower's secrets. Zahra's spectral form exudes a haunting presence, shimmering with the weight of untold knowledge. Alongside her, Haroon stands as a relentless guardian, his skeletal visage bearing witness to their unbreakable bond. Their unwavering commitment is a testament to the profound significance of the treasure they protect. As intruders dare to challenge their watchful guardianship, they must tread cautiously and prove themselves worthy of the sacred wisdom that lies within the tower's depths.
Zahra Neferankh - The Haunted Scholar
Zahra Neferankh's spectral form emanates an ethereal glow, her eyes shimmering with ancient knowledge and unfulfilled desires. She floats gracefully within the crumbling halls of the Stoicheioraculum, her presence both melancholic and determined. Driven by a deep-seated desire to protect her precious secret, Zahra's motivations are twofold. Firstly, she seeks to prevent the misuse of the knowledge she acquired during her mortal life, haunted by the belief that her pursuit of wisdom may have been misguided or ill-fated. Secondly, she yearns to rectify her past actions and ensure that the treasure of knowledge remains guarded against those with impure intentions. Her spectral presence serves as a gatekeeper, allowing entry only to those who possess pure hearts, reverence for wisdom, and a genuine thirst for enlightenment. Zahra's role as the guardian of the tower's secrets is driven by a profound sense of responsibility and a desire to steer seekers away from the perils of unbridled ambition.
Haroon Rakshan - The Relentless Protector
Haroon Rakshan, Zahra's beloved husband, stands as the eternal guardian of her spirit and the treasure she protects. As a living skeleton animated by the power of his undying devotion, Haroon's presence exudes an aura of fierce protectiveness. He roams the halls of the tower, his skeletal frame adorned with remnants of ancient armor, bearing witness to the eternal bond he shared with Zahra. Haroon's role is clear—to defend Zahra's memory and the secrets she holds at any cost. He perceives any intrusion into the tower as an immediate threat, launching into action with unyielding determination. Unleashing his formidable magical powers and wielding ancient weaponry, Haroon engages intruders in intense battles, driven by a single-minded focus to keep Zahra's spirit safe from harm. His loyalty and unwavering devotion make him an unrelenting force against those who would seek to exploit or defile the treasure of knowledge within the tower.
History
In the ancient Kingdom of Neskar, a long line of sorcerers constructed the Stoicheioraculum as a stellar observatory and magical academy. Their intention was to train their descendants in the ways of magic and cultivate the tower as a repository of arcane knowledge.
The Tower's Ascendancy
Over time, the tower flourished and gained renown as the greatest arcane academy in the region. It attracted the finest sorcerers of their time and became known as the preeminent archive of magical wisdom. Scholars from far and wide sought to learn from its masters, contributing to its vast library. The Stoicheioraculum was guided by core tenets of education and the reclamation of ancient knowledge. It instilled in its students a commitment to the finest traditions of magical practice and the pursuit of wisdom. The tower's reputation grew as its library expanded, establishing it as a bastion of magical scholarship.
Devastation of War
The tower's serenity was shattered by the outbreak of war. The ancestral line of sorcerers, who had upheld the tower for generations, fell victim to the conflict. Grief and despair permeated the once vibrant halls, leaving them silent and desolate. In the waning days of the war, the last sorceress and her husband made a momentous discovery within the heart of the tower. Unearthing ancient scripts, they stumbled upon knowledge of profound power that could potentially alter the course of the war.
Betrayal and Tragedy
As the scholar and her protector attempted to harness this newfound knowledge, they were betrayed and ruthlessly murdered. The secret they had uncovered perished with them, lost to the shadows of history. Their tragic fate left the tower in ruins and the mystery of their discovery unresolved. Following the war's conclusion, the Stoicheioraculum fell into disrepair, mirroring the shattered state of the surrounding kingdom. Its once bustling halls and vibrant atmosphere gave way to abandonment and decay. The spirits of the scholar and her husband remained, guarding the tower and its hidden knowledge.