Note that this location is a magical one. There are limitations on what can be taken here and how guests are affected when they stay here, see Master of the South Gate of Mount Qaf for details.

The personal domain of the Lady Gallorett as the Master of the South Gate of Mount Qaf is a large desert valley surrounded by steep cliffs.

One enters the domain via a simple entrance that blend sin with the environment wherever the Master of the South Gate has placed it. When entering the domain, one out of the "Doorway", an imposing stone gateway into the desert proper.

Several paths through the desert are indicated with lumpy sandblasted rocks with holes in them—creating an eerie sound when the wind blows through them just right. Here and there larger multi-armed statues can be found, each arm pointing to one of the paths.

The paths lead from the Doorway lead to several other points of interest and separated areas scattered around the domain. One path leads to the Tower, the other leads through the desert where the path splits towards the Cave of Echoes (which leads to Ambiguous Altar), or towards the Temple at Alcaraz and the Oasis.

See the map in the Images section for details on the geography and paths through the domain.

While the domain is plunged into eternal night, it is not always covered in darkness. Depending on the weather—which can range from clear and wind still to thick dark clouds and stormy—a breathtaking night sky filled with a multitude of stars will light up the desert. Astute astrologers will notice that the starlit night, while an accurate night sky for the Persian region, reflects the positions of constellations as they were around 3000 BC.

Tower

On a clear night when entering the domain, one can see a three-storey tower with inviting, lit up windows. This octagonal tower is the personal residence of the domain's master.

The ground floor is dominated by a hall, as well as a small bedrooms for two servants, and a storage area for supplies and other bulk storage. A large double stairs leads up to the second floor.

The second floor contains a well-appointed sitting room, with a large window offering a view of the oasis. Carved wooden furniture with big pillows lines the walls, and thick carpets cover the stone floor, where a subtle podium suggests that dancers and other entertainment will take up the middle of the room.

The third floor hosts the master's bedroom, with a large bed with translucent silk canopy and the softest possible mattress. Several well-placed candle holders provide a warm glow to the room.

From the Tower, one path leads towards the Oasis, while the other goes nearer the cliffs to end up at the Statues. Of course, one can also follow the path back to the Doorway.

Oasis

The oasis is a lush area with ample undergrowth, large vibrant trees, and flowering bushes surrounding a lake separated into two by a land bridge.

Nestled next to the lake one can find the Tent Camp, on the border of the oasis area, towards the Tower one finds the Orchard.

A subtle trail leads from the oasis directly to the Doorway.

Tent Camp

On the bank of the oasis lake, somewhat hidden by the verdant growth of the oasis, several tents surround an open space with a smouldering firepit. Two of the tents are open tents, filled with pillows and with a view of the lake.

The other three tents are clearly meant for inhabitation—or at least intended for guests or temporary use—with some pillows, low but spacious beds, and some chests to keep personal belongings.

Paths from the tent camp can lead one to the Orchard or towards the Temple at Alcaraz.

Orchard

A small, seemingly rickety fence surrounds an inviting orchard filled with fruit trees and berry bushes. The orchard features an unlikely combination of peach trees, date palms, raspberry plants, and several other fruit plants.

As one goes deeper into the orchard, the fruits become more exotic and sweet—but the plants start to have thorns, until eventually the orchard seems to turn against those attempting to harvest, ripping and tearing at their clothing and skin.

Paths away from the orchard lead to either the Tower or the Tent Camp.

Temple at Alcaraz

A domed temple, made of large blocks of roughly hewn stone is place at the end of a path into a side valley. The path terminates at the entrance of the temple. The simple entry leads into a room where a fountain seems to spew forth water eternally. From here, a hallway leads into the temple proper.

Once inside the temple, the scale of the building becomes clear: the inside of the domed roof is decorated with fine painting and gemstones. A series of old statues stands at the edges of the room, encircling small ziggurat in the middle. The statutes circling the room depict gods and servants of those gods from bronze-age pantheons.

Several rooms adjoin the large dome-room, each with carved decorations on the walls, and several stone tables and places where items can be displayed prominently.

From the temple, the path can only lead back to the desert, where one can opt to go to the Oasis, or continue through the desert towards the Doorway.

Other Areas

Several other points of interest can be found in the domain.

Cave of Flowing Sands

A cave system connecting the path towards of the Temple at Alcaraz with the path towards the Ambigious Altar, as well as connecting to other cliff-side entrances in that area.

Several larger caves of this system feature sand flowing from cracks in the ceiling, into "pools" of sand. The sound of these sand-falls forms soft background noise for meditation, or quite conversation while seated on one of the carved benches placed in this cave.

One of the exits out of the cave of flowing sands leads towards the Cave of Echoes.

Cave of Echoes

A linear cave, on the path from the desert to the Ambiguous Altar, with only a single feature: a large cavern where the acoustics are such that a single whisper spoken in the right location echoes throughout the cave, remaining audible even at the far ends.

Ambiguous Altar

Separated from the larger valley of the domain by the Cave of Echoes, this smaller valley—which still measures half a mile in width—has a single path leading down the valley until it reaches a lone stone altar on a small hill. A few hewn sandstone steps form a stair up onto the hill.

The altar itself is made from dark brown sandstone, with a rough red cloth thrown over it. The altar has no dedication, nor any form of decoration. The only thing of note is that when standing on the hill, the starry night seems to darken in such a way that it accentuates the altar.

Chained stones

Following a trail breaking away from the path between the Doorway and the Ambiguous Altar, through a narrow ravine, one ends up in an area of the desert that features twelve large, black, and seemingly haphazardly placed stones.

Upon first glance, these stones are completely natural. At a second glance, there are black metal chains attached to each stone that would allow for chaining up a person. The different stones each seem to allow for different ways of hanging, or draping a person over the stone, depending on how the chains are placed.

Statues

One of the paths leading away from the Tower brings one closer to the cliff face, to an area with several statues.

The placement and material of the statues makes it seem that they emerged from the cliff face, while their appearance makes it seem as if the sculptor was inspired by tales of demonic and otherworldly entities but understood them to be impressive animals—several statues would be considered masquerade violations if ever exhibited to the public, and others would just be considered exceedingly creepy.

Doorway

The way in and out of the domain. When stepping through this imposing stone gateway, one steps out of the unassuming door (or trapdoor) wherever the domain's master has placed it.

From the doorway, one path leads to the Tower, the other leads through the desert where the path splits towards the Cave of Echoes which leads to Ambiguous Altar, or towards the Temple at Alcaraz and the Oasis.

Images