Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Garrick’s Supply House
The Known World & Raging Swan Press
The current year for our homebrewed campaign setting is set during 672 CY (Common Year).
Inspired By Gary Gygax

Garrick’s Supply House occupies a converted cartwright’s workshop in Dulwich, its broad doors opening onto a cobbled yard where customers can bring a handcart or pack animal while collecting their purchases. The building retains its old roof beams and deep service bay, now fitted with shelves of equipment. Lumber workers, caravan hands, hunters, and adventurers frequent the shop, often arriving with very different needs and leaving with equally practical bundles.

An old wagon chassis stands beneath the yard’s covered overhang, fitted with sample packs, straps, and weatherproof coverings. Customers can test buckles, adjust a loaded pack, or see how securely their belongings will ride before committing to a purchase. Garrick keeps a barrel of water nearby for checking waterskins and an assortment of worn equipment to demonstrate how damaged stitching or neglected leather can fail. He would rather explain a weakness in the yard than hear about it from someone returning injured.

Inside, shallow drawers hold needles, fishhooks, spare buckles, whetstones, and other small necessities, while heavier goods occupy shelves built into the workshop’s former timber racks. Rope is sold by measured length, provisions are wrapped for travel, and blankets can be examined without disturbing the rest of the stock. Locally made tools and woolen goods sit alongside merchandise brought along the Great South Road. Supplies from Languard and Dunstone broaden the selection, although delayed deliveries occasionally leave gaps that even Garrick cannot immediately fill.

The owner, Garrick Vane, is an older merchant with a graying beard, sharp eyes, and the habit of listening to an entire request before answering. His sturdy clothes are carefully patched, and he keeps a short measuring cord looped through his belt. Years of dealing with teamsters and wilderness travelers have made him difficult to impress with extravagant claims. He is more interested in where a customer intends to go, how long they expect to be away, and whether they have considered how to carry everything they want to buy.

Garrick’s prices are consistent, and bargaining rarely changes them, but he will help a customer find a less expensive alternative when one will serve. He maintains a small selection of serviceable secondhand goods for people whose purses cannot stretch to new equipment. In a town shaped by trade and work in the surrounding countryside, that practicality earns repeat business. Adventurers who establish an honest relationship with him gain a dependable supplier who remembers their preferences—and usually remembers which essential purchase they declined last time.

GENERAL SUPPLIES & TOOLS
Rope, hempen (50 feet): 1sp
Lamp oil (1 pint flask): 1cp
Lantern, common: 5sp
Torches (per 5): 5cp
Flint and Steel: 1sp
Waterskin: 2cp
Blanket, common: 5cp
Soap (per bar): 2cp
Candles (per 5): 1cp
Pouch or Belt Pouch: 5cp
Backpack: 2sp
Tent, two-person: 2gp

RATIONS & DRY GOODS
Standard Rations (1 day supply): 5cp
Flour (per pound): 1cp
Salt Pork (per pound): 3cp
Dried Beans (per pound): 1cp
Hardtack (per bag): 3cp

CLOTHING & ARMOR
Common clothes: 5sp
Traveler's clothes: 1gp
Worker’s outfit: 2sp
Leather armor (basic set): 10gp (Limited stock)

WEAPONS & DEFENSE (Limited Stock)
Dagger: 2sp
Club: 1cp
Quarterstaff: 2cp
Sling: 1cp
Sling bullets (per 20): 1cp

Thursday, June 5, 2025

Saini Alanen’s House
The Known World & Raging Swan Press
The current year for our homebrewed campaign setting is set during 672 CY (Common Year).
Inspired By Gary Gygax

Saini Alanen’s House is a three-story tower in Dulwich that serves as both a private residence and a place of learning. Its ground floor houses a small public library, offering townsfolk and visitors access to knowledge they might otherwise struggle to find locally. Those researching the surrounding countryside, old ruins, or the town’s history have good reason to begin their inquiries here.

The library provides a quieter setting than Dulwich’s busy shops and inns. Shelves of books share space with reading tables where visitors can consult material and make notes. The arrangement reflects a working collection maintained for study, with the upper floors separating Saini’s personal accommodation from the public rooms below.

The owner, Saini Alanen, is a human wizard and one of Dulwich’s most knowledgeable scholars. Recognizable by her red velvet robes, she combines an exceptionally sharp intellect with a substantial interest in the surrounding region. Her expertise makes her a useful contact for adventurers trying to understand something they have discovered or establish what is already known about a proposed destination.

Saini accepts private research commissions, charging 5 gp per day for her work. Employing her allows customers to benefit from her knowledge and familiarity with the collection, particularly when a question requires more than a quick consultation. Visitors should explain their inquiries clearly and bring any relevant notes, copied inscriptions, or other material that might help her research. For adventurers based in Dulwich, Saini’s house offers an opportunity to prepare through investigation as well as equipment.

A visit can help them place local stories in context, pursue historical questions, and decide which leads deserve further attention. Returning with useful observations also gives them something worthwhile to discuss with a scholar whose interests extend beyond the immediate affairs of the town.

Saturday, April 5, 2025

Marketplace
The Known World & Raging Swan Press
The current year for our homebrewed campaign setting is set during 672 CY (Common Year).
Inspired By Gary Gygax

Dulwich’s Marketplace hosts a bustling daily market where townsfolk, country traders, and visiting merchants gather to buy and sell. Numerous stalls and booths offer everything from everyday provisions to goods brought from elsewhere in Ashlar. For visitors unfamiliar with Dulwich’s shops, the market is a convenient starting point: anything available for sale in town can generally be found here or traced to a merchant who supplies it.

Weathered timber-framed buildings overlook the market, their projecting upper floors sheltering the edges of the square. Plain canvas awnings cover wooden stalls, while baskets, barrels, and handcarts fill the spaces beside them. Foot traffic moves along uneven cobbles between customers examining merchandise and porters carrying purchases away. After rain, puddles collect in the worn paving, making the busiest passages a challenge for anyone balancing a heavy load.

Dulwich’s principal trades are well represented among the merchandise. Glazed bowls, pitchers, and other pottery compete for space with folded woolen cloth, yarn, and practical household goods. Food sellers offer bread, vegetables, fruit, cheese, and provisions suited to travelers. More affluent merchants maintain permanent shops elsewhere in town, using their market presence to attract customers and arrange business beyond the day’s immediate sales.

Street performers add to the market’s activity, drawing small crowds with music, juggling, and other entertainments. Wandering merchants bring changing selections of goods, giving regular customers reasons to browse even when they have little shopping to do. News travels readily between stalls as buyers and sellers discuss deliveries, road conditions, and happenings around town. Pickpockets also work the crowds, making an unattended purse or open pack an inviting opportunity.

For adventurers, the marketplace offers a practical introduction to Dulwich and its people. Equipment can be purchased, provisions replenished, and inquiries made about specialist goods or services. Comparing several stalls may help newcomers judge prices before making a larger purchase. Returning regularly allows them to become acquainted with individual traders, turning an initially confusing collection of booths into a familiar part of their preparations between journeys.

Sunday, February 23, 2025

Current Campaigns
The Known World & Raging Swan Press
The current year for our homebrewed campaign setting is set during 672 CY (Common Year).
Inspired By Gary Gygax

Our Known World Campaign Listings
Campaign One The Ruined Tower of Zenopus

Saturday, February 22, 2025

The Crooked House
The Known World & Raging Swan Press
The current year for our homebrewed campaign setting is set during 672 CY (Common Year).
Inspired By Gary Gygax

The Crooked House stands on Foundation Way in Dulwich, its uneven appearance giving the establishment an immediately recognizable character. The building has settled awkwardly over time, leaving floors that slope and doorframes that no longer sit square. Its name is an honest description of what visitors find upon arrival, although the structure remains in use despite its peculiar angles.

The cause of the building’s gradual movement lies beneath its foundations, where an underground stream has affected the ground supporting it. Repairs have helped accommodate the settling, but the irregularities remain part of everyday life inside.

Furniture needs careful positioning, and someone placing a cup on a tabletop soon learns to check which way it leans. Within, low beams and uneven walls divide the rooms into spaces that feel shaped by successive attempts to keep the building serviceable. Worn timber, patched plaster, and adjustments around doors contribute to its character. Visitors unfamiliar with the interior may find themselves watching their footing until they become accustomed to the changing slope beneath them.

The proprietors are Kerttuli and Pauli Ilmarinen, who oversee the establishment and deal with the practical demands of maintaining such an unusual property. Running the Crooked House means working around imperfections that a more conventional building would never present. Its condition gives customers an easy subject for conversation and ensures that newcomers rarely forget their first visit.

Foundation Way’s association with older buildings and buried cellars makes the Crooked House fit naturally into its surroundings. It reflects a town that has been repaired, altered, and built upon over many years. For visitors exploring Dulwich, the establishment offers a memorable example of how much the ground beneath the streets can influence the buildings above.

BREAKFAST
Oat Porridge with Honey: 3cp
Brown Bread and Butter: 2cp
Boiled Eggs: 3cp
Fried Potatoes and Onions: 3cp
Bread and Farmhouse Cheese: 4cp
Pork Sausage: 6cp

AFTERNOON MEALS
Mutton and Barley Stew: 1sp
Pease Pottage with Brown Bread: 5cp
Pork and Cabbage Pie: 8cp
Sausages with Mashed Turnips: 9cp
Baked River Fish with Herbs: 1sp
Chicken and Root Vegetable Broth: 7cp
Cold Ham, Cheese, and Pickles: 8cp

SWEETS
Baked Apple with Honey: 4cp
Oatcakes with Berry Preserves: 3cp
Bread Pudding: 5cp

BEVERAGES
Small Beer: 2cp
House Ale: 4cp
Dark Beer: 4cp
Dry Cider: 5cp
Warm Spiced Cider: 6cp
Honey Mead: 9cp
House Wine: 1sp
Herbal Tea: 2cp

ROOM NIGHTLY PRICES
(12) Standard Suite: 3sp

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Patisserie Shoppe
The Known World & Raging Swan Press
The current year for our homebrewed campaign setting is set during 672 CY (Common Year).
Inspired By Gary Gygax

The Dulwich Patisserie Shoppe is a well-loved bakery owned and operated by Jemma Chessa and her husband, Jameson Chessa. Their bread, pastries, and cakes draw customers from across town, while travelers passing through Dulwich often stop to purchase something for the road. Baking begins well before sunrise, and the first warm loaves are ready as shopkeepers open their doors and workers head toward the lumberyard, workshops, and market.

The Chessas occupy a timber-framed building whose upper floor projects over a sheltered entrance. Inside, shallow wooden drawers lined with clean cloth keep bread fresh, while tiered trays display honeyed rolls, fruit pastries, biscuits, and savory pies. A narrow opening behind the counter allows customers to watch dough being shaped and finished goods emerging from the bakehouse. Jemma often sets aside small pieces of new recipes for regular customers to sample before deciding whether they deserve a permanent place among the offerings.

Reliable supplies are essential to the business, and Jemma and Jameson maintain good relationships with farmers, millers, and merchants serving Dulwich. Local flour, butter, eggs, and honey form the foundation of their baking, supplemented by preserved fruit and spices brought along the Great South Road. Seasonal ingredients influence the selection: fresh fruit fills summer tarts, while colder months bring richer cakes, dried-fruit pastries, and warming savory pies. The cellar holds carefully sealed stores to help the bakery weather delayed deliveries.

A small seating area beside the front windows gives customers somewhere to enjoy a pastry with herbal tea or warm spiced cider. Its tables attract tradesfolk, visiting merchants, nearby residents, and travelers taking a break from their errands. Conversations range from household news to market prices and the condition of the roads. Jemma and Jameson keep the atmosphere friendly, making room for familiar customers without leaving newcomers feeling overlooked.

Behind the storefront, preparation tables, cooling racks, mixing bowls, and flour sacks surround a substantial stone oven. The Chessas work closely together, dividing their time between baking, serving customers, and preparing the following day’s ingredients. Upstairs, their private rooms provide a comfortable family home within easy reach of the business. For many people in Dulwich, the shop’s greatest attraction is its dependable routine: fresh bread in the morning, something satisfying at midday, and a familiar welcome whenever they return.

BREADS
• Cheese Loaves: 7sp
• Wholemeal Loaves: 4sp
• Kibble Loaves: 6sp

SMALL CAKES
• Fruit Slices, with Apple, Cherry, or Apricot: 2sp
• Cup Cakes: 1sp
• Cream Puffs: 3sp
• Dwarven Rock Cakes: 8cp
• Cream Cheese Rolls: 1sp
• Elven Mini Sponge Cake: 2sp

LARGE CAKES
• Banana Cake: (When in Season): 2sp
• Chocolate Layer Cake (Wild Cherry Filling): 1gp
• Vanilla Layer Cake (Buttermilk Icing): 1gp
• Orange Cake: 1sp
• Walnut Crunch Cake: 5sp
• Five-Layer Black Forest Cake (with Rum Soaked Cherries): 1gp
• Lemon Chiffon Cake (Lemon-Strawberry Glaze): 1gp

PIES
• Apple Pie: 5sp
• Cherry-Walnut Pie: 6sp

COOKIES
• Sugar Cookie: 2cp
• Frosted Sugar Cookie: 5cp
• Spice Cookie: 2cp
• Orange Almond Cookie 2cp

DONUTS
• Cherry Donut: 1cp
• Blueberry Donut: 1cp
• Apple-Spice Donut: 2cp
• Powder-Sugared Donut: 1cp
• Cinnamon Donuts: 1sp

Sunday, January 19, 2025

Critical Role Falls Short For Me
The Known World & Raging Swan Press
The current year for our homebrewed campaign setting is set during 672 CY (Common Year).
Inspired By Gary Gygax

Before I get into this, I am sure I will be vastly outnumbered by all the little critters that worship Critical Role and I'm ok with that. I started watching Critical Role during Campaign One but due to work it was hard to stay with due to lack of time. I endured the Tiberius Stormwind episodes where Orion Acaba nearly pushed me away from them with his stupidty and eventually got to around the halfway point of the first campaign.

By the time I got the first half of Campaign One watched I was starting to get a little burnt out and Campaign Two had started so I started watching the second campaign and got to a little before the half way point of this campaign as well. One thing I started seeing in both of these campaign was the amount of B-Rated acting going on.

Sure, I get it, they were trying to put on a show for the audience but still, it was just cringe to watch at times. It got to the point where I just stopped watching them all together. I simply was not feeling it anymore. The Vox Machina released as a series which I've watched in its entirety and I am probably watching the Mighty Nein when it releases.

I don't see the animations as a D&D show, they are more like a regular animation to me and I'll admit, Vox Machina was a fun watch as I am sure the Mighty Nein will be. The D&D live plays however "for me" are just not feeling like Dungeons & Dragons any more.

While I refuse to play 5th edition, "some" live plays are "ok" to watch but Critical Role "imho" has lost its way. It doesn't even feel like D&D any more, it is more like them being B-Rated actors acting out a script. I still adore Laura Bailey, I mean, how could you not? Marisha Ray's acting just makes my skin crawl lol.

I've watch clips from Campaign 3 and I can see how they have changed for the worse, it's not even about the TTRPG experience any longer, it's more about bad acting and money. I don't hate them or anything, I am just not interested in them like I was at the beginning. I still wish them all the best of luck though.

Saturday, January 18, 2025

Rest in Peace Charlie Kirk
The Known World & Raging Swan Press
The current year for our homebrewed campaign setting is set during 672 CY (Common Year).
Inspired By Gary Gygax

Charlie Kirk's life was marked by a passion for ideas, a commitment to civic engagement, and a determination to encourage young people to participate in the public square. Through his work, he inspired countless individuals to take an active interest in their communities, their country, and the principles they believed in. Whether one agreed with him or not, few could deny the energy, conviction, and dedication he brought to his mission.

As the founder of Turning Point USA, Charlie helped build a movement that reached millions of students and young adults across the nation. He believed deeply in the importance of free expression, open debate, and the exchange of ideas. Throughout his career, he traveled extensively, speaking directly with audiences and encouraging thoughtful discussion on issues that mattered to him. His willingness to engage in difficult conversations became one of his defining characteristics.

Beyond his public achievements, Charlie was remembered by friends, family, and colleagues as a devoted husband, father, and friend. Those who knew him personally often spoke of his generosity, his loyalty, and his genuine interest in the lives of others. While the public saw a confident speaker and activist, those closest to him saw a man dedicated to his family and committed to living according to his values.

The loss of Charlie Kirk was felt deeply by many people across the country. Supporters, colleagues, and admirers gathered to honor his memory and reflect on the influence he had on their lives. His passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from individuals who credited him with inspiring them to become more engaged citizens and more confident in expressing their beliefs.

A lasting legacy is not measured solely by organizations built or speeches delivered, but by the people whose lives are changed along the way. Charlie's work encouraged a generation of young Americans to think critically, participate actively, and believe that their voices could make a difference. For many, his message was one of courage, conviction, and perseverance in the face of challenges.

Today, we remember Charlie Kirk not only for what he accomplished, but for the passion with which he pursued his purpose. His voice may be gone, but the conversations he started, the lives he touched, and the principles he championed continue to resonate. May his memory be a source of inspiration to all who seek to make a positive impact on the world around them.

Friday, January 17, 2025

Concerning the Old-School Essentials 2026 Core Books
The Known World & Raging Swan Press
The current year for our homebrewed campaign setting is set during 672 CY (Common Year).
Inspired By Gary Gygax

I backed the new Old-School Essentials core books on Backerkit as soon as they went live. At the time I was super excited but recently I got my new books and sat down and gave both of them a good reading. First impressions . . . they both felt very underwhelming for the most part.

I did not feel like the two books brought much to the overall Old-School Essentials system, nothing that had me overly excited. I had high hopes that these new books would completely change the playing field for Old-School Essentials but for me . . . they didn't.

Now, I'll go on the record by saying, sure they were a solid set of books but did I get my moneys worth out of them? If I had to be honest . . . no, I didn't. All in all, I think they are solid books but, I do not think these new books are good enough to pull me away from my "slightly modified" Old-School Essentials Advanced Fantasy system that I am already using.

To be honest, the few new rules and/or mechanics that the 2026 core books introduced, I can simply migrate them into my existing Old-School Essentials system that I use now. One thing I did notice about the new changes is most of these changes, I was already using in my current system so, that makes this decision easier for me to make and the remaining few rules/mechanics that I currently am not using, I can simply import those into my Advanced Fantasy system. I also think these rules/mechanics that I bring into my current Advanced Fantasy system only makes it stronger in the long run. The current house rules that I use will remain in place, I don't think any of the new stuff in the new 2026 books will replace anything.

I'll continue using my same "slightly modifed" Old-School Essentials Advanced Fantasy system that I have been using with a few imported Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition rules/mechanics since it is working perfectly fine as it is now. Any questions any of new players might have, feel free to get with me so I can clarify any confusion you might have.

Thursday, January 16, 2025

The Ozloc & Dragon
The Known World & Raging Swan Press
The current year for our homebrewed campaign setting is set during 672 CY (Common Year).
Inspired By Gary Gygax

The Ozloc & Dragon is an expensive, exclusive tavern in Dulwich, catering to customers who enjoy fine surroundings and can afford the prices. Formerly known as the Green Griffon, it offers a more selective social setting than the town’s everyday drinking establishments. Prosperous merchants, well-connected residents, and successful visitors come here to entertain associates and spend an evening in comfortable company.

The tavern maintains a dress code, making appearance an important consideration for anyone planning a visit. Adventurers arriving directly from the wilderness will need to clean themselves up and change out of their traveling clothes before joining the clientele.

Its expectations help establish the atmosphere within, where customers generally prefer conversation and attentive service to a noisy drinking crowd. The proprietor, Rister Lempinen, oversees the establishment with the assistance of Aune Montaja. Running a tavern of this kind requires attention to the standards its customers expect, from their reception at the door to the handling of their evening’s arrangements. Regular patrons value being recognized, while newcomers have an opportunity to make an impression among Dulwich’s more affluent company.

The establishment’s name is associated with Ozloc and stories concerning a red dragon, providing a memorable subject for conversation. Tales of extraordinary adventures suit a tavern where reputation can be almost as important as wealth. Visitors may find that an entertaining account earns considerable attention, particularly when its teller knows how to hold an audience. For adventurers, the Ozloc & Dragon offers somewhere to celebrate success, entertain a prospective employer, or meet people whose interests extend beyond ordinary tavern business.

An evening here can be costly, but it provides access to a different social circle from that found in Dulwich’s cheaper establishments. Characters who arrive suitably dressed and conduct themselves well may discover that a successful introduction has value long after the last cup is emptied.

AFTERNOON MEALS
Roast Duck with Cherry Sauce: 6sp
Venison Pie with Juniper Gravy: 5sp
Trout with Butter and Fresh Herbs: 4sp
Roast Pork with Spiced Apples: 4sp
Chicken in White Wine Sauce: 5sp
Mushroom Tart with Aged Cheese: 3sp
Fine Bread, Cheese, and Olives: 2sp

SWEETS
Pear Tart with Honeyed Cream: 2sp
Spiced Wine-Poached Apples: 1sp
Almond Cakes: 2sp
Honey Custard with Preserved Berries: 2sp

BEVERAGES
Fine House Ale: 1sp
Strong Dark Ale: 2sp
Honey Mead: 2sp
Spiced Cider: 1sp
House Red Wine: 2sp
House White Wine: 2sp
Fine Imported Wine: 5sp
Aged Brandy: 4sp
Fragrant Herbal Tea: 5cp

Friday, January 3, 2025

Smithy
The Known World & Raging Swan Press
The current year for our homebrewed campaign setting is set during 672 CY (Common Year).
Inspired By Gary Gygax

Dulwich’s smithy serves the practical needs of a town supported by trade, timber, and skilled craftsmanship. Teamsters bring damaged wagon fittings, lumber workers need dependable axe heads, and householders require hinges, nails, and cooking implements. Adventurers add their own requests for equipment repairs, making the workshop a useful destination before setting out into the countryside. Hannu Aalto is a named swordsmith in Dulwich who runs this smithy.

The building is arranged around a broad working forge, with heavy shutters that can be opened to release heat and admit daylight. Hammers, tongs, and punches hang within reach of the anvil, while iron bars and unfinished pieces occupy sturdy racks. Near the entrance, a wooden frame holds damaged fittings awaiting repair, allowing customers to point out their property without entering the busiest part of the workshop.

Much of the smith’s time goes toward maintaining equipment already in use. A bent tool, broken fastening, or cracked bracket can interrupt someone’s livelihood, and customers often arrive hoping for an immediate repair. Larger commissions require more patience, particularly when several tradespeople need work completed at once. The steady demand means the workshop’s priorities can change considerably during a busy day.

Dulwich’s metalworking trades fall within the influence of the blacksmiths’ guild, whose members have interests extending beyond their individual workshops. Specialist armorers and weaponsmiths provide skills that a general smith may not offer. Visitors seeking a fine sword or a properly fitted suit of armor should expect to be directed to the appropriate craftsperson rather than finding every kind of metalwork available from one forge.

For adventurers, the smithy offers a chance to inspect and repair equipment before small defects become serious problems. Loose fittings, damaged tools, and worn fastenings deserve attention alongside weapons and armor. Establishing a dependable relationship with a local smith can make preparations easier, especially when the party returns with unusual requirements or equipment that has suffered hard use.

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Ruined Tower of Zenopus
The Known World & Raging Swan Press
The current year for our homebrewed campaign setting is set during 672 CY (Common Year).
Inspired By Gary Gygax

Several miles southeast of Dulwich, beyond the outlying farms and woodland clearings, a neglected trail descends into a broad hollow sheltered by low, rocky slopes. Underground springs and rainwater collect in the depression, turning the ground into a cold marsh of reed beds, dark pools, and half-submerged trees. Broken paving stones occasionally emerge through the mud, marking an old approach that few travelers now follow.

At the center of the hollow stands the Ruined Tower of Zenopus, rising above the wetlands from a low mound of firmer ground. Much of its height survives, although great cracks divide the masonry and sections of its upper walls have fallen away. Tangled vegetation covers the remains of surrounding courtyards, while fragments of stained glass, broken statuary, and carved stone lie scattered among the reeds. Under Ashlar’s overcast skies, the ruin can appear almost indistinguishable from the dark woodland behind it until a traveler draws close.

Stories told in Dulwich attribute the tower’s destruction to a magical disaster, although accounts differ considerably over what Zenopus attempted and what became of him. Some hunters claim to have seen a faint green light in the upper windows after nightfall. Others insist that animals avoid the mound and that birds never settle upon its broken battlements. Such tales have helped keep the hollow undisturbed, and even those who dismiss them seldom have pressing business among its flooded ruins.

Near the foot of the mound, beneath the fallen stones of an old bridge, a vaulted opening leads below ground. Worn steps descend into a damp passage whose construction appears older than the tower above. Water gathers along the edges of the stair, and cold air rises from chambers beyond the reach of daylight. Local accounts describe this entrance as an old burial place, although no reliable record in Dulwich explains who built it or whom it once served.

The oldest stories suggest that Zenopus deliberately raised his tower over ruins already ancient when the first settlements occupied the surrounding countryside. Their builders have been called dwarves, giants, serpent-folk, and peoples whose names have disappeared entirely from Ashlar’s histories. Rumors speak of enormous foundation stones, unfamiliar carvings, and passages extending far beyond the tower’s boundaries. How much of this comes from actual exploration is uncertain; the people most willing to repeat these stories are rarely those willing to enter the hollow and investigate.