The Waxen Cathedral
The darkness flickers with the light of a thousand weeping wicks.
A massive, deconsecrated Gothic cathedral where the air is heavy with the scent of infernal tallow. Shadows dance unnaturally across the rib-vaulted ceilings, fueled by thousands of candles that provide a dim, oppressive glow.
The air is hot and smells of burning honey and rendered fat; the only sound is the rhythmic dripping of wax and the distant, mocking whispers of the Rectory Flicker echoing through stone hallways.
☠ Threat
The Rectory Flicker is a sentient, malevolent flame that inhabits wax constructs and speaks through the mouths of its ghouls. It seeks to harvest 'The Great Wick,' a legendary soul-component, to fuel a permanent portal to the Abyss. Little Fade, a silent and deadly waxen assassin, protects the Flicker's physical anchors and manages the cathedral's votive keys.
History
Originally a sanctuary for a sun-worshipping sect, the cathedral was seized by the Rectory Flicker and its ward, Little Fade. They used forbidden necromancy to replace the monks with waxen constructs and ghouls. Now, the cathedral serves as a planar hub where the souls of the dead are distilled into magical wicks and votive keys.
Encounter Table
CRA silent, melting humanoid that leaves a trail of hot wax as it tracks the party.
Dozens of small, flying candles that attack with burning wicks.
Rumours & Whispers
The candles in the Midnight Cathedral aren't made of wax, but of the memories of those who died there.
The Rectory Flicker cannot stand the sound of a silver bell ringing.
Little Fade was once the high priest's daughter before the flicker took her soul.
If you hold your breath, the waxen ghouls can't track your scent.
Quest Hooks
Quest giver: Lord Halloway
A local noble's daughter was taken to the cathedral to be 'preserved' by the Rectory Flicker; find her and bring her back, though she may not be human anymore.
3,000 gp and a title in the city.
Quest giver: Grand Archivist Malakor
Planar entities have been spotted emerging from the cathedral; find the Votive Keys and seal the font.
A Rare magic item of the party's choice.
Corridor Notes
A series of alcoves containing the mummified remains of monks, each holding a lit candle that never flickers.
A narrow bridge over a floor-less chasm where the walls are lined with thousands of tiny, whispering wicks.
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