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The Many Lost Loves of
BLACKSTONE TOWER
A tragic romance for dragon-like systems

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Hanna Sullivan Warren
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 Contents Credits
Arriving at Blackstone Writing and layout by James Hanna
1
Additional Development and Blackstone Tower art and architecture by
Agreement William Mathias Sinkovic
1
Additional Development and Editing by Isaac Warren and Brett Sullivan
A Bit of History
2 Cover design by James Hanna with art by Eroshka

Blackstone Beach Inspired by House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski and Ship of Theseus
4 by Doug Dorst and JJ Abrams.

The Grotto
5 A Note on System
Grand Foyer The Many Lost Loves of Blackstone Tower is written for OSR systems of
6 4 characters of third or fourth level.

Gathering Room The creatures include HD, AC and MV and may require adjustment for
7 your system.

Sanctuary The setting is imagined as a Million Million Sphere.

8

Gallery Safety
9
The Many Lost Loves of Blackstone Tower is a tragedy and includes
Master Suite themes of love and death, as well as darker elements including
10 imprisonment, abuse, and suicide. The setting can sustain the removal
of the latter element by altering Zarena’s story such that she left Arche
Primaries alone in the tower. Alternatively, remove the story of Zarena and Arche
11 altogether and use the setting as an abandoned wizard tower.

Addendum
12 Music
This link will take you to a Spotify playlist created for this setting: https://
spoti.fi/3GYXCTU. If you have suggestions for tracks to add, we'd love to
hear them.

NOTE: This PDF has been hyperlinked for your convenience. Click any
page number to return to this page. Click the heading in the Contents to
jump to that heading. Click any of the smaller images of the map to jump
to the large map. Click a part of the large image to jump to that part.
 Arriving at Blackstone Agreement
I frankly don’t care how people get here. I don’t plan on Hereby undersigned: Steno
having many guests, that’s for sure. But I suppose you and Catamon, from here
want to know for your own purposes, the renovation of out referred to as Guild
Blackstone Tower. If pressed, and here I press myself, I Artisans, do willfully bind
would say that visitors to our home would most likely themselves to complete the
arrive in one of the following ways: service described herein.
And the primary and
ȉ As adventurers seeking the hoard of Lleisgranir, the secondary do surrender
dragon turtle, whose lair lies beneath the tower. Of possession of the domicile
course, only the strongest fools would ever dare such an to the Guild Artisans
excursion, but we cannot count such a visitation out. until the job is complete,
to be done in sixty days,
ȉ Z’s family may come looking for her. They did not or otherwise the Guild
approve of our love, and they might attempt to bring her Artisans will be considered
back themselves, or else hire mercenaries to do the job in breach of said contract.
for them. Whoever comes won’t find her.
Arche, primary client
ȉ Rumors persist (for good reason!) of a planar rift
located here that leads to the plane of water. Of course, Arche
this is true, so it is conceivable that some might come
who would attempt to make use of the rift themselves. Zarena, secondary client
But that would be akin to allowing youths into your
garden to trample the roses. I shall address the
procedures I wish you to take to protect that portal in a
subsequent location. Steno, architect

ȉ The beauty of Blackstone Tower is beyond compare. STENO

Its creation and location make it a suitable destination
for those looking to understand the deeper mysteries of Catamon, interior design
arcane architecture and the forces captured within its
design. Catamon
ȉ Lleisgranir could also be responsible for accidental
tourists, as it were. The dragon turtle will attack
any vessel in their waters in search of treasure, and
survivors from the wrecks could find their way, by luck
or fate, to our shores.

1
 A Bit of History
You should know something of the land you’re working
on before beginning your task. Blackstone Tower, and the
rock on which it stands, formed centuries ago when two
mages set out to create a sphere of refuge away from the
political strife that embroiled their home.

The mages, Virvul & Gosian, were lovers, of course. How

else could such a thing come to be?

In their passion and hubris, they attempted to tame the

elemental forces, those primeval, cosmic strands of the
weave, and to set them in opposition, harnessing the
power of their tension to form a physical place where they
could dwell in peace.

He was a gifted wizard who manipulated fire and molded

earth. She was a prodigious sorcerer who controlled water
and air. Together, they sculpted the tower you see before
you. But their story did not end there.

They reshaped the world itself, warping it to their will, but

when they were done, they only wanted more. The tower
was not enough. The power was what mattered. But the
material plane could not sustain the magic they conjured,
and so they found another sphere where they could
continue their work.

And it is said that they never found a home, or peace, that

they never found satisfaction, and eventually they realized
that what they loved was power, not each other, and they
destroyed one another rather than allow the other to go on
alone….

But back to the tower. The forces Virvul and Gosian used
to create the tower resulted in an organic, almost living
place. The strands of the weave they plucked into reality
can be shaped by magic. The larger ones will even move
a person up and down the tower by thought alone, the
tower’s own peristalsis.

That’s why I want you to limit which strands connect with

which floors. I will note these on the map floor by floor.

2
 Level Beach Level 5

Level4.5

level 4

Level3

Level2

Grotto
Level 1
 Blackstone Beach
Sadly, rugged black basalt composes the vast majority of
our beach front property. A tragic leftover from the island’s
creation. At least anyone who steps foot on the island
barefoot will encounter a serious deterrent. The rocks
are razor sharp. They’ll cut anything that washes up to
pieces. 2D6 SLASHING DAMAGE

Otherwise, I wish for you to clear out three areas and

dredge some proper sand up to make sheltered beaches
where Z and I can lounge in the sun. These should be
private and set around the island so that we can choose
an optimal location based on the weather and season. In
addition, each beach should have a disguised door of
basalt that leads to the grotto where we can cool off and
wash off the sand in the spring before retreating to the
interior.

Please ensure the boardwalk from the Grand Foyer down

to the docks is in excellent condition. New boards will be
required, I’m sure, as the salt eats away at them quickly.
Every year they go unattended means more loose boards,
and I’m not about to explain myself to Z again if she slips
and falls onto the rocks below. She’s so clumsy after all.

WELL, I DISCOVERED THE TRIGGER FOR THE WHIRLPOOL.

Are you okay? What happened?

GET WITHIN 20 FEET OF THE GATE AND THE WHIRLPOOL SEIZES YOU.
YOU HAVE TO BE STRONG TO RESIST IT.

You could have died! We have to reconsider this project.

NO, IT’S OK. I ANALYZED THE MAGIC WEAVE SURROUNDING THE TRAP
AND FOUND THERE’S AN EQUAL PROBABILITY OF SEVERAL THINGS
OCCURRING WHEN IT’S TRIGGERED. IT’S FASCINATING. HERE'S WHAT I
FOUND:
1. EJECTED FROM THE GROTTO OUT TO SEA.
2. THROWN 20 FEET INTO THE AIR.
3. SLAMMED AGAINST THE GROTTO WALL.
(THAT’S WHAT HAPPENED TO ME.)
4. CAUGHT IN THE TORRENT AND DISORIENTED.
5. SUCKED DOWN, 100 FEET BELOW THE SURFACE.
6. PUSHED BACK ONTO THE BEACH.

4
 The Grotto
When Blackstone Tower was formed, when Virvul and
Gosian created it from the raw elemental forces, the
planar gate was left open beneath the basalt island. A
spring fed by the plane of water laps at the edges of the
basalt shoreline, forming a grotto.

You’ll have no need to make any repairs or improvements

to the grotto. Its natural beauty is sufficient. Besides,
Lleisgranir would eat you whole without a second
thought, assuming you encounter them. Half the time
they prowl the seas in search of treasure within the ships Lleisgranir, the dragon turtle?
foolish enough to skirt these waters. Sten, why did you accept this project?
YOU KNOW WHY.
Given that the improvements needed here are minimal, my BESIDES, L WON’T EVER SEE US.
only request is that you fashion a fine boardwalk to lead — I LOVE YOU.
from the foyer down to the grotto’s shore.
Love you too
As I say above, I have taken measures to protect the
planar gate at the bottom of the pool here. Beware lest
you trigger the whirlpool that produces a variety of
effects.

The only way into the grotto is via the staircase that
winds along its perimeter and emerges in the center
of the foyer beneath the hidden door. Otherwise, only
the beaches offer any means of egress. And however
Lleisgranir finds their way in. Probably Z knows.

5
 Grand Foyer
Duly impressive, with an 80-foot high ceiling and
crystal chandelier, the Grand Foyer must reflect my
intentions with this home. Take the basalt you remove
from the exterior and shape it with whatever arcane
craft you possess into panels to line this room. As you
know, I have commissioned your partner, Catamon, to
complete a mural on that smooth black surface that
will adorn the entire foyer, telling the story of Z & I,
how we met and fell in love. That’s me!

The waterfall that comes from above will serve as the

front door. I’m certain Z will love being cleansed with
the water of her home every time she arrives.

To protect us, I have bound to my service a water

elemental who perturbed me after crossing into our
plane from the portal below. His name is Leau Le’Mer,
and he can be quite feisty, which I suppose is to be
expected from an indentured servant.

When not protecting us from unwanted guests, Leau

will appear as a water feature, fountaining into the
air, and creating a shimmering mist that ignites the
foyer with luminosity, giving the mural an even more
beautiful appearance.

And be sure to place the blood rune that holds Leau

directly in the center of the foyer’s floor. Only his blood
Leau Le’Mer can break the bond, and of course he has no blood. So
much for the advantages of elemental life.
as Elemental
Disguise the blood rune by placing other decorative
AC 8, HD 6, MV 40
runes around it, including one that will open the steps
Special: Elemental Miracles down to the grotto.

In addition, two strands should take persons to either

the Gathering Room, or the Gallery.
Imprisoning an elemental?
Who are we working for exactly?
I KNOW. DISTURBING INDEED.
WE MUST BE CAREFUL.

6
 Gathering Room
In this spacious room, we’ll gather, eat, and relax.

Sculpt a small pool from the strands for Z. She

requires water from her world, and this must be a
room where she can find her ease.

The waterfall comes from this pool, and I believe it

would be splendid to craft a view from it out over
the ocean.

We’ll have a large pantry stocked full of all our

favorite foods, and a small kitchen within which to
prepare them.

For intruders who manage to make it past Leau, I’d

like you to install a trap. Connect it to the pantry
so that anyone who touches our food without
disarming the trap first will trigger it. Make it
devious. If someone has made it this far into our
sanctum, I want them destroyed.

A few oozes ought to do it. Hide them in chambers A CUNNING TRAP INDEED. LET’S SEE, HD1 OOZES
OUGHT TO SUFFICE. THEY’LL CONSUME ORDINARY
around the pool, and then flood the room, allowing METALS MOST ADVENTURERS CARRY.
the oozes, practically invisible in the water, to
dissolve the hapless intruders. Once the room fills,
Cunning? More like horrifying.
have a tube dump the gelatinous contents into the
How can you trust this person?
sea. SHE’S GOING TO MAKE US FAMOUS.
WE JUST HAVE TO DO OUR BEST WORK
AND STAY QUIET.
Craft exit strands to every level above this one.

7
 Sanctuary
To keep Z happy I’ve seen to it that we’ll have a
collection of beasts like never before seen in a
private collection. We’ll require modular cages,
terrariums, and even aquariums. Z loves her aquatic
beasts after all. I would like to house at least a
dozen species at any one time, and each a pair so
that all in the tower will have a partner.

Ensure we have enough storage for food, and fresh

water of course. Otherwise, veterinary supplies
and an examination room should round out the
requirements.

Creature HD AC MV Special
Boa 3 2 15 Swim and climb.
Constrictor Constrict.
Dog <1 1 30 Great sense of smell;
pack runner.
Eagle 2 3 40 Keen eyesight.
Flying <1 4 30 Flies. Pack animals.
Monkey

I WORRY WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THESE

Giant Frog 2 3 25 Breathe air and
CREATURES NOW THAT Z IS GONE. water, fast swimmer.
I know. I don’t think Arche will care for them. Giant 2 4 30 Fast climber.
Lizard
Giant Wolf 2 3 30 Camouflage. Leaping
Spider attack.
Octopus 2 2 25 Inky escape.
Raven <1 3 30 Shiny thief.
Reef Shark 2 2 15 Breathe water.
Saltwater 4 3 25 Devastating bite.
Crocodile Death roll.
Weasel <1 2 25 Relentless bite.

MX. ARCHE, WE CAN OF COURSE ACCOMMODATE YOUR

REQUESTS, BUT SUCH FACILITIES MAY BE INADEQUATE
FOR THE ANIMALS YOU HOPE TO KEEP HERE. — STENO

Steno, Leave the keeping to me and stick to the

craft you were hired to perform. — Arche

8
 Gallery
I have chosen this space for the gallery because
of the unusual facets of the structure at this
point. Here, at its mid-point, the strands vary
tremendously in size, and they twist and wind
round each other to create niches, nooks, and
small room-like enclosures. It’s perfect to house
our library and garden. I will also require a large
workstation for my magical components. A locked
cabinet for those, and a large, well-lit desk.

Book cases will run the height of the room, so

install a balcony around the perimeter. Be sure to
include one of those fancy librarian ladders that
run along the stacks. I want a spiral staircase in the
middle of the room to connect the floors. I imagine
I’ll spend most of my time here, so be sure to
include some comfortable furniture and lighting.

From here I require strands that will move me to

every floor.

A PERFECT CHANCE FOR US TO COLLABORATE.

Sure, but this job feels less worth the risks
with every new request from A.

9
 Master Suite
A love such as ours deserves a true harbor; this bedroom
will be it. More of a master suite, it should be furnished
with every possible luxury, including a waterbed for Z.
And I mean water. It should be a literal pool for her to
sleep in, and the water must come from the plane of
water. This is the entire reason the plane remains open
in the grotto, so that we may have all the water Zarena
requires from her home. My ring will allow me to sleep in
the water as well.

You’ll need every ounce of ingenuity

to solve this engineering problem.

HA! DON’T THINK I HAVE IT IN ME?

USING THE STRANDS, I SHOULD BE
ABLE TO MOVE WATER THROUGHOUT
THE WHOLE STRUCTURE!

You’re never going to finish this thing, Sten.

I HATE JOKES LIKE THAT.

Sorry, but you’re obsessing again.

I'M NOT THE ONE LOOKING
INTO THAT MIRROR EVERY DAY.

Zarena’s hand mirror?

I can't help myself! The stories from
the past revealed in that mirror ...
so many sad endings.
SOMETIMES I THINK THIS PLACE HAS A
STORY OF ITS OWN. I CAN ALMOST
HEAR IT AS I MOVE THROUGH STRANDS
FROM LEVEL TO LEVEL.

And you don't think that's a good

reason to leave right now?
I CAN'T LEAVE. NOT UNTIL I'M DONE.

Now you sound crazy.

SOMETIMES I FEEL DOOMED TO WANDER
THIS PLACE FOREVER.... JUST IGNORE ME.
I'M RAMBLING AGAIN.

10
 Primaries

Arche
HD 8, AC 5, MV 30

Special: Elemental Miracles. Summoning Miracles.

How does one describe oneself? I must keep it simple:

I am human, a druid, and I care little for the finer things
in life. Every expense, every luxury I request, I request
for Zarena. I would do anything for her at all, including
transforming my domicile into a watery mess.

When it comes to my taste, keep things simple and

comfortable. I eat meat of all types, too, unlike Z who
prefers plants.

Zarena
HD 3, AC 3, MV 30

Special: Breathe air and water. Fast swimmer.

From the azure tresses that fall like so much water down
her shoulders, to the aubergine eyes that first looked at
me with wonder and desire, I have never seen a creature I
have wanted more than Zarena.

She would never admit it herself, but she is vain enough

for the both of us. Her Nereid heritage means that like
all fey she only grows more beautiful with every passing
year. Indeed, I find it difficult to imagine how we may
sustain our relationship over time, but such fears are
fleeting.

11
 Addendum
I DON’T CARE WHAT SHE SAYS, CAT, I It is done. She is no more. She has taken herself from me.
HAVE TO FINISH MY WORK.
But I will always have her body to gaze upon when I wish
No. You don’t. You need to get away it, for her body shall lie preserved forever in the waters of
from there. Arche is grief stricken and her home, in the bed which we made together.
dangerous. She’s always been dangerous,
and you just haven’t wanted to see it. I am unwound and wrecked. How could she be so selfish?
You need to open your eyes. I gave her everything and more. More than she ever could
That place, that person— have had. And my love. Always my love. …
they’ll destroy you.
THAT’S JUST YOUR PARANOIA TALKING. You will not need to complete the contract. Please see to it
I DON’T HAVE THAT MUCH LEFT TO DO. that your tools and supplies are removed at your earliest
I HAVE TO FINISH. possible convenience.
THAT’S ALL I CAN TELL YOU.

If you finish the tower… As payment for services rendered, you may claim any item
I'M NOT LEAVING HERE. from Lleisgranir's Hoard if you dare. I have seen many
great treasures there:
Fine.
ȉ A suit of watertight plate mail equipped with an
underwater breathing apparatus. I know not how it works.

ȉ A harpsichord in near-perfect condition. A ward protects

it, and the instrument of wood and steel plays on its own.

ȉ A basalt obelisk that belonged to a god, etched with

golden runes of power.

ȉ A brass telescope with dozens of lenses that can scry on

a creature across the planes.

ȉ The skeleton of a creature, long-dead, whose bones

turned to alabaster and its organs to gems.

ȉ A masthead that speaks in shanties and predicts the

weather. Lleisgranir would miss her most of all, I am sure.

Sten, I'm taking whichever of these I can get my hands

on and leaving.
I just wanted you to know.

12
 Get Help

National Suicide Prevention Hotline

1-800-273-8255
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-safe (7233)
https://www.thehotline.org/

National Human Trafficking Hotline

1-800-373-7888
https://humantraffickinghotline.org/

13
 UHa a HU
Blackstone Tower was supposed

ajh
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to be the perfect home for Virvul
and Gosian, two of the greatest
wizards in the world. Instead, it
was abandoned, their monument to
magic. This is the story of that place,
and the many loves who came here,
and some of those who never left.

An OSR adventure for characters of

about fourth level, The Many Lost
Loves of Blackstone Tower explores
what happens to love tainted by

VGHHGVpower.

Special thanks to our

Master Archivists,
PJ Rutar and Brian A. Smith

OSR
FEY
LIGHT