Quartz 4

Forum of Set

5 min read

Forum of Set

Summary

The Forum of Set was a large Settite compound in the Halls of Arden Vul, operated by the Cult of Set. It served as a marketplace, administrative hub, slave market, and fortified base for the cult. In Sessions 43a–43c, the Right for Riches company, allied with King Weskenim’s goblins, the Thorcin mercenaries (led by Lella the Ripper), and allied merchants, swept the cult out and liberated its slaves. The Forum is now under goblin control, administered by Gribble, Lord of the Goblin Forum, on behalf of King Weskenim.

Access

  • Cliff Face Entrance: Approximately 800 feet down the cliff face, marked with a red lantern. Guarded by cultists; has a basket for lowering/raising people.
  • Sighing Stair: From the former Temple of Set above (now cleared).
  • Thothian Teleportation Circle: Located in the finished room near the cliff entrance (stairs up).

Layout (Sessions 43a–43c)

Entry from Cliff Face

  • Rough cavern passages north to a finished Rudishva/Settite room with Settite statues and stairs up.
  • Thothian teleportation circle at the top of the stairs.
  • Red granite bridge (Red Bridge of Set) flanked by Settite statues, spanning a chasm.
  • Torchlit balcony in the far corner of the chasm — cultists used it as a leisure area. Has levers: combinations release poison gas or nothing useful. A hanging chest (with platinum bars, magic helmet, wrapped stone) was suspended in the chasm here; the chest had a wind trap.
  • Force field at the bridge’s Forum-side entrance, blocking access from the chasm side (bypassed by flying across to the balcony).

Northern Passages

  • Small Settite temple (empty of personnel on invasion day).
  • Lounge area (empty).
  • Kitchen — location of the first major battle; many cultists and guards made a stand here. A cook escaped.
  • Storeroom (north of kitchen, locked) — full of dried foods.
  • Dormitory rooms (3, northeast) — bunk beds; two empty, one occupied by goblins buying food on invasion day.
  • Locked door east — led to a room full of zombies (Settite business, left alone).
  • Wide, well-lit north-south passage — primary artery of the Forum.
  • Guard rooms (south of passage) — tables, chairs, dice.
  • Door spiked shut (west wall of passage) — Mithric lettering: “Set Vanquishes the Serpent”; painted warning in Archontean: “No access! Stay out! This means you!”
  • Magical Darkness area + plaque listing the Laws of the Forum. Goggles allow sight through the darkness.

The Forum Proper

  • Central forum area — large chamber, the heart of the compound. Contains a Set animal statue in the center (was emitting strange gas; neutralized in Session 46 by The GOAT).
  • Slaves were chained to the statue and to stakes in the northeast corner at the time of invasion.
  • Merchant stalls in the southeast: Galadnor (magical supplies, Elven spy), Horace Trych (goods, Lady Alexia’s agent), moneychanger’s stall (with stone chest, trapped).
  • Pantry to the north of the Forum (found in Session 44) — contained food given to goblins.

Western/Northwestern Territory

  • Guest rooms (unoccupied) — suitable for Teleport Rug use.
  • Settite vault (southwest, three keyholes) — contained coin, gems, magic items, weapons, supplies; guarded by a bipedal boar construct. Looted in Session 43c.
  • Spy tunnels behind a secret door (via boar statue room) — peepholes into several rooms; doors leading to: a map room, a room with a wraith (not defeated), and a room with a skeleton holding a platinum goblet.
  • Boar statue room with caged boars (killed by Vallium with the Returning Javelin in Session 44).
  • Sandy-floored area — hid giant scorpions and a buried strongbox (Session 44).
  • Library of Set — contains Alexandros the librarian; significant book collection.
  • Settite bedrooms — thoroughly searched in Session 44.
  • Helena the accountant’s office — She was captured in Session 43c.
  • Guard barracks and map room to the north.
  • Rough caverns to the north (not yet explored).

Ambassador Quarters (East/Southeast)

  • Rooms occupied by a Varumani ambassador (Yoburra) and Frost Giant ambassadors (asked about a human female wizard with long black hair).

Guild of Service Area (East)

  • Slave pits — four types found: better-fed slaves, average slaves, low-value slaves, and a pit of mostly dead/dying slaves.
  • All survivors freed and directed to Gosterwick.

Current Status (Session 44+)

Under goblin control. Gribble (Lord of the Goblin Forum) oversees security with a dozen goblin guards. The goblins are focused on making the route from Upper Goblintown to the Forum safe. A food stall is operated by Dworm (standing in until a proper merchant moves in). Varumani ambassadors are buying food from the surface and providing economic support. Several surface merchants (including Galadnor, Horace Trych, and Claudine of Narsileon) have stalls here.

Sources

Discord Insights

  • Visited by the party, contains a big statue of Set and a marketplace. (Discord Summary 2025-W23)
  • Location where red guardsmen were overheard whispering about escaped slaves. (Discord Summary 2025-W29)
  • The goblin prophet Gislu was spotted near this location. (Discord Summary 2025-W40)
  • In Session 34c prisoner testimony, Settite slavers sold captives to Tikun Thane through a slave market operating in/through the forum.

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