BRIDGE TOWN CATACOMBS

 

Details: The catacombs of Bridge Town are somewhat new, compared to the rest of the settlement. They were built at the beginning of The Age of Restoration, after the order to burn the dead was given throughout Calibor. The natural limestone caves within The Tŵr were expanded and reinforced with marble and sandstone to create beautiful villa-like areas where the statues of the dead may gather as if in conversation or observance. Their life-like, late-Lumenorian style makes the statues seem almost as if they will move and begin interacting with the people who come to see them. Aqueducts provide water and pressure to the fountains detailing gods and heroes of old overseeing mirror-like pools that keep the air cool and clear in the catacombs. The railings around the pools are low enough to sit on, so the living can sit and reflect on their passed loved ones. All the areas in the catacombs highlighted with red are areas that feature specially-designed niches with statues of the dead inside. They each stand erect, faces frozen in a visage indicative of the person's personality. In their cupped hands held waist high is the deceased person's skull upon which the living drape flowers and garments and anything else they want to leave in honour of the dead. Articles are sometimes left at the feet of the sculpture. Poems on parchment, bottles of favoured vintages and liquors. The narrower tunnels snake around the outer edges of the major 'grottos' (each with a different name and theme), leading into the dark of the earth where few tread, if they knew what was good for them. Though mostly safe from nearly every threat, the narrower tunnels can be dangerous due to cave-ins, snags, pits, and sharp rocks. However, skulkers have been known to sneak in through cracks in the earth. They infest the catacombs, every now and again, so they are routinely checked for 'vermin', then cleansed, and any cracks found through which the skulkers can enter are filled with cement or pitch. The postern gate and pathway from Dragonstone Keep leads here and skirts the catacombs to the west. Special oil lamps are provided just inside the entry on both sides. They can be carried around, as long as the visitors wish to stay, though hours are restricted from dawn to dusk.