“Tomb” is perhaps something of a misnomer, as it implies a place of interment, of rest. The thing that was once war hero Hannibal T. Brant may be (strictly speaking) interred, but he definitely does not rest.
Brant spends periods in quiescence, so the solemnity of the monument is not disturbed for many visitors. Others are not so lucky. Brant rages within the burial vault, cursing those that imprisoned him and demanding release in a hoarse, but still commanding, voice. The doors shake with the force of his blows, but they hold—as they were made to do.
Even more unnerving are the times he begs or pleads, his voice quivering and broken with muffled sobs. There may a scratching sound, like nails dragged across stone. It can go on that way for hours. At times like these, some have been moved to cautiously approach and stare through the narrow gap in the vault doors—only recoil in horror at the glimpse of an angry yellow eye in a chalk white face, marred by spider-web cracks, staring back at them.
17 comments:
That was both very creepy and a little sad as well. It's hard not to feel a little sympathy for the creature. This is another one of those ideas that begs to be a short story!
The vignette is awesome; I like thinking about those early city founders that chose to imprison the "hero" Brant in the tomb rather than destroy him... was it out of kindness, pity, the inability to destroy Brant, or a kind of punishment? A warning to those who would cheat death - if you're caught, this could be you?
Very creepy, for what crime has he been interred for?
Thanks guys.
@Beedo & @Angry Lurker - Exactly the sort of questions it was meant to evoke. ;)
Evocative as always, Trey. I love these little insights into the city that spawn more questions than they answer.
Very creepy, wonder how long he's been there???
Thanks, Sean.
@Ray - Thanks. I'd say somewhere in the neighborhood of 70 years. ;)
Yes but is Brant really buried there at all?
An imposter? Could be!
Whatever it is in Brant's Tomb, the Hell Syndicate respects it. When low-level member of the Syndicate need neutral ground to meet on, it is almost always Brant's Tomb. They pour out a bottle of whiskey and that seems to placate the spirit for long enough for the meeting to conclude.
@seaofstarsrpg - Ah yes. A tidbit not found in the usual guidebooks...
More reason to be distrustful of guidebooks. Very eerie, and I love the questions too. I wonder at the consequences of letting him out...
@Porky - Probably best not to find out... ;)
Creepy… Yet I can see that fitting in really well in a fantasy city.
Nicely done!
Thanks, David.
Great stuff. Surely some scholar has taken it upon themselves to attempt to interview the thing in Brant's Tomb? The transcript from that (very likely magically enhanced) conversation could be floating around in raw manuscript form, getting passed from hand to hand and never allowed to be printed or shared outside of a tight-knit circle of those who would rather such things did not get into general circulation...unless something unexpected happened...like a sudden death followed by an ad hoc estate sale...or a theft...or maybe the dog-eared pages show up inside some old trunk, chest or piece of furniture in some obscure little shop...
@Netherwerks - Yes indeed. There's probably an adventure (or adventures) in that...
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