The Octagonal Tomb
"The tower is octagonal, rising in storeys like tree rings towards the cavern roof. Dark mosaics in ancient style suggest that this was perhaps, a tomb."
"From somewhere deep, deep below comes a low and persistent rumbling sound. It might almost be snoring."[1]
The Octagonal Tomb is a mausoleum in the Hinterlands that houses the Sleeping Merchant.[2] It is ancient and labyrinthine, rising above the ground in several stories. Within the tomb are painted figures missing their eyes, and a strange rumbling is audible from beneath.[3]
During the time of the First City,[4] the Merchant made a deal with the Creditor[5] that landed the Bazaar in severe debt.[6][7] To delay the payment, the Masters sealed him in eternal sleep and interred him in the Tomb.[8][2] In Parabola, Mr Mirrors[9] shrouded the Merchant's dreams in gant,[10] preventing him from being woken.[11] Should these protections fail,[12] the debt will be due,[13] with potentially ruinous consequences.[14]
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