Sternwecht Plaza

Background:
Sternwecht Plaza was once the heart of Altenheim, not just in its geographic location but in its spiritual significance. Named for its connection to the stars, it was said that the plaza was an ancient astronomical observation point. Here, scholars and astronomers would gather under the vast expanse of the night sky to study celestial patterns. Over time, it also became a meeting point for the Abendfolk to celebrate the changing seasons, equinoxes, and solstices.

As the city expanded, the clear views of the sky became obscured, but Sternwecht Plaza remained a symbol of unity and hope, and gatherings continued. Stone circles marked the points of significant celestial events, and a central obelisk, etched with ancient runes, stood tall in the middle.

The Plaza was destroyed by the arcane bomb from the Celestial Gate fanatics, turning it from a bustling social hub into a wasteland of magical anomalies and unknown threats.

Locations

1. Sternwecht Obelisk: The central monument etched with ancient runes, which is now cracked and releasing sporadic magical bursts.
2. The Celestial Dome: Once an observatory, now half-destroyed, but perhaps some of its ancient telescopes still work or hold secrets.
3. Guardians’ Sanctuary: Hidden chambers beneath the plaza where the Sternwecht Guardians kept their knowledge and artifacts. Its entrance is now concealed by the chaos.
4. Nighthawk’s Den: Tunnels branching out from the city’s old sewer system. The Nighthawks have turned them into a black market maze.
5. Plaza Market Stalls: Twisted and charred remnants of what once was a bustling marketplace. Some items might still be salvageable or carry hidden magic.
6. Echoing Library: On the fringe of the Plaza, a library that miraculously survived the explosion but is now haunted by the magical echoes of its patrons.
7. The Astral Fountain: Once flowed with crystal-clear water, rumored to reflect the night sky. Now, it occasionally spouts unpredictable magical effects.
8. Ruined Residences: The once-proud homes of scholars and merchants, these buildings might hide personal treasures or dangers.
9. Starshine Bridge: A once-gleaming bridge that connected two parts of the Plaza. It’s now unstable but might be the only path to certain areas.
10. The Whispering Grove: A small park with trees that once seemed to shimmer under the starlight. Now the trees murmur with the trapped souls of those lost in the blast.

Encounters

1. A Solemn Ritual: The Sternwecht Guardians attempt to calm the area’s chaotic magic. They might seek the party’s assistance or view them with suspicion.

2. Dark Ambitions: The party stumbles upon Celestial Gate Remnants performing a sinister ritual. Confrontation can lead to combat or tense negotiations.

3. Underground Deals: In the Nighthawk’s Den, members of the Nighthawks present a shady offer, trading rare artifacts for the party’s services.

4. Ethereal Whispers: As they wander near the Echoing Library, the party is guided or warned by Lost Souls, providing clues or potential side quests.

5. City’s Demand: Altenheim Enforcers challenge the party’s presence in the Plaza. Depending on the party’s diplomacy, this can escalate or be peacefully resolved.

6. Shady Proposition: An Augustine Emissary approaches with an enticing but potentially dangerous offer. The party must weigh the benefits against potential moral quandaries.

7. Underdepth Syndicate Ambush: As the party investigates the Ruined Residences, they may find themselves ambushed by Underdepth Syndicate seeking to protect their newfound territory.

8. Astral Waters: Upon approaching the Astral Fountain, the waters unpredictably surge with magic, granting a boon or bane to those nearby.

9. Specter’s Plea: Within the Whispering Grove, a particularly lucid specter might seek the party’s help in finding peace or resolving unfinished business.

10. Unearthed Secrets: Deep within the Guardians’ Sanctuary, the party uncovers relics or writings hinting at the Plaza’s true significance or foreshadowing future events.

11. The Thaumaturge: The Tower

    • Elara Thornspeak: Gnome
      • Presence: She’s currently stationed at a makeshift camp littered with arcane apparatus at the heart of Sternwecht Plaza. The swirling mists seem to be drawn to her location, forming mysterious patterns.
      • Goal: Elara is trying to reverse-engineer the catastrophe, believing that such a surge of power can be channeled for beneficial purposes. She hopes to rebuild the Plaza and fortify its magical defenses.
      • Activity: When the party encounters her, she’s amidst a ritual, chanting and directing energies into a crystal orb, which acts as a focal point for her spells.

12. The Celestial Gate Remnants: The Dome

    • Brother Halgrim: Human
      • Presence: He’s located deep within the ruins, where the explosion’s epicenter seems to have been. Blue flames dance around him, symbolizing the raw power he’s harnessing.
      • Goal: Halgrim wishes to further destabilize the region, using the Plaza as a nexus to spread chaos across Altenheim and beyond.
      • Activity: As the party stumbles upon him, Halgrim and his followers are performing a dark ritual. The ground quakes slightly, and the sky darkens as they channel energies from the abyss.

13. The Ebon Syndicate: The Statue

    • Lysa “Nightshade” Breck: Elf
      • Presence: Lysa operates from a hidden underground vault, accessible through secret entrances within the Plaza’s ruins.
      • Goal: She’s keen on accumulating magical artifacts, intending to bolster the Syndicate’s power, ensuring they remain Altenheim’s dominant underground force.
      • Activity: When the party encounters her, she’s in the process of appraising a newly acquired artifact, a jeweled dagger that seems to shimmer even in dim light.

14. Lost Souls: The Three Part Building - Augustine Warehause

    • Lady Elsbeth: Human
      • Presence: She lingers near the remains of the Warehouse, a once grand structure now reduced to rubble and ash.
      • Goal: Apart from her wish to have her locket back, Lady Elsbeth wishes to convey a message that she is sorry for the mistake.
      • Activity: The party might hear her mournful singing before they see her, a haunting melody of sorrow and loss.

15. The Enforcers: The Sqare Building - Captain Erhardt Stein: Dwarf - Presence: Captain Stein has set up a command tent at the Plaza’s perimeter, a strategic point where they can monitor all activities. - Goal: Stein’s ultimate aim is to restore order to Sternwecht Plaza and ensure the safety of Altenheim’s citizens. He’s also keen on rooting out any potential conspirators behind the explosion. - Activity: When encountered, Stein is discussing plans with his lieutenants, mapping out patrols, and strategizing on how to handle the various factions vying for control within the Plaza.

16. The Augustine Emissary: The Church

    • Sir Cedric Moore: Hafling
      • Presence: Cedric is holed up in a luxurious carriage parked at a discreet distance from the Plaza, guarded by private mercenaries.
      • Goal: He aims to erase any evidence linking the Augustine Trading Company to the bombing. Acquiring the trade journal is paramount, but he’s also gathering information on the other factions.
      • Activity: As the party meets him, Cedric is sipping wine, going over a ledger, and discussing with his advisor about the potential fallout of the incident on their business empire.