Phantom Gatekeeper

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The Phantom Gatekeeper was a mocking representation of the goddess Lorminstra. It was a dark, hooded figure who guarded the cursed gate of The Graveyard, slamming it shut and shaking its keys at trespassers. These were symbolic of the Keys to the Gates of Oblivion, which were opened by the keys of "Life" and "Death". There was also a key for the "Void", the forbidden one which must never be used. The Void were demonic planes of existence, most notably the Pales, which were often associated with the Unlife.

The gate would look like it was on fire, due to being made out of bronze, but topped with iron. When blasted open, the iron hinges released a blizzard of dark red rust, resembling a flame burst.

Phantoms were significant for having no awareness of their past or present state of existence, originating in very long imprisonments that bind them in eternal hopelessness. This may have been symbolic of Oblivion, where identity and memory washed away. The Empress Kadaena was portrayed grotesquely, possibly emphasizing her transformative nature. The Dark Path was seemingly proposing being "lost to the demonic" as a superior fate to Death. It was obsessed with "everlasting existence", and may have involved transforming souls into demonic.

Behind The Scenes

The Phantom Gatekeeper tells you that you are not welcome in The Afterlife. Or that you are not allowed to leave.

A cool breeze sweeps around the gate, sending a shiver down your spine.

Suddenly, a Phantom Gatekeeper appears.

The Phantom Gatekeeper moans loudly as he shakes a set of keys at you. He slams the gate closed, checks the lock, then disappears in another chilly swirl of air.

The Graveyard Gate.

[Graveyard]
A massive bronze gate spans the path, blocking the way north. On either side are high stone walls surmounted with jagged rocks. Now green and pitted, the gate is still locked shut by a rusted chain fastened with an ancient padlock. A cast likeness of the goddess Lorminstra, Keeper of the Gates of Oblivion, her Staff of Doom in hand, and a grotesque statue of the Empress Gosaena are the main motifs of the elaborately decorated portal. You also see a dirt path.
Obvious paths: none.

>l gate
The massive bronze gate is wrought with strange and marvelous metalwork beneath the tarnish. Although topped with sharp, menacing spikes, it looks possible to climb it.
It is closed.

>look chain
The chain is rusted but intact. It is long enough to leave sufficient slack should that be needed.

>l padlock
The padlock is old and corroded, its mechanism frozen shut by rust.

>climb gate
You carefully grab hold of the sharp grill work and begin to work your way up it.

[Graveyard, Top of Gate]
You find yourself hanging from the ornate ironwork of this gate, the top of which consists of rows of sharp iron spikes pointing straight up. You might be able to vault over them, but that is best left to the acrobats.
Obvious paths: down

>jump
With characteristic daring, you decide to vault over the spikes!
With the grace of a swan you swing yourself over the deadly barbs and drop to the other side of the gate.

The huge gate shudders violently! Dark red flakes of rust fall from its massive hinges like a blizzard of bloodstained snow as it slowly swings open.