D10: Numenera Rumours – The University of Doors

Numenera Cover
TM and © 2019 Monte Cook Games, LLC.

Numenera is a game published by Monte Cook Games. Its setting is the Ninth World, and this list has ten rumours for that setting. The rumours, which are similar to the Hearsay that can be found in the official books, can be used as adventure hooks or as simple misinformation.

  1. Few of those who stumble across the University of Doors through one of its portals are allowed to actually enter and study at the university, not even allowed inside the chimerical gatewall that surrounds the place. It’s rumoured that the percentage has been gradually reducing over the years, which may suggest that the number of people finding the university is increasing, but the number considered suitable students is not.
  2. Just as the Hinge Lab separated from the Science Lab in the University of Doors, there’s a push to create other labs for the other different elements of a door. So far, this hasn’t got anywhere, as it’s stated to be needless complication, but that hasn’t stopped people from trying.
  3. Living passages, including some that are sentient, are studied in the Atrium in University of Doors. Some postulate it may be possible to create an entire, living, network of passages to wrap around the Ninth World, and that this network could also become a vast intelligence. Others agree, but state this sounds like a very bad idea.
  4. Sajeen Dar is the current headstone of the University of Doors and is coming to the end of his ten-year term. Former headstones can go through one final door; after which they may never go through a door again unless invited to do so by the holder of that door, or be hunted down and killed by the gibbs. It’s rumoured that this headstone is trying to find a way around this, and has been lavishing money and resources around secretly with this aim.
  5. The Archivolt is a flock of mechanical birds shaped like keys that fly around and through the doors in the chimerical wall that surrounds the University of Doors. The Archivolt appear to take pleasure in harassing would-be students, and there’s a rumour that, if a student is utterly unsuited, the Archivolt may turn violent.
  6. The End of Doors is a building on the campus of the University of Doors that has only one, simple door and contains an empty space without doors, given students and staff a break from doors. There’s a rumour, though, that the empty space is itself a type of door, a very unusual one that is difficult to open.
  7. The locked passageways, often called diums, through which prospective students may reach the University of Doors, can be found anywhere in the world and made of anything. There’s a rumour that, sometimes, what appears to be a dium is something different. It provides access to another location; this is not the university, however, but a far darker place.
  8. The Science Lab of the University of Doors has an infamous recent history involving an exploding double-door. Rumour has it that this explosion wasn’t simply the result of an accident, but that someone deliberately sabotaged an experiment, for an unknown reason, to cause it to fail dramatically.
  9. The University of Doors is located in an alternate universe, but its actual location is kept secret, including from the university’s students and staff, with access through doors hidden around the world. There’s a rumour that, over the years, more than one person has attempted to find the university’s true location. It’s said that those that try eventually walk through a door but fail to come out the other side.
  10. Those who wish to enter the University of Doors must solve a puzzle given by the Archivolt, which gives them a clue as to what they need to create to enter. There are rumours, though, that the Archivolt sometimes gives out clues that, if solved, do not open a door to the university, a way of weeding out those who are considered unsuitable, not merely for the university, but life itself.

Want some items that could be used as oddities? Check out 100 Xenoarchaeological Finds.

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A Treat

Sword
Some artwork © 2015 Dean Spencer, used with permission. All rights reserved.

A Treat is a piece of fiction for Ironfire: The City of Steel one of the supplements for Cities of Sundara, which is available in versions for 5th Edition and Pathfinder.

“If you’re not careful, you’ll wear it out with your eyes.”

The comment drew Kalem’s attention away from the blade he was admiring. He looked over at the weaponsmith in the shop in the Stone Pole district of Ironfire.

“Just kidding,” said the heavily-tattooed Takitori dwarf proprietor of the shop. “Dragon steel doesn’t wear out that easily, of course. But you’ve been fixated on that sword for a good chunk of time.”

“It’s a beautiful weapon,” Kalem said.

“Of course it is!” was the dwarf’s response. “I made it!” Though the dwarf still had a broad smile on his face, it was clear he did have pride in his craftsmanship. Justifiable pride, Kalem thought, looking around the, to him, uncomfortably warm, shop. The Takitori’s love of fire went well with the vulcanism of the Ironfire region, and the dwarf had the place at a temperature he probably considered ‘comfortable’ and most other beings ‘sweltering’ bordering on ‘cooked.’ The dwarf wasn’t the only one enjoying the heat; a cinderscale lizardfolk was also busily hammering away next to the forge. Far closer than Kalem could have stood without going up in flames.

“Are you interested in buying?” asked the dwarf.

Kalem nodded his assent and replied “I’ve just finished a very good job and I’ve always wanted a dragon steel sword. I’m going to treat myself.”

“Pick it up then and let’s see how it goes.”

Kalem did as told, performing several moves with the blade. “Hmm,” said the dwarf, peering at the grip. “That’s just a standard demonstration handle fitted to the blade. If you buy, we’ll add one that’s designed for you. A good sword needs a good handle. And this is a good sword. If I do say so myself. Don’t worry; it’s included in the price.” He mentioned a number.

Kalem gulped a bit, but they’d gone in knowing what the sword would cost. And the dwarf was right. It was a very good sword. And it had been a very good contract, so he could buy it.

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