Tolgorith Tower: Surviving the Venomous Ruins
Once a towering monument to the power of House Gullion, Tolgorith Tower was Holoth’s most imposing structure — an immense stalagmite reshaped through dark magic and the might of the Vidrefacte. The drow who dwelled within ruled through cruelty and domination, their influence fueled by the artifact’s soul-burning power.
But when Tolgorith Tower fell, it left more than just crumbled stone and shattered ambition. During the final battle, a portal to the Demiplane of Venom — a twisted realm of corrupted flesh and poisonous air — briefly opened and infected the ruins. Though the portal has since closed, its venomous influence lingers, reshaping the wreckage into a labyrinth of toxins, warped magic, and seething corruption.
As a result, the ruins of Tolgorith Tower are now among Hopeholme’s most dangerous and mysterious locations. A sickly fog of venom clings to the broken walls. Warped stone pulses with unnatural veins, and webs of acidic silk hang like curtains from the ceiling. Even the Coalition avoids the ruins, unwilling to face what festers within.
Yet still, adventurers come.
A Corrupted Landscape
The influence of the Demiplane of Venom transformed Tolgorith Tower from a broken fortress into a living nightmare. The air is thick with venomous mist that irritates skin and clouds the mind. Furthermore, prolonged exposure can lead to hallucinations, madness, or physical mutations — some believe the corruption may even alter one’s soul.
Venom-filled pools bubble up from cracks in the stone. Debris writhes at the touch. Some parts of the ruins twitch and pulse as if still alive, echoing with the breath of the Demiplane. Coalition scouts have attempted brief incursions, but few returned unscathed — and none dared linger.
However, despite the danger, some drow have vanished into the toxic fog seeking escape, secrecy, or strange power.
What Draws Adventurers to Tolgorith Tower?
Despite its dangers, many brave the venomous ruins in search of:
- Lost Relics of House Gullion: Before its collapse, Gullion’s matron hid powerful magical artifacts. Rumors claim these relics — including those touched by the Vidrefacte — remain buried beneath the rubble.
- Forgotten Drow Lore: Tolgorith Tower once housed forbidden magical research and records of Holoth’s darkest history. In fact, some scholars and arcane scavengers believe fragments of that knowledge still exist.
- Twisted Alchemy: Venom-touched flora and volatile chemical reactions attract poisoners and alchemists. Those willing to experiment may uncover dangerous new compounds or enhancements.
- Refuge and Desperation: Drow exiles and drider outcasts have taken shelter within the ruins, hiding from Coalition control. These desperate survivors sometimes form enclaves or strike alliances — or descend into madness.
Dangers Within the Ruins
Few who enter the ruins return unchanged — or alive. The influence of the Demiplane has spawned venomous horrors: mutated spiders, tendrils that lash from shadows, and drider-like abominations corrupted beyond reason.
Some rooms echo with psychic whispers — echoes of suffering, memories distorted by the Demiplane’s magic. These fragments, consequently, may mislead explorers… or lead them deeper toward forbidden truths.
And the ruin itself resists exploration. Shifting debris, unstable staircases, and collapsing platforms create constant peril. Traps left by retreating drow or laid by scavengers add further danger.
Opportunities Amidst the Chaos
Those who survive may claim:
- Legendary Relics: Artifacts imbued with necrotic or venomous power.
- Venom-Infused Crafting Materials: From toxin-soaked stone to mutated silk and flora, resourceful adventurers may collect alchemical treasures.
- Political Leverage: Uncovering secrets about House Gullion or the Vidrefacte could provide critical leverage in Hopeholme’s shifting alliances.
Meanwhile, driders, rogue houses, and resistance agents have begun staking claims within the tower. Some even whisper that a new power — spawned from the lingering venom — stirs in the depths.
Tolgorith Tower Awaits
Tolgorith Tower is more than a ruin — it’s a festering wound upon Hopeholme, steadily leaking venom and secrets into the Underdark. For players in Rise of the Drow: After the Fall, it serves as a crucible of horror, corruption, and opportunity.
Do you dare brave the labyrinth? Will you claim forbidden power, restore lost legacies, or instead become twisted by the Demiplane’s lingering touch?
Rise of the Drow: After the Fall 🕷️
The City Has Fallen — Will You Rebuild, Rebel, or Rule?
The mighty drow city of Holoth lies in ruin, its elegant towers shattered, its streets filled with conflict and opportunity. The Coalition’s brutal occupation tightens its grip, but beneath the watchful eyes of their guards, power shifts in the shadows.
You are drow. Now is your chance to take the power back.