Abyssal Layer 115

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Just Surviving Abyssal Layer 115 Copyright © 2000 by William NorthernCat's Meow, Slow Death

All-devouring darkness, instant shock, ominous dread, fear of being watched, being followed, being tracked. All of these feelings and darker thoughts still assail any unfortunate berk upon discovering this fell place. The 115th layer of the Abyss is called the Cat's Meow, but is equally known as simply "Slow Death" by the two hapless survivors that managed a report before dying.

Special Physical ConditionsComplete darkness envelops all who enter the Cat's Meow with the thickness of a dense fog. Even magical forms of light are hungrily devoured by the darkness within seconds (similar to blindness; a cutter can't see two feet in front of him). Since the darkness is so thick, no one knows if there is a sun, moon, or star in the blank sky. In a mockery of the passage of time, the layer fades to ambiguous shades of dark grey (comparable to day time) for a period of time before returning to the permeating black blanket. The grey over cast is still dark, although visibility increases up to nearly ten feet.

Infravision and Ultravision function with a -30% penalty on accuracy (on a successful save) where a fail renders that ability useless (-85% penalty on accuracy).

The ground is solid, but severely broken and uneven. Movement is therefore extremely difficult and time consuming (as a berk would literally have to feel their way along). A slight breeze rises and falls from all directions in a random pattern thus making any basic attempt at direction navigation almost impossible. The air has a chill in it and there is the definite feeling of an approaching storm. The temperature is near freezing but tolerable.

Special Magical ConditionsAs stated earlier, no light sources (of any kind) will function on the Cat's Meow. The effect has similarities to a triple strength continual darkness spell. However, the darkness of this layer will consume all light sources at all times. The various breezes that blow from every direction are actually the magical remains of energy expulsion from failed spells (while on the Cat's Meow). All other spells have a 50% chance of immediate failure due to the disorientation, uneven ground, and lack of visibility.

Native InhabitantsThe only creatures that thrive on this desolate layer are the Cat Hair. They prey on all intruders (especially tanar'ri) that have the misfortune to discover the Cat's Meow. They do not suffer any penalties due to the darkness as they hunt based on body warmth. The creatures are blood thirsty and will always attack (after all, food isn't that plentiful).

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