Catalyst Spire

A mysterious tower.

Elevation 1,370 feet.

Lore

The Catalyst Spire perches upon the northern tip of Coskiura, beyond Lake Bowman, amidst marshy wetlands. This mysterious structure predates the colonization of Ataland, apparently a relic of some earlier occupation. Alongside hosting a Giant Wolf Spider nest, strange monsters, unlike any seen elsewhere in Ataland, are said to roam the area.

Devoid of windows, doors, or internal chambers, the spire consists entirely of white stone blocks. Iron strips have been affixed to the stone at each corner of the octagonal tower, accentuating its angular facets. These strips seem to have been removed from the tower's lower section, presumably pilfered by a desperate soul willing to risk their life journeying here to haul away a few pounds of corroded iron.

Adjacent to the tower lies a broken tablet bearing text in an ancient language, from which the tower derived its name. The fragment in proto-elvish reads: "[...] worlds. This spire is a catalyst for [...]"

Unbeknownst to all, the Catalyst Spire is a magical device utilized to open portals between planes of existence. In its current state of disrepair, it occasionally opens portals to random worlds, sometimes even pulling a monster from another realm to here. While nearby, players might encounter the following monsters:

1d6
1	Giant Wolf Spider - CR 1/4
2	Hypercube - CR 1
3	Gibbering Mouther - CR 2
4	Ochre Jelly - CR 2
5	Chull - CR 4
6	Otyugh - CR 5

Revealing the tower's true function requires multiple successful Arcana checks over hours or days. Players may have to enlist the aid of scholars willing to help. If they are able to discover its secrets, they realize the missing iron strips must first be replaced to repair it and prevent creatures being drawn here. Once its secrets have been found and it has been repaired, a character with the the spell Plane Shift in their classes spell list may use the tower to cast that spell once per day without spending a spell-slot.

Use as a player starting point

The spire's malfunction is designed as a plot-hook to allow you to transfer and existing party of adventures from other settings in to Ataland. A portal opens beneath the party's feet, transporting them to 15 feet above the water of Lake Bowman.

If you wish to delay the party's return, additional requirements to opening a portal home can be added to those given above:

• The portal's location depends on specific astrological conjunctions.
• Controlling the spire requires an additional artifact, The Eye of The Spire, which could be anywhere...

Adventures

• Lost in Another World: An adventurer from another world wants to find her way home.

Travel

Occupants

The tower is unoccupied.

Itinerants

• Isumbrert Smokebuck of Peonyworth - Male Halfling Thug, age 105

Graves

At the edge of the tower, some gravestones.