The Fade and Streckhorn

Because of the strong tie to the ancient past, Streckhorn is considered by most of the frontier cities to be the spiritual center of Aversill—a reputation that is nearly unaniomously supported by its own citizenry. Tales abound of “hidden staircases” that lead to tiers that appear only on full moons and the like. There are numerous rumors of doorways that appear to the blessed (or cursed) and countless tales of people who’ve gone up the wrong staircase never to be heard from again. In fact, the most popular work of literature from all of Aversill, “The Market of Archeon” concerns a traveler who stumbles upon a phantom tier where devils and demons are holding a market for human souls. The man finds his wife’s soul there and wonders at how the devil (Necrabon—a local legend) has gained possession of her spirit. Numerous possibilities are given, but there is no closure in this haunting tale. Gilfan (the poem’s hero) trades his soul for his beloved’s (Annatruce) and is imprisoned in her stead for all eternity. Less popular outside of Aversill, but more popular on the Sentinel Plains are the works of Allistair Stark (Tales of the Unknown Stair, Words of Wisdom, and the non-fiction work The Tiers of the Gods). Stark works generally in shorter poetic form putting local legends and superstitions into verse structure. The Tiers of the Gods is considered to be the premier guide to understanding the architectural complexities of Streckhorn.
Numerous works of art have their origins in Streckhorn (both due to its architecture and mystique). The fresco adorning the colony capital building in Seacourt, “Denzibal at Dawn” is considered the greatest work of Aversill’s most gifted painter, Halu Pehmions. All of the most famous studies of the Sentinel Plain were taken from the tiers of Streckhorn, and of course, the artists Jean Kandelbrot and Strinton Sheetcooper both hail from Streckhorn (Sheetcooper considers his art non-fade).
The strongest work of art to originate from Streckhorn is the very play that superstition prevents being produced in the city: The Geas of Codphetumos. Rumor has it aht if the play is performed in Streckhorn, all who watch it will suffer from the Geas. Sources vary as to what this will actually mean. According to legend, the play was delivered to its anonymous playwright the year Streckhorn was founded by Octavious Streck. It was produced later that year causing a citywide disaster.
The play has been produced several times in other cities without ill effect, but Streckhorn civil law expressly forbids production of the Geas of Codphetumos within fifty miles of the statue.