The Purple House

Astral Salem, Massachusetts

AI-generated renditions of the house. They're way off, but still have the same vibes. IYKYK.

Located near Astral Salem Commons, The Purple House was built as a sanctuary for The Order, a society dedicated to the study and practice of ancient and mystical arts. Its presence is a destination for initiates and a well-guarded secret from the mundane.

Inside The Purple House, vast libraries and hidden chambers hold ancient tomes, scrolls, and artifacts that date back to times immemorial. The Order's members convene here to exchange knowledge, conduct rituals, and strengthen their bonds. The house itself is said to be sentient, responding to the needs and commands of the members and protecting its secrets with myriad defensive spells.

A single, five-sided lantern hangs above the entrance, its ethereal light guiding the way for the true seekers of knowledge. This lantern is no ordinary beacon; it is imbued with a fragment of the house’s consciousness, capable of discerning the intentions of those who approach. It glows warmly for the members of The Order, welcoming them home, but dims and grows cold to those who bear ill will or curiosity untempered by wisdom.

The grounds surrounding The Purple House are patrolled by spectral guardians, invisible to all but the most perceptive. These watchers, remnants of ancient protectors bound by loyalty and duty, ensure that the sanctity of the house is maintained. They are known to intervene subtly, steering the curious away or clouding the memories of those who wander too close.

To reach The Purple House, one must first walk the correct path of Astral Salem Commons, which serves as both a meditation and a means of signaling intent. Only those with the knowledge of the correct path can approach its doors. Legends speak of an invisible map embedded into the town itself that guides the worthy through the Commons to the house's threshold.

Each year, as the veil between worlds thins during September and October, The Purple House cloaks itself from the prying eyes of tourists and the uninitiated. This shroud of secrecy ensures that the sacred rituals and gatherings of The Order remain undisturbed and that the true nature of the house is preserved. To outsiders, the house appears as a mundane structure, unworthy of attention. However, to members of The Order, it transforms into a grand sanctuary, with halls that echo with the wisdom of centuries.

The Underground Chamber

Salem is known for its intricate network of tunnels, built primarily in the 18th and 19th centuries. These tunnels, designed for the clandestine movement of goods and people, are a testament to Salem's rich maritime history. Over time, they have fallen into disrepair or filled in, effectively splitting the network in half. The first system of tunnels runs beneath the old waterfront and city hall, vital for merchants and ship captains seeking to bypass customs and tariffs. Another system, located near the customs house and the new waterfront, served a similar purpose, facilitating the discreet transportation of goods.

One of the known entrances to Salem's tunnels is near Rockafellas, a historic building with its own storied past. This entrance hints at the vast network that lies beneath the city, though much of it remains unexplored and inaccessible to the public. While the Rockafellas entrance is known, the locations of other entrances have been lost to time, shrouding them in mystery and speculation.

Amid these mundane tunnels, a third section has been reclaimed by The Order and sealed off from the rest. Within this reclaimed section, The Order conducts its most sacred and secretive ceremonies, safe from the prying eyes of tourists and the uninitiated. The Purple House conceals a hidden passage that leads directly to this underground chamber, providing a private entrance (or exit) for initiates. During tourist season, which coincides with their high holidays, they are transformed into a welcoming overflow space, providing respite to the many initiates who gather there each year and would otherwise not all fit in the house.