In the enchanting city of Aosta, amidst the ancient walls and towers that whisper tales of centuries past, stands a place shrouded in an aura of mystery and fear: The Leper's Tower, or Tour du lépreux. This edifice, with roots stretching back to Roman times, is now one of the most intriguing landmarks of the Aosta Valley, a place where history and legend are inextricably intertwined.
The Leper's Tower was erected upon the ruins of an ancient Roman tower and was initially known as the Friour Tower or De Friours Tower, named after the noble family that resided within its walls. First mentioned in a document dating back to 1191, the tower formed part of a defensive complex that also included the Decumana Gate, which has since vanished.
As the centuries rolled by, the tower fell into disuse and was rechristened the Tour de la frayeur ("Tower of Dread"), a name that hints at the unsettling tales that surround it. In 1773, the Mauritian Order acquired the structure and repurposed it to house Pietro Bernardo Guasco, a leper hailing from Oneglia. His tragic story served as the inspiration for the novel "Le lépreux de la cité d'Aoste," penned in 1811 by Xavier de Maistre, which helped immortalise the tower under its current moniker.
The tower boasts a square-plan structure of Roman origin, embellished with medieval additions. Among these, a narrow spiral staircase turret on the western corner stands out, complete with battlements and an array of windows from various eras. The cross windows on the southern side are particularly captivating, considered among the most elegant in the region.
Within our Magica Vallee, the tower takes on an even more sinister and alluring role. We have reimagined this tower as the abode of a fearsome lineage: the Pleoz, a family that, in reality, inhabited the tower for a mere few years before its abandonment.
In our alternate history, the tower has become the stronghold of the Tengu or Kenku, devious and enigmatic creatures . Thanks to its strategic location near the city's western gate, the Tengu can observe passersby and meticulously select their victims, favouring the wealthiest merchants for their ambushes.
For players of Magica Vallee, the Ltower represents a locale brimming with narrative possibilities and epic challenges. Here, characters can not only explore a symbol steeped in history and mystery, but also confront its perilous inhabitants within their very lair. Infiltrating the ranks of the Tengu, cunning and shadowy beings, and unearthing the secrets of the Pleoz house presents an opportunity to test one's courage and resourcefulness.
Magica Vallee is more than just a setting: it is a living world, where every tower, every castle, and every forest conceals stories waiting to be told. Prepare to explore the Tower of Terror and embark on an unforgettable adventure, where every choice can alter the course of history!
#fantasy #medievalfantasy #magicallee #aosta #leperstower