The Hippodrome is a subterranean arena that stages horse-races of a magical kind, drawing a mixed throng of men and others — wealthy patrons among them, and a marked minority of elven spectators. It keeps apart from the public spectacles of the ancient Hippodrome plaza above, and so contrives an atmosphere at once lively and a little clandestine. Somewhat reduced from its old grandeur, the structure yet holds some hundreds of onlookers, all keen to lay their wagers upon spectral horses that glow blue and green. No races are run upon a Saturday; the next is appointed for another day, and the knowing counsel one another to "bet on Green."
Gizem Faruki, a baker of the neighbourhood, first heard of the Hippodrome from her neighbours Yusuf and Osman, who spoke of a novel diversion to be found there. Osman pressed an invitation upon Gizem and warned her, gravely, that "the horses are not real." The affair is held near the Theodosius Obelisk, which serves as the appointed place of meeting. Its buried situation and the fantastical cast of its contests conspire to lend the place its allure, and have made it a chief resort of pleasure in the Undercity.
At a recent meeting an elven woman was seen to work a necrotic debilitation upon one of the spectral horses in the stables, which argued foul play. The races included a Green-team chariot that faltered as one of its horses weakened, to the great vexation of the crowd; and the same elven woman was afterward observed murmuring to Chique Manu, a bookmaker, a circumstance that hinted at collusion between them. When the race was done, a pervading enchantment was detected throughout the Hippodrome, the whole fabric being steeped in magical energy.
Of late the venue has come to be called the Spectral Hippodrome, where chariots and their ghostly drivers vie in ethereal contest. It keeps a stabling-ground to which the racers return after their runs, and is so charged with magic that any particular enchanted article is hard to distinguish amidst the general glamour. Among the exchanges there, a Blue rider was heard to wish for the death of Emperor Justinian. The races were thrown into disorder when only the Green team appeared upon the track, whereupon the event was cancelled and put off; and it was further learned that the Crown of Sargon may be found beneath the Maiden Tower, a place of moment to the labours now in hand.