The Skyward Pillars

Ancient monolithic spires of stone, rumored to have once been the site of a forgotten civilization that tried to harness the power of the Everstorm. The storm often lingers here, as if drawn to something buried beneath.

The Skyward Pillars remain largely unclaimed, as they are shrouded in mystery and danger. However, several factions interact with or lay spiritual or ancestral claims to the area:

• The Stormcallers – A sect of mystics and sky-worshippers who believe the Everstorm is a living god. They make pilgrimages to the Pillars, attempting to decipher the ancient runes left behind by the civilization that once dwelled here.
• The Windcloaks – A nomadic airborne people, rumored to descend from the lost civilization of the Pillars. They ride upon tamed storm drakes and build their homes in the crevices of the monoliths, appearing only when the Everstorm is near.
• The Arcane Seekers – A secretive order of mages and scholars who theorize that the Skyward Pillars are not natural formations, but instead the remnants of colossal constructs designed to control the weather or channel raw arcane energy. They conduct forbidden experiments among the ruins, hoping to unlock their secrets.

No single faction rules the Pillars, but those who venture there must contend with both natural and supernatural forces.

Despite its allure, the Skyward Pillars remain treacherous—full of dangers that claim the unwary, making them an ever-present challenge for those who dare venture within their strange, mystical realms.

The Skyward Pillars are a realm of forgotten power, unrelenting storms, and ancient mystery. They remain an untamed and enigmatic landmark, where knowledge, danger, and supernatural forces collide.

Purpose / Function

The Skyward Pillars were not a natural formation but rather the remains of a colossal, ancient arcane construct built by a now-forgotten civilization. Their primary purpose remains unclear, but several theories abound:

1. Arcane Energy Conduits – The most widely accepted theory is that the Pillars were designed to channel and amplify the raw energies of the Everstorm. These energies were either used for powering a civilization’s technologies, or they could have been tapped to control the weather and other environmental factors across the continent. The Pillars were likely meant to serve as antennas or conduits, drawing in the energy from the storms and focusing it into magical rituals or vast, city-wide energy grids.
2. Gateway to the Heavens – Another popular belief is that the Pillars were constructed as a gateway to the sky, perhaps linking the mortal world with another plane of existence. Some scholars believe the ancient civilization sought to ascend or make contact with higher beings or gods by aligning their constructions with the storm.
3. A Civilization’s Last Stand – Some theorize that the Pillars were not only a structure of power but a fortress or defensive system built to protect the civilization from an incoming, cataclysmic threat. This theory suggests that the society behind the Pillars either anticipated or caused a world-altering event, utilizing the energy of the Everstorm to defend their cities from enemies or natural disasters.

Alterations

Over the millennia, the Skyward Pillars have undergone significant alterations, both natural and artificial.

1. Arcane Wear – Storm strikes and the passage of time have caused magical wear and tear. Many of the Pillars are cracked, with ancient, arcane runes eroded or twisted, no longer legible but still pulsing with latent energy. The magical energy seems to have taken on a life of its own, warping the stones and creating floating platforms, shifting paths, and gravity-defying rock formations.
2. Structural Changes – The original civilization’s grand architecture has crumbled, leaving only ruins. Bridges, walkways, and living quarters have fallen or been buried under rubble. In some places, only the bases of former Pillars remain, standing like giant, broken fingers reaching toward the heavens.
3. Interventions by New Inhabitants – Over the centuries, nomads, mages, and mystics have added their mark on the Pillars. Ladders, ropes, and platforms have been added to allow easier access to higher levels, while new constructions, such as sacred shrines and temples to unknown deities, dot the landscape.
4. Supernatural Influence – The presence of the Everstorm has caused strange alterations. Some believe that the storm itself has reshaped the land, affecting the architecture of the Pillars, possibly even imparting sentience to certain sections of the ruins, causing them to shift, rearrange, or even block access to certain areas.

Architecture

The architecture of the Skyward Pillars is unlike anything seen in the modern world, as it is a hybrid of advanced magic and brutal construction, designed for both functionality and symbolism.

• Monolithic Spires: The most dominant feature of the Pillars are the tall, stone spires, ranging in size from hundreds of feet to over a thousand feet tall. These spires were likely the focal points of energy manipulation, constructed from ancient stones that are imbued with a combination of arcane power and dense, durable minerals.
• Floating Platforms and Bridges: The platforms that connect the spires are suspended in mid-air by a combination of magical energy and the natural forces of the Everstorm. The bridges between the pillars are composed of unbreakable, glowing materials that have withstood centuries of wear and lightning strikes.
• Runic Engravings: Each spire and many of the surrounding structures are covered in intricate runes that appear to be both arcane and religious in nature, suggesting that the builders worshipped an unknown pantheon or perhaps a singular god tied to the storm. Some of these runes still carry magical potency, acting as energy nodes, but many are incomplete or corrupted due to the passage of time.
• Cavernous Interiors: Inside the pillars, the walls are lined with arcane chambers, likely used for conducting rituals or storing vast quantities of magical artifacts. The rooms are often dark and filled with magical energy that creates strange effects, such as glowing walls, levitating objects, or even shifting floors. Many of these interiors remain untouched by time, hidden deep within the stone.

Defenses

The Skyward Pillars were built with several defensive features, likely to protect the civilization against attacks or to harness and control the Everstorm’s energy.

1. Lightning Shields – Many of the spires are surrounded by crackling energy fields that act as natural barriers. These barriers can release discharges of lightning to ward off intruders or attackers, striking with deadly force. The fields appear to respond to intrusion or movement, becoming more intense the closer one gets to the center of the Pillars.
2. Automated Constructs – There are rumors of arcane constructs, possibly golems or elemental beings, that still wander the ruins, defending the ancient secrets of the Skyward Pillars. They are said to be dormant until provoked, activating when the Everstorm reaches its peak.
3. Mystical Traps – Scholars and adventurers have reported encountering magical traps within the Pillars. These include illusionary walls, arcane sigils that cause hallucinations or memory loss, and time-bending effects where days and hours can stretch out or shrink unpredictably.

History

The Skyward Pillars were created by an ancient, advanced civilization whose name has been lost to time. This civilization seemed to possess incredible knowledge of magic, as well as the ability to control the forces of nature itself, particularly the Everstorm.

• The civilization’s ruins suggest they were highly intelligent and possibly even technologically advanced for their time, utilizing both arcane rituals and engineered structures to manipulate the very forces of the weather.
• It is believed that the civilization fell suddenly, either due to a cataclysmic event, a rift between the people and the gods, or perhaps the overuse of the storm’s power, which caused their civilization to collapse. The Pillars, however, remain as silent witnesses to their downfall, standing as a reminder of their power, hubris, and eventual demise.

Tourism

Despite the dangers, the Skyward Pillars are a fascinating and haunting destination for adventurers, scholars, and mystics. However, access is difficult, and only the most well-prepared dare approach the region.

1. Scholars – Those seeking to uncover ancient knowledge or study the arcane runes will come to the Skyward Pillars, hoping to decipher their meanings or unlock the secrets of the Everstorm. Some even hope to find lost artifacts of the forgotten civilization.
2. Adventurers – For those in search of treasure, the Skyward Pillars offer untold riches, such as Storm Quartz, Zephyrite Ore, or magical relics that may still lie hidden within the ruins. Many also seek to battle the arcane constructs or the creatures that call the Pillars home.
3. Pilgrims – Some, especially the Windcloaks and Stormcallers, view the Skyward Pillars as sacred ground. They journey there for spiritual reasons, hoping to commune with the ancient spirits or even gain favor from the forces of the Everstorm.

Type

Ruins

Parent Location

The Storm Plains

Included Locations

• Skyspire Bastion

Contested By

• Arcane Seekers
• Stormcallers
• Windcloaks

Related Materials

• Everfrost Ore
• Storm Quartz
• Stormglass
• Zephyrite Ore