The Black Caverns

Discovered by miners in 7041, the cave system was thought to be a larger mine by a rival company of miners. When the miners of the company that discovered it were sent in, to mine inside, none returned. Later, it was learned that the Alan Threshal (more commonly known as the Black Caverns) are infested with creatures and structures that are alien in appearance. The Black Caverns are not a natural cave system, but instead a constructed megastructure underground. It is said to span between continents and underneath oceans, carved out over thousands of years, it expands deep beneath depths uninhabitable by surface creatures. This has led to creatures inhabiting it that would never exist on the surface. Like a world below the world, the caverns host species of plants, fungi and even animals. Each with distinct ecosystems and food chains. The caverns descend deeper than any may ever venture. Even the shallowest of depths harbour the most dangerous and dark environments on the Al. The inhabitants are alien in appearance and biology, having little in common with the world above. Making for a frightening sight for a would-be adventurer or expedition team. Perhaps the most elusive of the inhabitants are the Spynderian. Though the caverns extend far below the Al, only the shallows have been explored to even a small capacity. Currently, expeditions are difficult and expensive. Especially being that there are only three discovered entrances to the caverns, two in the Direlands and one in Alxeri. Though they were all once thought separate areas of the caverns, skeletons were found of adventurers from the Direlands down deep in the caverns, accessible through the Alxerian entrance.

Purpose / Function

Nobody really knows who created the Black caverns, though it is thought to have been built by the ancestors of the Spynderians. As many of the species have been seen digging out massive paths and areas for unknown reasons. The original creators of the caverns have long left, and partial remanents of them have been found in deeper recesses of the caverns. Though despite this, the Spynderian inhabitants seem to have no issue taking up permanent residence in them, creating large, rarely seen cities within.

Architecture

The walls are mostly bare and primitively burrowed stone, but in Spynderian-infested areas, deliberate and intricate carvings are engraved into the walls of the caves, as well as deliberately planned hallways and even ladders. Showing a clear and steady progression in culture and knowledge. The stylings are very sharp and jagged, with many sharp and deliberately obtuse angles. Some depictions of events, as well as uniform armies, occupations and celebrations, are also observed, leading many to believe the Spynderians are not mere mindless drones. Though outside of Spynderian-infested areas, there are strange and precise patterns that are formed in the caves that are unlike erosion or natural degradation. Which has led to the theory that the original creators of the caverns were massive insect-like beasts that burrowed into the land millions of years ago.

Alternative Names

Alan Threshan, Ni'aira Ulvan

Type

Catacomb

Parent Location

The Direlands