Tetherfall

Nestled within the jagged cliffs of the Wyrmspine Gorge, the town of Tetherfall serves as a unique and mysterious home for the Kor people. The Wyrmspine Gorge, formed mysteriously in 862 AD, is a place of towering cliffs and breathtaking vistas, and the Kor, known for their prowess in climbing and navigating vertical terrain, saw it as the perfect place to build their settlement. In 873 AD, after arriving in Astrium, the Kor began to build Tetherfall, suspending much of the town from ropes and platforms secured into the cliff faces.
Tetherfall stands as a testament to the Kor’s resilience, ingenuity, and symbiotic relationship with the cliffs of the Wyrmspine Gorge, a unique town built by and for a people who thrive in the heights.

Demographics

Kor: 85% Earth Genasi: 10% Goliaths and Others: 5%
Approximately 3,500 residents, primarily Kor, with a small number of other races (particularly Earth Genasi and Goliaths) who have adapted to the Kor's way of life in the gorge.

Government

Tetherfall is governed by a Council of Ropes, made up of the town’s greatest climbers and engineers. At the top of this council is the Grand Climber, a title given to the best of them all—currently held by Zokarim Skyhook, who founded the settlement. The Council oversees all aspects of the town’s governance, including trade, defense, and the maintenance of their intricate rope infrastructure.

Defences

Tetherfall's natural geography makes it a difficult place to attack. The high cliffs and vertical design mean that invaders would have to either fly or climb their way in, and the Kor are unparalleled in aerial and cliffside combat.

• Skywatchers: Kor who patrol the highest points of the cliffs, always watching for potential threats.
• Suspended Traps: Ingenious traps using ropes and pulleys, designed to drop invaders into the gorge or immobilize them on the cliffs.
• Ropecutters: Kor soldiers trained in severing bridges and ropes at key points to isolate parts of the city in case of an attack.

Industry & Trade

Tetherfall thrives on crafting and trade, specializing in:

• Climbing Gear: Exporting harnesses, grappling hooks, ropes, and other equipment used by adventurers and mountaineers.
• Earth-Smithed Weapons: Crafted from rare minerals found deep in the Wyrmspine Gorge.
• Wind Power Technology: Some of the devices that harness wind energy are traded with other regions.

Infrastructure

Tetherfall is built along the sheer cliffs of the Wyrmspine Gorge. The town is a series of platforms, rope bridges, and pulleys, all suspended in mid-air and secured to the rock. The infrastructure is both practical and beautiful, with the Kor incorporating intricate knot designs into their ropework that symbolize their connection to the land and their ancestors.

• Rope Bridges: These connect the town's districts, with some spanning gaps over 100 feet in the air.
• Pulleys and Platforms: Residents use complex pulley systems to transport goods and themselves between different heights.
• Windmills: Perched on some of the tallest peaks, the town uses wind energy to help power certain mechanical devices.
• Climbing Gear Stations: Dotted throughout the town are stations where Kor and visitors alike can rent or repair their climbing gear.

Districts

1. Cliffside Dwellings: The residential area of Tetherfall, where homes are built into or suspended from the cliffs.
2. The Hanging Market: The central trading hub, located on a large platform suspended between two cliffs. Here, Kor artisans and merchants sell climbing gear, tools, food, and other essentials.
3. The Forge of Earth: A smithing district where Earth Genasi and Kor work together to craft tools and weapons, utilizing the unique minerals found in the gorge.
4. The Wind Perch: A high district dedicated to wind-based energy production and experimental technology. This area also serves as a lookout for approaching threats.

Assets

• Kor-Climbers’ Forge: Specializes in creating grappling hooks, harnesses, and climbing tools tailored for the unique environment.
• The Boulder Apothecary: An apothecary that makes use of the local plants and minerals from the cliffs for healing potions and remedies.
• Tether Tailors: Craft fine Kor attire, designed to be lightweight and practical for climbing.
• Elemental Enchanters: A shop run by an Earth Genasi family, specializing in magic items that enhance climbing, navigation, and environmental protection.

Guilds and Factions

• The Windward Guild: A group dedicated to the advancement of wind technology and innovation, pushing Tetherfall toward becoming a leader in wind-powered machinery.
• The Knotweavers: A guild of Kor engineers and artisans responsible for the design and maintenance of the town's rope infrastructure.
• The Earthborn Clan: A group of Earth Genasi craftsmen who handle the mining and smelting of metals within the gorge, often working alongside the Kor to create masterful tools and weapons.

Points of interest

• The Skyhook Tower: The highest point in Tetherfall, where the Kor leaders hold meetings and make announcements. It offers a panoramic view of the entire gorge.
• The Cavern of Echoes: A deep cave within the gorge that is said to have spiritual significance, where Kor warriors go to meditate before embarking on dangerous hunts or missions.
• The Tetherstone Pillar: A large stone pillar in the center of the town, inscribed with the story of the Kor’s arrival in Astrium and their founding of Tetherfall.

Tourism

Tetherfall attracts thrill-seekers, adventurers, and climbers who want to test their skills in the dangerous environment of the Wyrmspine Gorge. Visitors come to learn the Kor's climbing techniques and witness the engineering marvel that is Tetherfall.
Celebration of the Ascendant Tether Date: 25th Serenora The Celebration of the Ascendant Tether is a revered annual event in Tetherfall, held each year to honor the founding of the town and the Kor's mastery of climbing, engineering, and survival in the treacherous Wyrmspine Gorge. It is a day of remembrance, competition, and unity as the Kor people, along with visitors from other parts of Astrium, come together to celebrate their unique culture and connection to the cliffs.
Origin and Significance The celebration dates back to the year 880 AD, just five years after the town’s founding by Zokarim Skyhook. It was created to commemorate the Kor’s successful adaptation to the harsh and vertical environment of the gorge and their ability to not only survive but thrive by mastering the cliffs. The event symbolizes the Kor’s ingenuity and the literal and figurative "tether" that binds them to the Wyrmspine Gorge and each other.
Key Events of the Celebration The Great Climb One of the main highlights of the celebration is the Great Climb, a grueling competition that challenges Kor climbers and daring outsiders to ascend one of the most difficult cliff faces in the Wyrmspine Gorge. Participants are judged not only on speed but on skill, precision, and the elegance of their movements. The winner is crowned Ascendant of the Year, a title that carries great honor in Tetherfall.
Tetherweaving Ceremony During the Tetherweaving Ceremony, the Council of Ropes and skilled artisans come together to weave a massive, intricate rope, symbolizing the unity of the community. The rope is then secured at the Tetherstone Pillar, reinforcing the bond between the Kor people and the cliffs. Every year, a section of the old rope is preserved in the Skyhook Tower as a reminder of the town’s history.
Sky Dances In the evening, skilled Kor acrobats perform Sky Dances, an aerial performance that uses the town’s network of ropes and platforms. These dances tell the story of the Kor's arrival in the Wyrmspine Gorge, their struggles, and their eventual triumph in creating Tetherfall. The performers move with grace and precision, seemingly defying gravity as they leap from platform to platform.
Wind’s Feast The Wind’s Feast is a communal meal where the entire town gathers to share food, much of it cooked using wind-powered ovens. Traditional Kor dishes, like roasted cliff herbs, wind-dried meats, and special climbing rations, are served to honor the endurance and resourcefulness of the Kor people.
Echo Hunt The Echo Hunt is a ceremonial event in which Kor warriors and hunters embark on a symbolic journey into the Cavern of Echoes. There, they meditate and reflect on the challenges faced by their ancestors, seeking guidance from the echoes of the past. It is considered a rite of passage for young Kor, marking their transition into adulthood and their acceptance of the responsibilities of their people.
Cultural Impact and Tourism The Celebration of the Ascendant Tether draws visitors from across Astrium who come to witness the Kor’s incredible climbing feats and learn about their unique way of life. Adventurers, climbers, and scholars often travel to Tetherfall during this time to participate in the festivities, take part in the Great Climb, and experience the engineering marvels of the town.
For the Kor, the celebration is a reaffirmation of their deep connection to the cliffs and their community. It is a time to reflect on their past, celebrate their present, and plan for the future, with the hope that they will continue to ascend—both literally and metaphorically—year after year.
The Celebration of the Ascendant Tether encapsulates the spirit of Tetherfall, showcasing the Kor’s resilience, ingenuity, and unity, while also offering a thrilling and meaningful experience for those who visit the Wyrmspine Gorge during this remarkable time.

Architecture

Tetherfall’s architecture is an extension of the cliffs, with homes built into the rock itself or suspended from ropes and pulleys. The structures blend seamlessly with the natural environment, often camouflaged with the stone and plant life. The buildings themselves are lightweight but sturdy, designed to withstand the harsh winds and the weight of suspended life.

Geography

The town is located deep within the Wyrmspine Gorge, a series of narrow, towering cliffs and deep ravines that were mysteriously formed in 862. The land is rugged, with sparse vegetation, but the cliffs contain rich mineral deposits and rare plants that are used for medicinal purposes.

Climate

The climate in the Wyrmspine Gorge is windy and arid, with the high cliffs capturing breezes that help cool the town. Temperatures can be extreme, with very hot days and cool nights, and the wind can sometimes be harsh, making movement on the ropes even more dangerous.

Natural Resources

• Cliff Minerals: Rich veins of metal ores are found within the gorge, providing the Kor and Earth Genasi with materials for crafting.
• Wind Energy: The constant winds make it a prime location for wind-based energy generation.
• Medicinal Plants: Rare plants grow in the crags and crevices of the cliffs, used in the creation of healing potions.

Founding Date

875AD

Founders

• Zokarim Skyhook

Type

Village

Population

~3500

Location under

Wyrmspine Gorge

Owner/Ruler

Zokarim Skyhook

Characters in Location

• Tetherkeeper Vazra Boulderclimb