Pinnacles of Azor'alq

The Pinnacles of Azor'alq have haunted Bakluni legend for over three thousand years. Tales speak of them as the dwellings of the gods, the towering spires of a sunken city, the monumental tombs of the First Dynasty of the Bakluni, or the nesting grounds of phoenixes, rocs, and the mighty dragons of the Dramidj Ocean.

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Some claim that Azor'alq himself slumbers within, surrounded by his loyal paladins. Others whisper that the last royal house of the Baklunish Empire fled there after the Invoked Devastation, or that the fabled Cup and Talisman of Al'Akbar lies hidden within its depths.

Yet, for all these legends, few have ever seen the Pinnacles, and fewer still return from any close approach. Sailors consider even glimpsing them an ill omen, speaking of them only when safely ashore—if at all.

A Place Shrouded in Mystery

Said to lie within 50 leagues of the mainland, in the Dramidj Ocean between Ekbir and Zeif, the Pinnacles are rarely encountered, despite their supposed proximity. This may be due to their location outside regular shipping lanes, or the dense fog banks that perpetually veil the region. These mists, combined with the unnatural stillness of the surrounding waters, have given rise to unsettling rumors. Even seasoned merchant captains avoid these waters, keeping oars at the ready to escape sudden calms.

The Towering Spires

The Pinnacles of Azor'alq are massive stone spires, numbering no fewer than forty, possibly exceeding one hundred, arranged in an irregular cluster. Each stands within two miles of its nearest neighbor, rising from the depths to heights exceeding 1,000 feet above the water. Their bases, a quarter-mile in diameter, disappear beneath the waves into unknown depths.

The lower slopes are cloaked in ancient forests, dominated by towering conifers over 200 feet tall, mingled with vines, ferns, and exotic flowers. Higher still lies a cloud forest, dense with rare orchids and thick, fleshy-leaved plants, shrouded in mist. The uppermost reaches are a cacophony of life—puffins, eiders, albatrosses, and stranger seabirds wheel above the spires in great flocks, their cries carrying across the waves.

A Place Beyond Mortal Reach

Landing on the Pinnacles is no simple feat. Though broad, the rocky shelves and cliffs are seldom near sea level, forcing those who dare to attempt a landing to climb hundreds of feet up jagged rock faces, battling mist, cascading waterfalls, and tangled vegetation. Those who ascend soon discover a startling truth—the Pinnacles are not natural formations.

Beneath the moss and vines lie titanic, precisely cut stone blocks, arranged in impossibly ancient construction. Here and there, yawning cave mouths—or perhaps doorways—open into the interior, but none who have ventured within speak of what they found. Some describe vast staircases leading both upward and downward, their depths shrouded in darkness and the whisper of unseen wings.

The Keepers of the Pinnacles

Whatever secrets the Pinnacles hold, one thing is certain: dragons dwell here. From the tiny drakes that flit among the forests to the colossal wyrms coiled atop the highest peaks, they rule these skies. Golden, faerie, pseudo-, silver, and mist dragons are known to call the Pinnacles home, sharing the cliffs with rocs, giant eagles, and even the occasional phoenix. Though they hunt the mainland and the ocean for food, their greatest concern is secrecy—and they will go to any lengths to ensure no rumors of the Pinnacles spread beyond these waters.

Would-be explorers face more than just dragons. The interior holds treasures beyond reckoning, from rare orchids and birds-of-paradise bred by long-lived wyrms to the precious hoards of the intelligent denizens. But the greatest dangers lurk in the depths of the Pinnacles, where ancient undead guardians and forgotten horrors dwell, undisturbed for centuries. The dragons themselves fear to wake what lies beneath and will strand or slay trespassers who threaten the balance of this eerie sanctuary.

Rumors persist that humans may dwell within the Pinnacles, their origins and purpose unknown. But whether they are descendants of the lost Bakluni, servants of the dragons, or something else entirely remains a mystery yet to be uncovered.