Krtajala
The sun is left long behind in a sky that no longer pretends to exist. Light does not exist here, but we do.Krtajala is a small town in Laminaeles that holds the distinction of being the lowest-depth town known to exist across all of Istralar. It is located at a depth of 5780 metres below sea level, placing it in the lower realms of the abyssopelagic zone of the ocean where the pressure is able to reach up to 11,000 psi. It is protected by an Orb of Vātara and a number of other unique spells to stabilise the area and shield it against the sea's immense pressure; many who live within Krtajala are not able to leave its confines without extreme protective measures because of this. It is home to the Krtajalan Research Institute, the Deep Vault, and the Depthgate. The Institute is the largest draw of activity to the far-off town, and manages the teleportation gate through which most people enter or leave. The Deep Vault is a repository of dangerous artifacts that have been thoroughly sealed away and its entrance is located some ways past the boundary of where the Orb of Vatara protects, granting the contraband serious natural protection against enemies.
Impressions of Krtajala (we think) by Hanhula (via Midjourney)
The Depthgate is an entrance to the underworld of Istralar - its cavernous depths, where strange subterranean creatures lurk.
Permanent residents of Krtajala are not permitted without discussion with the town's triumvirate due to the precarious nature of the town's existence.
The town relies on magic so thoroughly that certain spells, like Antimagic Field, are utterly banned within the depths, and a serious amount of magical technology was put into place some few centuries ago to maintain the spells securing the town's infrastructure. They rely on teleportation circles to reach the outer world, as food cannot be grown nor harvested outside of a very small area in the research institute for emergencies, or upon access to the demiplanes favoured by some visiting mages.
There is a small medical centre, but no fast way to reach it, and only one cleric dwells there permanently. The town lacks many luxuries any would consider essential, but such is life at the bottom of the sea.
Demographics
Only the bravest, the most foolish, or the most desperate would live at the very edge of existence.
The dwellers of Krtajala are of two camps: those who can live without the protection of the Orb of Vātara, and those who cannot. Most fall into the latter category. These are the everyday species, though most are still aquatic - the undines, the tritons, the aquatic elves, and the like. The number of more standard 'land-dwelling' species living on Krtajala with any permanence can be counted in single digits.
Those who fall into the former category are the ones to be wary of. They are beings of great power that often do not appear to be, or strange creatures built to resist the depths that cannot properly enter the Orb without some adjustments. They are lightless beings, and many have never left the ocean.
It is research outposts like the one in Krtajala that allows these terrifyingly graceful beings to maintain any sort of connection to the outside world - and it is also their existence that threatens external mages the most, for it means that there are powers that exist beyond understanding, lurking in the awareness of the darkest depths of the sea. For many, this is an unsettling thought.
Citizens of Krtajala by Hanhula (via Midjourney)
Points of interest
Other than the buildings, it's mostly just dark and spooky down here...
Geography
Just don't wander off.Krtajala may be a lightless city of the depths, but that does not mean it is utterly featureless. It is inset partially into the lower walls of a seamountain, not far from where a trench digs even deeper into the planet's core, positioning it at a precarious area of the abyssal plain. Sharp ridges of rock and detritus shield it from falling marine snow and other debris that could come crashing down upon it. Down a narrow ridge to the east, the rocky terrain gives way to the abyssal plain, revealing a far more flat oceanic seabed comprised largely of brown clay and silica due to the intense depths crushing most else. The only plants that exist are of magical nature and have evolved to protect themselves from the harsh environment. Hydrothermal vents on the western side of the town, hinting at the volcanic nature of the mountain on which the town sits, serve as both a source of heat to escape the icy waters - via a network of magic-protected pipes running through the town - and as a power source for rudimentary heat-fuelled lights.
Warning! This article deals with deep-sea topics and imagery.
Alternative Name(s)
the Edge of the Abyss
Type
Village
Inhabitant Demonym
Abyssdwellers
Location under
Owning Organization
Related Traditions
Etymology
Krtajala is a compound word, comprised of जलभूयिष्ठ and कृता. Like Arcayah and many settlements of the Laminaeles, it references an ancient language of humanity that was once used by those who dwelled through Xin-Jiyu and the ocean itself.
Surfacedweller impression of Krtajala by Hanhula (via Midjourney)
They wanted to send me on a research trip there when I was a student! Don't get me wrong, I was flattered... but I also didn't fancy ending up trapped down there if something went wrong. Plus bombs don't really mix with water!
Han, you are too damn good at this you just keep blowing my mind, is crazy! Like this is potentially one of the most well thought out ideas for an underwater settlement I've ever read. The detail about the hydrothermal vents is just perfection, as an example. Like this sounds like a magnificent and amazing place, i can't even. I hate the idea of going that deep underwater, yet I want and need to visit Krtajala just to experience it, I wanna explore this settlement, to know the people here, to see how it functions on a day to day basis, cause itd be just so wildly different. Well done!