The Ledges
The devastation of the binding of Sestus tore a gash open in the earth that stretched for miles across Merida. The gash extended down for hundreds of feet as well, the broken up earth revealing caves and areas in the rock that had been worn away by underground streams.
The survivors of Sestus' forces hid in the caves and the overhangs exposed by the battle. Over the centuries, the waterfall and the subsequent river at the bottom of the gash encouraged wildlife to live along its banks. The survivors dug further underground, building out homes and places for them to gather. Their efforts to make a home for Sestus' stranded children gave the sides of the chasm the look of layered levels: houses and buildings that were stacked on top of each other.
Where they could, the inhabitants carved stone steps from one ledge to another, where they could not, they rigged up wooden platforms that could be lowered and raised by operators who would charge you for the ride. You would have expected plants and trees to grow abundantly along the edges of the river, but the wild magic that was a consequence of the battle between the gods allowed only the hardiest of plants to survive.
When the survivors crept down into the chasm to hide from the forces of Mauna and Ataos, they crept into the crevices and hid. Some were lucky enough to find spaces that were dry and safe. Others stepped into caves or gaps in the rock that were full of spinning, whirling wild magic. Those that survived the wild magic were changed. Some took on the gifts of Sestus: his earth magic and ability to use wind, others were maimed and still others were so touched by the magic that they could not see in the sunlight, but were able to see things that walked in moonlight and those things that could not be seen save by magic.
Over the years, the frequency of wild magic faded, except in mid-summer, near the anniversary of Sestus' destruction. The storms raged over surface of the water and near the surface of the chasm. Most inhabitants moved further underground to wait until the season passed.
Others that had trade in the outer world during mid-summer, traveled carefully, avoiding the areas of the Ledges that looked as fire scorched and barren as the day that Mauna and Ataos destroyed Sestus. On the barren rock ledges, every now and then wild magic would spark unexpected, ravaging the unsuspecting traveler. Wild magic avoided the places where grasses and trees had clawed out a place to flourish.
Most folks think it strange that the wild magic continues to spin out in white hot streaks of light, spinning in sections of the Ledges. Some of the inhabitants, the descendants of the original survivors, whisper that Sestus is still alive, just sealed beneath the river that was created the day he was destroyed. Other just cross themselves and tell the gossipers to hush.
The survivors of Sestus' forces hid in the caves and the overhangs exposed by the battle. Over the centuries, the waterfall and the subsequent river at the bottom of the gash encouraged wildlife to live along its banks. The survivors dug further underground, building out homes and places for them to gather. Their efforts to make a home for Sestus' stranded children gave the sides of the chasm the look of layered levels: houses and buildings that were stacked on top of each other.
Where they could, the inhabitants carved stone steps from one ledge to another, where they could not, they rigged up wooden platforms that could be lowered and raised by operators who would charge you for the ride. You would have expected plants and trees to grow abundantly along the edges of the river, but the wild magic that was a consequence of the battle between the gods allowed only the hardiest of plants to survive.
When the survivors crept down into the chasm to hide from the forces of Mauna and Ataos, they crept into the crevices and hid. Some were lucky enough to find spaces that were dry and safe. Others stepped into caves or gaps in the rock that were full of spinning, whirling wild magic. Those that survived the wild magic were changed. Some took on the gifts of Sestus: his earth magic and ability to use wind, others were maimed and still others were so touched by the magic that they could not see in the sunlight, but were able to see things that walked in moonlight and those things that could not be seen save by magic.
Over the years, the frequency of wild magic faded, except in mid-summer, near the anniversary of Sestus' destruction. The storms raged over surface of the water and near the surface of the chasm. Most inhabitants moved further underground to wait until the season passed.
Others that had trade in the outer world during mid-summer, traveled carefully, avoiding the areas of the Ledges that looked as fire scorched and barren as the day that Mauna and Ataos destroyed Sestus. On the barren rock ledges, every now and then wild magic would spark unexpected, ravaging the unsuspecting traveler. Wild magic avoided the places where grasses and trees had clawed out a place to flourish.
Most folks think it strange that the wild magic continues to spin out in white hot streaks of light, spinning in sections of the Ledges. Some of the inhabitants, the descendants of the original survivors, whisper that Sestus is still alive, just sealed beneath the river that was created the day he was destroyed. Other just cross themselves and tell the gossipers to hush.
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