Spire Delves
A semi-regular, yet extremely dangerous tradition that the thrillseekers and treasure hunters of the Fractured Isles partake in after the ruining of the original golden capital, Kirdrane.
History
Kirdrane Spire Delving as a full, organized tradition is much newer than most traditions in the world, its roots going back to shortly after the assault on Kirdrane by the rebellion, when Arzo ascended from the sunken kingdom under the old capital with the armor of Zaxus and raised stone spires and towers to bring the capital to the ground.
With the ruining of the golden capital and the construction of a new capital for the Mainland, construction efforts were started in Kirdrane to rebuild and refurbish the city, but they were halted by a strange phenomenon regarding the raised spires that were protruding through most of the buildings.
Many realized these were not just spiral stone formations or giant stalagmites, but in fact buildings, towers and spires from the old kingdom of Zaxus, the Aspect of Stone. Entrances were found on the strange spires and search parties were organized to explore the ancient buildings. Many went down but few returned, and the ones who did were forever changed by the things they experienced down there, only rambling on about vague experiences when questioned.
Some remain determined to discover the secrets of the ancient spires, forming a niche group known as the Golden Order Thrillseekers, named for their purpose in figuring out and unearthing all the old secrets of King Kirk's Golden Order and the secrets underneath the Fractured Isles they hid from the public.
Over the years, the spires in Kirdrane have racked up countless victims, though all knew exactly what they were getting into, the ones who participate in the bi-yearly usually are far down on their luck, in a tough spot, or generally careless with their lives.
Some however, who now lead the expeditions and organize the delves, have gone into the spires and come out reasonably sane, knowing tricks and strategies to get around the dangers the lurk within, yet even these veterans of the delves haven't made it to the bottom alive, nobody has, and that's why they still organize it.
With the ruining of the golden capital and the construction of a new capital for the Mainland, construction efforts were started in Kirdrane to rebuild and refurbish the city, but they were halted by a strange phenomenon regarding the raised spires that were protruding through most of the buildings.
Many realized these were not just spiral stone formations or giant stalagmites, but in fact buildings, towers and spires from the old kingdom of Zaxus, the Aspect of Stone. Entrances were found on the strange spires and search parties were organized to explore the ancient buildings. Many went down but few returned, and the ones who did were forever changed by the things they experienced down there, only rambling on about vague experiences when questioned.
Some remain determined to discover the secrets of the ancient spires, forming a niche group known as the Golden Order Thrillseekers, named for their purpose in figuring out and unearthing all the old secrets of King Kirk's Golden Order and the secrets underneath the Fractured Isles they hid from the public.
Over the years, the spires in Kirdrane have racked up countless victims, though all knew exactly what they were getting into, the ones who participate in the bi-yearly usually are far down on their luck, in a tough spot, or generally careless with their lives.
Some however, who now lead the expeditions and organize the delves, have gone into the spires and come out reasonably sane, knowing tricks and strategies to get around the dangers the lurk within, yet even these veterans of the delves haven't made it to the bottom alive, nobody has, and that's why they still organize it.
Execution
Every six months, on the first of the sixth month, those who wish to risk their lives and explore the spires gather in the setup mining camps within Kirdrane and prepare to dive. The tradition takes place over a week, with the first two days people share stories, eat what could be their last ever meal and gather in groups depending on which of the spires they feel like delving into. The rest of the week is when they actually enter the ancient ruins and begin trekking downwards. Many first timers do not last the full week, heading back up within a few floors of the spires, some take a few days, and some end up taking well over the week that the tradition takes place in. Many end up not coming back at all.
When the week is all through, and most groups who descended have resurfaced back in the camps in Kirdrane, they showcase their haul, whatever trinkets they may have found down in the spires, dangers they encountered and fought and share strategies to hopefully get deeper on the next delve.
When the week is all through, and most groups who descended have resurfaced back in the camps in Kirdrane, they showcase their haul, whatever trinkets they may have found down in the spires, dangers they encountered and fought and share strategies to hopefully get deeper on the next delve.
Components and tools
Many delvers show up with a standard kit from an adventurer. Weapons, light sources, rations to eat and light camping supplies. Many who are magically inclined may end up bringing a staff or grimoire to a delve.
One item remains constant between all who attend the official spire delves, they all bring a pendant that is hand crafted, whether by one of the many runesmiths in Folkstone or another place that works a lot with stone, all spire delvers go down with a pendant that can resist petrification, not to assist them, but their identity is carved into the pendant in the case they get petrified and someone manages to find them again, so they are given a proper memorial.
One item remains constant between all who attend the official spire delves, they all bring a pendant that is hand crafted, whether by one of the many runesmiths in Folkstone or another place that works a lot with stone, all spire delvers go down with a pendant that can resist petrification, not to assist them, but their identity is carved into the pendant in the case they get petrified and someone manages to find them again, so they are given a proper memorial.
Participants
Anybody in the Fractured Isles who has a complete lack of self preservation and a drive for treasure and glory participate in the delves. Despite being a completely organized event, when the event actually begins the organization becomes loose from there, people forming their own groups and spelunking teams with the leaders being the more experienced individuals with the spires.
Observance
The tradition always happens bi-yearly, every six months the delvers gather on the first of the sixth month and go from there, though some have gone on to make unofficial delves that are unorganized, descending into the spires whenever they please.
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