Singing Tunnels {Origin}

According to legend, the famously melodic cave system that is now home to the Cavern Shrine to Cato was the first set of caves in existence. While there isn't anything physical to back this claim up, they are highly regarded as mystical, their unearthly acoustics and breathtaking sights considered divine. This is because according to myth, the cave was not originally constructed to be inhabited; rather, it was created as an instrument by the god Cato himself.

Summary

The story goes that early in the infancy of the world, there was a period of great strife. War broke out among and between humanoids and monstrous beasts as each fought to lay claim and gain dominance over the still-expanding lands. In this time, most were determined and ambitious, carving out a name for themselves and a place to call their own. Those who were meek were often conquered, or else they perished, with few exceptions.

One such case did exist in Caelsimil, a clan made up of a collection of gnomes, dwarves and humans. They were content with their space in the world, happy with their isolation. They saw no reason to involve themselves in its affairs, and for the most part, this served them well. However, it was not to last. While the unassuming bunch went oft unnoticed, eventually a war broke out- not with them, but between a nearby clan of vicious, violent giants and a great dragon named Yselimaru, who had decided their land was her own. In the ensuing chaos, their lands were invaded and destroyed, havoc wrought in the wake of each clash.

It wasn't long until there came a time that a decision had to be made, but the group had no desire to align itself with either faction. Their peace-loving nature only made them easy to ignore, and easy to trample, their requests ignored by those with more power and influence. When they grew tired, the clan got together and reached out to the Caelsimillian Pantheon, humbly requesting a means with which to defend themselves.

So when Cato answered their call, he began work on a powerful weapon; it was not a construct capable of wrestling a dragon or fighting off giants, nor was it a thick shield to keep out the unwelcome. No, it was a humongous instrument carefully and meticulously crafted by the god of sound. When the great instrument was complete, he taught them how to play it, explaining how the wide, echoing chambers could make a cacophonous sound that would scare even the most hideous beast away, or else command the respect of entire armies. They rejoiced the following night when they found the deity's words to be true.


With the newfound gift, their confidence slowly grew. In utilizing the instrument, they began to make a name for themselves, finally stepping into their roles and gaining a spot of recognition in their region.

by Adam Bixby