The Moonlight Caverns

Written by Robluy

Intro

Deep in the Northern half of the Spine lies an unassuming opening in the side of a mountain. If one were to stand on the edge and look out on a clear night, they would see the starriest sky Qelur has to offer. Three days hike from the nearest village-harbour, Qach, it seems a small reward for so much effort. But looks can be deceiving: beyond and beneath this hole, the Moonlight Caverns stretch, intertwining with various underground rivers to form a vast system that comes to life as pure, hot water flows through.

History

Though it is uncertain who discovered the Caverns or when, some things are known. Culturally, the moon and the mountains were always of great importance to the people of Qach, who are mostly separated from the rest of the North by the Spine. The moon served as a guide to their ships and their explorers, lighting the way through the peaks of water and earth alike. The mountains themselves produced food and resources through dense forests, as well as a barrier from most of the conflicts that stir the land. Indeed, Qach has never been successfully invaded by a foreign force. So, when it was discovered that the mountains and the moon combined in the Moonlight Caverns, the next step of course would be to establish a shrine. In Qach there have always been three men who are tasked with conducting the Night of the Dancing Lights. These three carry out the rituals on the Night, as well as organising the pilgrimage. They make five trips a year to the Caverns for general upkeep purposes, and to sacrifice a little from the town as a small offering.

Tradition

Every year, the citizens of the nearby port make a pilgrimage to witness the Night of the Dancing Lights. This occurs on the first full moon of Winter. Almost the whole town of Qach make their way to this festival, while a small force stay as a garrison (a lesson well learned when on one Night of the Dancing Lights, a brigand force came and ransacked the town, near burning it to the ground along the way). If the trip goes well, most people will arrive two days before the Night. Then, the preparations begin. In the main opening of the Cavern, tents and stalls are thrown up to house people and animals. Perishable foods are left outside the Cavern altogether, as the warmth would speed their rotting. There are two large pools coming off from the main part of the cave. The smaller, hotter one is used for drinking water, whereas the larger series of hot pools is used for bathing.
Finally, on the first full moon, the show begins. During this time, the priests pray to the mountain and the moon 5 times, once on each hour leading up to the event. Because of the precise position of the opening, the Night of the Dancing Lights only lasts for around 30 minutes. As the moon rises in the night sky, it eventually shines directly into the caverns. The moonlight follows its path the the Sparkling Fall, where it disperses and is carried along by the water. Because of the porous, translucent nature of the mountain rock, this lights up the walls of the caves in lines of shimmering greens and blues. When the current reaches the main spring, it becomes a glowing white pathway into the heart of the mountain. At this time, the burnt remains of food; fine clothes and jewellery; weapons and armour, are thrown into the now-ghostly Holy Pool. Noise-making of any kind is absolutely forbidden during this process, other than the chanting of the Priests as they shovel in their offerings.
The purpose of this ritual is not to please any one God: in fact, there is no formal religion in Qach. Rather, it is believed that during the Night of the Dancing Lights, the moonlight opens a line of communication to the Mountain, from which all things come. That's the reason food and jewellery and weapons are essentially sacrificed: the people are asking that they may have a plentiful harvest, fine clothing, and victory in war.

Geography

Nestled in the Northern half of the Spine, the Moonlight Caverns can only be accessed through an opening in a unnamed peak, colloquially know as the Moonlight Mount. The nearest human settlement to the Caverns is the northern port-town Qach. From Qach, a guide can be hired to take an expedition to the Mount. Though this segment of the Spine has a lower altitude than the rest, it is still a tough journey. The quickest route takes about three days, following a dry riverbed to a slight pass in the mountains, which can be followed upwards. Eventually, the expedition arrives at the base of the opening. Due to the extensive cave formations and the presence of thermally-heated streams, it is believed that the Mount was a volcano. The hot springs are very useful, though: it is never cold in the caves, and as such a group with sufficient food is able to stay for quite a while.

Type

Cave System

Location under

The Spine

Notable Features

• Night of the Dancing Lights
• Drinking Pool
• Bathing Pool
• Holy Pool