Edgespire Tavern

The well dressed old man was standing over the edge of the world, looking at the badeless sky in front of him with the tavern's light illuminating softly his back. It was an eerie sight, especially knowing the reason we were gathered here. But everyone was somehow in peace with what was about to happen, especially the old man himself. Looking back at ΅Warden Barasin, the old man offered a last smile as he stepped forward and allowed his body to fall. Barasin watched without uttering a word, wiped a tear and invited me to come back inside, and have a drink in the old man's memory.

— The Last Drink, Unknown Author

The Edgespire Tavern stands at the edge of the world, literally. With a few steps towards the edge of what seems to be another cliff one can look down below into the eternal darkness of Lake Makaria. The tavern itself was not built out of conventional materials but rather stands within the retrofitted skull of the Sand Titan Lyphia.
Warden Barasin and the Treetaler Yewshine are the residents of Edgespire. Yewshine stands outside the tavern, providing shade over the entrance and is the only significant piece of flora seen in that part of the desert. Most visitors, especially those unaware of his true nature think of him as nothing but a simple tree.

Purpose / Function

Edgespire is a place which anyone can visit, albeit situated in an ungoverned part of the world. It stands at the very edge of the Desert of the Lost Empires and provides a magnificent view over the edge of the world for those who wish to take a look. To walk there someone would have to cross Ilion and then the Desert. However noone who has visited and returned has said that it's not worth it, at least for the chance to see the edge of the world.
Besides offering a place to rest and have a meal for those who wish to take in the spectacular view, the tavern serves a more important role: It acts as the last stop for the Slipovers, those who wish to end their lives and jump over the edge of the world. Warden Barasin is there to offer kind words, a last meal and any help they might wish for.
But the truth is that for years before the tavern's creation, there were far more people who killed themselves this way, believing that in this way they can skip the Eternal Judgement and find themselves straight into Lake Makaria. Warden Barasin's presence and his offer to help them seems to be persuading more of them than not to avoid taking their final step towards the abyss. But for those who are not dissuaded, the good Warden still offers help and takes care of their last wishes.
Several cynics say that the fortunes or wealth some of these people leave behind might be the sole reason for the tavern's existence but those who have witnessed such an event, speak of the calmness the people had before they jumped and the respect they were shown by all attendees.

Alterations

The skull has been cleaned and given its size it serves as a two floor tavern. The lower part, entombed within the sand, used to be the jaw and mouth and serves as the cellar or preparation room. A set of stairs has been placed within what used to be the larynx and leads to the dome or the main part of the tavern.
The dome of the skull serves as the bar and hosts the tables of the tavern. Access to this chamber comes through the hole of where the nose used to be, with the eyes serving as windows. Glass windows have been placed over the eyes for that reason while the nose has been fitted with a rudinementary door.

Architecture

The building is quite sturdy, made almost entirely out of Titanbone. There have been several pieces of furniture added but they are complementary and have been made to match the eerie atmosphere that a tavern inside of a skull harbors.
With the exception of a simple chandelier, made of animal bone, which hangs from what used to be the top of the head no major adjustments have been made. The skull is entombed into the sand in an angle that covers the lower part, where the mouth used to be. The sand reaches up to the nose which serves as the entrance, remaining always open.
The bar is round, made of wood and encircles the trap door that leads to the lower part of the tavern, where the cellar is. The tables are scattered across the room and the two windows are looking out and onto the sky. When either of the two Zar comes in view, the tavern and the Treetaler beside it are illuminated with a grand light making it a view worth seeing at least once.

Defenses

While seemingly the tavern is open to everyone and there are no guards in sight, the few thieves who have tried to steal have deeply regretted their decision.
A Treetaler and its Warden are not an insignificant line of defense but intricate spells and traps are also placed throughout the tavern and the area surrounding it, designed to harm evildoers.

History

People were always flocking to this part of the world as it's the most accessible place for someone to take a peek over the edge of the world. With only a couple steps one can find himself over the edge and into the darkness below. The number of people deciding to make the trip just to Slip Over, as the term is for those who choose this way to die, has been lowered recently. You also have to cross the desert but those who are determined have hired mercenaries to get them there.
Slipping Over is a tradition that started an unknown number of cycles ago, when a rumor started that if one was to use the edge of the world to jump, they would find themselves directly into Lake Makaria, thus skipping the Eternal Judgement. This might have appealed to some individuals as the rumor only grew from there and for hundreds of years people would travel to see or die for themselves.
About 170 cycles ago, the Warden Barasin arrived at the location where the skull of the Titan Lyphia is lying. Carrying the seed and last branch of Yewshine, the Treetaler of the Circle of Eventide, Barasin planted the seed and waited for it to sprout. They had decided that this would be the home of the Circle of Eventide long before their travel here. The tavern was outfitted with the help of nomads and workers who were hired following the arrival of the pair. Since then, both of them have stayed close to Edgespire, tending to those who wish to take their last steps in this world or providing substinence to those who simply wish to see the edge of the world.

Tourism

The main visitors of Edgespire, given the fact that it lies far within the Desert of the Lost Empires, are Slipovers or simple people overtaken by curiosity who wish to see the literal edge of the world. Slipovers is the name used for those who choose to Slip Over. Warden Barasin invites those who visit to share their tales with him, or even have a drink if they so wish. In turn he immortalizes their story in a book that is kept in the tavern should they decide they want such a thing. However it seems that his kindness and offer to help dissuade most of them who might be finding that life still has a lot to offer them or perhaps the Warden is able to convince them of the futility of their efforts. It is known after all that noone can skip the Eternal Judgement.
The tavern, despite the low number of visitors survives due to the donations that Slipovers sometimes leave behind. This wealth is used to buy supplies for the tavern but any excess amount is donated to various organizations over the world or used for the Circle of Eventide's benefit.

Alternative Names

Tavern of Last Rites

Type

Pub / Tavern / Restaurant

Parent Location

Aell

Aelliria

Open full size

The world of Aelliria

Menu:

Given the fact that the tavern is situated at a hard to reach and quite distant location the visitors are few. The menu is quite simple but delicious, heavily inspired by the spices and flavors of the desert. The drinks and food are free for all visitors.

• Aphrodellia, ale
• Eulogy, wine
• Sandworm soup, complimentary spices
• Boiled cabbage with grapes
• Sand-hare meat sausage with boiled rice