Fontaine de Barenton
Purpose / Function
The intended nature of the Fountain is unknown, as is the identity of its original constructors. What is known is that the waters of the fountain are tied inextricably to Wyldstorms, appearing to boil in their basin despite being as cold as snow-melt in a mountain stream. Water can only be drawn from the water with a animal horn hanging above the basin, all other vanishing as drawn. When water is drawn from the well with this horn, a traveler exits the surrounding structure to find the pine grove enveloped in driving rain and high winds, even if the skies were clear moments before.
The waters once removed from the forest, can be poured on a flat topped stone. That night, fully within the boundaries of Sovereignty as defined by Kalvar, a terrible storm batters the area, but with daybreak, the fields are full of bountiful crops of the most excellent quality, even if the fields had lain fallow the day before. The variety brought by the rains is astounding, with plants not found in the region appearing with the more expected yields. Crops continue to grow exceptionally well, albeit at a more mundane rate and quality for the next 7 harvest cycles. A portion of each harvest must be left in the fields for the local Korrigan population, else the fields will be barren for the next 7 harvest seasons.
If the waters are brought aboard a ship and poured into the sea in a Deosil (clockwise/following the path of the sun) manner, the seas and skies grow calm. However, if poured in a tuathal (against the sun/counterclockwise) manner, a Wyldstorm quickly forms with the pouring spot at its eye.
If the water is drunk by a living being, a number of things can happen. A mundane creature can become Boermerzh or even Milliget in rare cases, and animals gain the power of speech and some level of intelligence. Plants watered with the waters grow with vast speed to giant levels, similar to what is seen in a hengoad bleed. In other cases, injuries and sickness are healed.
Architecture
The fountain is found deep in the Brekilien Forest, on a pine covered hill perpetually covered in a low-hanging mist, as well as occasionally deep banks of Feth Fiada. Most, but not all accounts of the fountain place it within a structure of some kind, although the scale and specifics vary greatly and are seemingly determined by the culture of the viewer
The true nature of the Fountainhall is shrouded in glamour, appearing differently to those who manage to find it. Many bediz sources claim that the fountain sits within a cathedral-like structure of grey stone and coloured glass, reminiscent of the style of Ker-Ys, a vaulted structure upheld by massive columns without apparent break between the stone. The structure stands in a grove of massive pine trees, stretching as high as the three towers of the structure. Massive wooden doors, carved with natural and religious scenes, sit between twin towers capped with elaborate stonecrowns, while a central lantern tower sits above the heart of the building. The exact nature of this structure seems to change however, and travelers from Caliphate of Ubar claim the structure is built around a massive central dome, the grey Norman vaulting replaced by complex honeycombed vaults and sandstone, slender minarets rising into the canopies, rather than the ornate towers.
Tuatha de Danaan travelers report a single round tower capped with a conical roof and a simple stone building below, following a long passageway of arching yew trees. Fomorians, meanwhile, report a wooden mead-hall built atop a knoll, accessed by a rough-hewn stone staircase.
One element, however, remains true to all. At the very center of the structure is a single pine tree, stretching into the Feth Fiada above. A golden, saucer-like basin hangs from the tree by chains of silver, gold, brass and an unknown silver material. Water pours from the mists above into the basin, which continues spills out into a larger stone basin below. A twisting, hollow animal horn hangs from a golden chain nearby, allowing water to be drawn from the basin.
History
It is unknown where the Fountain came from or who constructed the structure that surrounds it, but first mention of it comes from the height of the Kingdom of Kernev, when it was chanced upon by Gradlon Mwar and Queen Malgven prior to the birth of Ahes Dahut. The fountain brought prosperity to Ys, but vanished into the mists shortly before the Fall of Ys.
Throughout history, travelers have stumbled across the Fountain, only for it to vanish into the mists of the forest once more. The structure was again found by Muldumarec Artegall in 393 SI, during the Reign of the Black Dog, serving as the meeting place of the Alliance of the Broceliande and their last retreat following the disastrous Sacking of Gwened, a grievously wounded Armel Guyon restored to health by the waters.
The structure served as neutral ground for the Queens of Summer and Winter in 773 SI, when the waters were used as a blessing for the founding of Menez-Hom.
It is rumored that Konstanza de Leon discovered the Fountain during the war, separated from the main host of her forces with only a small Ambaxtoi accompanying her. All members of that exhibition were sworn to secrecy. The Hengoad Bleed that reforested much of the interior of the Peninsula occurred during the rumored time.
Tourism
Deep within the Brekilien, the twisting nature of the Bleed makes direct traffic nearly impossible, even for seasoned navigators, appearing only when some unseen force chooses to allow entry. Pointed expeditions to the region typically end in failure.
The High Kings of Letha were tasked with seeking out the Fountain while on the Tro Breizh
, although success was not a prerequisite to coronation. This tradition has fallen out of favour since the Peninsula became a Duchy, although some Dukes, such as Alan "Al Louarn" II and Eleanor I attempted the same.
It is said that the fountain is guarded against those who would harm it by a mysterious armored figure, sometimes called the "Dark Knight" or the "Lion Knight".
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