World's Heart

At the very top of the Tower of Origins is the drum chamber, in which sits a massive drum made of bronze. Two large mallets sit on a pedestal before it, waiting.
The beat of the drum represents the pulse of the world. Over time, the world drifts away from the Spirits. Humans lose touch with the world's pulse, grow arrogant and greedy, and defy the will of the spirits (or the gods, or the divine, or whatever the local religion holds true.) When this happens, the Spirits bring down a Reckoning to punish humanity and bring them back into step.
But there is an alternative. Rather than a Reckoning, the world's pulse can be reset to end the cycle completely and begin a new age of prosperity. This is accomplished by playing the drum at the top of the Tower of Origins. The hero who travels to the icy wastes at the north pole, climbs the The Spire, and then ascends the Tower to the very rafters of the world will be greatly rewarded. Playing the drum grants the player immortality, fame, riches, and power. In the wake of the beat, blessings from the Spirits will flow across the land: crops will boom, sickness will vanish, water will come to drought-stricken regions. The world is in sync with the spirits, and the hero who played the drum will forever be a god among men.
But this has never happened. Four times in history, humanity has reached a point where the drum needed to be played. Every time, an expedition set out to reach the drum and regenerate the world. No expedition was ever seen again, and the four Reckonings brought humanity to its knees.
It will likely be at least a thousand years until the drum needs to be played again... but that doesn't mean playing it before it's a life or death situation is superfluous. After all, in many ways the world is still floundering after the Fourth Reckoning and a wave of prosperity would be a boon to all. Perhaps finally playing the drum will even bring the power of flight back to humans. In any case, the World's Heart remains at the roof of the world, waiting.

Item type

Musical Instrument

Rarity

Only 1 in existence

Weight

250 lbs

Dimensions

4' high, 4.5' diameter