Maya Hapet

Saleh'Alire » Natural Wonders & Oddities ⭲ Tolara ⭲ Gahiji Mountains

Anka was nearly dead by the time we reached Maya Hapet. So many times along the journey, I was terrified we would lose her to that terrible cough before we even arrived... But when we placed her in the waters (fist pink, then blue, then pink again- just as the legend!) it was like all of her old age washed away from her. You should have seen it, Pamu! I could scarcely believe my eyes, myself. But the water really does work!

— Amena Kha-Rekh, in a letter to her brother

Sometimes called the "Bath of the Blessed" in the Common language, and the "Fountain of the Beautiful" in Undercommon, Maya Hapet is located at the base of the Hara-Im Volcano in the eastern Gahiji Mountains- which themselves form the western and southern edges of the Chisisi Desert... But where its sister formation Maya Teti is a toxic and inhospitable environment, the opposite is certainly true of Maya Hapet.
Like its sister formation Maya Teti on the eastern edge of Hara-Im, Maya Hapet is a series of natural limestone and travertine terraces fed by geothermal springs. The water of the terraces originates from a natural aquifer beneath the western edge of the mountain range, and is heated by the volcano as it rises- eventually spilling out of pressure vents at the top of the terrace, and flowing down the resulting series of pools. Despite the vibrant banded colors of the surrounding mountains, however, Maya Hapet's pools are white due to a combination of sun bleaching, and minerals deposited as water flows down the terraces. This does not mean that Maya Hapet is without color, though... Indeed, minerals accumulated from the surrounding mountains lends the water vibrant hues of turquoise, pink, and purple.

A Site of Disagreement

Ownership of the Chisisi region (and the Gahiji Mountains as a byproduct) has been hotly contested by the Ileri and Enethi since the divergence of the two during the Red Schism. At the center of the battle lies Maya Hapet itelf. Equal arguments have been fought over Maya Teti as well, as a byproduct of its status as a sister formation.
Maya Hapet in particular, however, is believed to have significant healing properties; according to the folklore of both ethnicities, their Deities (Netamesphut and Mahees-Inet respectively) blessed the waters as a gift to their people after their long journey through the Chisisi Desert- making Maya Hapet a significant religious site for both groups.

Pamukkale by Arns Civray

Located In
Base of Hara-Im Volcano,
Gahiji Mountains;
Talaina'Vao, Tolara

Landmark Type
Hot Spring Terraces