The Source

"Life is Power. Power is Life."

Sine Nomine Politicus, 369

The Water of Life.
The Source is the precious water which flows down Mount Chalice, at the extreme north of Spheria Gardia, to breath life into the world.
Steaming water gushes through the cracks in the mountain's bowels to pool in a natural basin at its peak. The water spills over the rim and cascades down the rugged slopes. A plethora of waterfalls and streams twist amongst the pillars of rock until they trickle into the calm pools that collect around the mountain's roots.

The lake that surrounds the mountain feeds a web of rivers and marshland. The rivers flow through a lush, green plateau before they succumb to the lurking ice fields of the Frospherir away from the nurturing warmth of the mountain springs. Early 16th Century scholars believe there may be channels through the ice which allow the Source to carry on into the oceans of the world.
Legend has it that anyone who drinks the crystal-clear water from the chalice top will be blessed with eternal life. Perhaps there is magic that springs forth from the fiery depths of the earth. Maybe the water contains minerals that sustain the body beyond normal life expectancy. Only one thing is agreed by all, whoever can tap into the Source would gain significant power, perhaps enough to turn the tides of war.
Early writers believed the mountain to be marble, carved by giants into the chalice. However, modern scholars agree a metamorphic rock such as marble usually occurs as part of a mountain chain. There are no signs of mountains amongst the ice sheets of the North. Therefore, it is predicted that Mount Chalice would most likely be igneous rock. This has led depictions of the mountain to change from white to a darker, almost black rock. Making it more similar to Thyorn myth of Taiköyryä than Western legend.
A bounty of flora grows amongst on the plateau, which sustains the birds, small mammals and fish. A rich pantry for any who make it to this distant paradise. The trees grow twice the size of anything seen in Evergard, with fruit larger and heavier than cannonballs from an Eclypsian bombard. Bees the size of your fist produce honey as sweet as the finest sugar.
The Source could be the fountain from which the life-force of Spheria Gardia flows, the land of the first mother's, or a place where natural phenomena releases a powerhouse of energy. It may not even exist. But one thing is certain: it has captured the hopes of philosophers, scientists and humble spirits throughout Gard.

Origins of the Legend

The stories began in western Evergard with the illuminations in the books of old. A map which showed a golden chalice suspended above the world, with the waters of Aeven pouring down to create life. These sources reference a document from before the darkness, although no documents showing or describing the Source have survived until the present day.

Taiköyryä

The Thyorn have their own beliefs about this sacred wonder. They believe it is protected by a tribe of warrior women, said to be the first mothers of the universe. Every 10 years, when Dheara climbs to be seen in the midday sun, the Thyorn send a man into the frozen wastes to satisfy their carnal needs and replenish the sacred grove. It is considered a great honor to be selected to brave the journey to the Taiköyryä.
The Taiköyryula is the feast where the Thyorn thank the First Mothers for providing fertility to the world and prepare the chosen one for their journey. The festivities last for three days. At midnight on the Third day the sacrifice begins the journey to Taiköyryä. At this point the priests of Taiköyryä lead the Thyorn in continuous song, shouting out into the harsh, empty whiteness, to protect the chosen one until the sun rises.
Taiköyryä is described in Thyorn myth as a towering black temple with steep shingle roofs and finely carved beams, proud and welcoming against the white wastes.

Alternative Name(s)

Taiköyryä

Type

Natural Wonder

Location under

Frospherir

Source Splinter

Source Splinter is a ship specifically designed to punch far enough through the ice fields to allow a land team to reach the pole and search for the Source. The hopes of many nations rest on this expedition.
Captain Nathanial Colwin set sail in the summer of 1645, with a crew of Marish sailors and Eclipsyian scientists. Although wreckage believed to belong to the Source Splinter washed up on the shores of New Aeven, the bodies are yet to be accounted for. There is still hope.