Caverns of Gemma

Bleeding Shrine

Written by Endrise

Gemma always felt worthless with her stiff joints, I felt bad for the girl. I just hope that she is now happier in another life, free to move as she pleases.

— Krestfall Inhabitant

Beneath the town of Krestfall lies a large crystalline cave known as the Caverns of Gemma. Named after the Oread who gave her life to protect the settlement, it is now a minor tourist attraction for those in the region, home to an enormous collection of Blood Crystals.

Crystalline Caves

A collection of caverns running beneath Krestfall's center, located a good hundred feet beneath the town. One can access them through the town’s abandoned silver mine, only hindered by a steel gate blocking the entrance to the mine.

The caverns hold hundreds of crystals of various sizes with some samples big enough to act as support beams. The larger ones all originate from Gemma herself, coating entire sections of the wall by now. They also radiate heat, causing the entire cave system to be quite warm.

Shrine of Gemma

At the centre of the caverns sit the root clusters born from Gemma's deceased body, with any resemblance to her skeleton crystallised. One gigantic pillar rises from what once her chest, a soft heartbeat said to be heard if one gets close enough.

A small assortment of gifts lie around its base, gifted by the townsfolk as the moisture has ruined some of them. Rusted steel, rotting wood and a soft layer of crystals also forming on them.

Healing Properties

One of the unique traits of the cave is its ability to accelerate the healing process. The crystals generate a massive amount of positive energy, creating a regenerative aura. Anyone inside it has their wounds mend by its magic, making it tempting for some.

However, long-term exposure has shown dangers of cancerous growths, as the healing continues non-stop. Over the years, Krestfall's governing body prohibited access due to these concerns, allowing only on rare occasions for people to enter the caves.

Type

Cave

Location under

Krestfall

Grave Robbing

Throughout the decades, villagers report grave robbers stealing Blood Crystals. The common belief is that apprentice necromancers steal these to animate the dead, using them as components for their spells.

A more optimistic thought is that these people seek desperate measures to cure their loved ones by any means necessary.

History

The oldest discovery of the caves came when the local silver mine bumped into it while digging. Back then, I only knew it as the Krestfall Silver Mine Cave, a minor attraction for the town. Mining continued throughout, ending somewhere around the year 992.

With the town’s expansion over the years, the caves beneath started collapsing under the added weight. At first it started slowly, but large parts began sinking down into the earth, landing in the underground tunnels.

During this time period, an inhabitant known as Gemma fled into these caves. As she suffered from Crystal Man Disease, her immobilisation made her feel like a burden to others. As she wished to no longer be a bother to others, she fled into the caverns to let herself die in peace.

While the cause of death remains unclear, her body’s condition became much more aggressive. The crystalline growths took over not only what remained of her but also over the entire cavern, forming pillars supporting its roof.

The holes stopped appearing as fast as they came. We never knew it was because of her the town still stands.

— Krestfall Townsfolk

The death of Gemma stopped Krestfall from sinking away, but her sacrifice stayed unnoticed for years. A later exploration of the mines led to people discovering her body within the caverns. To commemorate her death, the townsfolk held a proper burial in town alongside placing a small shrine near the mine’s entrance in memory of Gemma herself.

Continued visits to the shrine made townsfolk notice the healing properties of the cave, with the rumours spreading across the region. People all over began visiting the shrine and caves, seeking cures and aid from wounds and disabilities. But as people began developping tumorous growths, visits became supervised until they were phased out because of health concerns.