Tempest's Peak

Never in my years, have I encountered a scene so barren of life, of hope, that I wish to leave before I ever truly arrived. This land, whom many refer to as Hollow Ground, is so empty, its skies so cloudy and grey, the wind so fierce and unforgiving, that the mere sight of it brings about a great sense of unease like something devastating happened here. The Peak, in which many old tomes refers to, feels more like the summit of the world, looking up at it makes everything around it seem meaningless like it doesn't belong. However, when my team and I got to the top, it felt like it was the world that didn't belong, like the people who resembled tiny pests from there shouldn't be there. The lifestyle of those who made this their home seems, content, at most; and the leader was glad to show up around as long as we didn't bother the stonework or daily lives of the inhabitants. While no harm came to us, and looking back to stay itself was rather comfortable, I can't shake this nervous feeling, and would only suggest that the most experienced and strong should ever visit.

— Prof. Mourningfaun's Latest Entry

A Cold Legend

No one is sure when the tower was built exactly, but legends say it came to be when a violent storm bombarded the Hollow Grounds, pushing it away from the mainland and forming jagged spikes along the islands. This storm, combined with the strong winds and ever-looming storm clouds is what earned it the nickname of Tempest's Peak, for it seemed to be the center of a building force. While there have not been any outward additions to the Peak, it was hollowed out to make rooms and tunnels similar to that of the Temple of Velo. In fact, many of the carvings and patterns found within both systems are so similar to each other than it had led many historians to believe they were built in the same period, perhaps even by the same people.

A Forgotten Figure

As stated before, the Peak and islands have been believed to be created after a violent force of nature pushed it away from the mainland, and was named after such, Tempest. It is not uncommon to hear the inhabitants refer to Tempest as a figure of sorts, comparable to the Paragons when they speak of Velo or the Ouv Isles when they praise Oseala. To those who live at the Peak, Tempest is the name given to what they believe to be a forgotten deity, since there is little modern technology on the land, and the weather breaks down fragile supplies fast, the inhabitants began to share their legends and beliefs through word of mouth, and stories rather than paper or paintings.

In such stories it is learned that the inhabitants believe the deity lost her name, over countless centuries, seeing through destruction and reincarnation of the world several times. That the Figure was once a mortal being, whose coastal tribe lived in blissful peace, with no clear enemies or hazards to deal with. So when the time came, and a figure would introduce himself to her, she would cling to him, with no fear of anything bad to happen.

This Figure embraced her culture, and put himself into its very center; but one day, when a tragedy struck and the soon-to-be deity runs into his arms for comfort, he seemed amused. Oh how he laughed, at the destruction, at the pain and the agony and suffering the people endured, but most of all, he laughed at the heartbreak and betrayal the girl felt, as it was the worst thing she had ever experienced, and it would stray on past her last breath that tragic day.

The Figure made a sport out of the ruins and bodies littered about, he played with them, danced, and sang. All for his own amusement. Until the calm wind and blue skies changed, slowly at first, to where the Figure didn't realize what was happening, but soon it would pick up speed. A violent storm began to brew, trees would dance and animals would flee, with the wind it swept up the torn and betrayed bodies, taking them into a better place with which they disappeared. The trees uprooted from the ground and flew to the Figure, who desperately looked a safe place to hide.

The wind picked up with rage, strong, fierce, as the trees hit the ground, creating a prison for the Figure that left scars in the dirt. And the land shook, breaking apart at the seams, the storm furthered the split in the earth and exposed hollow dirt. As time went on the new ground drifted further away, and stone spikes grew from the scars that surrounded the final resting place of the Figure.

The Semi-Circle

To the western portion of the main island is a semi-circle of stone spikes, some larger than tower buildings, most are untouched. The stone itself is a slick blue-grey color, and it seems to soak up water like a sponge; some of the inhabitants carve into the smaller spikes so that they make an eerie whistling song when the wind picks up.

The Peak

Among the clusters of spikes, neatly in the center of it all stands the Peak, undeniably the tallest and most demanding of the spikes, it stands nearly straight into the sky. In all of its jagged glory, the Peak gives off a threatening vibe, like entering the scene of a passion crime; it is said the many guests begin to recall intense memories where they felt injustice or anger and is believed to tie into how the Peak was created in the first place. Towards the front of the peak is a large cavern, nestled in between two separate planes that jut out of the surface, the cavern entrance is said to always be lit, but no one can quite recall who keeps it so. Within the main cavern are several ground levels, each with its own set of tunnels that lead to separate parts of the Peak, different levels of Fellowship, power, and importance amongst guests.

It was certainly a surreal feeling for lack of a better word, in the moment of embrace with the Peak. In all the books I've read, in all the stories I've heard, and all the sermons that have been preached; I never imagined this place would resemble the Paragons Temple more than an omen of death and violence. Even though it was ingrained in my mind since I was a child never to come here, curiosity got the best of me. But that is what makes it truly, deep down to your bones scary, it looks like it is a holy symbol but the things associated to it, the gut feeling that something terrible is about to happen, it's unshakeable, undeniable, unbelievable. I want to go home.

— Unknown Entry

Alternative Names

The Peak

Type

Room, Religious, Sanctum / Septum

Parent Location

Tempest's Peak

Included Locations

• Tempest's Peak

Hollow Ground

Hollow Ground is the nickname tribes of the hooded coast have given the empty rocky islands some distance away from them. It consists of one large island and one smaller strip island to the north, it is the large island that holds Tempest's Peak. Not much is known about the land, other than the obvious lack of any sort of life, both flora and fauna.

The Followers

The inhabitants of the Peak are followers of the Forgotten Figure, and while they live within the Peak there are different levels of intensity and loyalty amongst them.

The most well known of these are the religious followers, who behave more like a cult in and of themselves; they live by a strict schedule of duties and keep to their own circles and are known to have virtually no limits as to what they will do to prove their loyalty.

Then there are those who believe the Forgotten Figure did something, changed a decision, altered an outcome, that changed their lives for the better. These followers come to Tempest's Peak in hopes of finding a way to repay a debt to the Forgotten Figure and shape their lives to make her proud.

The outcasts are the biggest in numbers, they seek out the Peak as a shelter from the cruel world and only wish to find a place where they belong.