Hvergelmir (The Spring of the Unknown)
Bay windows like portals to other worlds. Distant lights on the horizon the only hope for light years. Often we can see only darkness, but sometimes, when life and her lover align, a piercing light, a shining star, breaks between them and points us home.Hvergelmir, also called The Spring of the Unknown, is one of the most interesting features of any of the seven planets that were colonized. During certain times each midcycle each of the eight planets in the habitable zone align with one of the ruined arches or podiums within the stone circle. Once every several midcycles the planets align in such a way that the planet in front blocks Yggdrasil from the planet behind it. This creates a simultaneous eclipse on every planet in the system. During this event every habitable planet aligns with an archway or podium in Hvergelmir. Because of this the stone arches of Hvergelmir hold great significance among the Eight Realms.
Significence
Vanaheim cresting over the arches of Hvergelmir.Religious
A childs drawing of the NidhoggMany believe that Hvergelmir is a gateway to the gods. When Ragnarok returns, it is believed that the gods will step down from the skies through the gateways. The hot spring at the center of Hvergelmir is thought to be the place from which all life flows. Some think it has healing properties, but few will swim in it's deep waters as many have returned from the well with deadly snake bites. It is said that those without honor will be bitten to mark them for the Níðhöggr (Nidhogg), a dangerous reptile like creature that will drag you down to the very depths of the well and gnaw on your flesh. Religious leaders and devout believers often make pilgrimages to Hvergelmir to commune with the gods.
Scientific
Several scientific advancements have come from studying Hvergelmir. It was previously thought that no cold-blooded life could survive on Niflheim. When the snakes of Hvergelmir were discovered this view changed. A search for other creatures living in the few hot springs on Niflheim commenced, resulting in the discovery of three new species. Scientists studied the composition of the hot spring to determine if it really had healing properties and discovered bacteria that consumes dead cells, waste products, and toxins and repairs DNA. The bacteria was then reproduced in a laboratory and made into several different types of medicine. The study of the alignment events has lead to a greater understanding of the planets interactions with each other. One thing that puzzles people most is that this is clearly made by some sort of sentient creature and yet no other signs have been found on any of the seven colonized planets that suggest intelligent life inhabited them before us.Architecture
History
Pronunciation Guide
Hvergelmir kvair-kel-meorRagnarok Rak-nar-ok
Níðhöggr neeth-hur-kr
Niflheim nif-l-haym
Yggdrasil yg-dra-sil
Fyrri Dagbók fi-ri dak-bawk
No one knows when Hvergelmir was built or when it was abandoned.
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Love the layout of this article! The religious details and references are probably my favorite aspect of it, and the images help with visualizing the Hvergelmir well. :D