Aranthaes Cauldron: The Holy Sea
Few sights in all the world compare to the vast wonder of the Aranthaes Cauldron. Encircled by sheer cliffs and mountainous ridges, the Cauldron is a colossal circular sea-filled crater that dominates Great Aranthaes. On it’s southeastern edge rises Mon Arant, the sacred mountain upon whose slopes and summit stand the great tiered city of Aranthaes, High Temple and the Great Temple of the Mother. Together, Cauldron and Mountain are considered one of the wonders of creation – a place of holy awe, where faith and life combine.
Origins & Legends
The Cauldron’s origin is steeped in mystery. Scholars argue it was formed when something vast fell from the heavens, a cataclysm that shattered the island into mountains, ridges, and chasms. Some say it was a fragment of a celestial city, crashing down in black fire. Others whisper it was the birthing portal of Mother Dragon, the force of which created the Cauldron, the holy mountain and the deep black ribbon lakes – the Derkwuds Tear and Aranthaes Tear – scars of unimaginable force. The truth remains unknown, but the scale of the impact is undeniable: a deep ocean-filled basin encircled by jagged walls, with the mighty Mon Arant thrust skyward to the clouds.
Geography & Scale
The Cauldron is immense, its waters stretching for miles in every direction, deep enough to swallow whole fleets. Its walls are sheer, the ridges of the Mother’s Arms sweeping round like titanic battlements. The main entrance lies at the narrow Aranthaes Gap, a strait wide enough for the largest ships to enter, yet easily defensible. Unofficial sea tunnels do exist like the perilous Aranthaes Breach to the south-west – but only fools or desperate merchants risk them, for the currents are murderous and the cliffs unforgiving. Within the Cauldron itself, the waters are always calm, mirroring the golden spires of the Great Temple above.
Sanctity & Restrictions
The entire Cauldron and ridges are considered sacred ground. Only registered merchant citizens of Aranthaes may sail within its waters and dock at its deepwater port. Foreign-flagged ships, and non-Aranthaen traders are strictly forbidden from entry; they must instead unload at the rival deepwater harbors of New Haven or Geldpont. Violators risk confiscation of cargo, imprisonment, or worse. The rule is both practical and spiritual – protecting the sanctity of the Great Temples – and ensuring the city’s merchants dominance over island trade!
Notable Places
Aranthaes Gap: The entrance to the Cauldron, a narrow strait cut between cliffs where the sides of Mother’s Arms Ridge meet, lined with fortresses and watchtowers.
The Aranthaes Breach: A treacherous sea tunnel where daring merchants sometimes risk quicker passage, though many ships are dashed to pieces.
Mon Arant: The sacred mountain rising from the Cauldron’s center, crowned by golden temples and terraces.
Aranthaes Port: A deepwater harbor at the mountain’s base and to the south of Aranthaes Wynds, accessible only to Aranthaes citizens and Temple-sanctioned vessels.
Rhythms & Customs
Every dawn, bells from Mon Arant echo across the Cauldron’s waters, said to awaken the island’s soul. Merchant crews cast flower wreaths onto the sea when entering the Gap, an offering of gratitude for safe passage. No fishing is permitted within the Cauldron; its waters are kept ritually pure. Legends speak of lights moving deep below, as though the Cauldron itself still remembers the fire that birthed it.
For the Storyteller
The Cauldron is a stage for awe and intrigue. Its sheer walls, guarded straits, and holy aura make it perfect for political machinations, naval processions, or desperate smuggling runs. A campaign may explore its rumored prehistory, ancient temples, secret cave entrances, or forbidden depths. Here, characters stand at the edge of a wonder of the world – and at the threshold of mysteries older than the land itself.