Altered Lore

Cais Adarra

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Cais Adarra

Overview

Cais Adarra is a mountain in the Storhvit region, named by Rediscovery Endeavor exploration forces. It functions as an Oasis and contains The Nilam, a dead world-tree within which the Oneiros Kuraokami was imprisoned for approximately 90 years by the Chrysanthemum Cloaked Warlock.

Geography

Cais Adarra dominates the Storhvit region and is visible from anywhere within it when skies are clear. The mountain has jagged, snow-covered buttresses and appears split from base to summit, with an unceasing blue glow from the rift illuminating the surrounding landscape day and night. A circular glacier encircles the mountain with sharp demarcation from surrounding zones, and meteorologists observed that Tumult winds are repelled by the rocky peak, confirming its status as an Oasis.

The Frozen Lake is a sprawling circular ice sheet centered on Cais Adarra, and the Spur is a steep jagged slope with sharp rock formations and sheer cliffs forming the final approach to the summit. Within the mountain, The Nilam’s trunk reaches skyward in the shadows of the fractured peak with branches and roots piercing surrounding rock.

The Prospectors’ Guild initially assessed the blue glow as indicating the largest Kelon deposit discovered to date. This proved unfounded; the mountain harbors The Nilam rather than kelonic veins.

Oasis Properties

The mountain emanates a strong idea of cold, ice, and winter that mitigates the mutagenic effects of The Tumult across the Storhvit region, and the Expeditionary Corps designated it as primary strategic objective for this reason. This stabilizing influence was revealed after Kuraokami’s liberation to have been entirely artificial, generated by the imprisoned dragon’s presence rather than by any natural property of the mountain itself.

Pre-Glaciation History

Soil analysis conducted by Sierra in 393 AC revealed that Cais Adarra and the wider Storhvit enjoyed a much milder climate barely a century earlier, comparable to the Tilted Steppes of Caer Oorun. The transformation from mild to polar conditions occurred within a few decades. Geological study confirmed the shift was sudden, and Kuraokami later confirmed the glaciation was deliberately engineered by the Chrysanthemum Cloaked Warlock.

Excavations around The Nilam revealed a pre-glaciation human settlement including rusted tools, troglodyte dwellings, fabric remnants, and pottery fragments. The colony housed an estimated several hundred people with technological capabilities surpassing the Axiom Industrial Revolution by hundreds of years. Dated at least two hundred years prior to 393 AC, the settlement postdates The Confluence, providing proof that other human communities survived within The Tumult after the founding of Asgartha. The colony was abandoned before the onset of glaciation.

A fresco discovered within the City of Scholars depicts Cais Adarra before glaciation: a great tree covered in leaves nestled between twin peaks, with roots connecting to a multi-tiered city below. Arjun identified the substance found in City of Scholars cisterns as Sap from this world-tree, theorizing the city’s inhabitants channeled the tree’s sap until it died.

Kuraokami’s Imprisonment

Around 303 AC, the Chrysanthemum Cloaked Warlock summoned Kuraokami’s Eidolon to the already-dead Nilam under pretense of regenerating the tree, then trapped the dragon within the trunk using a method that excised it completely from the collective unconscious. The CCW constructed a triple-walled prison: The Nilam’s fossilized bark as a physical barrier, engineered glaciation using the dragon’s siphoned essence to deter approach, and the Belisenki species created as guardians of the site. In 305 AC, the CCW weaponized Kuraokami’s accumulated essence to create the tsunami that devastated Arkaster.

Fen first established communication with the imprisoned entity using Wind affinity, learning that a human was responsible for its confinement. Temera Singh documented the strategic dilemma: The Concord required aiding imprisoned Oneiros, but freeing Kuraokami risked destroying the Oasis and harming species that had settled in the biome.

In May 393 AC, multiple Exalts launched a synchronized assault on The Nilam, with Sigismar Synd’s kelonic spear strike shattering the trunk. Kuraokami emerged and departed, after which Afanas Korovinovich summoned the dragon as Eidolon and received confirmation of the imprisonment details and triple-walled prison system.

Post-Liberation

Following Kuraokami’s liberation, Storhvit temperatures rose and glaciers began melting, confirming the climate had been entirely artificial. Jack Frost was selected as replacement patronage to sustain the arctic conditions necessary for Winter Folk and Belisenki survival. The Asterion designated the region as Caer Nilam Province, with Temera Singh granting temporary governance to Ordis supported by Yzmir. Muna established the Tenth Refuge (Refuge of Snow) for diplomatic engagement with indigenous populations.

Belisenki Conflict

By February 393 AC, Belisenki actively defended Cais Adarra from Rediscovery Endeavor approach. The species was relatively scarce in lower regions but grew increasingly aggressive closer to the mountain, with the main colony theorized to lie deep within Cais Adarra itself. Attacks escalated from sporadic ambushes on hunting parties to daily clashes by late February, employing coordinated tactics including convoy ambushes, vehicle sabotage, and white camouflage against snowy terrain.

Muna diplomatic efforts through The Skein failed, and Ordis considered but declined using Coalescence to link minds with Belisenki. With Yzmir augurs sensing an approaching Tumult wave, the Expeditionary Corps pressed forward despite opposition. The conflict was ultimately resolved through the Mana Moths chrysalis deterrent mechanism: consumption of chrysalides caused Belisenki to cease perceiving humans as intruders.

Timeline

January 15, 393 AC — Expeditionary Corps Arrival

Temera Singh documented Cais Adarra in initial log as the Expeditionary Corps deployed to Storhvit, identifying the mountain as primary strategic objective and potential Oasis.

February 393 AC — Belisenki Conflict Escalation

Belisenki attacks on approaching forces escalated from sporadic ambushes to daily clashes, with Muna diplomatic efforts through The Skein unsuccessful. Temera Singh documented the dilemma of pressing forward despite opposition due to approaching Tumult wave.

393 AC — Fen Communicates with Kuraokami

Fen conversed with imprisoned entity using Wind affinity, learning Kuraokami’s identity as primordial dragon Oneiros and that a human was responsible for its confinement.

393 AC — Archaeological Discoveries

Sierra conducted soil analysis revealing pre-glaciation mild climate and excavated pre-Confluence human settlement around The Nilam with advanced technology.

April 2, 393 AC — The Nilam Discovery

Temera Singh documented that Cais Adarra contains The Nilam, a colossal dead world-tree rather than Kelon deposits. Muna proposed establishing Tenth Refuge; The Asterion claimed region as Caer Nilam Province.

May 393 AC — Kuraokami Liberation

Exalts shattered The Nilam in synchronized assault, freeing Kuraokami. Afanas Korovinovich summoned dragon afterward, receiving confirmation of Chrysanthemum Cloaked Warlock’s triple-walled prison and 305 AC tsunami weapon.

May 15, 393 AC — Caer Nilam Governance

Temera Singh granted temporary governance to Ordis supported by Yzmir, selected Jack Frost as replacement patronage following climate destabilization from Kuraokami’s departure.

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