Kelridan Gates
| Kelridan Gates | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Tarsuun Pass, Southern Sanctuary Vale |
| Realm | Terasil |
| Cultural Origin | Orasian |
The Kelridan Gates are a pair of monumental basalt monoliths embedded into opposing cliff faces within the upper length of the Tarsuun Pass. Though not physically connected, the space between them is regarded as a sacred passage into Sanctuary Vale—a point where travelers must pause and attune before entering the ancestral heartland of the Orasians.
Passing through the Kelridan Gates is not merely a transition of space, but a ritual threshold. Orasians consider this crossing a moment of civic and spiritual alignment. Echoing silence and harmonic resonance guide those who enter, and those who do not pause are said to enter out of rhythm with the vale’s memory.
Architecture
Each monolith is carved directly into the living basalt of the surrounding cliffs, standing approximately twenty-five feet high. Their surfaces are marked with resonance spirals, tonal grooves, and ancient glyphs etched so deeply they seem to hum when the wind passes through the canyon. The glyphs are not translated; their purpose is acoustic rather than textual.
The ground between the two pillars is smooth, flattened by centuries of footfall and lightly inlaid with a circular harmonic pattern made from embedded mineral threads. No artificial light is present, but the cliff walls reflect a natural, subdued glow in times of mist or morning fog.
Cultural Role
The Kelridan Gates serve as a place of stillness before entry into Sanctuary Vale. Pilgrims, oath-bearers, and resonance-keepers traditionally pause here in silence, aligning their breath and movement with the subtle tonal feedback of the stones. Some whisper ancestral names or carry resonance stones which respond faintly when passed between the pillars.
Apprentice Stonewardens are trained to observe from above during civic festivals, ensuring that ritual alignment is maintained. During high observances, the space is marked with temporary mineral chimes suspended from overhanging ledges, adding subtle tones to guide ceremonial pacing.
Interpretation
Orasian scholars interpret the Kelridan Gates as more than symbolic. They are considered part of the living harmonic field of the vale—functioning as a point of tonal filtration. Those who pass without resonance may feel physically disoriented or spiritually misaligned until they undergo a corrective ceremony in Dul-Val.
The Gates are not guarded in the traditional sense; rather, their presence acts as a deterrent to the unprepared. Those who disrespect the passage are rarely challenged, but are often subject to social silence within the vale itself—a practice considered both rebuke and correction.