Edit Districts of Kar-Thal: Stonesteps

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Introduction:	The Stonesteps are a sacred and perilous spiral stair carved along the inner face of a vast vertical chasm within [[Kar-Thal]]. Formed entirely from obsidian-glass, the structure descends deep into the city’s lower strata and is used exclusively for trials of endurance and initiation. The Stonesteps are among the most revered—and feared—rites of passage in [[Duranthi]] society.
Function:	The Stonesteps serve as the official path of initiation for those seeking entry into the ranks of the [[Stonewarden\|Stonewardens]]. The journey along the spiral is a test of balance, memory, silence, and resolve. Each step is deliberately uneven and lightless, forcing initiates to maintain presence of mind and inward focus while exposed to vertiginous depth.
History:	Believed to have been carved by Orasians during the late [[Era of Isolation]], the Stonesteps were shaped by sustained heat-channeling and pressure-guided scoring techniques, likely guided by the earliest Duranthi stone-keepers. Legends speak of aspirants who faltered during descent—now remembered as cautionary figures within memorial carvings lining the chasm's upper rim. The structure became a formalized initiation path following the first concord rites and remains a threshold of personal transformation in Duranthi tradition.
Notable Locations:	* '''The Descent Gate''' – A sealed entry chamber guarded by the Rite-Keepers, where aspirants undergo ritual stilling and ancestral preparation before the trial begins. * '''The Midline Alcove''' – A narrow landing halfway down the spiral used for rest and silent reflection. Some initiates carve brief ancestral marks here before continuing. * '''The Final Step''' – A smooth platform at the base of the chasm. No movement or sound is permitted here; only the weight of presence is held before return.
Cultural Practices:	Initiates enter the Stonesteps alone and unarmed. They are forbidden from speaking or leaving marks during the trial itself. Descent and ascent must be completed in a single attempt—pausing is allowed, but withdrawal is considered failure. Those who complete the Stonesteps wear a narrow obsidian band on their left arm—a symbol of endured silence and memory.
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