Arenam's Quarry

Arenam's Quarry
Type	Glass Mining Settlement
Location	Arenam’s Quarry is located north of Azirith, nestled within the Glass Fields of Zanarak
Realm	Zanarak
Inhabitants	Gilaari • Sunshifters
Significance	Primary source of raw mirage glass and obsidian, fueling the glass trade of Zanarak.

Arenam’s Quarry is a small but vital mining settlement in the Glass Fields of Zanarak, where raw mirage glass, obsidian, and rare crystalline formations are extracted from the fractured desert. Named after Arenam, the Spirit of Sand and Glass, the town is as harsh and unforgiving as the desert itself—a place where every step is a risk, and every shard has value.

Geography

Arenam’s Quarry is located north of Azirith, nestled within the Glass Fields of Zanarak. The land surrounding the town is a treacherous expanse of jagged, splintered glass formations, formed by the intense fusion of desert sands and Ashland heat.

The town itself is built low to the ground, its stone and glass-reinforced dwellings designed to withstand the deadly glassstorms that sweep through the region. Deep within the quarry, a network of tunnels and shelters, known as Omareth’s Hollow, protects miners and traders from the elements.

History

Arenam’s Quarry was founded centuries ago when Gilaari prospectors first uncovered vast deposits of mirage glass deep within the Glass Fields. The settlement grew around the richest veins, its survival dependent on the constant demand for glass and obsidian in cities like Azirith and Orundahl.

Over time, the Sunshifters arrived, bringing their expertise in alchemical refinement, transforming raw glass into weapons, enchanted artifacts, and illusionary lenses. Though Arenam’s Quarry has never been a thriving metropolis, its resources are invaluable to Zanarak and beyond.

Notable Locations

Tzelha’s Wake

Tzelha’s Wake is largest open-pit mine in the region, said to have been split open by the final act of Tzelha, an enigmatic figure whose name is now spoken only in fragments of legend.

• The terrain is unstable, with sections collapsing and reforming unpredictably as the desert shifts.
• Miners claim the glass hums after storms, as if retaining echoes of something long buried beneath the surface.
• Certain areas of the quarry are avoided due to unexplained disappearances, with some believing that disturbing the oldest formations brings misfortune.

Vothar’s Forge

Vothar’s Forge is a Sunshifter-operated refinery where mirage glass is melted, reshaped, and infused with alchemical energy. It is named after Vothar, a figure from Sunshifter history who was said to have woven light into glass, though whether he was a real person or a symbolic myth remains uncertain.

• The furnaces burn with alchemical fire, producing heat capable of reshaping even the hardest materials.
• Shimmering mirages form in the air, making it difficult to discern reality within the forge’s walls.
• Apprentices must undergo the Trial of the Glassfire, a test of patience and control that determines whether they are worthy of the craft.

The Xalreth Span

The Xalreth Span is a fractured ridge of black glass, forming a natural bridge over the lower quarry. The name comes from an old Gilaari word meaning "shattered paths," referencing both its unstable footing and the way voices seem to carry unnaturally across its surface.

• The ridge is known for sudden fractures, making crossing it a calculated risk.
• During certain seasons, the wind through the glass formations produces sounds that resemble distant whispers.
• Some believe the span was once part of a much larger structure, long since consumed by the desert.

Omareth’s Hollow

Omareth’s Hollow is a network of underground tunnels and shelters carved beneath the settlement, used as a refuge during the glassstorms that periodically sweep through the region.

• The name comes from an oral tradition among the Gilaari, which tells of a caravan led by Omareth that survived a month-long storm by taking shelter in an early form of these tunnels.
• The deeper tunnels lead to excavation sites that have long been abandoned, though some explorers still seek forgotten veins of glass and minerals within them.
• Certain tunnels remain unmarked on any known map, with rumors of hidden chambers that predate the settlement itself.

Shavhiri Market

Shavhiri Market is Arenam’s primary trading post, where merchants from distant settlements barter for raw glass, obsidian tools, and alchemical components. The market takes its name from the Sunshifter term "shavhiri," which refers to wealth gained through mirages—an allusion to the way fortunes rise and fall unpredictably in the desert.

• The location of the market shifts depending on the season, alternating between open-air spaces and underground chambers.
• Traders often conduct business through indirect means, using gestures and coded phrases to disguise the true value of their goods.
• Water remains the most valuable currency, and some merchants require a portion of a buyer’s supply as a form of tribute before making a sale.

Culture and Society

Work dominates life—every resident mines, refines, or trades glass in some capacity. Gilaari miners navigate the glass fields with instinct and skill, while Sunshifter alchemists handle glass refinement. Few outsiders stay long, as the harsh environment and constant risk of injury make life in Arenam’s Quarry unforgiving.

Superstitions abound—many believe the shards hold echoes of Arenam’s will, and some miners hear voices in the glass.

"Arenam’s Will Cuts Deep" - A common saying among miners and traders, reminding them that Arenam gives and takes—the glass brings fortune, but only to those who respect its dangers.

Few cities could thrive without the quarry’s precious glass, yet few would dare to call it home.

Economy

Arenam’s Quarry is the largest supplier of raw mirage glass in Zanarak, exporting to Azirith, Orundahl, and beyond. Its economy thrives on:

• Mirage glass extraction – Used for illusions, enchanted artifacts, and vision-enhancing tools.
• Obsidian mining – Essential for weapons, jewelry, and alchemical instruments.
• Alchemical refinement – Sunshifters enhance the properties of extracted glass, making it a highly sought-after commodity.
• Water trade – Water is the most valuable currency, with entire shipments of glass exchanged for access to fresh reserves.

Dangers and Threats

• Glassstorms - Fierce winds can turn the landscape into a storm of razor-sharp shards, forcing miners to retreat underground.
• Unstable terrain – The shifting glass fields are unpredictable, with sudden collapses and cave-ins.
• Bandit raids – Glass smugglers and rogue traders frequently attempt to steal raw mirage glass, leading to violent clashes.
• The Curse of the Shards – Many miners believe that disturbing certain formations can bring bad luck or hallucinations—some claim to have seen figures trapped within the glass.