Tharakul
| Tharakul | |
|---|---|
 | |
| District | Darak-Kel |
| Settlement | Kar-Thal |
| Realm | Terasil |
| Constructed | Era of Isolation |
Tharakul, known as the "Steps of Vow," is a spiraling stair carved along the vertical interior of the sacred mountain that houses Kar-Thal. Used for rites of endurance, civic initiation, and formal ascension into ceremonial roles, it is both a physical and spiritual trial embedded into the bedrock of Orasian tradition.
History
Carved during the early expansions of Darak-Kel, Tharakul was established as a place where aspirants to civic and ritual roles would demonstrate both physical resolve and inner alignment with the stone. Initially used only by apprentice Rite-Keepers, it later became a path of trial for Stonewardens and oath-bound guild leaders. The names of each who completed the ascent are etched into individual steps, forming a historical continuum of service.
During the aftermath of the Great Erosion, several steps collapsed and were re-integrated using binding osia techniques, reinforcing the belief that those who ascend Tharakul must bear the city’s weight and memory.
Architecture
Tharakul is composed of jagged volcanic glass, its edges polished smooth by centuries of ritual passage. The stair coils tightly along the inner cliff wall of a vertical chasm, exposed to open air and echoing with ambient harmonics. Each step bears the name of a previous ascendant, chiseled in layered strata and resonating faintly when stepped upon.
The ascent is unguarded and perilous. No handrails or barriers are permitted, reflecting the belief that spiritual grounding must come from within.
Function
The stair serves as a trial path. It is used during official initiations for roles such as Stonewarden, Rite-Keeper, and other oath-bound positions. Those undertaking the ascent are required to carry a single stone inscribed with their vow, to be placed at the summit altar as proof of endurance and intention.
No one is permitted to speak during the climb. The silence is intended to allow the stone to listen and the individual to reflect without interruption.
Cultural Role
To ascend Tharakul is to be witnessed by the stone itself. Failure to complete the climb is not dishonorable, but returning to try again is expected of those who seek official roles. It is also common for elders to make a final ascent near the end of life, marking their passage into ancestral memory.
Bibliography
- Stone as Witness: The Ritual Architecture of Kar-Thal by Lorewarden Evasul
- Endurance in Stone: A Civic History of Kar-Thal (Ashlar Vaults, Record Layer I)