Stonesteps
| Stonesteps | |
|---|---|
 | |
| City | Kar-Thal |
| Realm | Terasil |
| Function | Initiation Spiral and Ritual Trial Site |
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 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.