Jagar Döden

It has been said that sometimes, it feels like Death is chasing you, and some even chase it. Not often do people realise that it could be their reality. If Death were chasing you, would you run as fast as you can, or would you stop to say hello? Jagar Döden, chasing death... but who is doing the chasing?

— -Harindel Falentar

History

As far back as historians can trace, Jagar Döden has been present. Some even argue it's the earliest tangible piece of history they have, but none can agree on its origin. There is no physical evidence that ties it to an Age. Its architecture is old, but its style goes further back than any other documented buildings. It is built of something akin to stone, but the few samples that have been collected tested to be something altogether unique. The only thing they can agree on is its ambiguity, and its questionable origin.

About

It is supernatural, surreal; no ordinary place. A floating, ever-moving tomb, which slowly makes its way around the land of Askvìniké, it sometimes disappears sporadically. Many have tried to study its movements, and none have been successful in working out its trajectory. Some predict it is sentient, whilst others argue it is being controlled. Most have given up trying to understand it, and just accept its existence as it is. Those dedicated enough to study it have found that Jagar Döden seems to favour travelling over less populated lands, like the countryside or mountains; never over the ocean, and rarely near cities. 

On the few occasions it neared civilisation, it brought with it death, plague or famine. Some still chalk this up to a coincidence, purely because there aren't enough documented occurrences to justify calling it the cause. Jagar Döden is not always present, disappearing for months, or even years before making an appearance. Those who claim to have been inside say it travels between worlds, and when not here, it is in the land of the Dead.

Appearance

Jagar Döden is a place where the dead reside. Many know it as the entrance to The Underworld; an ominous omen when it comes near. On the outside, it resembles a large, dark mausoleum. Appearing ancient, it sports cracked and crumbling stonework, broken shingles adorn the roof, and dried-up plants scale the walls. Solid wood crafted doors, now rotten, with tarnished raw iron ornaments always open. You cannot see inside while looking from outside of its bounds; the light stops unnaturally short into the passage within. Interestingly, no one has ever been able to see the back of Jagar Döden. Whenever it is being observed, each observer sees only the front, and if you were to walk around it, the doors would follow you. This is not just a trick of the eyes; whilst it only has one entrance, two people can go through those doors from different sides at the same time. Its doors are open to whomever is looking, and do not adhere to the physics of Askvìniké. A hulking figure is often seen outside the doors, carrying a bell far too immense for mortal hands. It stares out vacantly, static. It won't move until it silently turns and bends down through the entrance doors, near too large to pass through, and walks in. 

The building itself sits a foot or so above the ground, depending on the terrain around it. It looks as though there is a heat haze beneath, but if you were close enough, you would instead feel it is cold. It is followed by a low droning noise, a slightly quivering hum. It whirs in an uncomfortable part of your ear. The sound is not loud enough to impede your hearing, or make it hard to hold a conversation, but enough to make most feel unnerved. Some theorise this is a subtle defence mechanism, keeping people away. Some believe it is just making sure that only the right people come in.

Inhabitants

Even though it is thought of as cursed, or a bad omen, it is still home to many both alive and dead. People with a fascination with the dark arts, or those who simply are comforted by Death seek out the wonders of Jagar Döden, and most end up making it their home.

Only those who have prepared mentally, and studied the magic of Jagar Döden are able to traverse it successfully. Inside, there is a labyrinth of chambers and corridors, all leading to new rooms. While inside, where one needs to travel, the corridors will bend by pure will; though it will never be the same route twice. It is impossible for someone who is not familiar with its whims to reach their destination, and those who are unprepared end up lost in its corridors for eternity. 

Many residents never end up meeting their neighbours, as one can't willingly go to someone else without knowing them and their intentions first. Some meet outside, or in other parts of Askvìniké, and then reconvene at Jagar Döden. It ends up being quite a lonely existence, though being close to Death is comfort enough for those choosing it as their home.

Not everyone who resides in Jagar Döden chose to do so. Many of those who live here are stuck in an endless loop of wandering corridors that seem to go on forever, taking turns which seem familiar, but never lead where they should. It is rumoured that those who reside in Jagar Döden are unable to die; they do not get hungry, or tired, and those lost there are forced to exist in its endless life loop. For those who have chosen it, its undying properties are used as a benefit. It is a haven to focus on studies, and escape the drawbacks of fatigue. Time passes in an irregular way inside. Sometimes it flows fast, and sometimes it flows slow. A bell is run by Toll to help those inside keep track of the ever-fluctuating time.

Toll

Toll is an entity, one which is largely unstudied, and poorly documented. What is known of Toll is that it is the Timekeeper between Jagar Döden and Askvìniké. Toll periodically goes between two places: just outside the doors of Jagar Döden, and to an unknown place inside. It will patiently wait just outside the entrance, still in place, not even moving to adjust their weight or flex its fingers. It carries a large, raw iron bell; a bell that seems far too onerous for one to carry, but Toll carries it with no sign of effort. On the hour, Toll crawls through the doors, leaving them open behind it. Once inside, Toll will take a path to an unknown room and ring the bell. This sound echoes through the entirety of Jagar Döden, every room and every corridor. This is how the inhabitants are able to keep time with the world outside; they know how long they have been inside, whether that hour felt like 5 minutes, or 2 days. In every piece of documentation around this building, everyone has had some kind of mention of Toll, though all accounts vary greatly. It has gone by many names over eternity, but Toll is the most commonly agreed upon.

Purpose

Though none can agree on the reason for Jagar Döden's existence, there are many modern uses for it which are used:

Necromancy

There is a somewhat large, underground group of mages and scientists who study the science and magic of life and death. The study itself is not illegal; however the practice of necromancy is, and it carries hefty sentencing of either many years in prison, or the death penalty. It is notoriously difficult to police when it is occurring in Jagar Döden. Police are unable to enter safely, and are not able to find the sites inside where necromancy is happening without the suspect willing it. With no evidence of the act, the arcane criminals are not able to be convicted.

The undeath that occurs inside makes this a perfect place for necromancers to practice their art. With their subjects unable to die, enthusiasts are given time to work with the subject to perfect it, and get it to a state where it will be able to survive without the additional sustenance of Jagar Döden's undying energy.

Study

Some iron-willed students and scholars seek out Jagar Döden for its skewed time flow. When inside, they are able to commit their full self to their study, unimpeded by sleep, hunger or anyone around them. It is a treacherous way to study, as many have tried to go in and never come back out. Only those determined or desperate enough attempt it.

Extended life

Some who yearn for extra time in this existence will find the walls of Jagar Döden and make it their home. It is often a lonely existence, and no one is fully aware of the implications that come with an extended visit to its chambers, though many hypothesise it is not beneficial or safe in the long run. Scientists theorise that Jagar Döden must pull energy from somewhere in order to host its guests. No one is fully aware where this energy is pulled from, but some believe it is pulled from those inside, just not in the typical life-energy sense we are used to.