Tirnelegond
Pronunciation: TEAR-nel-a-gond
Map Index: B-6
Location: Northeast Aorlan (Not shown on Atlas map due to scale)
Geography: The Caverns of Tirnelegond, hidden away in the northeastern region of Aorlan near the base of the Carakoros Range, holds a mystique unrivaled in the realm of subterranean wonders. This immense interconnected network of caves, a closely guarded secret of the Kharz dwarves of Rhorr, defies expectations with its amazing hidden splendor.
The journey into Tirnelegond begins inconspicuously, with a modest and unassuming entrance that gives no hint at the breathtaking treasures hidden within. As you venture deeper, a peculiar wind can be felt. It alternates between blowing out or blowing in, as if the very caverns were alive and breathing. As these winds blow, they create eerie, low whistling and groaning sounds that lend an otherworldly mystical aura, earning the caverns a reputation as being haunted.
Traveling past the plain and ordinary looking upper caverns to the amazingly beautiful caverns below requires the utilization of advanced climbing skills and lots of rope, for the majority of Tirnelegond consists of a series of large cavern rooms separated by steep drops between levels.
At approximately 820 feet beneath the earth's surface, Tirnelegond undergoes a miraculous transformation. Vast chambers reveal a mesmerizing display of nature's artistry, adorned with intricate stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, and glistening crystals of unmatched beauty, along with a profusion of crystal formations that defy description. The dwarves of Rhorr hold these chambers as sacred, preserving them in their pristine glory, and refusing to exploit their commercial potential.
Primary Population: None
Secondary Population: None
Minor Population: None
Climate: Inside the grand caverns of Tirnelegond, the climate remains nearly constant throughout the year. The temperature averages around 51 degrees, while the humidity holds steady at around 92 percent.
Wildlife: The uppermost cavern provides a safe home to thousands of bats which use this large cave for a daytime roosting spot. At dusk thousands of bats fly forth in a dark swift moving cloud, seeking to find a meal of tasty flying insects. Few other animals other than small rodents enter these caverns due to the presence of dwarf guardians.
Humanoids: The primary humanoid visitors to these caves are the Kharz dwarves of nearby Rhorr, diligently guarding their hidden gem. There are no year-round inhabit the caves.
Monsters: In its early discovery days, the caverns of Tirnelegond teemed with dangers. After repeated dwarf visits, the entire cavern system became purged of any threats. Today only a few unexplored areas remain, mostly behind passages too narrow for the passage of dwarves.
History: Remarkably, Tirnelegond emerged unscathed from the Great Cataclysm, enduring only mild earthquakes with little lasting impact. As a result, the sanctity and allure of this subterranean realm persist, inviting adventurers and scholars alike to marvel at its timeless beauty and the secrets it still holds beneath its ancient stones.
Today: Tirnelegond is a hidden treasure that is truly one of the natural wonders of the world.
Map Index: B-6
Location: Northeast Aorlan (Not shown on Atlas map due to scale)
Geography: The Caverns of Tirnelegond, hidden away in the northeastern region of Aorlan near the base of the Carakoros Range, holds a mystique unrivaled in the realm of subterranean wonders. This immense interconnected network of caves, a closely guarded secret of the Kharz dwarves of Rhorr, defies expectations with its amazing hidden splendor.
The journey into Tirnelegond begins inconspicuously, with a modest and unassuming entrance that gives no hint at the breathtaking treasures hidden within. As you venture deeper, a peculiar wind can be felt. It alternates between blowing out or blowing in, as if the very caverns were alive and breathing. As these winds blow, they create eerie, low whistling and groaning sounds that lend an otherworldly mystical aura, earning the caverns a reputation as being haunted.
Traveling past the plain and ordinary looking upper caverns to the amazingly beautiful caverns below requires the utilization of advanced climbing skills and lots of rope, for the majority of Tirnelegond consists of a series of large cavern rooms separated by steep drops between levels.
At approximately 820 feet beneath the earth's surface, Tirnelegond undergoes a miraculous transformation. Vast chambers reveal a mesmerizing display of nature's artistry, adorned with intricate stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, and glistening crystals of unmatched beauty, along with a profusion of crystal formations that defy description. The dwarves of Rhorr hold these chambers as sacred, preserving them in their pristine glory, and refusing to exploit their commercial potential.
Primary Population: None
Secondary Population: None
Minor Population: None
Climate: Inside the grand caverns of Tirnelegond, the climate remains nearly constant throughout the year. The temperature averages around 51 degrees, while the humidity holds steady at around 92 percent.
Wildlife: The uppermost cavern provides a safe home to thousands of bats which use this large cave for a daytime roosting spot. At dusk thousands of bats fly forth in a dark swift moving cloud, seeking to find a meal of tasty flying insects. Few other animals other than small rodents enter these caverns due to the presence of dwarf guardians.
Humanoids: The primary humanoid visitors to these caves are the Kharz dwarves of nearby Rhorr, diligently guarding their hidden gem. There are no year-round inhabit the caves.
Monsters: In its early discovery days, the caverns of Tirnelegond teemed with dangers. After repeated dwarf visits, the entire cavern system became purged of any threats. Today only a few unexplored areas remain, mostly behind passages too narrow for the passage of dwarves.
History: Remarkably, Tirnelegond emerged unscathed from the Great Cataclysm, enduring only mild earthquakes with little lasting impact. As a result, the sanctity and allure of this subterranean realm persist, inviting adventurers and scholars alike to marvel at its timeless beauty and the secrets it still holds beneath its ancient stones.
Today: Tirnelegond is a hidden treasure that is truly one of the natural wonders of the world.