The Dek: The downtrodden, oppressed people of Wind Reach. They live their lives in constant dissatisfaction due to the strict caste system of the Inartan City. They are without formal living space of any kind. They have standard jobs that consist of petty work such as cleaning housing and other establishments and peeling carrots and potatoes in the Communal Kitchens. They are stuck doing the work that no other Inartan wants to do, some of it considered highly dangerous. Oftentimes, they are recruited for clearing out tunnels in the magnanimous Mount Skyinarta.
Drynol, an Inartan man condemned to be a Dek due to his unsightly limp and lazy eye, was recruited by an upper castemember to scout out some good places to hollow out some tunnels. He made his way through the Sanikas Gates with his tools and pack on hand. He wound his way a little down the mountain and around its side, checking for the perfect place to start marking tunnel entrances. Drynol’s legs grew tired as he crept along the mountainside, his lame leg taking its toll on the rest of his body. His eyesight was poor, and the rays of Syna were retracting to cast Leth up to take Her place. It was as the golden hues broke through the trees and reflected off of a muddy yellow rock at his feet. He knelt, the glare catching his eye, and touched the rock. The closer to the mountain he turned his eye, he noticed an abundance of these curious rocks. Picking one up, he felt it with calloused hands, his curiosity peaked.
He took the pick from his pack, and slammed it into the ground. Digging with his shovel, he encountered more and more of the fragile rock. It crumbled under the force of his blows, creating smaller bits and pieces and chunks. With a smile on his face, he set to work. He dug and he dug all into the night, returning to the city only long enough to eat his first meal of the day at the Kitchens. Here, he told a select group of other Dek about his findings. He brought with him a sample of the smooth, golden rock and passed it around for all to see. His group answered his calling to help him dig this tunnel. The crew set out that early afternoon with all the necessary utilities so that they may assist Drynol in his excavation.
Day in and day out, the Dek crew worked. Blood, sweat, and tears went into the project. Memories and friendships were forged. It was a full season later that the band made it a quarter mile into the side of the mountain. Drynol lifted his pick and drove it into the now fully exposed muddy rock.
To his surprise, it crumbled. A massive hole gaped before them, and with tentative curiosity, they continued to break the barrier down. Inside, they found something unlike any of them had ever seen –
There was pitch black darkness, with nothing but the sound of dripping water and chirping bats. One of the crew members struck flame to a torch. A golden topaz cave spanned before them. It was a large, circular cave with stalactites and stalagmites in every shape and size, all made of this murky yellow rock. They set to lighting more torches, digging holes to set them up for lighting. In the very center was a fresh, natural spring that spewed up a shallow pool of water. On the far side of the cavern, a brittle stalactite fell from the ceiling. Bats scattered and flew to a safer location. Bugs crept in the darker, more dirt-based parts of the cave. Rodents found their way in from smaller burrows in the walls of the cavern. The air is musty inside, but nice and cool during the summer, and rather warm for the winter. It smells of dirt and dust, and any word spoken above a whisper echoes for a solid chime.
Bending down to test the water, Drynol cupped his hands, scooped, and drew the liquid to his lips. It was cool, and was gritty from the dirt, but it was clear and pristine. Sitting down to consider their options, they opted to clear out any dangerously weak pillars. This would reduce some or all of the risk of staying in the cave. The spring needed to be kept perfect and undirtied for the benefit of others. The entrance needed to be blocked with some sort of camouflaged material. Immediately, they set back to work. Two of the Dek went out to break limbs and foliage. They used vines from the trees to weave a stick frame, and collected lichen and moss to poke through the sticks. The frame was layered over and over to make a moss wall that blended well with the mountainside. More vines were tied to the topmost piece of the frame and then to the brush growing from the mountain wall.
The cavern was unanimously deemed the Bronaugh Den, and the word was spread exclusively to other Dek. It was intended to be a safe haven, a sort of escape for the suppressed people. Here they had access to fresh water (though do mind the dirt), peace and quiet, and the company of other Deks. There are responsibilities to be upheld for the upkeep of the hideout.
All visitors are required to check and clear out any fragile stalactites. The stick-and-moss door frame is to be carefully replaced when leaving and entering the cave. There is to be no stepping in or throwing trash into the spring. The water is to be kept perfectly clean. Everything is to be left in the condition in which it was found. Visitors are welcome to leave any provisions or things of interest for the benefit of other visitors.
CAUTION!The stalactites are known to fall at random due to loud noises, moisture, and touch. Just like loud noises have been known to trigger avalanches, the echo magnifies the sound of one's voice, and may cause them to fall. These rocks could easily split a person in half despite the ceiling of the cave being only 8 feet high. Always be sure to look up when walking and try not to stand or sit under these pikes.
The bats and rodents that make their homes in this cavern are extremely aggressive. They have made a refuge out of this place, and will adequately defend themselves if provoked. The rodents especially have been known to steal provisions out of packs, and destroy personal affects. These animals may also carry disease.
The far side of the cavern is weak, and particularly prone to cave-ins. It is best to try and stay towards the front of the cavern to avoid being crushed.
Some bugs, such as spiders, make their homes in this cavern. The spiders are particularly disliked, as many of them induce rashes or worse at the site of a bite. Seek a healer or medical caretaker immediately if in any doubt.
NPC’s:Drysol: Discoverer of the Brodaugh Den. He is almost always found in or around the Den, cleaning up and keeping torches lit.
Yesa: A woman Dek with a hand deformity. She is usually bringing food and other provisions to the Den for the benefit of other Dek. The bounty is usually not much, but every little bit counts.
Riznir: A Dek man with six toes on each foot, and black hair. He is blind in his left eye. Riznir is noted for stalking the woods outside the Den for passerby. He makes sure to distract anyone that is not a Dek so that he or she will not discover the Den.
