The Echoing Cairns

The Echoing Cairns are not merely piles of stones; they are resonating chambers, physical manifestations of grief and loss left behind in the wake of The Great Sundering. Found scattered across the Iron-Grip Mountains, particularly near sites of former dwarven settlements and battlefields, they stand as silent testaments to the devastation wrought by the cataclysm. Each cairn is constructed from stones carefully chosen for their unique acoustic properties, arranged in a spiral pattern that amplifies and distorts any sounds made within its confines. Entering one of these cairns is an unsettling experience, as the slightest whisper or footstep echoes endlessly, layered upon itself until it becomes a disorienting cacophony. It's said that the echoes are not merely reflections of sound, but rather the lingering voices of those who perished in the Sundering, trapped within the stones for eternity. The Shadow-Goblins are often found near the Cairns, feeding on the sorrow and despair that emanates from them. The Crimson Cartographers avoid these locations, sensing the immense psychic pressure that emanates from within, which can taint their maps and lead them astray. The Silent Monks of Durin's Peak believe that the Cairns are a disruption of Auric Resonance, a tear in the fabric of reality that allows negative emotions to bleed through. Some whisper that the Forgotten Smith tried to seal these tears, but failed. Archivist Theron has made several attempts to study the Echoing Cairns, hoping to decipher the meaning of the echoes and understand the events that led to their creation, noting them in a new Chapter of Woe. Perhaps the Sunstone of Aethelgard could be used to cleanse these areas, although doing so could carry unforeseen consequences. The Order of the Azure Hand seeks to control the energy of the Cairns, hoping to weaponize the sorrow they contain. The Gnomish Tinkers are interested in the Cairns' acoustic properties, believing they could be replicated for communication devices. However, delving too deeply into their secrets could awaken something far more sinister, like the Great Unmaking. It is unknown if the Chitinous Swarm are attracted to these areas. Did the Cobalt Corsairs attempt to loot the stones? The Vault of Whispers shares a similar energy, but far more concentrated.