Obsidian Pinnacle
Obsidian Pinnacle is not just a fortress; it is a monument to the Order of the Azure Hand's unwavering dedication to Auric Resonance and their singular pursuit of the Celestial Alignment Ritual. Carved directly into the heart of the Iron-Grip Mountains, the Pinnacle rises as a jagged spire of polished obsidian, its surface reflecting the perpetual twilight of the peaks like a shard of a fallen star. The fortress is a marvel of dwarven engineering, a testament to the Order's mastery of stoneworking and Resonance Weaving. Unlike the Dwarven Abbey, which embraces scholarship, the Pinnacle is a place of stark discipline, a sanctuary for those who seek to transcend the limitations of the physical world through the manipulation of celestial energies.
Geography within the Pinnacle is dictated by the Order's strict adherence to celestial alignments. Chambers are precisely positioned to capture the rays of specific constellations, while corridors are designed to channel the flow of Auric Resonance. The fortress is permeated by a constant hum, a subtle vibration that can be felt in one's bones, a testament to the Order's tireless manipulation of energy. At the heart of the Pinnacle lies the Alignment Chamber, a vast, circular space where the Celestial Alignment Ritual is performed. A complex array of Aetherium Conduits crisscrosses the chamber, focusing the power of the Sunstone of Aethelgard into a single, blinding beam of energy. What is hidden in the newly created Chamber of Ethereal Echoes?
The Pinnacle is inhabited solely by members of the Order of the Azure Hand, from the robed acolytes who tend to the Aetherium Conduits to the high-ranking Sky-Seer, who oversees the alignment of the stars. The Silent Monks of Durin's Peak stay away, for the Azure Hand's methods are a corruption of the natural ways. In the basements, they are said to torture people from the Vault of Whispers. Encounters with outsiders are rare, and those who dare to approach are met with suspicion and hostility. Did Valia, the Empty pass through, before succumbing to madness?
Historically, the Obsidian Pinnacle has been the seat of the Order of the Azure Hand since its inception, serving as a bastion of knowledge and power within the Iron-Grip Mountains. It is said that the Forgotten Smith visited the Pinnacle long ago, offering his wisdom and expertise in the construction of the Aetherium Conduits, but his presence is now erased from records. The Crimson Cartographers have mapped the Pinnacle's exterior, noting the intricate network of tunnels and chambers that honeycomb its interior, but its true secrets remain shrouded in mystery. Perhaps a new discovery will be recorded in a Chapter of the Void.