Skystrider Paths

The Skystrider Paths are not roads in the traditional sense, but rather a series of invisible currents and thermal updrafts that skilled pilots and airborne creatures utilize to navigate the treacherous skies above the Iron-Grip Mountains. They are known and utilized primarily by the Cobalt Corsairs and the Skyclaw Griffons, who have developed an intuitive understanding of these aerial pathways over generations. Understanding these paths requires a keen awareness of wind patterns, altitude, and even the subtle shifts in Auric Resonance that can influence air currents. The dwarves, with their earthbound nature, have traditionally paid little attention to these paths, focusing instead on the tunnels and caverns beneath their feet. However, with the rise of aerial trade and exploration, knowledge of the Skystrider Paths is becoming increasingly valuable. The Crimson Cartographers have begun to map these aerial routes, using Aetherium Conduits to detect and chart the invisible currents. These maps lead to locations such as The Aerie of the Sky-Serpents, which are jealously guarded. The Gnomish Tinkers are also studying the Skystrider Paths, hoping to develop new technologies that can harness their power. They are even said to be creating Resonance Gliders which will allow smaller beings to travel the paths. The Silent Monks of Durin's Peak claim that the Skystrider Paths are connected to the celestial bodies, reflecting the movements of stars and planets in their flow. However, navigating these paths is not without its dangers. Sudden storms, unpredictable air currents, and territorial Skyclaw Griffons can all pose a threat to even the most experienced pilot. The Order of the Azure Hand even speculate that the Great Unmaking will follow these paths. They could potentially lead to the Floating Market of Zephyr. Are they also a way to get to the Lost City of Umbral? The existence of these paths can be found in Elder Borin's Chronicles. The paths twist and turn around the Warped Gates, making them extremely dangerous. Following these paths to the Caverns of the Reforged is sure to displease the dwarves there. Perhaps the Forgotten Smith had a hand in creating them. They could potentially be a means of bypassing the Chitinous Swarm. These paths are threatened by the emergence of Aetherium Storms.