The Titanic Ridge is a locale within the Black Riage.
Background[ | ]
A place where stone meets sky to pose tantalizing dangers, the so-called Titanic Ridge is a very high, very sheer drop-off slicing its way through the Black Riage. The ridge rises 10,000 ft. above its base. A series of metal towers runs the length of the clifftop, about 15 miles. Because these towers are covered with red and blue lights, most still functional, they're best seen during the nighttime. It's said that those who manage to scale the cliffs (a series of 10 climbing tasks, each level 7) find that the towers are associated with an interdimensional gate and night-incomprehensible beings composed of matter and energy at the same time.[1]
Dimensional Bleed[ | ]
A term coined by University of Doors Auditors, "dimensional Bleed" can sometimes be the result of naturally thin walls between adjoining dimensions or universes, but other times it's purposefully propagated, as is the case with the Titanic Ridge.
Usually when one or more dimensions seep across planar boundaries to affect one another, then it's considered to be dimensional bleed. Bleed can be either minor or intermittent, constant or sometimes significant. Despite this, however, area that are afflicted with dimensional bleed tend to be relatively fixed and will rarely if ever affect areas that are larger than just a few miles in radius.
Transdimensional bleed allows for emotions, memes, sounds smells, light, visions, and any other intangible thing to seep into an affected dimension from one or more origin dimensions. In some cases, illnesses that have arisen unexpectedly among a population might've come instead from an alternate dimension where its populace was suffering from some catastrophic plague. Likewise, any strong emotions or significant events can directly affect the minds of intelligent creatures within the affected dimension. Sometimes nightmares that play out night after night within a s specific area aren't random, but instead are reflections of horrific events playing out in some parallel plane of existence.
Other times, however, dimensional bleed can be less noticeable. Actual objects, organisms, structures, landforms, and even variations of cosmic laws can bleed from one dimension right into another. This sort of bleed is actively dangerous for any creatures native to all dimensions affected - some will find their possessions, structures, and even themselves fading away into some other dimension, while others deal with ultraterrestrials suddenly appearing out of thin air.
The dimensional bleed native to the Titanic Ridge sometimes includes physical objects and creatures from alternate dimensions. Whenever such major disturbances occurs, there's also a chance that reality itself might rip open, where instead o a simple transference, there's also a high chance of some runaway effect, ultimately leading to a catastrophic breach. Auditors aren't exactly certain of what a breach would entail, but they can infer that it wouldn't be healthy for any creatures currently inhabiting the Ninth World. Luckily, though, the towers that stud the ridge damp the breaches before they can grow too serious, at least for now. [2]
The Titanic Climb[ | ]
The Titanic Ridge is a very high sheer drop-off that slices its way through the Black Riage. The ridge itself rises 10,000 ft. from the base. A series of metal towers runs along the length of the cliff top for 15 miles. Since these towers are covered in red and blue lights, most of them still functional, they're best seen during the night.
Those who choose to reach the towers are advised to climb the ridge - those that instead use abilities or devices to fly directly to the top are usually never seen again, at least, according to rumors. Regardless, scaling the cliffs is very difficult. As such, it will require a series of difficulty 7 climbing tasks. However, those who possess a map of the best climbing route will find the ascent easier. The transdimensional bleed that afflicts the top of the ridge and affects those attempting to either climb or fly up.[3]
Flying/Teleporting[ | ]
Explorers that possess alternative methods of reaching the top of the ridge should, generally speaking, still be allowed to use them, despite the rumors. If explorers disbelieve the stories regarding the perils of flying directly to the top, they'll actually make it safely.[4]
Climbing[ | ]
Climbs are usually measured in pitches. Each pitch being a section of the surface ascended, typically with a leader ascending first to scout the route, after which they would anchor the rope so as to be used by others. A skilled leader can find a place for others to safely rest between pitches, and can even retrieve the rope without becoming tangled below.[5]
The Ridge Base[ | ]
To get to the base of the Titanic Ridge is arguably a quest in itself. If explorers succeed in reaching the base, they'll be able to see various towers covered in blinking red and blue light, perched high above them. Along the ridge base is a scree slope of boulders as well as the occasionally smashed body of some failed human climber. Searching throughout the base might yield several working cyphers among the debris, as well as rope, harnesses, pitons.and any other equipment needed for an earlier ascent.[6]
Pitch One[ | ]
The first pitch, which is actually a series of ascents, will require a difficult level 7 climbing task to traverse. It will lead to a cave in the cliff face where climbers can rest. The cave will show signs of past camps and even previous climbers, alongside evidence that it's currently being used as a nesting place for mountain rasters.[7]
Pitch Two[ | ]
The second pitch will require a difficulty 7 climbing task that will lead to sloped portion of the cliff that will offer a place of respite. Markings scratched into the slope, written in the Truth, will read: "The Lady is a lie. Do not listen to her."[8]
Pitch Three[ | ]
To reach the third pitch will require a difficulty 7 climbing task that will lead one to a shallow hollow in the cliff, offering climbers a place of respite. The body of a human lies within, stripped of all useful gear. Scratched in the wall above it is written in the Truth an epitaph: "the Lady convinced Jeral to pull his eyes out. Do not listen to her."[9]
Pitch Four[ | ]
The fourth pitch will require a difficulty 7 climbing task and will lead one who succeeds to a small, one-chamber structure built cleverly into the cliff side. With is a cold and dry environment that shows signs of past inhabitants. A passage also located inside can provide deeper access into the cliff itself, revealing a large cavern. The cavern features a massive stalagmite that's milky, smooth, and even cold.
Surrounding said stalagmite are carved into the wall 17 niches. Most appear to be empty but one in particular holds a small obsidian statue of some humanoid figure holding a smaller, unfamiliar device. The statue is actually small enough to easily transport.
Within the stalagmite itself lies dancing visions from the dimensional bleed. What they display are locations familiar and unfamiliar, humans with strangely colored skin, emotions given form[10]
The Alternative Pitch Four[ | ]
If explorers choose to bypass the easier route, they'll still be able to make a direct ascent for the top from pitch three. However, it will be fiendishly difficult.[11]
Ridge Top[ | ]
At the top of the ridge itself lies a cold but narrow trail that can be traversed from tower to tower. Explorers might venture upon Kasabrial, a human climber that made it to the top but lost her party in the process. She wanders around the towers insane, with fungal growths on her skin from exposure to the dimensional bleed.[12]
Points of Interest[ | ]
The Towers[ | ]
Approximately 17 towers are superficially similar in appearance, each with shining red and blue lights. 500 ft in diameter, these huge structures reach over a mile high and each wear unique flourishes. Some appear damaged and might only have little to no lights at all, with one rare case of just the foundations remaining, but others are active and hold an overlord, a being composed of pure energy. Humanoid in form, the overlords all have unique personalities and motivation, guarding a dimensional gate in each of their towers.
But despite their similarities, each overlord remains jealous of the other, even if its not exactly clear why. Throughout the centuries, low-level dimensional effects were purposefully allowed to seep out of the dimensional gates as tools for their passive-aggressive bids for power. Ever since then, all those effects have coalesced into the present dimensional bleed that afflicts the ridge.
Less obvious than that is the occasional assassin, armed sortie, or full-on transdimensional detonation that's sometimes hurled between towers. AS instances of aggression have grown over the years, a few of the towers have become ruined, their overlords slain and their dimensional gates ruined. One tower, specifically the Lost Tower, was even shifted into a another dimension entirely by a swift dimensional blast.
Lastly, each overlord happens to keep human subjects. Though sometimes they're disguised and sent as potential recruits to another tower. Once their ploy works, they usually reveal themselves after attaining a high position of trust.
Below are a few examples of some active towers:[13]
Hearsay[ | ]
Under the Towers:[ | ]
Rumor among humans is that beneath some of the towers lay passages which lead to deeper levels and other gates not normally accessible.
Mushroom Stew:[ | ]
A human hunter new tot he Taiashar Tower has learned to create a special broth using mushrooms found within the Expois that can heal wounds and even soothe fevers. She'd like to get some of that broth to her family, but they live in a small village all the way out in the Steadfast.
Weird[ | ]
Lost Tower:[ | ]
Even the overlords themselves aren't generally aware of wherever the lost tower went. In truth, every few months or so the lost tower will flicker back into existence for only a few hours.
Many Legs:[ | ]
An automaton as large as a house and that's shaped like a spider can sometimes be seen climbing around the ridge. When approached, it will retreat to the opposite side of the ridge.[14]
References[ | ]
- ↑ Cook, Monte, et al. “The Beyond.” Numenera Discovery, Monte Cook Games, LLP, 2018, pp. 174. Numenera. ISBN 978-1-939979-77-3
- ↑ Cordell, Bruce, et al. “Titanic Ridge.” Into the Outside, Monte Cook Games, LLP, 2018, pp. 26-27. Numenera. ISBN 978-1-939979-47-6
- ↑ Cordell, Bruce, et al. “Titanic Ridge.” Into the Outside, Monte Cook Games, LLP, 2018, pp. 30. Numenera. ISBN 978-1-939979-47-6
- ↑ Cordell, Bruce, et al. “Titanic Ridge.” Into the Outside, Monte Cook Games, LLP, 2018, pp. 30. Numenera. ISBN 978-1-939979-47-6
- ↑ Cordell, Bruce, et al. “Titanic Ridge.” Into the Outside, Monte Cook Games, LLP, 2018, pp. 30. Numenera. ISBN 978-1-939979-47-6
- ↑ Cordell, Bruce, et al. “Titanic Ridge.” Into the Outside, Monte Cook Games, LLP, 2018, pp. 30. Numenera. ISBN 978-1-939979-47-6
- ↑ Cordell, Bruce, et al. “Titanic Ridge.” Into the Outside, Monte Cook Games, LLP, 2018, pp. 30. Numenera. ISBN 978-1-939979-47-6
- ↑ Cordell, Bruce, et al. “Titanic Ridge.” Into the Outside, Monte Cook Games, LLP, 2018, pp. 31. Numenera. ISBN 978-1-939979-47-6
- ↑ Cordell, Bruce, et al. “Titanic Ridge.” Into the Outside, Monte Cook Games, LLP, 2018, pp. 31. Numenera. ISBN 978-1-939979-47-6
- ↑ Cordell, Bruce, et al. “Titanic Ridge.” Into the Outside, Monte Cook Games, LLP, 2018, pp. 31. Numenera. ISBN 978-1-939979-47-6
- ↑ Cordell, Bruce, et al. “Titanic Ridge.” Into the Outside, Monte Cook Games, LLP, 2018, pp. 31. Numenera. ISBN 978-1-939979-47-6
- ↑ Cordell, Bruce, et al. “Titanic Ridge.” Into the Outside, Monte Cook Games, LLP, 2018, pp. 31. Numenera. ISBN 978-1-939979-47-6
- ↑ Cordell, Bruce, et al. “Titanic Ridge.” Into the Outside, Monte Cook Games, LLP, 2018, pp. 28. Numenera. ISBN 978-1-939979-47-6
- ↑ Cordell, Bruce, “Titanic Ridge.” Into the Outside, Monte Cook Games, LLP, 2018, pp. 34. Numenera. ISBN 978-1-939979-47-6