The World Below is a cavernous realm accessible through the luminous hole, characterized by a barren expanse devoid of life. This landscape features large stone-like structures and titanic beings, including automatons and titans engaged in construction activities, such as arranging stones for an immense pyre. The climate is desolate, permeated by a sense of foreboding and ancient power. It serves as a convergence site for mystical energies and remnants of the gods, with ongoing plans to draw divine beings from the upper world.
Draz, a wilderness tracker, investigated remains of large, flying mantis-like creatures at the luminous hole's edge, noting their bodies partially phased into stone. The party discussed options for descent, weighing resting versus crafting gliders from the creatures' wings. Sylvie observed a titan moving a massive rock near an abandoned settlement through the luminous hole. After signaling the titan with a fireball, a winged lion named Valghast responded, landing at the luminous hole and inquiring if the party were "servants of my mistress," leading to a meeting with Ygva, a powerful witch seeking remnants of the gods to bind them in the World Below.
Ygva revealed her intentions to use god-touched artifacts and assistance from titans to restore balance to the upper world. The party agreed to assist her and descended into the World Below, landing on a massive tower roof. They observed titans constructing the pyre and preparing offerings. Ygva requested the Askavir Heart from Heyou, indicating its significance in her plans. As the party navigated the altars and artifacts, they discussed potential quests to retrieve god essences, emphasizing the urgency of their mission.
The Dead City
Descending, the party found the ruins of a colossal island city surrounded by water and illuminated by a washed-out light source in the sky. The architecture indicates inhabitants of giant stature, with structures disproportionately larger than those familiar to visitors. The city is in a state of decay, lacking vegetation or life, suggesting it has been abandoned for a long time — a stark contrast between the vibrant world above and the desolate landscape below.
Draz's mystical tracking sense pointed downward, indicating the presence of the witch Ygva within the city. Navigating the treacherous terrain and height posed a challenge in finding a safe route to the ground while remaining aware of their direction toward her location.
The Altars
Throughout the World Below stand altars where remnants and totems of the gods are gathered to draw divine attention, their offerings carefully balanced among the deities in preparation for the colossal pyre.
Tlellic's Altar
Tlellic's Altar sits within a vast cavern, characterized by eight large flat stones arranged in a circular formation. This site is crucial for rituals aimed at summoning gods, where remnants and totems of deities are gathered to attract divine attention. Surrounding the altar, offerings such as blessed branches, weapons, jewels, and carvings are collected in preparation for the pyre designed to draw the gods back to the realm. The strategic arrangement of these offerings indicates careful planning for the summoning process.
Caranthalis Altar
The Caranthalis Altar is a significant religious site dedicated to the deity Caranthalis, the tree of light and its blessed branches. It features sacred architecture and houses a Blessed Branch, essential for rituals and offerings, and serves as a place of worship and a source of divine connection. Historically, it is linked to divine activities associated with the god-king Otheidas and contains remnants of offerings and relics from past worshippers, such as circlets and other items connected to the gods. Recently, Ygva provided a Blessed Branch from the altar, designated for use at the sacred pyre at Drosven’s Gate, with the stipulation that it must remain there once ignited.