The Great Chasm

Lore & Background

The origins of The Abyss remain shrouded in mystery, with legends suggesting it was formed by a cataclysmic event or perhaps created by an ancient, god-like civilization. Throughout history, the crater has yielded incredible treasures known as Relics, which possess properties far beyond modern understanding, ranging from healing powers to advanced technology. These artifacts have fueled the economy and culture of the surface town of Orth, yet they come at a terrible price, as the deeper one goes, the more hostile the environment becomes. The true horror of The Abyss lies in its Curse, a phenomenon that defies all scientific explanation. While descent is relatively safe, ascending triggers excruciating pain proportional to the depth reached, eventually leading to death for those who reach the Sixth Layer. This law has turned the chasm into a one-way journey for many, creating a tragic cycle where explorers are lured in by dreams of glory only to be trapped forever or perish trying to return. Despite this, the allure of what lies at the bottom continues to draw new generations of Cave Raiders.

In Their Own Story

The air grows thin and cold as Riko adjusts her goggles, the beam of her lamp cutting through the oppressive darkness of the Fourth Layer. Below, the ground is a kaleidoscope of bioluminescent fungi that pulse in rhythm with an unseen heartbeat. She pauses, listening to the distant screech of a beast echoing off the cavern walls, a sound that sends a shiver down her spine. With a deep breath, she grips her rope tight, knowing that every step downward brings her closer to the truth, but also further from the world she knows.

Reader's Guide

The First Layer is known as the Forest of Giants, filled with massive flora and relatively mild fauna, though the Curse begins here with minor discomfort on ascent. The Second Layer, the Waterfall Ruins, features a vertical drop into a cavernous lake teeming with aquatic life; returning from this depth causes nausea and vomiting. The Third Layer, the Sea of Sand, is a vast desert underground where sandstorms rage. The Curse here manifests as severe pain and bleeding, making survival difficult without aid. The Fourth Layer, the Forest of Giants' deeper extension or the City of the Dead, introduces more aggressive monsters and harsher conditions; ascent causes excruciating agony and potential organ failure. The Fifth Layer is a realm of extreme heat and toxic gases, where the Curse becomes lethal for most, often causing death upon any attempt to climb back up. The Sixth Layer remains largely unknown but is rumored to be the source of all life in the Abyss; reaching it guarantees that no one can return without dying from the Curse.

Did You Know?

• The depth of The Abyss is officially categorized into six distinct layers, each with its own unique ecosystem and hazards.
• Relics found within the chasm are artifacts from a lost civilization that possess incredible, often magical properties.
• The severity of the Curse increases exponentially with depth, making ascent from lower layers nearly impossible for humans.
• Only those who have reached the deepest known points are awarded the title of 'White Whistle' or higher in the Cave Raider hierarchy.