The Grand Stairway located on the southern slopes of Mount Verkher were a site of spiritual contact with goblinoid spirits and Dren'Ylk gods, in the style of South Trensandor's modern revival of ancient spirit-faith and architecture. Though sanctified, the complex was open for other faiths and rituals as well, and served as an isolated public garden.

Complex Layout

The complex was built within short walking distance of two small hamlets, and about fifteen kilometers from the major coastal city of Darbye.

It was surrounded on three sides by a low white stone wall topped by a brass fence. It had two gates, both of whose gravel paths cut through vegetation and gazebos to the bottom of the complex proper. The central axis was a straight line of marble pathway interspersed with staircases and fountain-pools, which gave the complex its name. Spreading out from the stairway were many Argyon-Imperial-style colonnaded buildings which served as prayer and meditation halls, as well as treasuries for various donations and relics. The largest of these temples was located at the top of the stairway, overlooking the entire complex, and was devoted to "the spirit of the Andan people". It was architecturally notable in that it was built quite a bit larger than the other buildings, such that it appeared to be about as large as the other buildings despite being further away.

The complex was also dotted with distinctly human-influence statues, mostly of white stone with gold-plated accents. These mostly depicted important men of South Trensandor and its imperial predecessor, pointing to a rich and potent history.

The intent of presenting South Trensandor's spiritual and monetary might, as well as its strong and legitimate history, are clearly apparent in the construction and appearance of the Grand Stairway complex.

History

South Trensandor

The South Andan state constructed the Grand Stairway on southern Baoralu's landmark mountain over several years, around 200 OW. Its goal was to legitimize its existence, mostly because it faced many powerful enemies including a competitor to its own legacy, namely New Trensandor.

The complex thus served as a cultural site and holy site for several decades. It became one of South Trensandor's major monuments.

Dwarven Rule

When the Dwarven Empire invaded Baoralu, it chose to preserve the Stairway. Its management and maintenance was left in the hands of local communes, and little effort was made to suppress local "pagan" venerations which went against dwarven faith.

In 391, the top of Mount Verkher was selected as the location for the second dedicated Firefleet base on Oshmondu. Construction lasted a decade, and involved a massive effort to cut off the rounded top of this large mountain and the construction of a huge circular, semi-domed building which served both as a port for airborne ships and as a highly defensible fortress. Called Alympyon, the base was unique in Oshmondu in that it did not have real resupply or repair functions; in fact, it was quite isolated and only reachable by a single, long road. It was merely a fortress whose purpose was to protect Firefleet ships and allow them to project power in the southeast.

Ifshkarne Revolution

Many people in southern Baoralu rose up in arms against their Dwarven rulers during the Ifshkarne Revolution of 409-410. After failed attacks against the Alympyon and other military assets, some rebel formations retreated into the Grand Stairway complex, hoping for some spiritual protection and, if that failed, at least some Dwarven hesitance to destroy this ancient and culturally important site. But the Firefleet bombers did not hesitate long, annihilating the rebels and the entire complex along with them.