The Pillars (Structure)/Rumor Registry
Rumors
The Pillars (Structure) has 5 Rumors written about so far.
The Pillars (Structure)/IF-18.321
Child’s Ramshackle Pillar
ENTRY NAME :
The Child’s Ramshackle Pillar
SUBJECT TYPE :
Object / Landmark
KEYWORDS :
Pillar, Monster, Child, Constructed, Wood, Mundane
LOCATION :
Located in a cave branch near the surface, several kilometers out from DownTown. This cave branch has no known access points from the surface.
DESCRIPTION :
The Child's Ramshackle Pillar is made of loose construction materials, mostly wood, thought to be from the 1850’s, haphazardly bolted, tied, stacked, and glued together. On a large panel of wood near the base, there is a carving consisting of the words “we built this” and two figures, one large humanoid with many arms and no discernible face, and what appears to be a young girl. Despite the haphazard and inconsistent construction, it is structurally sound and expected to last for hundreds of years before maintenance is needed.
Additional Names :
The name is often shortened to "The Child's Pillar", and is sometimes referred to as "The Wooden Pillar".The Pillars (Structure)/IF-20.405
Liquid-Earth Pillar
ENTRY NAME :
The Liquid-Earth Pillar
SUBJECT TYPE :
Object / Landmark
KEYWORDS :
Pillar, Magma, Anomaly
LOCATION :
Located in the Haydrian Mass Foundries, approximately two-thirds towards the western cavern wall. It can be seen from all levels nearby, and can be easily reached from the Pillar Stations on both the Gamma Skylift loop and the Diamond Tram line.\
DESCRIPTION :
The Liquid-Earth Pillar appears to be an ever-flowing cylinder of orange-hot magma, approximately 3.4 meters in diameter, skewed at an angle of about 27 degrees from the vertical, towards the cavern wall. It maintains a constant shape, showing no undulations, waves, or other physical deviations. The coloration is noted, however, to not be consistent, showing an almost marbled pattern of yellows to reddish-oranges. These patterns move and change, indicating a downwards flow.
Most bizarre, however, are the facts that the exterior seems solid to the touch, and that both the surface and emitted heat are drastically below what would be required to melt the presumed material. The surface temperature hovers around the 60 to 75 degree centigrade mark, likened to that of a cooling stovetop, while the emitted radiation suggests a temperature closer to 80 degrees.
It was discovered when the massive magma chamber the Haydrian Mass Foundries would later occupy were drained, and immediately captured the hearts and minds of the Core. While little is fully understood about the Liquid-Earth Pillar as it continues to confound researchers, it has gone on to become one of the notable landmarks of the Mass Foundries, featuring as prominently as the Crucible Stacks or The Steel Cathedral on any associated iconography.
It is a cultural faux pas in the Mass Foundries to suggest powering something or otherwise harnessing the energy of the Liquid-Earth Pillar. Scientists and researchers point towards the uncertainty of if the Pillar could collapse or lose all its heat, while denizens of a more superstitious nature point towards the numerous failures that have beset past attempts, leading them to conclude the idea is "cursed".
Additional Names :
Many residents and workers in the Mass Foundries have taken to calling this Pillar "The Magma Tube" or "The Lava Tube" [sic], or sometimes even simply "The Tube". Others affectionately know it as "The Heater". Core denizens of a more mystical or spiritual inclination refer to it as "The Earth-Vein".The Pillars (Structure)/IF-20.508
Falling Pillar
ENTRY NAME :
The Falling Pillar
SUBJECT TYPE :
Object / Landmark
KEYWORDS :
Pillar, Falling, Drop, Anomaly
LOCATION :
Located at ███,████, approximately 18 km ████ of Breakbridge. [LOCATION REDACTED ON REQUEST OF DOWN]
DESCRIPTION :
The Falling Pillar is a smooth, continuous metallic rod 1.65 meters in diameter descending at terminal velocity (approximately ████ km/h). Measurements indicate it is aligned perfectly vertically, falling from and into holes with less than 1 centimeter of clearance, with no measurable variance in centering or diameter. Spectral analysis and limited physical samples suggest it is composed of a relatively mundane alloy of Tungsten.
On initial discovery, it was believed to be stationary, but upon closer inspection, the sound of air rushing against the surface could be heard. Touching it almost instantly resulted in the discoverers being swept into the ground, suffering intense friction burns. As a result, protective fences were erected to prevent accidental physical contact, as well as to prevent visitors from being pulled in by the constant downwards air currents that the Pillar's movement produces.
It is unclear if the Pillar has a terminus. Current theories posit that the Pillar is either infinitely long, a closed loop, or somehow being manufactured at its top, wherever that might be. None of these theories are liked by the researchers involved, due to the Core's cultural distaste for infinities. Efforts to probe the depths of its exit or heights of its entry universally make unintentional contact with the Pillar at some point, leading to the near immediate destruction of the probe.
Attempts to harness the falling pillar for power generation have been universally unsuccessful, and are expressly forbidden by DOWN, as a result of damages sustained to both equipment and personnel. Experiments into this had attempted to press dynamo drive wheels against the Pillar. However, no currently known materials are able to withstand the high speeds and temperatures involved, with the most recent and final attempt resulting in severe injuries to all present.
Additional Names :
No other names have been noted.The Pillars (Structure)/IF-20.624
Storyteller’s Bone Pillar
ENTRY NAME :
The Storyteller’s Bone Pillar
SUBJECT TYPE :
Object / Landmark / Person
KEYWORDS :
Pillar, Bone, Person, Graveyard, Grown, Anomaly
LOCATION :
Located in a relatively smaller cave system connected near the lowest levels of DownTown, on the southern end. Signage has been set up to direct visitors and pilgrims more specifically.
DESCRIPTION :
The Storyteller's Bone Pillar is, primarily, a giant tree made of living bone that grows farther into the floor and ceiling than is worth measuring, surrounded by smaller bone trees connected to it by a series of living roots. At the base of the Pillar is an ancient person who took root in the ground long ago. Their memory is almost perfect, but it takes them a while to draw their memories out from the Bone Forest. When they do, they are an excellent storyteller, and have been a useful source for deciphering the Core’s mysterious past.
Walking the Bone Forest, as the surrounding area is known, is held as a very moving experience, and attracts visitors and pilgrims on a regular basis. Efforts have been undertaken to preserve this site, although misbehavior is already extremely rare. Visitors report a feeling of calm and connection to the broader Core and community.
When asked about the nature of their arrangement with the Pillar and the Bone Forest, the Storyteller reported that it was "time for a new caretaker", and that they had volunteered for such a role. While much information about the various cultures who would later form the Core has been told, the Storyteller has, thus far, avoided elaborating on the community to which they were a member. They answer such questions with some form of deflection, saying "that story wouldn't interest you much," and "[it's] a rather dull tale". Rumors have circulated that the Storyteller has been looking for their own successor, but thus far, no conclusive evidence has been found showing this to be the case.
Additional Names :
Core denizens of a more spiritual inclination sometimes refer to this as "The Bone Memorial" or "The Garden of Memories".The Pillars (Structure)/IF-24.109
Shattered Pillar
ENTRY NAME :
The Shattered Pillar
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[Entry sharing name found under “Region / Location”. Read that instead?]
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