Cyclopian ruins

Remnants of cyclopean structures still linger in the cursed realm of Tenehu. Who built them, and what powers they possessed to achieve such a feat, no one knows.

The barbarous, fur-clad men of the mountains say they belong to a precursor civilization that ruled these lands before the elves—and even before men. They were so wise and learned that they were akin to gods upon the earth. Surely they were learned, but wise? If that were the case, they would still be here. Now, only their ruins remain, standing as silent memorials to a long-lost people.

Many have been buried by dirt and ice, but some have been uncovered again since the coming of the comet, which brought such imbalance to Tenehu.

The mountain folk dare not approach these ruins. They hold them in high reverence and will often stand guard over them so that others do not disturb them.

Yet some of the newly exposed sites have been explored by curious souls. They tell of immense structures made from smooth black stone, fashioned so precisely that the pieces seem to slide together. How these constructs were made is unclear, but some appear to contain giant doorways at their center—though few remain intact. There are tales of some ruins covered in unsettling, twisting patterns. Many who enter their presence feel a deep unease and cannot bear to linger long.

Some of these ancient ruins seem to have been damaged by more than just time. They appear to have been melted by intense heat. What might have caused this will likely remain a mystery, along with so much else connected to these remnants.

Little has been found within the ruins, save for what seem to be shards of ancient weapons. These are made of the same black stone as the structures and are said to retain an impossibly sharp edge, even after all this time.

The only other items discovered are strange spheres, also made of smooth black stone and fitting neatly in the palm of one’s hand. They come in many unusual shapes and forms, and their purpose remains unknown. One unverifiable tale claims that the ancient gateways hum and spark as if charged by lightning when one of these spheres is brought near.

But few stories of these places exist, for many who venture close vanish without a trace. Whether true or meant only to scare, many claim that where these ruins lie, the dark-robed magicians are never far—and what they seek there, we can only fear.