Rooms Discovery Contest

From HollowWiki

Contest Details

If you have ever had an idea for a room within Hollow that would be a cool addition to the general world, is your chance! Write up the room description as you would encounter it in the game, including the room's name and a reference to where in the world it is, if it is unique to a region.

Rules

  • Participants may submit up to three entries.
  • Each entry must be within a different region within Lithrydel. You must be able to access this region IC (IE: No Prek Realm submissions)
  • The rooms may not benefit your character. Your character cannot have discovered this room. Your character cannot manage this room.
  • The admin will have final say on where within a region winning rooms will be placed.
  • At the end of the contest, the rooms will be listed on the wiki anonymously and players will be able to vote on the new additions to the map.
  • Admin have the right to veto a room if we feel like it deviates too far from existing lore.
  • Area leaders may not submit for their own region.

Prizes

  • All entries will earn 1,500 gold per submission.
  • Winning submissions will get 10,000 gold. They will also get to see their submissions added into the game.

Deadline

Hmails must be submitted to Meri, Kasyr, Valrae, Khitti, and Kanna by June 23rd at 11:59 PM EST.

Winners

All the entries were so well loved that it's been decided that they will all be added to the game! Congrats!

1st Place - 11 Votes

  • Enchantment - Everblooming Hawthorn Tree – Written by Meri.

2nd Place - 10 Votes

  • Cenril - The Gods Pier – Written by Lhyrin.
  • Craughmoyle - Loda's Tears – Written by Valrae.
  • Vhys - The Forsaken Beacon – Written by Quintessa.
  • Rynvale - Volcanic Summit Crater – Written by Meri.

3rd Place - 9 Votes

  • Kelay - Kelay Village Gardens – Written by Kanna.
  • Venturil - Unsettling Clearing – Written by Kanna.
  • Gamorg - Haunted Mire – Written by Valrae.

Honorable Mention
8 Votes

  • Cenril - Stone Roots – Written by Meri.
  • Frostmaw - The Glacial Needle – Written by Quintessa.

7 Votes

  • Chartsend - Sanctuary of the Sleepless – Written by Kanna.
  • Larket - The Torchlight Memorial – Written by Syrri.
  • Xalious - Scalebreaker’s Archways – Written by Quintessa.

Entries

Cenril

Stone Roots

Attempts have been made to keep this shop secure, while still trying to create an enticing shopping experience for customers. The windows and doors are warded to help keep their valuable wares here protected, but only those sensitive to such things would notice that protections are in place. Quartz crystals have been wire-wrapped onto long strings which hang from the windows and from doorways inside of the building, catching the sunlight and bouncing rainbows all throughout the shop. The shop has been stocked with an array of products ranging from jewelry, bladed weapons, to staves and wands. The assortment that is offered all share one thing in common, every piece incorporates precious stones into their designs. Emerald. Opal. Hematite. Tourmaline. Agate. The options are plentiful, as can be easily seen by the assortment of vibrant colors that spans the store. Stone Roots is known to be a family-owned business, run by Mister and Missus Cartier and their two adult children. It is often Missus Cartier herself that can be seen running the storefront, with the rest of the family involved in the production and procurement of their wares.

The Gods Pier

A three hundred and sixty foot pier made of Vhysian redwood expands into the sea, stemming from the boardwalk along the beach. Along the railing that encompasses the entire pier, lampposts alternate with statues of Hollow’s pantheon, each one capturing the supposed likeness of each deity perfectly, both posts and statues made from steel. Stalls housing food, games, clothing, and trinkets line the middle of the pier, all neatly placed in two rows, allowing for walking along the outside of it. Halfway down the middle of the pier lies a botanical garden contained within a glass greenhouse, housing not only local flora, but some from other regions as well, with guided tours led by witches that explain not only their basic scientific information, but their spiritual, medical, and culinary uses as well. Beyond the garden lies a deity-themed carousel and a massive ferris wheel, both decorated with animals and other things that are favored by each of the gods, the ferris wheel itself allowing for a look at the city’s beautiful landscape once riders ascend to the top. And for those wishing for a more relaxed visit, benches line the railing, while fishing stations are set up here and there, and bards of all sorts make their music and artistry known to all who have coin.

Chartsend

Sanctuary of the Sleepless

The building’s exterior seems no different from that of the other stone buildings of Chartsend, but perhaps that is the intention of this place’s owner. Sealed and waxed driftwood has been carefully shaped into a cloud and affixed over the weathered wooden doors, with white painted letters reading “Sanctuary of the Sleepless” in both Common and Elven. The inside is illuminated solely by magical candlelight, their eerily still flames casting long shadows along the whitewashed walls. The main room of this building appears to be a foyer, with a desert willow dryad sitting motionless at the front desk at all hours of the day and night, as though in a trance. There are three doors behind the dryad leading to rooms with simple beds, and a pot of a mysterious tea by each bedside to help induce sleep. “Dream and wake anew or your silver back.” The dryad will say if one approaches the doors, her woody palm outstretched. Perhaps it is the candlelight casting shadows in the wrong way, or the way the light reflects off of the cold iron spider pendant around her neck, but something about the smile upon the dryad’s face that carries a foreboding air about it.

Craughmoyle

Loda's Tears

Nearly hidden by a large and spiraling stalagmite, the mouth of a small cave opens up to a stunning cavern. An untold number of years has carved the gypsum and limestone walls into a tall cave filled with crystal clear water. Bioluminescent algae and carpet thick moss of unusually blue nature covers the jutting shapes of stone that rise up like fingers straining to reach geode covered ceiling. Dark and uncut crystals cover the roof of the cave, glittering like a sky full of stars. A narrow bridge of stone and rope stretches over the deceptively deep, glowing water and leads to a lovingly stone carved shrine dedicated to the dwarven goddess Loda. While she is usually depicted carrying a weapon or beer stein, she is kneeling here. Her hands are empty and cupped before her as water flows gently from her onyx crafted eyes, overflowing from her hands and down into the pool below.

Enchantmenmt

Everblooming Hawthorn Tree

A thirty foot tree stands proud in the forest, pale pink foliage easily capable of pulling the attention of any passing through the forests. During the Spring and Summer seasons, the pink pops against the green of the rest of the forest. It is during the Winter months, when the snow blankets the forest floor and all the surrounding trees are bare, that this tree shows its peculiarities for its blossoms remain when they should wither from the cold. The Hawthorn tree only appears pink from a distance, closer inspection will show it is just a trick of the eye. Blossoms that are pure white in color grow on this tree as well as ripe red berries that are just just waiting to be picked. The tree radiates a soothing area, meant to entice and lure travelers into napping against its trunk or to pluck a few of those lovely and very edible red berries from its branches. Any decision to linger in the area too long could prove costly, for the occasional fairy can be seen flitting between berries and blossoms. This is their home and those who remain in their sights for too long could fall victim to a fairy prank, best case scenario. Plenty of stories are told about the fae and their treatment of unsuspecting travelers, especially humans.

Frostmaw

The Glacial Needle

Here the snow-covered terrain inclines into a plateau, large glacial walls rising into sharp, curved edges as the howling wind carves into them. Where the winds reach their peak so too does the terrain, its precipice rising high above the frigid landscape into a giant, slender, needle-like formation called the Glacial Needle. Resembling a massive, upside-down icicle, it pierces the sky dozens of meters in the air, shimmering with a translucent, ethereal beauty as the raging winds caress against it, the sharp point of the needle creating a mournful, low whistle as the breeze is cut by it, their lonely tune heard from miles away. Legends claim that the needle is a conduit for powerful ice magic, created centuries ago by ambitious cryomancers, though no evidence of such an event exists today. The area here is still extremely cold, however, and black ice from the heart of the glacial wall creeps along to the surface, giving some credence that this part of the glacier is indeed affected by naturally existing ambient magic.

Gamorg

Haunted Mire

A raised path of hard packed dirt lined with rune etched stones spirals through the wetlands that rise up here. Between dark swamp cypress, dead bog wood, and thick carpets of vivid green algae, unnervingly still water glitters in the muted natural light that filters weakly through the creeping overhanging vines. Peat moss, fungi of varied kinds, and carnivorous plants thrive here as flies and other buzzing insects dart over the water. There is a sinister, eerie feeling that saturates the humid and stinking air. In a seemingly random pattern, red stained pikes rise up from the wetlands. Upon closer inspection, leathered and mummified bodies with long preserved expressions of screaming agony rest trapped beneath the calm water. Strange, floating lights of many colors seem to rise beyond the twisted trees.

Kelay

Kelay Village Gardens

A patch of greenery stretches the span of a spacious building here, complementing the natural beauty of the neighboring town hall and eateries. The garden is lined with thorny brambles facing outwards to deter critters from making a buffet of everything else within. Judging from the patches of bramble that have a healthy layer of marbled cat fur at ankle height dangling from the thorns, and the frequency of which citizens and passerby alike will see the owner of said fur using the thorns as a face and back scratcher, it is safe to say this area is well-guarded from pests. Inside of the garden itself, there are rows upon rows of raised planters, each neatly labeled with swirling Elven lettering on signs made of pressed oak leaves. Flowering carrots, asparagus stalks, and heads of cabbage are some of the many edible varieties found here. A sign at the entrance facing Kelay Way reads in Common: “Take a plant, leave a seed.” The branches from the ancient trees in this area have been adorned with glowing stones that hang from wrapped vines to keep the area illuminated in low light, which highlight a small structure in which several different seeds from travelers have been left behind for eventual planting. The community garden only exits to the north from here.

Larket

The Torchlight Memorial

Surrounding this place is a living barrier of flora that has been elevated from its traditional role to become both guardian and the adorned. The unconventional boundary spreads open with a botanical masterpiece of a gate: vines have been coaxed into a lattice frame upon which life can thrive, both formidable and enchanting, with each coil and tendril aligned as though by celestial brushstrokes to present a dance of blooms and leaves. Beyond this majestic entryway, a mesmerizing tapestry of Lithrydelian life has been laid out as a testament to the gods' masterful artistry. Meticulously arranged rows of vibrant plantlife lead one through a veritable storybook, from humble ferns to exquisite blossoms, leaf and frond, fruit and flower. While no predictable pattern appears to govern one's course through the channels of otherworldly wonders, visitors are unassumingly guided by the scattered imprints of knowledge etched into polished blackstone podiums with painstaking detail and considerable care. Upon the face of each stand is a brass-plated engraving, unveiling unique taxonomy, history, and lore. Some even carry prose or poetry thought to be inspired by the floral arrangements, colorful notes tucked into the frames by guests seeking to honor the graciousness of boundless love. Within this harmonious labyrinth, everyday plants thrive alongside rare and exotic species, their symbiotic coexistence nurtured with utmost dedication, ensuring no divine creation falls prey to the encroachment of another. Tall hedges stand like arboreal sentinels, beckoning one through meandering lanes where meticulously tended living illustrations are revealed, stems and vines are interwoven into elaborate scenes depicting some of Lithrydel's most memorable moments. As gentle breezes cause a flutter of petals and leaves, the scenes seem to come to life, giving the impression of watching a moving picture. Hand-carved stone benches find refuge at seemingly arbitrary intersections to offer respite and reflection, each flanked by exquisitely chiseled alabaster statues that embody mythic and well-known figures from the continent's rich narrative, their left hands forever clasping a single torch. During daylight hours, the torches resemble the pale stone that encases them, yet once ethereal twilight settles upon Larket, a surge of mana breathes life into them, igniting each with a warm and inviting glow. Dancing shadows and soft lights cast a spell upon the gardens, transforming them into a realm plucked from the pages of a fairytale, and as dusk continues to bestow its kiss upon the realm, hundreds of fireflies emerge from specific sections amid the towering partitions, their twinkling star-like luminescence amplifying the mysticism and turning the Torchlight Memorial into a place that seems to transcend the mortal planes. Surrounded by these glittering creatures and the gentle fragrances that perfume the air, the garden becomes a sanctuary for whispered confessions and vows of eternal love. Romantics and dreamers alike are irresistibly drawn to this hallowed ground of scintillating life amidst the city of stone, and it is no surprise that countless Lithrydelians surrender to the allure of tender moments in the flickering torchlight. It is a place where dreams entwine with reality, where nature's resplendent beauty embraces the heart, and where everlasting memories are forged in the crucible of time.

Rynvale

Volcanic Summit Crater

Most who want to take a peek at the center of what is still an active volcano will have to endure a steep climb up mountain terrain to even get to this point. Once at the top, travelers are given an interrupted full-circle view of the surrounding oceans and the eastern coast of Rynvale Island. While the surface of this volcanic crater has cooled enough that it is solid and it is possible for individuals to traverse across it, it may not be advisable. Even from the rim of the crater, the heat from the magma that roils below can be felt and it only becomes more intense the closer to the center of the crater one goes. If the heat is not enough to deter wanderers from prolonged investigation of the crater, pockets of hot gas periodically find escape through cracks on the surface. If anyone is in the wrong spot at the wrong time, they risk incurring severe burns that even seasoned healers would cringe at trying to treat. Occasionally these gaseous eruptions are accompanied with the foul smell of rotten eggs. Everything indicates that while the view at the summit may be spectacular, it could also be deadly, for there is no telling when this volcano might erupt again.

Venturil

Unsettling Clearing

One does not need to be a frequent traveler of the Dead Woods to know that there is something terribly wrong here. There are no bird calls, no rustling of the underbrush, and it feels as though even the wind is afraid to touch this clearing and its lone inhabitant. A single winding staircase sits perfectly polished and free of detritus or dead foliage, as though it were teleported from a castle to here. The bone-white marble is so clean that one can see their reflection in it, and the burgundy carpet runner going down the steps is immaculate, as though it was just woven today for royalty. The staircase sits jarringly juxtaposed with its surroundings, and nothing in the area seems to indicate that there was a structure of any kind here at some point. Perhaps most unnerving of all is the partial skeleton atop the staircase, its skull and left arm missing from the point where the staircase’s final step tapers off into nothing, or the weathered and tattered parchment tied to the trees around this clearing, begging whoever reads them not to climb the steps.

Vhys

The Forsaken Beacon

The eroded, rocky cliffs meet the ocean here, the dreary, grey horizon broken by the tall silhouette of a massive tower jutting out of the sea. It stretches high into the sky, one-hundred meters of dilapidated, windswept stone defying the ravages of nature and time. Once a functioning lighthouse at the height of Vhysian maritime supremacy, the lens and lantern once housed at the top has long been lost, resting at the bottom of the sea along with countless other relics from a time all but forgotten. Forlorn shipwrecks litter the coastline around it, their bows sticking out of the waters they are submerged in, attracting countless aquatic creatures to thrive inside of the ruins. As one draws closer to the Forsaken Beacon it becomes clear that the tower is not rising out of the ocean but rather a small island just off the coast, covered in the remains of a black stone fortress of unknown origin, using this strange, oily stone as the foundation of the lighthouse. This ebon stone seems to emanate an unsettling aura, a peculiar energy emanating from it, its darkness absorbing the surrounding light and casting an eerie contrast against the rest of the tower. It glistens with a slickness that seems to defy explanation, as if infused with otherworldly properties. Those who dare venture close enough to touch it report it feeling cold and uncanny, its texture reminiscent of liquid and solid merging into a strange amalgamation. This greasy, black stone base clearly holds ancient secrets within, hinting at forbidden power and captivating the attention of Vhysian scholars since their ancestors first settled this area eons ago and discovered it. The Forsaken Beacon is not exactly safe enough to explore, but without guards or a warden to look after it none can stop you if you choose.

Xalious Mountains

Scalebreaker’s Archways

Hidden high in the misty peaks of the Xalious Mountain Range, the pass here has been unnaturally carved out by an ancient civilization. Weathered and moss-covered archways hang above the path here, the sole surviving relics from the colossal fortress that once guarded the mountain passes during the ancient Saurian-Dwarf war. Carved from polished granite over 20,000 years ago, the archway's diminished grandeur and intricate reliefs still depict the fierce battles fought between the dragon empire and the stout dwarven warrior clans. As visitors tread the treacherous mountain trails and pass beneath the archways, they are practically transported back to this era of clashing weapons and powerful magic, of saurians and dwarves laying down their lives over this territory. Stone carvings and faded runes hint at the hidden secrets and long-lost chambers buried within the mountains, and legends even tell of protective enchantments that once fortified the long-lost fortress, amplifying its defenses and beckoning historians and adventurers alike to unravel the mysteries of the past and discover the tales that shaped the realm those tens of thousands of years ago.