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Durnakhar / D1

The Sandward StepsWork, wings and a small offering

The mountain rises.
Life follows every step.

Climb the broad basalt steps where working courts and sheltered homes share the mountainside. Follow Aedrin through stonework and a meeting with a griffin, then discover Saevren’s small offering and his place in the guard.

Locate D1 on the map Begin the journey ↗22 journey images · 2 references

The long ascent: Broad ramps join immense bands of basalt, with homes and workshops sheltered beneath their overhangs.
The cutting courts: Stoneworkers prepare, separate and move heavy pieces while everyday life continues nearby.
A small offering: Saevren brings Aedrin a bracelet made with his own magic. A conversation opens a new path.

24 views

01 / The long ascent

The Sandward Steps

Long ramps connect inhabited ledges across the open mountainside.

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A vast terraced mountainside of dark and brown-grey stone, with long ascending ramps, low homes beneath immense overhangs, small residents and a freight cart, overlooking an open rocky basin. — D1-00
The Sandward Steps
Broad ramps climb through immense bands of stone. Beneath their overhangs, homes and working yards share the mountainside, while the open basin stretches beyond.
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Residents push and guide a wooden cart loaded with boxes uphill on a broad paved ramp, beside homes beneath immense rock overhangs, while a person carrying a basket walks downhill beside the open basin. — D1-R01
Along the Long Ascent
A loaded cart climbs the broad stone ramp while residents carry provisions between the sheltered homes. Beyond the outer wall, the basin opens into the distance.
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02 / Work and daily life

Across the Cutting Courts

Stonework, shared meals and household tasks unfold beneath the great basalt overhangs.

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Aedrin, wearing his fitted black sleeveless outfit, braces beside a massive basalt cutting face and controls small aligned fragments, with stoneworkers, sheltered mountain homes and an open basin behind him. — D1-R02
Before the Stone Gives
Aedrin braces beside the cutting face, guiding the separation and holding loose fragments in line. Across the open court, the other stoneworkers continue their own preparations.
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Aedrin braces on a broad stone working terrace as large basalt fragments break away from a prepared cutting face, with localized dust, other workers and stepped mountain dwellings behind him. — D1-R03
Break Along the Line
Aedrin drives the separation through the prepared stone. Fragments break free in a brief cloud of dust as he holds his stance beside the cutting face.
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Aedrin braces on the right of a broad basalt work yard as a large stone block slides across the paving, trailing low dust. Two workers tend another block beneath terraced dwellings, while the open mountain basin stretches to the left. — D1-R04
Across the Cutting Court
Aedrin draws the heavy block across the cutting court, his stance tightening with the strain. Beyond the rising dust, stoneworkers continue their work beneath the inhabited ledges.
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An open stone courtyard beneath an immense basalt overhang. Residents share a meal on the right, receive a basket of provisions on the left and converse on a bench by the homes. Terraced mountains and a wide basin extend into the distance. — D1-R05
The Sheltered Yards
Beneath the great basalt overhangs, a meal is served and fresh provisions arrive. Conversation lingers at the doorways while the open basin stretches beyond the yards.
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Aedrin stands in a wide, tense stance on the left of a basalt work yard, lifting a massive stone block without touching it. The block floats above its shadow, with its underside visible and small fragments falling. Terraced mountains and an open basin stretch behind him. — D1-R06
A Weight Above the Ground
Aedrin braces as the heavy block rises clear of the court. Grit falls from its underside, and his arms tighten under the strain of holding it aloft.
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Aedrin braces on the right of a basalt work yard, guiding a massive stone block toward two low stacks of heavy timber. The block remains slightly tilted above the supports, with small fragments falling beneath it. Workers continue at another bay, and terraced mountains open toward the basin behind them. — D1-R07
Lower It Steadily
Aedrin steadies the tilted block as it approaches the timber supports. His shoulders remain tense, his attention fixed on the narrowing gap beneath the stone.
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Residents repair a wooden cart wheel, fold linen and pour water into a basin along a row of homes beneath an immense basalt overhang. Warm lamps light the doorways, and a broad stone terrace opens toward the mountain basin on the right. — D1-R08
Life Beneath the Overhang
Beneath the great ledge, a cart wheel is mended while cloth is folded and water poured at the neighboring doorways. The sheltered frontage carries on with the work of an ordinary day.
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03 / At the outer perch

Room to Settle

Aedrin learns to read the griffin’s stance, hold his ground and leave room for trust.

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A steel-grey griffin stands on a broad basalt ledge, its wings folded, raptor forefeet and feline hind paws planted on the rock. Its long tufted tail curves to the right. Terraced homes and ramps lie far below, with an immense rocky basin stretching to the left. — D1-R09
The Outer Perch
With its wings folded, the griffin watches the open basin from the outer rock. Far below, the inhabited steps follow the mountain's long ascent.
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A steel-grey griffin stands on the left of a broad basalt terrace with one wing partially raised. Across an open stretch of rock, Aedrin watches while a brown-clad specialist behind him makes a low, palm-down gesture. Terraced homes, mountains and the basin fill the distance. — D1-R10
Reading the Wings
Aedrin pauses as the griffin lifts a wing. A quiet gesture from the specialist keeps him waiting, watching the feathers and the animal's stance before taking another step.
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Aedrin braces low over loose stone as a slate-grey griffin spreads both wings on a broad rocky apron. A specialist stands back to the left, with terraced basalt homes and an open mountain basin behind them. — D1-R11
Hold the Ground
The griffin spreads its wings, driving dust and gravel across the perch. Aedrin braces and steadies the fractured stone beneath his feet while the specialist signals him to hold.
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A slate-grey griffin lowers its wings on a broad rocky apron as Aedrin stands a short distance away with one hand held low. A specialist waits behind him, beneath immense inhabited basalt terraces overlooking a mountain basin. — D1-R12
Room to Settle
Aedrin eases his approach, leaving the stone between them clear. The griffin lowers its wings, still watching him, while the specialist waits a few paces back.
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Aedrin walks left across a broad basalt apron, looking toward a slate-grey griffin taking a step beside him with its wings folded. A specialist follows at a distance, with inhabited terraces and a vast mountain basin behind them. — D1-R13
First Steps Together
Aedrin gives a low cue and starts across the open stone. The griffin takes a few measured steps beside him, wings folded, while the specialist watches from behind.
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04 / A quieter moment

After the Effort

Water, rest and a quiet presence beside folded wings.

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Aedrin drinks from an earthenware cup while seated on a basalt bench, a water pitcher beside him. Residents work with baskets and provisions beneath an overhang, with inhabited terraces and a wide mountain basin beyond. — D1-R14
After the Effort
Aedrin sits down for water, letting his shoulders ease after the effort. Around him, baskets are mended and provisions carried through the sheltered yards.
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A slate-grey griffin rests on a broad basalt apron, wings folded and head upright, while Aedrin stands quietly beside it. Its talons, tucked feline paws and tufted tail are visible against inhabited terraces and a vast mountain basin. — D1-R15
When the Wings Settle
The griffin settles on the warm stone beside Aedrin, its wings folded. He remains nearby with his hands lowered as life continues along the terraces.
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05 / Saevren and Aedrin

A Small Offering

A metalworker’s gift opens a conversation about admiration, skill and a place in the guard.

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Saevren holds a small bracelet as he approaches Aedrin in a basalt workshop courtyard. — D1-S01
A Small Offering
Saevren approaches with a small bracelet he has forged himself. Aedrin turns to give him his attention.
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Aedrin examines a small woven metal bracelet while Saevren watches beside him. — D1-S02
Made by My Hands
“I made this for you. With my own magic.” Aedrin studies the small bracelet while Saevren watches his reaction.
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Saevren touches the tattoo around his neck while Aedrin listens, holding the bracelet. — D1-S03
Because of You
“When I heard about the arcane marks on your shoulders… I had this done. I wanted to be a little more like you.” Saevren touches his neck, and Aedrin listens with warmth.
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Aedrin gestures while walking beside Saevren along an inhabited basalt terrace. — D1-S04
A Place in the Guard
“You have a steady hand, Saevren. There is a place for you in the guard my father and I share, if you want it.”
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Saevren stands facing Aedrin on a broad terrace; both share a small smile with the mountain basin behind them. — D1-S05
Without Hesitation
“Yes. I do.” Saevren stops and meets Aedrin’s eyes with certainty. Aedrin answers with a quiet smile.
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06 / The journey continues

The Steps Beyond

Life continues along the great inhabited steps.

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D1-R16 · The Steps Beyond

A high view across immense inhabited basalt steps, with long ramps linking sheltered homes, stone-working courts and small groups of residents guiding carts. A broad basin and distant mountain ridges open to the right. — D1-R16
The Steps Beyond
From the upper steps, long ramps connect sheltered homes and working courts. Carts and residents continue along the ledges as the basin opens beyond them.
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07 / Portrait and fauna

Faces of the Sandward Steps

Saevren and the basalt griffin, seen in full.

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A massive grey griffin with an eagle head, two spread feathered wings, front talons, dark furred feline hindquarters, four grounded legs and a long tufted tail, standing on basalt above terraced mountain dwellings. — D1-REF01
Basalt Griffin
Steel-grey wings rise above a powerful feathered chest and dark feline haunches. The griffin stands alert on a broad stone shelf above the Sandward Steps.
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Full-length portrait of Saevren in a sleeveless grey work shirt, with a geometric neck tattoo and short braid, outside a basalt workshop. — D1-REF02
Saevren
Saevren — Metalworker of the Sandward Steps. A precise craft, a small offering, and a place in the guard.
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Find a place

Along the inhabited steps.

The Long AscentBroad ramps carry provisions between the inhabited steps. The Cutting CourtsOpen yards for the extraction and first shaping of stone. The Sheltered YardsHomes, meals and repairs beneath the great overhangs.