In the desolate expanses of the Exiled Lands, a place of ancient and dark repute stands as a testament to powers beyond the ken of mortals: the Well of Skelos. It is a site deeply entrenched in arcane mystery and is the very epitome of the eldritch knowledge that courses through the land, a knowledge that is both seductive and perilous to those who dare to tread its path.
Located in the smoldering heart of a volcano, the Well of Skelos is accessible only to those who have braved the treacherous landscape of the Exiled Lands and proven themselves capable of withstanding its fiery environment. The entrance to this place of power is guarded by formidable creatures and the Votaries of Skelos, that serve as the first of many trials for the aspirants of the Well of Skelos’ secrets. Their very presence is a warning, a sign that this place was not meant to be trifled with, and that the knowledge within can consume one as readily as the flames that surround it.
The interior of the Well of Skelos is a labyrinthine network of corridors hewn from rock, obsidian, and iron, a fortress of the elder age, constructed with an understanding of architecture that defies the limitations of contemporary comprehension. Vast halls echo the whispers of aeons past and the air thrums with an underlying power, heavy with the residue of arcane incantations and rituals long since performed by the Serpent Men, for the Well of Skelos serves as their furnace, their forge, where they tempered not only steel but the fabric of reality itself.
Within the Well’s depths, a forge still burns with an unworldly flame, the fire never dimming, fueled by sorcery that is woven into the fabric of the volcano’s foundations. Here, the Serpent Men wrought their greatest works, shaping powerful artifacts and constructing the very bonds that would link them to their godlike allies and later enemies, the Giant-Kings. It is said that deep within the Well, those knowledgeable and brave enough to navigate its dangers can still find the tools and ingredients required to craft legendary armaments and armor, harnessing the ancient and forbidden techniques of the elder races.
But be warned, traveler, the Well of Skelos is no mere trove of treasures waiting to be plundered. The Votaries of Skelos, sorcerous zealots and loyalists to the Serpent Men, also inhabit the Volcano. The Volcano is a crucible of cosmic forces, and its trials are many. The Giant-kings did not leave their secrets unguarded, and the Serpent Men, spectral guardians, and other unspeakable horrors stand vigilant against intruders. The Well of Skelos is a place of profound knowledge and great reward, but the path to its heart is fraught with dangers that could rend both body and soul asunder. Only those who possess iron will and an unquenchable thirst for the esoteric mysteries of the cosmos can hope to emerge from the Well of Skelos unscathed, bearing the forbidden secrets and unearthly power that lay within.
~The Arcanist~
