Frankforts

The Genesis of Obsidian

Frankforts aren't merely settlements; they are geological anomalies, born from a confluence of tectonic stress and subterranean heat. The most prevalent type – the Obsidian Frankforts – represent the solidified heart of ancient volcanic eruptions, cooled in moments before the earth ripped itself apart. The stone isn’t just black; it pulses with trapped energy, a lingering resonance of the cataclysmic events that birthed them. These structures possess an unnerving stillness, as if time itself flows differently within their shadowed depths.

Legend speaks of the 'Shapers,' beings said to have manipulated the flow of magma and stone during these initial formations. Some believe they were not entirely corporeal, but rather echoes of the planet's own consciousness – entities drawn to the raw power unleashed by the eruptions.

• The Obsidian Frankforts exhibit a strange resistance to conventional weaponry. Blades shatter upon contact, and projectiles simply dissipate before reaching their target.
• Geological surveys consistently reveal complex fractal patterns within the stone’s structure – repeating geometric shapes that defy natural explanation.
• The air around an Obsidian Frankfort is noticeably colder, and a subtle hum can be felt through the ground.

Bone-Bound Echoes

Not all Frankports are forged of obsidian. The Bone Frankports represent something far older, far stranger. They appear where immense creatures – long extinct leviathans and armored reptiles - perished in the volcanic aftermath. Their remains, saturated with a unique mineral composition discovered only within these sites, fused with the cooling lava, creating structures that seem to breathe with an unsettling sentience.

These are not simply ruins; they are repositories of memory. The Bone Frankports retain echoes of the creatures that once inhabited them—fleeting visions, whispers on the wind, and a pervasive sense of mournful awareness. Scholars theorize these echoes aren’t merely residual energy but fragments of consciousness preserved within the stone.

• Exposure to a Bone Frankfort can induce vivid dreams, often featuring fragmented memories that are not your own.
• The bone structures exhibit a disconcerting ability to reshape themselves subtly over time – walls shift, doorways appear and disappear, mirroring the movements of long-dead beasts.
• Certain individuals report experiencing a profound sense of loneliness within these sites, coupled with an overwhelming feeling of being watched.

The Cartographers’ Warning

For centuries, cartographers and explorers have documented the Frankports, but their records are filled with inconsistencies, disappearances, and unsettling accounts. The most common warning – scrawled in frantic handwriting on crumbling parchment - is this: “Do not linger. Do not listen.” The Frankports do not simply exist; they *observe*.

It’s believed that prolonged exposure to a Frankfort can lead to a gradual alteration of perception, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. Individuals who spend too much time within these structures often report experiencing disorientation, hallucinations, and an unsettling sense of detachment from their own identity.