The Breath of the Earth (12.28) is far more than a mile deep and none has ever seen the bottom for no such bottom exists. Instead, those who peer over the edge of this vast sinkhole can see the perambulations of strange stars and the feeble gleams of a thousand dying earths.
The hot wind that blows out of this hole in the world is laden with the grey dust of corroded planets and the lifeless ash of decayed hells. For miles in every direction the proper yellow sand of the Singing Wastes is overlaid with a thick layer of blasphemous grey that slowly spreads outwards year by year.
The moisture that comes from the pit nourishes the growth of cacti, which grow in wild profusion for miles around but at the same time the grey dust sickens them. As a result, the cacti grow great and swollen with half-dead limbs, obscene growths, poisonous black mold and stinking abscesses. They make it very difficult for intruders to pass through, which makes the area around the Breath of the Earth a natural place for the winged Nekh to gather.
Strange creatures can be found here, many of which even the Nekh hesitate to eat. There are pallid vipers that burrow in the cacti and watch passerby with eyes of orange jewels that have neither pupils nor lids. There are spider-limbed lizards the color of week-old corpses that give off a debilitating reek if killed. And there are miniature flightless birds whose eggs (if unfertilized and baked) are difficult to distinguish from pearls.
Connections:
- Rugose Pignose (17.07) is being slowly digested by some cacti mold and begs passersby for death. Coming to close would not be wise.
- The prophesies of Jarmond of the Knife (29.14.18) discuss the alignments of stars that are not of this world but which can be seen through the hole known as the Breath of the Earth.
Hooks:
- What could an astrologer learn by looking at these alien stars?
- Aside from the pearl-like eggs, is there anything of value here?
- Do the Nekh stand guard over this hole in the world or allow alien intelligences to pass?
- What was Rugose Pignose doing here?
