Chikurry: The Upside-down Storm of Durandar
Transit
Being a natural phenomenon that stretches over twenty leagues, transit to the Upside-down Storm is accessible from multiple towns, cities, and locations across Chikurry. The most commonly visited location, and therefore the best equipped to handle large numbers of tourists, is Fulldin’s Point, a small bay that extends into the storm along its south-eastern edge. There are regular bus services to Fulldin’s Point from both nearby Klendin and Redgar’s Falls.
Travel from Klendin will take anywhere from three to four hours and will cost about 30 stone. A round-trip ticket from Redgar’s Falls will take an hour both ways by bus, and can be purchased for as little as 10 stone. Some locals offer horse-drawn carriage rides to Fulldin’s Point, which is well worth the 50 stone price-tag, if you have a half-day to spare.
If you want to longwalk to Fulldin’s Point, I’d suggest starting from Redgar’s Falls, though if you have a few days-worth of hiking in you, Klendin is not a terrible option.
Other notable spots include Ferris Walk, a hiking path along the north-eastern edge of the storm near Kannethdin; and Bend Lake, which sits on the western edge of the storm outside of New Lambsden. Time and cost of travel to and from these locations varies based on the season and local conditions, so please make sure you contact the local tour groups to discuss availability. Longwalking is certainly a viable option for both, though Bend Lake will probably take more than a day.
The Place
The Upside-down Storm is a meteorological marvel that has bested the world’s leading climatologists and geologists for decades. Covering an expanse of land that includes Hophare Valley to the west of Durandar, large stones and clumps of earth — some measuring a full seven paces in diameter — float above an enduring fog some seven meters high. Periodically, some as-yet unexplained phenomenon causes a bolt of electricity to form from the fog and strike these floating stones, sending burning light like roots across its surface. The locals call these flashes “fire-trees,” or sometimes “lightning-trees,” and they are incredibly bright; please do not try to observe them without some form of eye protection.
The largest clump of earth and rock in the entire storm is called the Hapex. Measuring a quarter-length in its height and a fourth of that in width, it is easily viewable from Fulldin’s Point. It floats highest over all the other rocks, and is topped with a thick field of tall grass. The Hapex’s flashes are larger and louder than any others, with the light crawling up almost its full length. They are also rarer, with anywhere from half a day to three days between flashes. Nevertheless, when the Hapex flashes, it can be seen for many lengths.
Fulldin’s Point has a wide variety of methods to experience the Upside-down Storm: there are viewing spots that are both active and calm, hiking paths that bring you to various distances from the storm’s edge, and a large number of tours that both travel around and through the storm, depending on your pleasure.
If you wish to view the storm from higher up and get a good view of the whole landscape, I would look at the Longleg March trail. This path is long, but it terminates at Skytouch Heights, one of the highest cliffs surrounding the Hophare Valley. From here, you can see all the way across the storm as well as see the tops of many of the floating stones.
If you want to experience the storm from a distance, Ferris Walk is the path to take. The panorama can be breathtaking if viewed on a clear day, and nearly anywhere along the seven-length long road is an excellent spot for viewing. Personally, my favorite spot is at least a length east past the first sight of the Hapex. There you will find a broad hilltop that will provide a remarkable view. It is a place well suited for relaxation, and I would advise you take a picnic to the spot for an afternoon meal.
The Upside-down Storm is also a marvelous place for birdwatching, as several migratory species nest on the outskirts of the storm. I personally don’t agree that the most important part of Hophare Valley is just outside the storm, but that is part of why I am in awe of this world in which we live: so many different people with so many different ideas about what is and is not interesting.
Be aware that, being a meteorological marvel, the Upside-down Storm is currently — likely perpetually — being studied by at least seven different scientific and philosophical teams. The High Aperture of Mathematics and Studies keeps a team on-site at all times, cycling their students in an out on a regular basis. They are incredibly secretive of their studies, so it is best to give any area marked by the Sign of the Aperture a wide berth, lest you have to take several hours answering questions from their guards.
The Institute of Higher Weather also has a permanent team on the north-western ridge of Hophare Valley. While far more welcoming of strangers, it is unlikely you will ever stumble across their base, as — naturally — they have placed it outside the commonly walked paths and easily accessible locations.
The University of Gran Faloon has set up a series of instruments to measure the air and soil in the area, and sends a team on a bi-monthly basis to check on them. For some reason,1 they placed these machines within easy access of casual hikers and sightseers. Please do not touch any strange machines you see on your walks, they are likely very sensitive.
Of the tours that operate out of Fulldin’s Point, I can easily recommend three.
Ridealong Tours is probably the best option for people who are visiting the storm for the first time, as their package tours drive along both lower and upper roads along the Hophare valley, giving a sample of the storm from both above and below. The tour-guides are practiced and knowledgeable, and will gladly answer any questions you have during the tour. A full round trip will run anywhere from 120s to 225s per ticket, depending on the season.
Rockstep Tours is geared more towards the hiking and biking tourist, and offers multiple paths of varying inclines and lengths. Rockstep fashions its tours as “designed to show you the storm at its most beautiful,” and promises at least four photo-opportunities per mile. The tour-guides are friendly and encouraging, and are all accomplished hikers and rock-climbers. The shortest hikes take only an hour or two, and cost about 50s per head, 100s for a family package. The longer ones can take up to five hours and cost up to 100s per head, 300s for a group package.
The last Tour-company is Treggaylin Road, and I would encourage visitors to take one of their tours only after your first trip to the Upside-down Storm. This Tour is for practiced hikers and healthy tourists only, as its path goes straight through and into the storm itself. Hiking in the storm is not for amateurs; it can be dangerous if you do not take proper precautions, and the veterans at Treggaylin Road know what they are doing.
That said, I took the plunge during my third trip to the Upside-down Storm, and I can safely say it was one of the most awe-inspiring experiences I have ever had.
After strapping on a copper safety harness and grounding wire, our tour-group was introduced to our guide, a cheerful fen-folk by the name of Ben. Ben ran us through some basic safety precautions, and after we had divested ourselves of most of our metal objects, we started down the path.
It took ten minutes before we reached the edge of the fog, and walking into it was thrilling in itself. Looking out over the top of the fog was like watching a slow gray sea flooding the valley, and with every step the horizon became dimmer and more distant. The fog itself began to pull away as we walked through what is called the surface-layer, only to return as a dark swirling haze once we reached the ground-layer.
Walking through the Upside-down Storm is like walking through an ocean of air. There were visible eddies and currents, the shrubbery waved half like leaves in wind, half like seaweed in water. One of my fellow hikers described it like walking in a dream, where the world has collapsed and become nothing more than the few visible square feet that surround you. You become the center of a tiny universe, enveloped by distant cracking and rumbling of thunder.
Our tour-guide explained to us that if we were to hike the trail without our equipment, and had the company not set up dispersal-cones along the path, we might have been sources of lightning ourselves. As it was, the dispersal-cones provided perfect places for the lightning to form, and we were safe. When bolts struck, it was like the entire world burned for a fraction of a second, only for the flames to fly into the air, sucking your breath along after it. Thanks to the protective headphones none of our group lost their hearing, but the sizzling crack of thunder still shook us to our spines. The fog burst and shimmered, burning away like cobwebs and leaving a swirling eddy of mist before crashing back into us like sea-spray.
Through specially tinted glasses we could see the blinding light crawl through the fog like a snake, only to strike one of the floating clods of earth and stone and flare a brilliant red. Fingers of flame flashed across the rocks like roots through soil, and for a moment there was a marvelous white glow, like tree branches made of dusk-light.
When writing the outline for this book, I put a small note for myself that I have just re-read: “put in some of the thoughts you had during the walk.” As I think about what was going through my head, however, I can’t call it thought. The silence, the cloaking fog flickering behind smoked goggles; I was transported to a place beyond mere thought to a place of being. I was caught in a zen-like trance where my mind was silent. For twenty minutes of walking — the longest the protective gear was graded for — the unearthly silence was louder than my thoughts. The world was nothing more than gray and distant thunder, like being in the womb once more.
Accommodations
Klendin
A tiny town, Klendin is a difficult place to find lodging. There is only one Hotel, Mara’s Place, which has a very limited number of rooms, though they are warm and well kept. If you want to purchase a room at Mara’s Place, make sure you call ahead at least a few months in advance, to make sure there is space. Most travelers would to better to find a bed in Redgar’s Falls if they wish to spend a few days in the region.
Redgar’s Falls
With a large selection of hotels, it’s hard to go wrong in Redgar’s Falls. If you are on a budget, I recommend Candlelight Dreams as the cheapest option, while Hotel Green the best value for your coin.
If you want a lavish stay, go for The Brass Inn, as its rooms are by far the largest and come with the most amenities.
Kannethdin
The best place to stay in Kannethdin is Old Lowdie’s. Managed by a charming young fen by the name of Alix, Old Lowdie’s is one of the most comfortable stays I’ve ever had. With a marvelous rustic charm, the rooms are cozy and simple, and come with free breakfasts for as long as you stay.
New Lambsden
New Lambsden has no hotels, par se, but does have several rentable rooms from the locals. Calling the New Lambsden town hall will get you a list of people who have offered to put up lodgers for brief stays for reasonable prices. Most won’t take reservations, so this is only a great option for those who don’t make it a point to plan their trips too carefully. Hitchhikers, backpackers, and the like are the people most likely to find this service ideal for their needs.
Things to Do
I myself think the Upside-down Storm is worth spending an entire day experiencing, but variety is the spice of life. Apart from seeing the Upside-down Storm itself, there are several other attractions that the casual traveler may want to visit, depending on where you are staying.
Wherever you go, be sure to sample a piece of burn-bread. A local dish, burn-bread is a kind of breaded dumpling that is flash-fried in a specially designed container by the fire-trees of the storm. Cooking the dumplings usually happens on the edges of the storms, where the fire-trees are gentler and less common. This does make them slightly more expensive than your average dumpling, however, and while many people write burn-breads off as tourist-bait, I myself find the experience unique. The storm’s mist mingles with the ozone of the fire-tree, and gives the bread a kind of porous airiness underneath the crunchy exterior.
Many chefs experiment with seasonings and fillings, but I suggest trying a plain burn-bread first, which are usually just made with small amounts of salt and honey. Watch out for those who over-season their burn-bread, as too much can overpower the subtle notes.
Klendin
Klendin is a wonderful little village, with warm people and a strong sense of community. There are two restaurants in Klendin, and both are cozy little spots with good meals and friendly company. The Spotted Dog is a casual spot, with a small menu of simple fare that is still tasty and filling. their specialty is a creamy savory pie, filled with meats,2 vegetables, and seasonings. Meals range from 2 to 5 stone.
Lira’s is a more upscale affair, with prices ranging from 4 to 7 stone a plate. They specialize in roasts and noodle dishes, making all their pastas and herb-mixes in-house. The owner, Yordi Pontier, makes his own beers and wines, and keeps a collection of bottles and barrels for anyone who is willing to sample. I prefer his beers, myself, but the locals swear by his wines. I certainly recommend asking for samples.
Redgar’s Falls
Redgar’s Falls is one of the largest cities in the region, and has a thriving tourist industry largely due to the storm. Being so close to Fulldin’s Point, Redgar’s Falls has become somewhat synonymous with the landmark, and the locals have seized the opportunity. Restaurants, art galleries, hotels, souvenir and keepsake shops, museums, and all manner of tourist attractions line the streets of Redgar’s Falls.
In addition to the standard tourist fare, Redgar’s Falls is famous for its syrup industry. The variety of regional sap-producing trees, along with a thriving honeybee population and a sugar-producing plant called sweetrod, provides Redgar’s Falls with an unparalleled list of different syrups and sugars. The most famous is undoubtedly gold syrup, made from the Hesprus tree in early autumn. Gold syrup is widely exported, and fetches a high price on the commodities market.
I myself am partial to rod-sugar, the refined sugars made from the sweetrod plant. It has an earthy, almost musty flavor that gives extra layers of flavor generally lacking from plain white sugar. Rod-sugar syrup is traditionally smoked, adding to its deep rich flavor. A small spoonful in a cup of coffee or dark tea, and you’re drinking a brisk autumn day as you sit next to a roaring campfire.
Sugar candies are common in Redgar’s Falls, naturally.
Kannethdin
Kannethdin, being close to Ferris Walk, has some of the most beautiful countryside in Durandar province. Nature walks, birdwatching expeditions, and hikes of all kinds are available for reasonable prices. Alternately, you can simply set out into the countryside. Paths are well marked and trail maps are available at Kannethdin’s town hall.
Kannethdin also has a surprisingly active nightlife, with dance-halls and pubs providing a wide variety of evening activities. Pub game-nights are held regularly, both in new-comer and regular varieties.
Street performance is also common, with small comedy troupes performing in the traditional sennermak style,3 as well as musicians, dancers, and poetry recitals. Make sure to keep a small collection of chips and knocks on your person, as tipping is expected.
New Lambsden
New Lambsden is largely known for its proximity to Bend Lake, a large body of water that butts up against to the western edge of the storm. Less of a day-trip destination, New Lambsden is an excellent place to visit if you enjoy fishing and hunting. Three separate Hunters’ Lodges have locations in New Lambsden: The Hunter’s Guild, the Hunter and Fisher Association, and the Opal Elk Lodge. Members of these associations should make arrangements with their local representatives if they are planning a trip, to make sure they follow all local laws and regulations.
As someone who doesn’t hunt myself, I cannot comment on the quality of the game, save to say that I have made friends with many guild-members during my travels, and all of those who have visited speak of New Lambsden in high regard.
I can comment about the fishing, however. Bend Lake is a deep body of water that is warmed by a natural spring at the edge of the storm. It is full of a wide variety of trout, carp, eels, and redfin; and is a prime fishing spot. Season licenses are reasonably priced but heavily policed, as Durandar province has a vested interest in protecting the lake’s stock.
The warm temperature, coupled with the cool air that flows in from the north and south, results in a lot of gentle fog and mist the closer you get to the storm. On thick days, this can make it difficult to tell where the lake ends and the storm begins, giving the lake a liminal quality. It is easy to forget yourself out on the lake, staring at the distant gray and seeing the distant flashes of light, like bare winter trees made of fire.
The world is full of these places; spots that almost devour you, leaving your thoughts behind as you become lost in their awe-inspiring majesty. I find Bend Lake and the Upside-down Storm both places of this manner of wonder. While there are many places that are praised and celebrated for this nature, I am still confused as to why no local faiths or spiritual practices incorporate the Upside-down Storm. It is a place well fit to meditation, reflection, and faith.