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{{Sky_Location|image1 = whitewell.png|caption1 = Where the wind blows. Art from Sunless Skies.|region = [[The Blue Kingdom]]|allegiance = [[The Sapphir'd King]]<br>The Graven (The Court)<br>The Widows (Wellmouth)|notable_inhabitants = The Jewelled Judge<br>The Carious Official<br>The Exacting Ombudsman|music = [https://soundcloud.com/plausible-albatross/resonating-dead Resonating Dead]}}''"Here, a prison of the Blue Kingdom, reserved for punishment of the erroneous dead."''


'''The White Well''' is the frozen black hole of [[the Blue Kingdom]]. The Well consists of two parts: '''the Stone-Faced Court''' and '''Wellmouth'''.__forcetoc__
{{Sky_Location|image1 = whitewell.png|caption1 = Where the wind blows. Art from Sunless Skies.|region = [[The Blue Kingdom]]|allegiance = [[The Sapphir'd King]]<br>The Graven (The Court)<br>The Widows (Wellmouth)|notable_inhabitants = The Jewelled Judge<br>The Carious Official<br>The Exacting Ombudsman|music = [https://soundcloud.com/plausible-albatross/resonating-dead Resonating Dead]}}''"Here, a prison of the Blue Kingdom, reserved for punishment of the erroneous dead."''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/Wellmouth|Log Entries|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>
 
'''The White Well''' is the frozen sky-well of [[the Blue Kingdom]]. The Well consists of two parts: '''the Stone-Faced Court''' and '''Wellmouth'''.__forcetoc__


==The Stone-Faced Court==
==The Stone-Faced Court==
''"Half-ziggurat, half-fortress, the Court is where spirits go to face judgement before they meet their end. A meek little city has sprung up around it almost by default."''
''"Half-ziggurat, half-fortress, the Court is where spirits go to face judgement before they meet their end. A meek little city has sprung up around it almost by default."''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_White_Well|The Stone-Faced Court|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>
 
'''The Stone-Faced Court''' is a massive ziggurat built near the White Well. This is where the dead are judged by Blue Kingdom's administration. Due to the large number of spirits and the slow nature of the process, the waiting line to enter the court has become so long that a town named '''Urd''' was established around it.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_White_Well|Urd|Sunless Skies|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_White_Well|Seek entry to the Stone-Faced Court|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>


'''The Stone-Faced Court''' is a massive ziggurat built near the White Well. This is where the dead are judged by Blue Kingdom's administration. Due to the large number of spirits and the slow nature of the process, the waiting line to enter the court has become so long that a town named '''Urd''' was established around it.


Those who are judged as dead are passed on to [[Death's Door]]; those that are judged to be '''Failed Dead''' are sentenced to be thrown into the Well. Failed Dead are typically people who've dabbled in immortality, since their attempts have altered their spirits and souls.
Those who are judged as dead are passed on to [[Death's Door]];<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Stone-Faced_Court|Watch the Trials of the Dead|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>
those that are judged to be '''Failed Dead''' are sentenced to be thrown into the Well. Failed Dead are typically people who've dabbled in immortality, since their attempts have altered their spirits and souls.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Trials_of_the_Dead|Intercede on the Failed Dead's behalf|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>


Yoked beings are not permitted to enter the Court. This is most certainly not an effort to hide corruption within...
Yoked beings are not permitted to enter the Court. This is most certainly not an effort to hide corruption within...<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_White_Well|Enter the Stone-Faced Court|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>


===The Graven===
===The Graven===
[[File:Jewelledjudge.png|thumb|One of the Graven, the Jewelled Judge]]The Court is managed by the '''Graven'''. These jewelled individuals have had all flesh above their collarbone carved out, and their exposed skulls adorned with gemstones. Their rank determines the number and size of the jewels in their skulls.
[[File:Jewelledjudge.png|thumb|One of the Graven, the Jewelled Judge]]The Court is managed by the '''Graven'''. These jewelled individuals have had all flesh above their collarbone carved out, and their exposed skulls adorned with gemstones. Their rank determines the number and size of the jewels in their skulls.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_White_Well|Enter the Stone-Faced Court|Sunless Skies|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_White_Well|A Bit of a Wait|Sunless Skies|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Stone-Faced_Court|The Stone-Faced Court|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>
 


Despite their deathly appearance, the Graven are not actually dead; [[the Sapphir'd King]] gave them an exemption from the law of death as a reward for their service.
Despite their deathly appearance, the Graven are not actually dead; [[the Sapphir'd King]] gave them an exemption from the law of death as a reward for their service.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Stone-Faced_Court|Buy your crew a few rounds at the tavern|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>


Just because the Graven aren't dead doesn't mean they're in great shape, though; their work is notoriously mentally taxing. Many that aren't satisfied with their position ''grow their faces back,'' then leave the Blue Kingdom to "enjoy life", much to the bafflement of the other Graven.
Just because the Graven aren't dead doesn't mean they're in great shape, though; their work is notoriously mentally taxing. Many that aren't satisfied with their position ''grow their faces back,'' then leave the Blue Kingdom to "enjoy life", much to the bafflement of the other Graven.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Stone-Faced_Court|Write a Port Report|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>


==Wellmouth==
==Wellmouth==
Line 27: Line 30:
|allegiance=The Widows
|allegiance=The Widows
|notable_inhabitants = The Matronly Relict
|notable_inhabitants = The Matronly Relict
}}''"A smattering of dark cottages at the White Well's edge. It is surrounded by endless rows of tumbled and broken statues, mere specks against the snow."''
}}''"A smattering of dark cottages at the White Well's edge. It is surrounded by endless rows of tumbled and broken statues, mere specks against the snow."''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/Wellmouth|Wellmouth|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>
 
'''Wellmouth''' is a small village built at the very edge of the White Well. It is infested with spiders, both [[Sorrow-spiders]] and the more common variant.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/Wellmouth|The Dressing of the Well|Sunless Skies|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/A_Web_of_Intrigue|A Web of Intrigue|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>
 
 
The village is inhabited by a group of old women called '''the Widows'''. Led by the impossibly colossal '''Matronly Relict''', their job is to throw the Failed Dead into the Well. They are known to be very fierce, to the point that even the Graven fear them. Those who seek to linger or even live at Wellmouth should ask for their permission.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/Wellmouth|Watch the Widows inter one of the Failed Dead|Sunless Skies|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/Wellmouth|Speak to the Widows|Sunless Skies|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/Wellmouth|The Matronly Relict|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>
 


'''Wellmouth''' is a small village built at the very edge of the White Well. It is infested with spiders, both [[Sorrow-spiders]] and the more common variant.
Because the White Well is frozen, some Failed Dead can just climb the Well's depths to escape. To prevent this, some Yoked have been assigned the task of being '''spider-sweepers'''. Spider-sweepers descend into the Well, then sweep off any Failed Dead that are climbing the walls using a broomstick. Unfortunately, more recently, the Widows and the Graven have forgotten about the existence of this necessary task...<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/Wellmouth|Ask to become the Spider-Sweeper|Sunless Skies|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/Wellmouth|Fulfil your duties as the Spider-Sweeper|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>


The village is inhabited by a group of old women called '''the Widows'''. Led by the impossibly colossal '''Matronly Relict''', their job is to throw the Failed Dead into the Well. They are known to be very fierce, to the point that even the Graven fear them. Those who seek to linger or even live at Wellmouth should ask for their permission.
{{Major spoiler small}}


Because the White Well is frozen, some Failed Dead can just climb the Well's depths to escape. To prevent this, some Yoked have been assigned the task of being '''spider-sweepers'''. Spider-sweepers descend into the Well, then sweep off any Failed Dead that are climbing the walls using a broomstick. Unfortunately, more recently, the Widows and the Graven have forgotten about the existence of this necessary task...
==The Improbable Collusion of Two Unrelated Perils==
''The gods' grim humour. An unlikely conspiracy of wrongs. Trouble.''<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/The_Improbable_Collusion_of_Two_Unrelated_Perils|The Improbable Collusion of Two Unrelated Perils|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>
 
 
The Widows of the Wellmouth aren't actually what they seem- their actual loyalty lies not with [[The Blue Kingdom]], but with [[Sorrow-spiders#A Web Hung Between the Stars|The Spider-Senate]] trapped inside The Well.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/Wellmouth|The Dressing of the Well|Sunless Skies|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/Wellmouth|Forsake your current rite|Sunless Skies|}}</ref> Not only that, The Widows aren't even remotely human- they simply "wear" human-like bodies to disguise themselves.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/A_voice_in_your_head...#wellmouth_desc|speak_widows|Sunless Skies|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/A_voice_in_your_head...#wellmouth_desc|speak_widows2|Sunless Skies|}}</ref> '''The Matronly Relict''' is actually an enormous spider-like creature called '''The Weaver of Roads and Doors''', who can put on the illusory appearance of the more human-looking Relict.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/A_voice_in_your_head...#wellmouth_desc|relicts_cottage|Sunless Skies|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/A_voice_in_your_head...#wellmouth_desc|visit_relict|Sunless Skies|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/A_voice_in_your_head...#wellmouth_desc|wedlock_commentary2|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>
 
 
 
 
The imposters's collective name being "The Widows", the ancient Rite of Wedlock that one can perform here,<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/Wellmouth|Enact the Rite of Wedlock|Sunless Skies|}}</ref> and the affectionate way [[Sorrow-spiders#A Web Hung Between the Stars|The Spider-Senate]] refers to The Weaver<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/A_voice_in_your_head...#wellmouth_desc|visit_relict|Sunless Skies|}}</ref> all seem to imply a spousal relationship between the two hiveminds- with The Widows mourning the other's imprisonment and sending The Failed Dead down the Well, so that [[Sorrow-spiders#A Web Hung Between the Stars|The Spider-Senate]] can use their endlessly regrowing flesh and eyes to grow in strength and number.<ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/A_voice_in_your_head...#wellmouth_desc|speak_widows2|Sunless Skies|}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://sunlessskies.fandom.com/wiki/A_voice_in_your_head...#wellmouth_desc|failed_dead2|Sunless Skies|}}</ref>
 
== References ==
[[Category:Places]]
[[Category:Places]]
[[Category:The Blue Kingdom]]
[[Category:The Blue Kingdom]]
Line 39: Line 59:
[[Category:Formatted]]
[[Category:Formatted]]
[[Category:Stylistic]]
[[Category:Stylistic]]
<references />

Revision as of 20:26, 31 May 2021

"Here, a prison of the Blue Kingdom, reserved for punishment of the erroneous dead."[1]

The White Well is the frozen sky-well of the Blue Kingdom. The Well consists of two parts: the Stone-Faced Court and Wellmouth.

The Stone-Faced Court

"Half-ziggurat, half-fortress, the Court is where spirits go to face judgement before they meet their end. A meek little city has sprung up around it almost by default."[2]

The Stone-Faced Court is a massive ziggurat built near the White Well. This is where the dead are judged by Blue Kingdom's administration. Due to the large number of spirits and the slow nature of the process, the waiting line to enter the court has become so long that a town named Urd was established around it.[3][4]


Those who are judged as dead are passed on to Death's Door;[5] those that are judged to be Failed Dead are sentenced to be thrown into the Well. Failed Dead are typically people who've dabbled in immortality, since their attempts have altered their spirits and souls.[6]

Yoked beings are not permitted to enter the Court. This is most certainly not an effort to hide corruption within...[7]

The Graven

One of the Graven, the Jewelled Judge

The Court is managed by the Graven. These jewelled individuals have had all flesh above their collarbone carved out, and their exposed skulls adorned with gemstones. Their rank determines the number and size of the jewels in their skulls.[8][9][10]


Despite their deathly appearance, the Graven are not actually dead; the Sapphir'd King gave them an exemption from the law of death as a reward for their service.[11]

Just because the Graven aren't dead doesn't mean they're in great shape, though; their work is notoriously mentally taxing. Many that aren't satisfied with their position grow their faces back, then leave the Blue Kingdom to "enjoy life", much to the bafflement of the other Graven.[12]

Wellmouth

"A smattering of dark cottages at the White Well's edge. It is surrounded by endless rows of tumbled and broken statues, mere specks against the snow."[13]

Wellmouth is a small village built at the very edge of the White Well. It is infested with spiders, both Sorrow-spiders and the more common variant.[14][15]


The village is inhabited by a group of old women called the Widows. Led by the impossibly colossal Matronly Relict, their job is to throw the Failed Dead into the Well. They are known to be very fierce, to the point that even the Graven fear them. Those who seek to linger or even live at Wellmouth should ask for their permission.[16][17][18]


Because the White Well is frozen, some Failed Dead can just climb the Well's depths to escape. To prevent this, some Yoked have been assigned the task of being spider-sweepers. Spider-sweepers descend into the Well, then sweep off any Failed Dead that are climbing the walls using a broomstick. Unfortunately, more recently, the Widows and the Graven have forgotten about the existence of this necessary task...[19][20]

"Are you quite sure you want to know this?"

Beyond this point lie major spoilers for Fallen London, Sunless Sea, Sunless Skies, or Mask of the Rose. This may include endgame or major Fate-locked spoilers. Proceed at your own risk.

You can find out more about our spoiler policy here.


The Improbable Collusion of Two Unrelated Perils

The gods' grim humour. An unlikely conspiracy of wrongs. Trouble.[21]


The Widows of the Wellmouth aren't actually what they seem- their actual loyalty lies not with The Blue Kingdom, but with The Spider-Senate trapped inside The Well.[22][23] Not only that, The Widows aren't even remotely human- they simply "wear" human-like bodies to disguise themselves.[24][25] The Matronly Relict is actually an enormous spider-like creature called The Weaver of Roads and Doors, who can put on the illusory appearance of the more human-looking Relict.[26][27][28]



The imposters's collective name being "The Widows", the ancient Rite of Wedlock that one can perform here,[29] and the affectionate way The Spider-Senate refers to The Weaver[30] all seem to imply a spousal relationship between the two hiveminds- with The Widows mourning the other's imprisonment and sending The Failed Dead down the Well, so that The Spider-Senate can use their endlessly regrowing flesh and eyes to grow in strength and number.[31][32]

References

  1. ↑ Log Entries, Sunless Skies
  2. ↑ The Stone-Faced Court, Sunless Skies
  3. ↑ Urd, Sunless Skies
  4. ↑ Seek entry to the Stone-Faced Court, Sunless Skies
  5. ↑ Watch the Trials of the Dead, Sunless Skies
  6. ↑ Intercede on the Failed Dead's behalf, Sunless Skies
  7. ↑ Enter the Stone-Faced Court, Sunless Skies
  8. ↑ Enter the Stone-Faced Court, Sunless Skies
  9. ↑ A Bit of a Wait, Sunless Skies
  10. ↑ The Stone-Faced Court, Sunless Skies
  11. ↑ Buy your crew a few rounds at the tavern, Sunless Skies
  12. ↑ Write a Port Report, Sunless Skies
  13. ↑ Wellmouth, Sunless Skies
  14. ↑ The Dressing of the Well, Sunless Skies
  15. ↑ A Web of Intrigue, Sunless Skies
  16. ↑ Watch the Widows inter one of the Failed Dead, Sunless Skies
  17. ↑ Speak to the Widows, Sunless Skies
  18. ↑ The Matronly Relict, Sunless Skies
  19. ↑ Ask to become the Spider-Sweeper, Sunless Skies
  20. ↑ Fulfil your duties as the Spider-Sweeper, Sunless Skies
  21. ↑ The Improbable Collusion of Two Unrelated Perils, Sunless Skies
  22. ↑ The Dressing of the Well, Sunless Skies
  23. ↑ Forsake your current rite, Sunless Skies
  24. ↑ speak_widows, Sunless Skies
  25. ↑ speak_widows2, Sunless Skies
  26. ↑ relicts_cottage, Sunless Skies
  27. ↑ visit_relict, Sunless Skies
  28. ↑ wedlock_commentary2, Sunless Skies
  29. ↑ Enact the Rite of Wedlock, Sunless Skies
  30. ↑ visit_relict, Sunless Skies
  31. ↑ speak_widows2, Sunless Skies
  32. ↑ failed_dead2, Sunless Skies
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