The
Cataras Springs is a large garden of springs that was created by the
Fairy Circle about four hundred years after Xyntriav came into
existence. There are thirteen springs in total and each holds a
special power. The more extreme the power is, the harder it is to
find the spring. At the entrance to the garden is a dark, marble
water fountain holding thirteen chalices, one to each spring. The
trick is to match a chalice to the appropriate spring of choice. When
the chalice is matched to the correct spring it will disappear in the
water. Drinking from the wrong spring with the wrong chalice results
in death, as well as drinking from more than one spring within in the
same day.
The
springs are located in the heart of Carnific, the island on the
Continent Island chain with acidic water supply. There are three ways
to enter the garden: with the key, from beneath the island, or with
the dagger.
The
easiest way to enter the Cataras Springs is with the key as it simply
unlocks the door. There is an empty patch of forest in the very
center of Carnific where one of the trees that encircles this space
is a mirror, reflecting everything on the island excluding
foreigners. The key is to be inserted into the center of this tree
and twisted as if unlocking an actual door. Thereafter the door will
appear and open.
The
dagger is a more difficult way to enter the springs as it must be in
the presence of the key for at least a week (four days) to gain the
power that allows one into the garden. Once it is “charged,” in a
sense, the dagger must be plunged into the center of the same patch
of forest, where the ground then opens and the user tumbles into the
Cataras Springs.
To
enter from beneath the island is the most difficult way, as one must
be able to breathe underwater and avoid the wrath of sirens. After
finding ones way through a maze, one must ascend up a blue beam of
light to resurface inside the Cataras Springs.
1.
The Spring of Agelessness: The Black Chalice
- drink
from this spring and one stops aging immediately. The drinker will
never die from age or illness, yet s/he can still be killed.
2.
The Spring of Youth: The White Chalice
- every
drink from this spring subtracts twenty years from ones current age.
If the drinker does not have twenty years to spare, the drinker will
die.
3.
The Spring of Healing: The Light Blue Chalice
- drink
from this spring and one becomes completely healed from any and
every health issue, even health issues that are unaware to the
drinker.
4.
The Spring of Wisdom: The Crimson Chalice
- drink
from this spring and one becomes knowledged of proper morals and
wise choices. The drinker will gain understanding of individual
behavior and an awareness on how to solve and/or avoid particular
life situations and problems. Although the drinker becomes aware of
all positive aspects of life and the world, s/he also becomes aware
of all negative aspects, which constitutes a very heavy burden to
carry.
5.
The Spring of Knowledge: The Orange Chalice
- drink from this spring and one becomes book-smart. The drinker
gains knowledge in math, science, literature, language, puzzles,
strategy, code, legends, myths, history, navigation,
investigation, mystery, etc.
6.
The Spring of Beauty: The Silver Chalice
- drink
from this spring and the more one drinks, the more desirable s/he
becomes. Drink too much, the spring will kill the drinker before
someone else does.
7.
The Spring of Wealth: The Gold Chalice
- drink from this spring and one gains the “Midas Touch."
Anything the drinker touches will somehow produce the currency
desired.
8.
The Spring of Power: The Lavender Chalice
- drink
from this spring and one gains all of the powers of the Fairy
Circle.
9.
The Spring of Life: The Green Chalice
- pour
this spring water down the throat of someone or something deceased
and the corpse will return to life
10.
The Spring of Strength: The Blue Chalice
- the
more one drinks from this spring, the stronger the drinker becomes
until the large muscles cause the drinker to combust.
11.
The Spring of Complete Rule: The Purple Chalice
- drink
from this spring and people will wish for the drinker to rule.
12.
The Spring of Freedom: The Pink Chalice
- drink
from this spring and one will gain freedom from any and every curse.
13.
The Spring of Ultimacy: The Clear Chalice
- drink from this spring and one will experience the limits of all of
the above. Only one drink is required. Take another and the drinker
will die a most painful death.
