Highgate
General Info
| City | London |
|---|---|
| Area/Region | Greater London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Website | www.highgatecemetery.org |
| Telephone | 020 8340 1834 |
| Postal Code | N6 6QY |
| Location Name | Highgate |
| Alternate Name | Highgate Cemetery |
| Street Address | Swain's Lane, Highgate |
Overview
This city is a center of trade and commerce with natural minerals that attract opportunists and adventurers from all corners of the continent. But Highgate's true riches lie deeper: a mysterious history and time-worn ruins that hold ancient artifacts and cryptic messages that lure explorers and historians with the promise of undiscovered treasures and knowledge.
The now abandoned mines of Highgate are said to be home to powerful creatures and dark magic that terrify all but the bravest of adventurers. Despite its rich heritage and brave inhabitants, there is an unmistakable foreboding here, a warning of hidden dangers lurking beneath the surface.
Truth seekers can uncover the stories of lost civilizations, ancient conflicts and legendary heroes associated with this place, adding new chapters to the great saga of the Path of Exile. However, those looking for the secrets of Highgate should be careful, as not all secrets are meant to be revealed. Only the bravest who dare venture into the depths of the unknown return with tales of glory, while countless others fade into obscurity, their names echoing on the wind.
History
The earliest records of Highgate take us to the Vaal civilization, a society no stranger to divine artifacts and grand architecture. They are best known for their incredible ability to wield powerful Gems of Cataclysmic Virtue. At the time, Highgate was more of a citadel, home to the Worshipful Company of Wonderworkers, a central nucleus for the pursuit and use of righteous gems. However, the Vaal civilization ended in an unfortunate twist of fate. Atziri, Queen of Vaal, fell victim to the Doryani's promises of immortality and caused a catastrophe that would destroy a thriving civilization. Highgate, the center of thaumaturgy, bore the brunt of this catastrophe. The mountain settlement turned into an empty, lifeless shell overnight.
Many centuries later, the Maraketh, a warrior tribe led by Deshret, discovered the ruins of Highgate. They conquered and fortified the area, protecting the ancient beast held captive in the mountain ranges. The tribe believed that the beast was the embodiment of a catastrophe that had befallen an ancient civilization, and that the entity must be kept in the mountains to prevent another disaster.
From the bustling citadel of Vaal to the protected sanctuary of Maraket, Highgate has witnessed the rise and fall of two great civilizations. In his heart, he constantly hides many deep secrets, secrets that could be a means of salvation or a harbinger of another catastrophe.
Background
Thousands of years later, Highgate remains largely self-sufficient as Maraketh rules effectively. This tribe of nomadic warriors, led by the unyielding leader Oyun, have a philosophy of survival at the core of their society. Formed into formidable warriors in a harsh and grueling climate, the Marakets cultivate a culture of strength, honor, and unity. The vast landscapes of Highgate are populated by mortal creatures that provide the scaffolding for their rigorous training, and Marakeths willingly dive into its maw, using combat as a quest to navigate and understand their world.
Beneath its stony exterior, Highgate hides the terrifying darkness of a nightmarish beast kingdom. The place is connected to the seismic veins of the evil beast. Every crevice, every passageway of Highgate is filled with the lifeblood of a treacherous beast, adding to the tension that hangs in the air. The cavernous mine shafts that plunge into the depths of Wraeclast are tinged with the darkest magic; those who fall into his arms do so knowing that this treacherous path may be their last.
Highgate's dual character, the arrogance of human resilience, painted against the blackened lines of the beast kingdom, paints a bleak but intriguing story. This is fossilized evidence of Wraeclast scarred earth. Mimicking its inhabitants, Highgate remains a combination of utter darkness and raw, unyielding power: a complex labyrinth where warriors, monsters and legends collide.