31.3.1 Aerok Quarry

Situated on the northern edge of the Bonro Sands stands Aerok Quarry. Over seven centuries ago, this was the cornerstone of the Red Quarter's economic power, overseen by the Dreikathi house that preceded House Galthor's rule of the region.

This quarry-prison is infamous for its forced labour, relying heavily upon slaves - notably many whose ancestors were captured during Andalso's invasion of Sapience some centuries past, and brought with him to the Red Quarter when his house was demoted to the region for the invasion's failure.

Hidden within the depths of iron deposits within Aerok is mezlah, a mineral once highly-coveted as a source of power (often regarded a poor substitute for ylem but lack of alternative dramatically escalates its value) and explosive compound.

Aerok Quarry is one of the last mining facilities that harvests mezlah, most others having abandoned the effort due to the inevitable neurological damage brought on by poisoning due to prolonged exposure. Thus, most workers in Aerok are prisoners of war, expendable bodies. 

The substance has traditionally been used to catalyse low-power devices or engines. However, despite past use in airships and other heavy machinery, catastrophic failure occurred frequently due to the substance's volatility. In all cases, both craft and full crew were lost in the resultant explosions. For those so-inclined, mezlah can also be used as a drug, though it is likely that the aforementioned neurological damage comes on far sooner when used in this manner.

Today, only the quarry's upper levels remain accessible. The deeper chambers, witnesses to a bygone era of revolts and uprisings, remain buried as a result of these struggles. One such revolt centuries ago saw the escape of Danerran, whom would eventually become the shell of Damariel.

The recent upheavals in the Red Quarter, particularly with the fall of House Galthor, have led to a power vacuum. The very slavemasters who once executed the will of the Dreikathi now seize an opportunity. They have staked their claim on Aerok and continue to exploit its resources - both living and mineral - to sell their mezlah upon the Hatshero black markets.