The Kerkhof Route: A Forgotten Passage into the Jungle
The Kerkhof Route is a long-abandoned railway that once connected the bustling Kerkhof Ferry District to the sacred city of Mezro. Reclaimed by the jungle over the past 120 years, the raised tracks are still visible, but the dense undergrowth, vines, and wild vegetation have overtaken much of the path. Despite this, the route remains repairable, waiting for those brave enough to clear the foliage and restore its function. Stretching 140 miles deep into the untamed jungle, the slow train ride—moving at a leisurely 5 miles per hour—took passengers on a two-day journey filled with incredible sights and wonders, divided into key mile markers. Each stop along the route offers a glimpse of a world forgotten, filled with ancient mysteries, holy sites, and long-abandoned ruins.
Mile Marker 30: Temple of the Lion / Ishtar Junction
At mile marker 30, travelers would reach Ishtar Junction, where a majestic split in the track once offered different routes into the jungle. Nearby lies the Temple of the Lion / Ishtar Junction, a once-grand temple dedicated to an ancient feline deity. Carved stone lions flank the entrance, their weathered faces still fierce despite the encroaching jungle. The temple’s interior, now crumbling, was once a place of pilgrimage for those who sought the blessings of the jungle’s fierce protectors. Even in ruin, the Temple of the Lion holds a sacred aura, and the Nosgar Tribe occasionally journey here to leave offerings to the spirits of the wild.
Mile Marker 50: Ziggurat of Groth-Golka
At mile marker 50 lies the Ziggurat of Groth-Golka, an ancient tourist destination that has since fallen into ruin. This grand ziggurat, dedicated to the primordial forces of earth and air, now stands in a state of desolation, its once-pristine structure overtaken by creeping vines and moss. In its heyday, travelers would come to marvel at the ziggurat’s intricate carvings and elemental inscriptions, though now only adventurers or treasure seekers venture near. Rumors abound of strange, flickering lights within the ruins at night, perhaps the lingering energy of Groth-Golka or something more sinister.
Mile Marker 80: Keep of the Eternal Heart
The Keep of the Eternal Heart marks mile 80 along the route, a fortress that once stood as a bulwark against jungle predators and dangerous spirits. It was named for the Heartstone, a mystical gem said to grant longevity and vitality to those who possessed it. Today, the keep’s stone walls are fractured, and much of the structure lies in disrepair, with the surrounding jungle pressing ever closer. Some say the Heartstone was never found and still lies buried deep within the keep, guarded by forgotten wards and traps. The Nosgar Tribe occasionally send scouts to the keep, wary of the restless spirits that are said to wander its halls.
Mile Marker 100: Stoneclaw Beacon
At mile 100, towering above the jungle canopy, stands the Stoneclaw Beacon, a 300-foot-tall spire of rock known to the Nosgar Tribe as Stoneclaw. This natural formation is a beacon for those navigating the dense jungle, with flames continually burning from its summit. The spire’s sheer walls are dotted with small caves, and those brave enough to climb it often speak of mysterious figures seen high above. The Nosgar believe Stoneclaw is a sacred site, inhabited by jungle spirits and ancient ancestors. However, travelers whisper that Stoneclaw holds more than just tribal secrets—an ancient relic may be hidden in one of its caves, though no one has been able to confirm its existence.
Mile Marker 110: Locantis River Railroad Bridge
At mile marker 110, the Kerkhof Route crosses the mighty Locantis River via an enormous stone bridge. Once an impressive feat of engineering, the bridge has weathered the passage of time with surprising resilience, though vines and moss now cling to its structure. The river below is wide and teeming with life, from enormous fish to dangerous reptiles lurking beneath the surface. The Nosgar Tribe believes the Locantis is a sacred river, a conduit between the world of the living and the dead, and they perform rites along its banks to honor their ancestors. Some travelers report seeing ghostly figures near the bridge, drifting in the mist that rises from the water at dawn.
Mile Marker 140: Outskirts of Mezro
Mile marker 140 brings travelers to the southern outskirts of Mezro, a city once thriving and glorious but now a ruin following the devastating zombie apocalypse. The outskirts are a graveyard of fallen buildings and overgrown streets, with the jungle pressing in on all sides. Despite its desolate state, Mezro retains a palpable sense of ancient grandeur, as if the city’s spirit has yet to fully fade. The priests of Bast still hold vigil in secret, protecting whatever mysteries remain within the city’s sacred core. Those who walk these outskirts report feeling watched, as though the ghosts of Mezro’s past linger, waiting for their city’s rebirth.
Mile Marker 170: Lost City of Zor-Kela
Hidden in the depths of the jungle, the Ruins of Zor-Kela rise suddenly from the undergrowth. Once a mighty Olmoy city, now only half-submerged in the earth, its stone buildings are covered in intricate carvings depicting battles and the rise of gods. Resting here may reveal secrets, but some say the spirits of the city’s long-dead rulers still haunt its crumbling streets.
Mile Marker 220: Cinnamon Grove
The Cinnamon Grove is an ancient, mystical part of the jungle, located deep along the Kerkhof Route. It consists of six distinct groves, each housing a unique variety of cinnamon trees. These trees, whose fragrant bark is legendary, are prized by herbalists, druids, and scholars. One particular variety of cinnamon is rumored to hold the power to reverse dementia, a secret fiercely protected by the grove’s inhabitants.
Mile Marker 260: Port Holkenborg
This enormous stretch of the route connects Seregon to the west coast, arriving on the edge of Port Holkenborg. Various stops and stations were planned in between Mezro and the port, but were not developed.
The Kerkhof Route may be long forgotten, but its significance as a path through both history and myth remains. Whether cleared and revived or left to slumber beneath the jungle’s grasp, its stops will always hold a key to the region’s past—and perhaps, to its future.