The Deepest Vaults of the Grand Arcane Bank

The Grand Arcane Bank (GAB) of Kigum is not merely a building; it is a subterranean megalith that descends hundreds of feet into the bedrock of the Eastern Continent. While the upper floors handle the mundane transactions of Kigum's merchant class, the Deepest Vaults—often referred to as the "Abyssal Tiers"—house the world's most dangerous and valuable assets.

The Architecture of Greed

The vaults are organized into concentric circles, each lowering the temperature and increasing the atmospheric pressure as one descends. The walls are composed of Aether-Reinforced Obsidian, a material capable of absorbing kinetic energy and reflecting magical scans.

Tier 7: The Gilded Catacombs

This level houses the physical gold reserves of the Eastern Continent. It is said that the sheer mass of gold here creates its own localized gravity, making movement sluggish. The gold is not stored in bars but in "Liquid Slumber," a state where the metal is kept semi-molten by geothermal heat, making it impossible to carry without specialized containment.

Tier 8: The Reliquary of Silenced Whispers

Reserved for sentient artifacts and cursed items that cannot be destroyed. Each item is kept in a "Stasis Bubble" where time does not flow. This tier is eerily silent, as the bank employs "Silence Wards" that consume all sound, including heartbeats, to prevent sonic-based escapes or communication.

Tier 9: The Sovereign Sanctum

Only reachable via a teleportation circle keyed to the biological signature of the High Exchequers. This level contains the private holdings of the Dragon-Kings and the foundational charters of the Aethervale nations. It is rumored that the floor is made of "True Silver," which burns any creature with even a hint of malevolent intent.

Atmospheric Hazards

• Mana Thinning: The density of the wards at these depths draws all ambient aether, making it impossible for traditional spellcasters to regain their magic without specialized "Aether Vials."
• Geothermal Pressure: The heat from the planet's core is harnessed to power the bank's machinery, but a breach in the cooling pipes would flash-cook any intruder in seconds.