Each year the inner city of Markandor, know as the Dark Top, is locked down.
It is an upside down gigantic structure, spinning inside a core part of the Markandor Halls. A large city is made within Dark Top, it has restraints and locks, that aligns itself with the rest of the Mountain Kingdom of Markandor.
The lock is removed
In the Nine Days of Rule, the locks is removed. Holy protection is enforced on the restraints and gates to the rest of Markandor.
Then on the eve of the first day, the Top slowly starts to spin as the first level of hell’s portals are opened on the corresponding city level of the Dark Top.
The rich inhabitants have wards to keep the undead, devils and demons at bay. The holy and virtuous warriors and casters test their mettle against those who come through. There is even some who risk death, just to harvest spell and potions materials from the evil creatures of hell.
The poor and unfortunate lower caste citizens, are the treats for the monsters who come through. They feast on their bodies, harvest their souls and in return, the warlocks and rulers of the Dark Top retain a power source.
They made a deal with the devils, demons and monsters of hell, to feed their dark hunger. For this service, the evil gives power to the Dark Top. The Dwarves of Markandor, who left their traditional ways behind, also became addicted to this new source of power, to supplement the arcane and divine powers.
In the nine days, the nine levels of hell open. On the last hour of each day, the ruler of that level of Hell sends an envoy to recharge a power stone on that level. High level warlocks come out to extend deals or broker changes to current contracts.
After the nine days, the gates are closed. The blood and rot is removed from the inner streets of the Dark Top. The lower caste who survives are given a large reward and nine of them are then recognized as citizen and not of the lower caste.
Citizens may either leave the Dark Top or stay and receive a home in the first level of the Dark Top.
