El Paso de Umbral

On the lower steps of the Quivering Stairs stands El Paso de Umbral, also known simply as Umbral. This city of pale buildings is always full of people coming and going from The Basement, all pouring out for lunch into the small squares or crowding the taverns to escape the outside heat.

Local innkeepers often hire young littlings to venture close to the Inbetweens to gather agavian mold, which is both a treat for earwigs and spiders and the main ingredient of local spirits.

Places of Interest in Umbral:

• La Casa de Moreno: A sprawling stucco estate owned by Doña Luciana.

• Ratador Arena: An outdoor venue that hosts corrida, the unofficial sport of the La Escalara province, where littlings clad in sparkling ensembles and covered in web-like decorations face similarly decorated huge rats wearing large headpieces with long horns.

• The Quivering Stairs: A dark, rickety staircase where ominous creaks are often heard. The landing above Paso de Umbral is currently occupied by a regiment of the Imperial Army.