Bluesnow
Bluesnow, once part of the mainland, was violently separated during the Pandora War. The event that created this island was caused by one of the Sins; Demogorgon titanTitan Snake Akrais, an enormous elemental serpent who bit into the landscape, cleaving it in two. The lush forest that was once whole became divided into the Verdant Green on the mainland and Bluesnow Island. Though Akrais was eventually sealed away, the island has borne the scars of that violent past, not only in its geography but in its tumultuous history.
After the war, Bluesnow fell into the grip of a cruel dictatorship ruled by a cult of Sseth, the serpent god of deceit and darkness. For centuries, the Anathema—the highest, most powerful form of Yuan-ti—enforced a brutal regime, treating the island as a bastion of Sseth worship. Under their control, the Yuan-ti waged countless raids against the mainland, securing a fearsome and loathsome reputation. However, the Lizardfolk tribes native to Bluesnow fought a constant guerrilla war against the Yuan-ti, holding them in check and preserving some sense of balance.
Efforts to integrate Bluesnow into the wider world of Astrium have made progress since the Pandora War, though the island's relationship with the mainland remains rocky. In 835 AD, the Yuan-ti were granted a representative in the Astrium Alliance, and by 845 AD, the joint Yuan-ti and Lizardfolk settlement of Zhaq'ara was officially recognized as a city-state. Despite these advances, Bluesnow is still seen as a remote, low-status territory, where both magic and ancient technology are employed to keep their society functioning. The Yuan-ti still face lingering mistrust from other races, but their alliance with the Lizardfolk has brought stability to the island.
Points of Interest:
The Fangscar Chasm: The original wound in the earth where Akrais, the Titan Snake, bit into the landscape, severing Bluesnow from the mainland. The chasm is vast and treacherous, with sheer cliffs that plunge into the ocean below. It is said that the remnants of Akrais’ elemental power still linger deep within the chasm, and some claim to hear the faint whispers of the serpent when the wind blows just right. The Yuan-ti consider this a sacred site, often making pilgrimages to the edges of the chasm to offer sacrifices in hopes of gaining Sseth’s favor or awakening the slumbering titan.
Zhaq'ara: The island’s capital and only recognized city-state, Zhaq'ara represents a rare cooperation between the Yuan-ti and Lizardfolk. Built in the shadow of the island’s central mountain range, the city is a mix of Yuan-ti temples devoted to Sseth and Lizardfolk huts constructed near marshlands. The Yuan-ti influence is seen in the city's winding, serpentine streets, while the Lizardfolk maintain more pragmatic structures suited for their needs. Magic is an integral part of the city’s functioning, from irrigation systems to the protection spells that guard the city’s borders. Despite its turbulent history, Zhaq'ara is slowly becoming a symbol of unity and progress for the island.
50 Years ago during the events that saw the group of heroes known as the archwardens take down and defeat Akrais in order to defeat the Szultsula a member of the Stargaze Assembly. With Akrais defeated, the Anathema's lost a lot of power and were not able to hold sway on as many Yuan-Ti, leading to a defection from the Yuan-Ti cults and the unification of the Lizard Folk and Yuan-Ti
The Coils of Night Temple: This massive temple is dedicated to Sseth and serves as the seat of power for the Anathema who once ruled the island. Though the regime has largely been dismantled, the temple remains a center of Yuan-ti worship and a relic of their oppressive past. The structure is vast, with subterranean chambers winding deep into the earth. It is rumored that the Anathema who ruled Bluesnow still reside in the deepest parts of the temple, waiting for the right moment to reclaim power. Outsiders are forbidden from entering its depths, and even the Yuan-ti approach it with reverence and fear.
The Marsh of Scales: A sprawling wetland that stretches across much of Bluesnow's southern region. This swampy territory is the homeland of the Lizardfolk tribes, who have lived here long before the Pandora War. The marsh is filled with dangerous predators, from giant reptiles to elusive aquatic creatures, but the Lizardfolk navigate it with ease. Hidden within the marsh are ancient ruins, believed to predate both the Yuan-ti and Lizardfolk, though none have yet unlocked their secrets. Some believe these ruins hold powerful magic or lost technologies from a forgotten era.
The Shifting Sands: A stretch of desert-like terrain on the eastern edge of Bluesnow, where the island’s natural magic has destabilized the environment. The sands are constantly moving, forming dunes that shift with the wind. Some believe the sands are imbued with the chaotic remnants of Akrais' elemental power, making the area difficult to traverse. Hidden beneath the sands are long-forgotten treasures and relics from the Pandora War, but the area is plagued by magical anomalies that can disorient or harm travelers who stray too far into its depths.
The Teeth of Bluesnow: A jagged range of mountains that cuts through the center of the island, dividing the lush wetlands from the arid desert on the other side. The mountains are steep and treacherous, filled with winding paths and dark caves. It is said that the Lizardfolk shamans come to the highest peaks to perform ancient rituals, calling upon the spirits of their ancestors for guidance and strength. The Yuan-ti have also built small shrines throughout the range, though many of them lie abandoned after centuries of conflict.
Bluesnow, despite its tumultuous past, is a land on the edge of transformation. Its people—Yuan-ti and Lizardfolk alike—are working toward a future that, while uncertain, holds the promise of change and unity. Yet, the dark legacy of its history still lingers, and the scars of the Pandora War and Sseth's influence remain etched into its very landscape.
Geography
Bluesnow features diverse landscapes divided by the Teeth of Bluesnow, a jagged mountain range cutting through its heart. To the south lies the Marsh of Scales, a sprawling wetland home to its Lizardfolk tribes. In the east, the shifting, unstable sands of the desert stretch endlessly, hiding relics of the past. Coastal cliffs rise dramatically from the ocean in the west, shaped by millennia of storms and the destructive forces of Akrais. The Fangscar Chasm, a gaping wound in the island’s landscape, serves as a reminder of the Pandora War, dividing Bluesnow from the mainland.
Ecosystem
Bluesnow’s ecosystem reflects its divided geography. The lush marshlands teem with life—reptilian creatures, aquatic predators, and thick vegetation dominate the wetlands. In contrast, the arid Shifting Sands support hardy, magical lifeforms, while the Teeth of Bluesnow host cold-adapted plants and predatory mountain-dwelling creatures. The influence of Akrais’ elemental power has led to unique magical phenomena, where plants and animals often display unnatural traits such as glowing patterns, venomous properties, or elemental affinities.
Ecosystem Cycles
The ecosystem of Bluesnow is shaped by pronounced wet and dry seasons. The Marsh of Scales experiences periodic flooding during the wet season, bringing nutrients to the soil and supporting aquatic life cycles. Meanwhile, the Shifting Sands expand and contract with changing winds, with some areas becoming impassable during high magical activity. In the Teeth of Bluesnow, freezing winters give way to brief but intense springs, where flora and fauna flourish in a burst of activity before the cold returns.
Localized Phenomena
- Elemental Residue in the Fangscar Chasm: The lingering elemental power of Akrais manifests as violent storms and strange magical currents along the chasm. Travelers report hearing whispers or seeing glowing serpentine shapes in the air.
- Shifting Sands Anomalies: Magical disruptions in the desert cause mirages, sudden bursts of heat, and gravitational distortions. Some believe these are echoes of Akrais’ power.
- Bioluminescent Marsh: At night, portions of the Marsh of Scales glow with bioluminescent plants and creatures, creating an otherworldly, shimmering effect.
Climate
Bluesnow’s climate is varied due to its diverse geography. The marshlands are humid and warm, with heavy rainfall during the wet season. The Shifting Sands are dry and arid, with searing heat during the day and freezing temperatures at night. The Teeth of Bluesnow experience alpine conditions, with icy winds and frequent snowfall at higher altitudes.
Fauna & Flora
Flora:
- Azure Bloom: A bioluminescent flower found in the Marsh of Scales, prized for its alchemical properties and ability to glow even after being harvested.
- Serpent’s Vines: Twisting, venomous plants that grow in the Fangscar Chasm and are often used by the Yuan-ti for rituals.
- Chasm Striders: Massive, multi-limbed reptiles that dwell near the Fangscar, capable of leaping vast distances to traverse the cliffs.
- Sandshade Basilisks: Camouflaged predators of the Shifting Sands whose petrifying gaze is enhanced by the desert’s magical distortions.
- Marsh Swimmers: Amphibious predators resembling a mix of crocodiles and eels, known for their speed and ambush tactics in the wetlands.
Natural Resources
- Azure Bloom Extract: Used in potions and enchantments, valued for its healing and light-producing properties.
- Chasmite Ore: A rare, magic-infused mineral found in the Fangscar Chasm, sought after for crafting magical weapons and armor.
History
Bluesnow used to be apart of the mainland before being separated during the Pandora War. After the elemental Titan Snake Akrais bit into the landscape and divided the forest now known as the Verdant Green.
After the Titan Snake was eventually sealed away, the island of Bluesnow had fell into unfortunate dictatorship who lead a cult of Sseth. For centuries Anathema (Ascended Yuan-Ti) had kept the Yuan-ti under a cruel placement of warship, raiding the mainland and gathering a bad name for their species. The only things keeping them in check were the tribes of Lizardfolk on Bluesnow.
Efforts on Bluesnow had been made since the Pandora War, and relationships with the mainland is still rocky, however the Yuan-ti do finally have a member in the Astrium Alliance as of 835AD, and was granted a settlement of City Status in 845 - with a joint settlement between the Lizardfolk and Yuan-ti - Zhaq'ara.
Today Bluesnow is still an island of low status, perferring to use Magic and Tools to keep their settlement in check.
Tourism
Though remote and shrouded in danger, Bluesnow draws adventurers, scholars, and the curious. Its mysterious ruins, magical phenomena, and cultural complexity make it an intriguing, if perilous, destination. Guided tours are available through Zhaq'ara’s more accessible areas, while thrill-seekers venture to the Fangscar or the Shifting Sands. The Marsh of Scales and bioluminescent nights are a major draw for naturalists and artists.
Points of Interest
- The Fangscar Chasm: A haunting, sacred site with an ominous allure, where the elemental power of Akrais still lingers.
- Zhaq'ara: A city of contrasts, blending Yuan-ti temples with Lizardfolk pragmatism, representing a fragile unity.
- The Coils of Night Temple: A forbidding relic of the Yuan-ti’s dark history, steeped in mystery and dread.
- The Marsh of Scales: A glowing, vibrant wetland teeming with life and danger, home to the Lizardfolk tribes.
- The Shifting Sands: An ever-changing desert filled with ancient relics, magical phenomena, and hidden threats.
- Teeth of Bluesnow Peaks: Treacherous mountains that serve as a spiritual retreat for Lizardfolk shamans and hold untold secrets.
Type
Island
Included Locations
Inhabiting Species
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