Moonscape Moor

The Moonscape Moor is a desolate and eerie landscape in Astrium, forever scarred by the War of the Giants in 542 AD. Once a land of serene beauty, bathed in silver moonglow, it has been transformed into a realm of darkness and foreboding. The skies above the moor are locked in a state of perpetual twilight, where faint moonlight struggles to break through the heavy clouds that swirl ominously overhead. Towering in the sky are the colossal remains of storm giants, their fallen forms frozen in time, casting long, haunting shadows over the land below. The ground itself bears the marks of their ancient conflict. Deep craters and jagged ravines run across the landscape, remnants of the giants’ destructive power. The once lush and rolling hills have become twisted, with darkened flora clinging to the barren soil. Streams that once sparkled beneath the moon now run black with a strange, otherworldly substance, and a thick, eerie mist rises from the moor at night, carrying whispers of the ancient battle that still haunts this place.
Points of Interest The Colossal Graveyard Towering over the Moonscape Moor are the petrified remains of storm giants who fell in battle during the War of the Giants. Their colossal bodies, frozen in stone, stretch across the sky like ghostly monuments to their defeat. The Colossal Graveyard is a haunting sight, with the storm giants’ immense hands, heads, and torsos protruding from the ground, casting long, unsettling shadows over the moor. Legend holds that the spirits of these giants still linger, and those who dare venture too close may hear the faint, booming echoes of their final cries. Stormcallers—a rare group of orcish shamans from the nearby Xublouze Archipelago—often travel to this site, believing the fallen giants’ power can be channeled into powerful weather-based magic.
The Echoing Craters Scattered across the moor are the Echoing Craters, deep depressions in the earth where the storm giants unleashed their destructive power. These craters seem to reverberate with an unnatural sound—whispers of the past or echoes of ancient spells that still linger in the soil. Travelers who venture too close to these craters have reported hearing the sound of thunderous footsteps, the crackling of lightning, or even the low growl of distant storms. Some believe that deep within the largest of these craters lies the remnants of a forgotten artifact, a weapon used by the storm giants to call down the fury of the heavens. However, the site is dangerous, as strange and volatile energies still swirl within the craters, causing unpredictable weather patterns and occasional lightning storms.
The Midnight Fen At the heart of the Moonscape Moor lies the Midnight Fen, a swamp-like area where the land sinks into murky pools of black water. This once-clear water was tainted by the aftermath of the giants’ magic, and the dark, oily surface of the fen reflects no light, even when the moon is full. The area is shrouded in mist, and strange, bioluminescent plants grow in the shadowy shallows, casting an eerie glow over the swamp. The Fen is home to a number of twisted, predatory creatures, including shadow serpents and mist wraiths, said to have been born from the storm giants’ lingering magic. Hidden deep within the fen is a ruined temple, believed to have been constructed by the giants themselves to channel the power of the storms. Only the bravest explorers dare to search the fen for treasures or knowledge, as the mists are said to play tricks on the mind, leading travelers astray.
The Whispering Ridge Along the eastern edge of the moor runs the Whispering Ridge, a high, rocky outcrop overlooking the desolate landscape below. The ridge earned its name from the eerie whispers that seem to emanate from the rocks themselves, voices speaking in an ancient language that none can understand. Many believe the whispers are the faint echoes of the storm giants’ magic, or perhaps the ghostly remnants of the giants’ souls, trapped in the stone. The elves of Lin'Selvear revere the ridge as a sacred site, often visiting to commune with the spirits or seek divine inspiration. However, others fear the whispers, claiming they are the voices of dark forces seeking to corrupt those who listen too closely. Despite the danger, the Ridge offers a breathtaking, if haunting, view of the entire moor and has become a destination for those seeking solitude and reflection.
The Silver Tree Amidst the desolation of the Moonscape Moor, a single tree stands out—the Silver Tree. This ancient, towering tree is the last remnant of the moor’s former beauty. Its bark glows with a soft, silvery light, and its leaves shimmer like moonlight on water. The tree is said to be enchanted, perhaps by the last surviving member of the druidic circle who once tended the land before the war. Local legends tell that the Silver Tree holds the key to restoring the moor to its former glory, and its sap is believed to have powerful healing and magical properties. Many have sought the tree’s blessing, but it is fiercely protected by a group of fey creatures that dwell in its shadow, ensuring that only the worthy may approach.
Shrine of the Thunder’s Echo Amidst the eerie, mist-laden expanse of the Moonscape Moor, the Shrine of the Thunder’s Echo is a small but potent place of worship dedicated to Thor. Set atop a low, rocky hill, the shrine is marked by a simple stone cairn topped with a weathered hammer-shaped sigil. This lonely monument is exposed to the elements, and the stones are often slick with rain and moss, giving the shrine an ancient, timeless feel. Lightning scars crisscross the hilltop, evidence of Thor’s frequent visitations to this remote location. Though the shrine is humble, it resonates with an undeniable energy, and the air around it always feels charged with electricity.
Despite its modest size, the shrine is a powerful focal point for those who seek Thor’s favor in the Moors. Local travelers and warriors often leave metal trinkets, shields, and weapons near the cairn in hopes that Thor’s lightning will strike them, granting the items his divine power. The shrine is said to amplify the thunderclaps during storms, creating a phenomenon known as the Thunder’s Echo, where the sound of thunder repeats endlessly across the Moors, even after the storm has passed. Locals believe this echo is Thor’s voice, and hearing it is a sign of his protection. Though it has no permanent guardians, the shrine is watched over by a mysterious group of wandering monks known as the Echo Keepers, who ensure the shrine remains intact and offer prayers to Thor whenever the storms roll in.
The Moonscape Moor is a land of loss and beauty, a haunting reminder of the War of the Giants and the destructive power that once ravaged Astrium. Its desolate landscape, filled with twisted ruins, eerie mists, and powerful relics, continues to attract both the curious and the foolhardy, though few leave unchanged by the experience.

History

The Moonscape Moor in Astrium is a haunting and desolate landscape, forever marked by the aftermath of the "War of the Giants" in 542 AD. Once a place of ethereal beauty, where silvery moonglow bathed the rolling moorlands, it has now fallen to darkness. The skies above are shrouded in perpetual twilight, cast in shadow by the towering remains of storm giants who fell in battle, their colossal forms creating a graveyard in the sky.
The land itself is scarred by the conflict, with deep craters and jagged ravines where the giants' power was unleashed. The air is thick with a sense of loss and foreboding, and the once vibrant flora has withered into twisted, darkened forms. The moor's once-clear waters now run black, and eerie mists rise from the ground, carrying whispers of the ancient battle that changed this place forever.
In this somber and ominous landscape, the Verdan people of Fracturefall make their home, thriving amidst the chaos left in the wake of the giants' war. The Moonscape Moor stands as a stark reminder of the destructive power of the giants and the lasting impact of their conflict on the world of Astrium.

Type

Moor