Riparian Wetlands

The Riparian Wetlands: A vast, swampy expanse where water seemingly seeps endlessly from the earth, the Riparian Wetlands are a treacherous yet vital region in Astrium. These wetlands have no discernible beginning or end, stretching as far as the eye can see. The ground is soft and unstable, and narrow, winding paths are easily swallowed by the water, making it dangerously easy to become disoriented. Thick mist often rolls through the swamp, adding to the eerie atmosphere and making navigation nearly impossible without great skill or magical aid.
The wetlands are home to a mixture of perilous flora and rare medicinal herbs. Lush yet dangerous, the vibrant plant life includes carnivorous plants, vines that strangle anything that moves, and trees with toxic sap. Yet, for those brave enough to traverse this land, the rewards are great. Herbalists and alchemists seek out the elusive Gloomroot, a potent medicinal plant with unparalleled healing properties, hidden deep within the marsh.
In the heart of the wetlands lies the Ruin of Talvos, an ancient, crumbling city overtaken by the swamp. The ruins are said to have once belonged to a forgotten civilization that thrived long before the Pandora War. Over time, the wetlands swallowed the city, and now only moss-covered stone pillars and half-submerged towers remain. Legend holds that deep within the ruins lies an ancient wellspring of life magic, capable of both immense healing and destruction. However, few have ever returned after entering Talvos, their bodies claimed by the wetlands or worse—by something far more sinister lurking beneath the waters.

Shrine of Steadfast Progress In the wilds of the Reparian Wetlands, a small but sturdy stone shrine to Erathis stands at the border of an expanding settlement. Known as the Shrine of Steadfast Progress, it is constructed from stone shaped with natural durability to resist the humidity and shifting waters of the wetlands. Local settlers and explorers built the shrine as a marker of growth and stability, a testament to their efforts to bring a new sense of community and order to this region. The shrine is a simple stone pillar adorned with the emblem of the Throne of Pillars, symbolizing the resilience and order Erathis encouraged even in the most untamed lands. Travelers stop to meditate or offer small tokens of iron, wood, or other construction materials as a sign of their commitment to building a strong, stable community amidst nature’s chaos. The shrine serves as both a guidepost and a place of inspiration, reminding settlers of Erathis’ teachings: that order and civilization are the heart of progress and unity, no matter where one treads.

Geography

The Riparian Wetlands are a sprawling maze of shallow pools, bogs, and marshes, interspersed with small islands of slightly firmer ground. The landscape features:

• Ruin of Talvos: A half-submerged ancient city, its moss-covered ruins rising hauntingly from the swamp.
• Endless Mire: A vast expanse of stagnant, murky water at the wetlands' core, believed to be bottomless in places.
• Floating Forest: A cluster of partially submerged trees that seem to drift eerily through the mist, their roots trailing like tendrils beneath the water.

Natural paths through the wetlands are ever-shifting, often lost beneath rising waters or reclaimed by creeping vegetation.

Ecosystem

The wetlands boast a richly diverse but dangerous ecosystem.

• Flora: The swamp's vegetation ranges from towering mangroves and strangling vines to unique aquatic plants. Many are carnivorous or toxic.
• Fauna: The wetlands teem with amphibious creatures, venomous serpents, and lurking predators like crocodilian beasts and giant frogs. Ghostly wraith-like entities are rumored to haunt the deeper waters.

Ecosystem Cycles

The ecosystem is governed by cycles of water levels and seasonal changes:

• Flood and Retreat: During the rainy season, water levels rise, swallowing paths and increasing the wetlands’ dangers. In drier months, pools recede, exposing hidden pathways and buried ruins.
• Druidic Bloom: A once-a-decade phenomenon where remnants of ancient druidic magic cause rare flowers, such as the luminous Moonpetal Orchid, to bloom across the wetlands, infusing the air with healing energy.

Localized Phenomena

• Wailing Mists: A spectral sound that drifts through the wetlands during foggy nights, attributed to wind but rumored to be the spirits of lost travelers.
• Talvos’ Pulse: A rare occurrence where a faint green glow emanates from the Ruin of Talvos, accompanied by a heavy aura of dread.
• The Sinking Grounds: Certain areas of the wetlands collapse unexpectedly, creating new pools and swallowing entire sections of land.

Climate

The Riparian Wetlands are humid year-round, with warm days and cool, mist-shrouded nights. Rainfall is frequent, particularly during the monsoon season, when flooding is at its peak. The air is thick with the scent of earth and decay, mingled with the sharp tang of blooming swamp flowers.

Fauna & Flora

Flora:

• Gloomroot: A rare medicinal plant found in the deeper marshes, prized for its potent healing properties.
• Tanglethorn Vines: Aggressive, sentient vines capable of ensnaring unwary travelers.

Fauna:

• Bog Behemoths: Massive, crocodilian creatures with bark-like hides, camouflaged among the submerged trees.
• Will-o’-Wisps: Faintly glowing, mischievous spirits that lure travelers deeper into the wetlands.
• Mistfang Serpents: Large, venomous snakes with patterns that mimic the shimmering surface of water.

Natural Resources

• Medicinal Herbs: The wetlands are a treasure trove of plants like Gloomroot and Marshspice, sought by healers and alchemists.
• Elemental Peat: Rich deposits of magically-infused peat found in the wetlands, used as a powerful fuel source in forges and enchantments.

History

The Wetlands used to apart of the Lin'Selvear - The Sea of Trees. However, the forest was affected by great magic in a druidic battle lost to time, with the records of this battle as ancient as the forest istelf. With the landscape surrounding this area changed, the water level in this land had risen leading to the forest to become boggy and swamplike. This had lead to the ancient city of Talvos, one of the kingdoms of the forest at the time. While the city lay in ruin it is rarely traversed as the city sends out a negative aura, and is a hazard for adventurers as the ones who venture in, do not return.
Today the Wetlands does house some halfling, grung and locathah settlements. However none of the settlements are vying for a place on the Astrium council so its resources are widely unused by the people of Astrium.

Tourism

Few dare to explore the Riparian Wetlands, but those who do are drawn by:

• Herbal Expeditions: Guided tours for harvesting rare medicinal plants.
• Naturalists’ Retreats: Researchers study the wetlands’ unique biodiversity and its connection to ancient magic.

The wetlands’ danger, however, ensures tourism remains limited and reserved for the bold.

Points of Interest Ruin of Talvos The heart of the wetlands, this ancient city is a haunting labyrinth of moss-covered stone and submerged towers. Legends of a powerful wellspring of life magic lure adventurers, though none return unchanged—if at all.
Floating Forest A surreal grove of trees drifting eerily across the wetlands. Some claim the forest moves intentionally, as if alive.
Halfling and Grung Villages Scattered settlements offer rare glimpses of life adapted to the wetlands. These communities thrive through their knowledge of the swamp’s dangers and secrets.
The Endless Mire A vast, foreboding expanse of murky water at the wetlands’ center, where the ground vanishes entirely. It is said that ancient creatures slumber beneath its depths.

Type

Wetland / Swamp

Included Locations

• Ruins of Talvos