Surging Plains

The Surging Plains is a chaotic, untamed landscape in Astrium, shaped by the explosive energies released during the Battle of the Ferocious Mages—a clash between wild magic sorcerers attempting to unlock greater, more uncontrollable power. The mages’ ambition to delve into deeper reserves of wild magic led to a cataclysmic event, tearing the fabric of reality and causing the region to be consumed by waves of surging, unpredictable magic. The once serene plains are now a volatile, ever-shifting environment where reality itself can bend, warp, or collapse in on itself without warning. At the center of this madness lies Whaeyagaard, formerly known as Whaeyago, a town that has been caught in the "eye of the storm." It remains one of the few stable places amidst the chaos, though its proximity to the magical disturbances has left it marked by strange phenomena.

Geography

The Surging Plains is a chaotic mixture of jagged terrain, rolling hills, and glowing magical fissures. Distinct features include:

• The Arcane Fissure: A glowing chasm pulsing with raw magic, located near the heart of the plains.
• Whaeyagaard: A resilient town located in the calmer "eye of the storm," surrounded by ever-shifting terrain.
• Wildcurrent Hills: Undulating hills on the outskirts of the plains, infused with chaotic magic that alters their shape and structure unpredictably.
• The Stasis Fields: Frozen battlefields where fragments of the Battle of the Ferocious Mages remain suspended in time.

The unpredictable geography means that maps of the region are quickly outdated, as landmarks and paths can shift or disappear entirely.

Ecosystem

The Surging Plains supports a unique ecosystem shaped by wild magic:

• Flora: Plants glow, shimmer, or pulsate with energy. Many exhibit unnatural properties, such as teleporting seeds or explosive blooms.
• Fauna: The creatures are just as unpredictable, including elementally infused animals and magical constructs that roam the plains. Some beasts are remnants of the mages’ spells, existing as chaotic fragments of arcane energy.

Ecosystem Cycles

The Surging Plains follows no natural cycles, instead operating under the whims of wild magic: Magic Surges: Periodic bursts of energy erupt across the plains, altering the environment and spawning magical storms or temporary rifts to other planes. Wild Stabilization: Brief intervals of calm occur, during which the magic subsides and the environment settles into temporary patterns of normalcy. These moments are highly valued for exploration.

Localized Phenomena

• Arcane Storms: Violent weather phenomena caused by surges of wild magic. Lightning may take on different colors or shapes, and storms can spontaneously open portals or rearrange the landscape.
• Reality Flux: Portions of the plains experience spontaneous distortions where gravity, time, or perception are warped. Travelers might find themselves weightless or moving in slow motion.
• Echoing Spells: Residual magic from the Battle of the Ferocious Mages continues to play out, creating phantom spell effects or spectral reenactments of the conflict.

Climate

The climate is as unstable as the magic it hosts. While temperatures generally mirror those of surrounding regions, the wild magic can create localized extremes, such as sudden snowfalls, firestorms, or patches of inexplicable darkness.

Fauna & Flora

Flora:

• Glimmerleaf Trees: These trees absorb wild magic and release it unpredictably when touched.
• Arcane Bloomflowers: Glowing flowers that emit bursts of harmless energy when plucked.

Fauna:

• Mana Wisps: Small, floating orbs of pure magical energy that dart unpredictably.
• Chaos Stalkers: Predatory creatures that shift between forms, making them highly unpredictable and dangerous.
• Temporal Foxes: Fey-like animals that appear to phase in and out of time, often leading travelers to safety—or further into chaos.

Natural Resources

• Arcane Residuum: Crystals formed near the Arcane Fissure, containing condensed wild magic energy. They are sought after for crafting potent magical items.
• Spellweave Grasses: Special grasses imbued with latent magic, used as reagents for brewing potions or enchanting artifacts.

History

The Surging Plains was born from the Battle of the Ferocious Mages, a cataclysmic event in which sorcerers attempted to harness raw wild magic to unlock ultimate power. The battle ended disastrously, tearing reality apart and leaving the region forever altered. The town of Whaeyagaard was once known as Whaeyago, a peaceful farming settlement. Now, it serves as a haven for those brave enough to live in the magical chaos. Though the battle’s participants were lost to history, echoes of their conflict linger, keeping the region steeped in mystery and danger.

Tourism

Adventurers, scholars, and wild magic sorcerers flock to the Surging Plains, despite—or because of—its dangers.

• Arcane Expeditions: Explorers seek to uncover the secrets of the Arcane Fissure and the Stasis Fields.
• Magical Research: Mages and scholars study the wild magic to develop new spells and theories.
• Thrill-seekers: The unpredictable environment draws daring travelers eager to test their mettle.

Points of Interest: The Arcane Fissure The Arcane Fissure is a massive tear in the land where the wild magic surged most violently. This deep, glowing chasm pulses with raw, unrefined arcane energy, constantly shifting in size and intensity. It is said to be the source of the wild magic that continues to wash over the Surging Plains, and many believe that it leads to other planes of existence or forgotten realms of magic. Explorers and arcane scholars frequently attempt to approach the fissure in hopes of studying or harnessing its energy, though many disappear or are transformed beyond recognition by its unpredictable powers.
Strange elemental creatures, manifestations of pure chaos, roam near the fissure, drawn to its immense power. Occasionally, remnants of the Ferocious Mages' spells can be seen echoing in the fissure, replaying fragments of their arcane battle in a never-ending loop.
Whaeyagaard The town of Whaeyagaard sits at the heart of the Surging Plains, caught within the calmer center of the magical storm. While the town remains mostly intact, it is not untouched by the chaos surrounding it. Buildings and landmarks can sometimes flicker between states of existence, and time itself seems to flow differently here. The people of Whaeyagaard have adapted to these strange conditions, using wild magic as part of their daily lives, often to unpredictable but fascinating effect.
At the heart of Whaeyagaard lies the Fountain of Unbound Mysteries, a large stone fountain that seems to warp reality around it. The water within changes colors, textures, and properties at random, sometimes acting as a healing elixir and other times as a dangerous curse. Locals have learned to treat it with reverence and caution, though adventurers often seek its unpredictable boons.
The Wildcurrent Hills The Wildcurrent Hills are a cluster of rolling hills on the outskirts of the Surging Plains where wild magic has taken root in the very earth. The hills are constantly shifting, growing taller or sinking into valleys seemingly at random. The flora here has been dramatically altered by the magical energies—plants shimmer with arcane light, and some have developed strange, dangerous properties. In particular, the Glimmerleaf Trees are known for absorbing wild magic, releasing it unpredictably when their leaves are touched.
These hills are favored by wild magic sorcerers and wandering adventurers looking to test their luck, as many believe the area holds the potential to unlock untapped magical power. However, the hills are also treacherous, with magic-infused storms and spatial distortions that can send travelers miles away or trap them in time loops.
The Stasis Fields Near the outskirts of the Surging Plains lie the Stasis Fields, a strange zone where time has fractured. Portions of the battlefield from the Battle of the Ferocious Mages are frozen in time here, with wild magic crackling in the air. Arcane scholars study the stasis in hopes of understanding how the wild magic locked these areas in perpetual pause. Weapons hang in mid-air, and fragments of spells continue to ripple through space in slow motion, offering glimpses of the final moments of the battle.
The Stasis Fields are both dangerous and alluring, as those who linger too long risk being pulled into the time-lock themselves, forever trapped in a moment between seconds. However, adventurers believe that unlocking the secrets of the Stasis Fields could grant insight into the ultimate fate of the Ferocious Mages, and possibly even a way to manipulate time itself.

Type

Plain

Included Locations

• Whaeyagaard

Inhabiting Species

• Harengon
• Verdan