Dryth'Baedu Crater
Of all the locales I've visited in my travels, this landmark is easily the most perplexing. I've only a passing knowledge of the events that transpired to cause this, but I cannot begin to fathom what exact details could bring about such bewildering scenery. I can sense the emotions that were had here, the ferocity of the battle, and the power which continues to surge through this land which has been stained by the blood of good and evil alike. It's enough to send shivers down my spine...Deep in the territory of the city of Reldoth, protected by three layers of sturdy stone walls lined with arcane runes of protection, lies a massive crater whose geography is beyond abnormal. Streaks of decay, smoldering fire, thriving vegetation, and cracking earth which is saturated with arcane light and darkness, all spiraling in towards the center where two figures rest. It is the site of an ancient conflict, early in the city's history, a battle sparked by betrayal, fueled by the twisted machinations of fate.
One thousand years ago, two adventurers were working together under the employ of the first king of the realm which would come to be known as Reldoth. One was a master of magic, and the other a dweller of the dark. They were very efficient in their work, protecting the small territory from threats and rescuing hostages from brigands with panache and aplomb. Eventually, however, the rogue's eyes began to drift towards dark ambitions. He heard the whispers of the infernal, of the dark and depraved, and he answered with interest. In an act of ultimate betrayal, he assaulted the king of the realm and took his head, offering his blood as a sacrifice to the powers of the unholy. He escaped capture and fled to safety, to allow for his subsequent dark apotheosis to transpire unimpeded. In response, the magician turned to the light, to the divine who watched over the world to aid him in seeking justice for this travesty. After a trial of will, he was granted his own ascension into the power of a demigod.
The two eventually clashed, and their fight was legendary, almost on par with some of the battles of the Great Conflict. In the end, however, the magician was overpowered, and he did the only thing he had left to do. He channeled all of his power into one great burst and self-destructed, taking his adversary down with him in a blaze of glory. Where once the two warriors stood, their mortal forms hardened into stone, situated in the center of the crater which their battle created.
The city that the magician saved was renamed to commemorate his noble sacrifice, taking on his valiant name: Reldoth. In death, his spirit remained in the material plane, serving as the guardian angel of the city which shares his name. On the opposite side, his adversary's spirit fell to the infernal realms from which his power originated, and he became the demon lord now known as Xek'Zal. The site of their battle, whose name is translated from Old Common as "Divine Battle Crater", is now a holy place for the people of Reldoth, who come to pay their respects and awe toward the single most important event in their history.
Geography
The geography of the crater is incredibly diverse and perplexing for such a small area, as the energy present in the battle had many effects on the land. Streaks of desolate land and thriving plants spiraling all around the crater into the center, scorched earth ending at the feet of Xek'Zal, and vegetation ending at the feet of Reldoth. The dead and thriving areas glow and crackle with arcane darkness and light at all times, red and blue cinders rising from the earth below the figures' feet, making the landmark a rather breathtaking sight in the dark of the night, a view whose beauty and awe is praised by all who witness it.
Fauna & Flora
Streaks of land which house flourishing vegetation spiral inward to the center, tapering off beneath the feet of Reldoth himself. Vibrant flowers and tall grass grow abundant in these areas of the crater, and arcane light flows through their roots.
Natural Resources
The crater is completely saturated with arcane energy, with pure, untamed magic. It is tradition for wizards and sorcerers from all across the land to make a pilgrimage to Dryth'Baedu Crater, as the ambient magic which is so abundant in the landmark acts as a potent catalyst to further one's progress in the arcane arts. In addition, the energy is harnessed by the city of Reldoth, and is the main reason why the capital city possesses such advanced magic.
Type
Crater / Crater Lake / Caldera
Location under
Owning Organization
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