The Blue Lava Pool Of Kekla Va
“Welcome dear friends. Behold the great blue lava pool. Witness! Watch! And truly See! The all powerful Kekla Va has a message for each of you. Gaze into his lava, notice the signs and symbols that are meant just for you. It is there. Read his message, know that we are all a part of him. Come and realize your place among us. Accept his grace and take your first steps into a larger and more divine world. The great Kekla Va welcomes you.”
Geography
The Blue Lava Pool Of Kekla Va is a relatively small area of the subterranean expanse known as the The Bos Magara. It consists of the controversial yet beautiful Blue Lava Pool that is situated in the middle of a small ring of volcanic peaks in the southeastern portion of the region. The volcanoes are moderately short, about 1700 feet tall with very steep slopes and loose footing. The sides themselves appear to be made from various cinders as well as rhyolitic and andesitic rocks. The low light and harsh conditions do not allow for much life to flourish here. According to Perido Stonesight the volcanic lava takes on a blue color due to the tremendous heat and extremely high concentrations of sulfur present. However, Granis Stonethrow fervently decries that the unique blue lava is created as a deliberate sign by the "Witnesses" god, Kekla Va.
Ecosystem
This area is a bit hotter and drier that most areas in the Bos Magara due to the volcanic processes at its center. The lava here creates blue shortwave light, heat, and a sulfur rich environment. Few living organisms can survive here for long but the permanent residents are most likely dependent on these factors for survival. The others are just temporarily passing through and just enduring the unwelcome conditions while they look for a quick meal.
Ecosystem Cycles
Due to its depth beneath the surface and position in the Bos Magara, this area is very climatically stable and does not experience any seasons. The ambient light from the blue lava and the bioluminescent algae on the cavern ceiling remains the same all of the time as does the temperature and humidity of the area.
Localized Phenomena
Aside from the natural poisonous gas releases and earthquakes that occasionally shake the land, the volcano continuously roils and swirls with molten blue and black colors. It is said that as certain parts of the lava bubble and temporarily cool that fleeting, hardening rocks take the shape of symbols, signs, and sigils. Rumors claim that those who see the patterns here and head the message are forever transformed.
Fauna & Flora
An extraordinarily barren landscape in an already barren region. The lack of sunlight and other typical environmental features has created harsh conditions that only specialized plants and animals can exist within. Low light, poor to nonexistent soils, and lack of water has prevented all plants from growing here. There are no birds, mammals, amphibians, or fish living here either.
A few sulfur loving fungi like the Spotted Brimstone Head and the Sulfur Top mushrooms do grow here, as does the rock eating Copperleaf Lichen. Insects are rare but travel through the area, in particular the Lava Ants and the Cinder Flies are common. Their relatives the Gloom Spider, Tracker Centipede, and Ghost Scorpion can also be found crawling among the ciders and rocks of the volcano. Only the heat loving Lavaback Viper represents the reptiles.
Other much rarer types of lifeforms such as the elemental and demonic, as well as Cinder Serpents, Rock Bats, Helictites, Grotes, Hellhounds, Shadowcats, and Despairits have all been seen here.
Humanoids often and deliberately visit this area. The dark dwarves of Barlang Varos, the dark elves of Hellaborg, and the humans and half elves from the Ruins Of Pitharcos all come here to gaze into the mesmerizing blue lava pool.
Natural Resources
Quick observations of the volcanic area turn up little in the way of natural resources. Its most valuable asset is as an attraction, as its hypnotic blue lava has begun to draw more and more visitors each decade. However if one looks closely enough a few small items of note can be harvested from this inhospitable land.
Living in the sulfur rich environment are the Brimstone Head mushrooms that are used in a variety of meals, as well as the Sulfur Top mushrooms whose use in many remedies is vital. Additionally the Copperleaf Lichen can be trimmed, collected, and processed for its internal copper.
A very recent find inside of the vent of the volcano is a strange form of Blue Sulfur. No one really know what is can be used for or how it developed, but rumors say that its presence now is because of the recent blood sacrifices that the Witnesses Of Kekla Va make to the lava.
History
It is believed that the Blue Lava Pool Of Kekla Va first came into being during a recent volcanic event in 587 A.S., about 156 years ago. At this time a small crack in the Bos Magara's floor released the pressure and allowed the sulfur rich magma to flow up into the great cavern. Cinders, ash, and lava constantly flowed out of the opening vent, growing larger and larger with each successive layer of cooling rock. Within a few years the volcanic peaks ascended to their current heights and the pool of bubbling blue lava reached a balance that kept it steadily churning but not exploding.
In 598 A.S. an expedition full of forced prison laborers from Barlang Varos officially journeyed to the blue lava pool and returned to tell the tale. The Rau Zlo dark dwarf and leader of Barlang Varos, Calsis Skullhammer, took full credit for the discovery as the expedition had occurred under his orders. As a desolate area devoid of any life or useful materials it was left classified as a free territory and ignored by the government.
As time went on tales of the intriguing blue lava spread and more and more people went to visit the sight. Some would bring back stories of seeing signs and symbols in the swirling lava and others claimed to have been witness to the meaning of the messages in the molten rock.
In 618 A.S. Granis Stonethrow, called for a great gathering of true believers where he promised to share with them the true purpose of the radiant blue lava. Here he told them of the great deity Kekla Va and how it would send them messages and guide them to greatness. Although they were few at that time, the founding of The Witnesses Of Kekla Va began.
Throughout the following years the Witnesses continued to hold secret meetings at the blue lava pool and continued to seek out new recruits for their religion. Although they warmly welcome newcomers to join them, they have begun to sacrifice anyone that openly opposes them to their great deity residing in the blue lava pool.
Tourism
Very few people come to this remote area. The few that do are usually first time explorers to the area or those who are hoping to find some interesting mineral samples. The exception to these visitors are the religious zealots known as the The Witnesses Of Kekla Va. They regard this volcano as a sacred and holy place. They encourage all who come here to gaze into the wonders of the blue lava. Those to whom the lava speaks are formally introduced to their religion.
Dangers
The underground volcano is a hard and unforgiving place with very few plants or animals. Inhabitants that manage to survive here, have reported on the many dangers of The Blue Lava Pool Of Kekla Va. From lava bursts, earthquakes, rock falls, and poisonous gas, to infectious diseases, poisonous plants and animals, magical creatures and various races of traveling humanoids.
Diseases
The silent killers of this volcanic area are often the forgotten and overlooked infectious diseases. There are many to watch out for in this environment and those who survive its immediate dangers often succumb to its long term effects. A few of the most common diseases to be wary of are Lunghack, Eyevitis, and Histoplasmosis to name a few.
“Yeah, it’s a … pretty I guess. It gets the blue color as the high concentrations of sulfur reach the superheated air and ignite. It’s rare but does occur. Certainly not from some holy power.”
Very interesting concept! Bravo!
Thank you very much.