The Ash Plains
The Barren Plains, The Wastes, The Endless Gray
Geography
The Ash Plains stretch outward for seemingly endless miles, a desolate expanse of gray and black that to all onlookers seems to be completely lifeless. It embodies despair and the true touch of death through its barren nature and stillness, broken only by the howling winds that whip the gritty ash-like substrate around in vast storms. The Plains lie between the elven homeland to the south and Lungao to the north, forming the only land bridge between the two countries. Once lush with life, it now serves as a testament to the destructive capabilities of magic.
Massive spires and flat-topped pillars of what appears to be hardened ash punctuate the landscape, jutting into the sky like fingers reaching for salvation. These spires are remnants of the intense magic that scorched the land, their surfaces smooth in some places and jagged in others like broken and splintered bone. Some tower hundreds of feet, casting long shadows across the barren landscape. Their dark, porous composition absorbs heat during the day, making the surrounding area feel like an over, only to radiate the trapped warmth back at night, preventing any relief.
The Ash Plains are not static; the land itself seems to constantly move under the unrelenting winds. Fine, powdery dunes of the gray-black material shift endlessly, forming waves that cascade across the terrain like the tides of an eerie, lifeless ocean. These dunes are perilous to traverse, as they can quickly bury equipment or create disorienting patterns that make navigation nearly impossible. The constant motion also reveals and conceals hidden hazards like jagged spire fragments and deep crevices that jut across the land like waiting maws of some beast.
The winds of the Ash Plains are an ever-present force, tearing across the landscape. They howl relentlessly, carrying fine particles of the gritty soil that scour exposed skin and blind the unprepared. This abrasive wind ensures that no shelter lasts long, tearing apart even the toughest of materials over time and wearing them down to join the rest of the gritty dust that plagues the land. The winds also create awful, high-pitched whistling sounds as they pass through the spires, making the entire area feel haunted and threaten to break the minds of travelers as easily as it does their bodies..
While not composed of actual ash, the sandy substrate acts like a mixture of gritstone and salt that leeches moisture from anything it touches. Even prepared travelers who manage to shield themselves from the abrasive winds must contend with the land itself draining the fluids from their bodies, causing severe dehydration. This is one of the greatest factors that makes survival here so difficult, as it saps the strength of those who linger too long.
The remnants of dried-up rivers carve through the plains like scars and deformities upon the land, a reminder of the once-thriving ecosystem that existed before the destruction. These riverbeds are shallow and wide, their cracked surfaces filled with ash that settled there through many an ashstorm. Occasionally, travelers can find traces of petrified wood or ancient stones smoothed by long-evaporated water and slung grit which act as stark relics of a time when life flourished throughout this now-devastated landscape.
While the Ash Plains do touch the ocean on two sides, the coastlines offer no solace. Rather than the sandy beaches commonplace in other lands, the shoreline is composed of jagged, brittle cliffs of hardened "ash" which crumble underfoot and cut and tear into exposed skin. The ocean waves lap against these dark cliffs with an eerie and unnatural stillness, as if the water itself is reluctant to touch the cursed land. The salty sea breeze provides little relief from the dryness of the air, and no fresh water is found anywhere along the coastline.
The Ash Plains' geography forms a nearly impenetrable barrier between the Ryushin people and the elves. On both sides are large jagged mountains, forming natural barriers to the cursed dead land, with the massively thick jungles of the elves existing beyond them to the south, choked with vines and humidity, while Lungao exists above the mountains to the north with a passage on the eastern edge which is constantly patrolled by guards for any would-be travelers wishing to enter the area—or much worse things trying to exit. The Ash Plains themselves, however, offer no passage that isn't fraught with danger, forcing travelers to rely on the long sea routes around it if they wish any certainty in survival.
Beneath the surface, hidden chasms snake throughout the Plains. These formations are believed to be the result of the lung draconic magic that reshaped the land, creating voids beneath the surface as the life above was snuffed out. These chasms occasionally collapse, creating massive sinkholes that can swallow up anyone—or anything—that seeks to traverse the land above. Some explorers whisper of ancient ruins buried within these depths, remnants of civilizations lost to the magical destruction as collateral damage. These chasms are also the closest to safe travel one can find in these wretched lands, keeping the sapping "sands" above, but their propensity to collapse without a moment's notice causes even these to be far from true safety.
Despite its barrenness, the Ash Plains bear the eerie traces of the life that had once existed here. A traveler may stumble on the fossilized remains of trees or nearly-perfectly preserved mummified corpses, untouched by animals or anything else and dried to a nearly stone-like state by the ash and grit. These are almost always found only deep under the "sands", lest they be torn apart by the ashstorms above. These remains serve as grim monuments to the price paid by the land during the Ryushin-Elf war long ago, being a stark reminds of the power unleashed to create this desolate landscape.
Ecosystem
The Ash Plains are often thought of as a "dead zone" due to their complete lack of plant life and apparent absence of fauna. The magic that destroyed the landscape was designed to eradicate everything that lived here, resulting in a landscape barren beyond even the harshest desert. Without plants to form the base of the food chain, the ecosystem is far different from any traditional or natural biome. However, traces of adaptive survival can be found in creatures that defy the odds.
Microscopic life has adapted to the harsh environment, clinging to the underside of the ash-like spires or deep within the hidden chasms, feeding on mineral deposits and residual magic infused into the ash itself. They serve as the primary producers of what little life remains, converting magic and trace nutrients into energy forms that other creatures can use.
While no large animals survive here due to the lack of water and food, small, highly specialized creatures do inhabit the plains. These include, but are not at all limited to:
- Ash Skimmers: Insect-like creatures with tough, reflective exoskeletons that reflect the harsh sunlight to create blinding displays and protect them from the abrasive winds and ash-storms. They scavenge for microbial deposits and feed on detritus exposed by shifting dunes. They often travel in small swarms just behind ash storms, leading many to believe that they cause the ash storms with their combined wingbeats.
- Chimeric Birds: Rare, avian creatures with elongated beaks designed to snatch ash-dwelling insects or collect condensation during rare morning fogs that last only mere moments. Their feathers are gray and dull to blend with the landscape.
Localized Phenomena
Natural Phenomena
Ethereal Ashstorms ("Ash Whispers")
Ashstorms are very commonplace in the Plains, but they take on an eerie characteristic due to the fine, magic-imbued ash in the air. When the concentration of residual magic is too high, these storms can create ghostly, swirling patterns that appear almost alive, resembling the long bodies of the dragons themselves. The wind carries a strenge, echoing sound resembling whispers or distant screams and cries caused by the interaction of this ash with the spires, chasms, and dunes of the landscape. These storms disorient travelers, reducing visibility to nearly zero and the sounds produced by them can cause insanity, with a known side-effect causing them to perceive the ash around them as water, causing them to quickly consume it in an almost always fatal attempt to hydrate their quickly-drying bodies. This interaction has led to many referring to those that die in the Plains as "Ash-Drinkers", which is also used as an insult in southern Lungao for one with mental deficiencies, whether perceived or actual.Magnetic Lightning ("Iron Tempests")
The leeching landscape of the Plains contains high concentrations of ferrous particles, largely consisting of iron and adamantine, left over as remnants of the magic that reshape the land and the societies that existed here beforehand. When powerful storms roll in from the ocean, this latent metal can interact with the ambient electricity, drawing strikes directly the surface. The result is chaotic displays of branching lightning that can linger for several seconds, grounding into the massive spires or forming glowing "lightning scars" on the dunes, large spikes protrusions of crystallized "ash" and metal. These scars can remain luminescent for days, sometimes lasting even longer depending on the amount of adamantine within, giving off an eerie, faint green glow. These scars are one of the few reasons any would dare traverse the harsh landscape, as the collection of adamantine can be sold for extremely high profits.Choking Mists
Though water is scarce, the coastal borders occasionally allow for a dense mist to roll into the Plains. While mistaken travelers may see these water-rich mists as a source of salvation, the mists interact with the dry, salt-like ground to create corrosive vapors that irritate the skin, lungs, and eyes of anyone caught in them. The effect is very similar to inhaling the fine ash around mixed with a weak acid, and even adapted creatures seek shelter during these events. The mists dissipate quickly under the sun, but leave crusty residue that further degrades the terrain. Strangely, chimeric birds seem to be immune to this acidic effect, and fly through the storms, catching the water on their wings as their cold bodies cause it to condensate on their wings and allowing it to be cleansed.Shifting Dunes ("Wave Pools")
The constantly moving dunes of the Plains can create strange optical illusions, especially under the pale glow of the moons above. These "wave pools" resemble flowing water, similarly to the mirages of desert regions, often luring unprepared travelers deeper into the Wastes. The dunes periodically collapse into hidden chasms, forming temporary sinkholes that can swallow entire caravans. It is believed that these are the result of latent lung draconic magic mixing with trapped souls of the elves that died here, spurred into malicious action through the glow of the moons, seeking to end others in an attempt to pass on.Supernatural Phenomena
Residual Magic Storms ("Arcane Tempests")
The powerful lung draconic magic that devastated the Plains has not entirely dissipated, still remaining as it is slowly consumed by the organisms that live here, but also seemingly replenishing itself over time. Occasionally, the lingering energy coalesces into arcane storms that manifest as glowing clouds of green, blue, and purple energy and race across the sky, raining down bursts of arcane force that seemingly track down living creatures similarly to a magic missile spell. They are unpredictable and dangerous, capable of igniting small explosions in the dunes or creating temporary zones of magical distortion where time or gravity behave erratically, as well as massively distorting the weather in the zones. Such a zone can be freezing cold, blazingly hot, or even pleasant. As such, these storms are looked upon with both fear and respect.Phantom Echoes
Travelers often report hearing voices or seeing fleeting figures in the distance, even when they are certain no one else is present. These "phantom echoes" are believed to be residual imprints of the lives snuffed out by the lung draconic spell. They are typically harmless but are extremely unsettling, capable of luring people off course or instilling a profound sense of unease. Some adventurers claim the echoes have occasionally warned them of danger or guided them to safety, but such stories are rare. Rarely, a particularly powerful phantom echo can cause the ashes to coalesce into a pseudo-body for them, capable of physically interacting with those around, and many times such creatures can be particularly spiteful and malicious due to the pain they still undergo to this day. These creatures always attack humans on sight, likely due to them being the source of the pain.Veilfire
At night, certain spires and patches of the ground emit a faint, phosphorescent glow, an effect caused by the interaction of residual magic with metallic adamantine in the soil. This Veilfire can create an otherworldly landscape, illuminating the terrain in pale green or purple hues. While beautiful, the glow often signals areas with higher magical toxicity, and prolonged exposure can lead to arcane poisoning in both living beings and equipment.Magic-Reactive Ground ("Spellglass Pits")
Certain areas in the Ash Plains are highly sensitive to magic, reacting violently when spells are cast nearby—with stronger reactions toward arcane magic than divine magic. The ground in these locations crystallizes temporarily into sharp, glass-like formations, which can expand rapidly outward and injure anything in their path. These Spellglass Pits are feared by those who rely on magic, as even simple spells can trigger devastating reactions, and on several occasionally, it has been reported that a spell has caused the ground to react in a way that left the caster more akin to a pincushion than any form of living creature, the spines launching inward and devastating the caster's body. Some who take frequent trips through the landscape have found a way to have some level of control, evenc reating spells specifically designed to make use of the landscape, launching massive barrages of the Spellglass at their targets.The Breathless Calm
A strange phenomen occurs in certain pockets of the Plains where the wind suddenly dies, creating an eerie, almost oppressive silence. These zones are unnerving for their stillness, as even the usual whispers of moving sand cease. Some theorize that these areas are locations where the lung draconic magic was strongest, creating fields of unnatural stasis. Extended stays in these zones can induce nausea, headaches, and hallucinations. These zones can be extremely deadly to those using ash runners, a sort of sleigh or sled-like device that makes use of the powerful winds to surf across the Plains. While those small enough can typically be pushed through the area, larger constructions, often referred to as ash barges, are more often just considered lost. As such, an abandoned ash barge can be used as a sign that such a region is nearby, and those that make a living traveling the Plains seek out a map of these confirmed spots as quickly as possible.Climate
The climate of the Ash Plains is defined by its harsh, arid conditions and the unpredictable interactions of natural and magical forces. It is an inhospitable environment with minimal variation in seasonal weather patterns.
Overall Climate
The Ash Plains are predominantly arid, with extremely low humidity levels due to the leeching ground that absorbs moisture from the air. Daytime temperatures are scorching, regularly exceeding 122° under the relentless sun, while nighttime temperatures plummet dramatically, often approaching freezing. The lack of vegetation exacerbates these extremes, as there is no natural canopy to moderate the temperature.Seasonal Patterns
The Plains experience very little in terms of distinct seasons. However, there are minor variations tied to the surrounding oceanic influences:- Dry Season: Dominates most of the year, characterized by scorching heat, unrelenting winds, and the absence of any precipitation.
- Transient Fog Season: Brief periods, particularly during the cooler months, bring coastal fogs that roll over the Plains. While they provide a slight increase in humidity, they also contribute to the choking mists that plague the land when interacting with the ground.
Precipitation
Rainfall is virtually nonexistent in the Ash Plains. On rare occasions, oceanic storms bring brief but intense downpours that quickly evaporate or are absorbed by the soil, leaving no lasting water sources. These events are unpredictable and often accompanied by intense lightning storms due to the metal content in the ground. The lack of a consistent water cycle ensures the region remains barren.Wind
Winds are a constant and defining feature of the Ash Plains. They are fierce and unyielding, originating from the ocean and sweeping across the land with significant force. During the dry season, winds create the flowing dunes and contribute to the abrasive conditions. In the cooler months, winds often carry salt and grit from the coastline, further desiccating the area.Natural Resources
Ferrous Iron Deposits
The soil and dunes of the Ash Plains are rich in ferrous iron, a legacy of the lung draconic magic that repurposed the land. The iron is often found in a fine, powdered state, scattered throughout the ash-like soil. It can be collected and smelted into durable alloys but requires specialized techniques to separate it from the abrasive, moisture-leeching grit.Adamant Veins
Beneath the hardened spires and buried deep within the Plains are massive veins of adamant, an exceptionally rare metal. The destruction wrought by the lung draconic magic appears to have concentrated this resource in the Plains, creating some of the riches deposits in Elaris.Lightning Scars
The Plains’ lightning storms leave behind unique formations in the ground known as lightning scars. These scars are created when bolts of lightning superheat the ferrous and adamant-rich soil, fusing it into intricate, crystalline structures. These formations often retain residual magical energy, making them incredibly valuable. This is one of the rare methods that a natural adamantine-like alloy can be formed, and so is sought after by those that cannot otherwise obtain true adamantine.Coastal Mineral Deposits
The edges of the Ash Plains near the ocean harbor small concentrations of mineral deposits, such as salt and sulfur, carried in by the wind and water. While less valuable than the Plains’ other resources, these deposits are still harvested by coastal settlements for mundane and alchemical purposes.History
The land that would become the Ash Plains was once a vibrant paradise, rich with life and beauty. It was a place of dense forests and sprawling jungles, interspersed with clear rivers and shimmering lakes. Towering trees with canopies so thick they created their own twilight dominated the landscape, while the undergrowth teemed with creatures both mundane and magical. The elves that lived in this land flourished here, building their homes and settlements in harmony with the environment. Their cities were crafted from living wood and enchanted stone, blending seamlessly into the forests they revered.
This region was not only a haven for the elves but a critical part of their culture and society. It was here they practiced their most sacred rituals, communing with the spirits of nature and drawing power from the land. They believed these forests were a gift from the gods, a place where their connection to the natural world was strongest. The region also served as a vital hub for trade, its rivers connecting inland cities to the ocean, and its bounty providing food, medicines, and materials for crafting.
The Ryushin, a group of humans deeply connected to the draconic magic of their land, arrived in this region during a period of great upheaval. Driven by necessity and ambition, they sought to carve out a place for themselves in this verdant expanse. Though initially cautious, the Ryushin quickly came into conflict with the elves. The elves saw the Ryushin as intruders, disrupting the delicate balance of their sacred lands. For the Ryushin, the elves were obstacles to their survival.
Tensions escalated as small skirmishes turned into sustained conflict. The Ryushin, empowered by their draconic connection and unyielding will, were relentless. The elves, for all their grace and magical might, found themselves outmatched in the face of the Ryushin's aggressive tactics and ability to manipulate the land itself. The forests became battlefields, and the rivers ran red with blood.
The war reached its zenith as both sides suffered immense losses. The Ryushin began to see the elven homeland as a symbol of resistance, a stronghold that needed to be neutralized to ensure their survival. It was during this time that the Ryushin turned to an unthinkable solution: harnessing the power of lung draconic environmental magic to destroy the elves' connection to the land. This magic, normally used to shape and enrich the world, was twisted into a weapon of unparalleled destruction.
In an act of calculated retribution, the Ryushin enacted a ritual of unprecedented scale. Channeling their mastery of draconic magic, they unleashed a wave of divine magical devastation that swept across the land. The forests withered as the moisture was sucked out of them in an instant, a wretched creaking noise carried through the land, plant, and creature alike screamed out as their bodies withered. Rivers evaporated into clouds of scalding steam, leaving behind cracked and desolate beds. The very soil, once rich and fertile, was transformed into a gritty, moisture-leeching expanse that killed anything that attempted to grow.
The magic did more than destroy; it remade the land into a barrier of death. The Ash Plains became a nearly impenetrable wasteland, devoid of life and hostile to all who entered. The towering trees were replaced by jagged spires of hardened "ash," and the fertile ground became shifting dunes of desolation. Winds scoured the landscape, carrying the whispers of a land forever changed. Even the sky seemed altered, taking on a strange, grayish hue that mirrored the desolation below.
The act succeeded in breaking the elves’ power in the region. Cut off from their sacred lands and their ancestral connection to the natural world, the elven resistance crumbled. The few survivors that were near the very edges of the magical blast fled southward, seeking refuge in their homelands or distant lands. The Ryushin claimed victory, though it came at a cost: the destruction of a once-thriving land and the forging of a lasting enmity with the elves.
The Ash Plains became a scar on the world, a reminder of the terrible price of conflict. The Ryushin established their new homeland in modern-day Lungao, but the legacy of the Ash Plains haunted their people. Stories of the devastation spread, casting the Ryushin as both conquerors and destroyers. The elves, though defeated, carried their anger and sorrow through generations, vowing to never forget the loss of their sacred lands.
For centuries, the Ash Plains remained untouched, a cursed and forsaken land. The few who dared to enter found only death and despair, and the land itself seemed to resist any attempt to reclaim it. The winds, the leeching ground, and the absence of water created an environment that rejected life, ensuring that the region would remain a natural barrier between the Ryushin and the elves.
Today, the Ash Plains are viewed with a mixture of fear and fascination. For the Ryushin, they are both a symbol of victory and a source of lingering guilt, a reminder of the terrible power of their draconic magic. For the elves, they are a wound that will never fully heal, a constant reminder of what was lost. Scholars and adventurers are drawn to the Plains to study its strange phenomena and uncover the remnants of its past, but even the most intrepid rarely linger long.
The Ash Plains stand as a testament to the destructive potential of magic and the lengths to which people will go in the name of survival. They are a monument to both tragedy and triumph, their desolation telling a story of conflict, sacrifice, and the enduring scars of history.
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