Vulkan Bhaz
History
Vulkan Bhaz was a city of raw power and martial prowess, devoted to the Goddess of War. The city sat atop a dormant volcano, with its temple built directly over a volcanic vent that emitted heat and energy, symbolizing the ferocity and unyielding strength of war. The surrounding Badun Forest flourished in the fertile volcanic soil, forming a thick, dark woodland that teemed with life, providing resources, food, and cover for Vulkan Bhaz’s defenses. During the time of the great expanse, the followers of Bhita Goddess of Art, Commerce, and the Modern World taught them how to extract and harness the power of the abericlase, giving their territory power and modern conveniences; however, most tribes of creatures refused to accept this help and felt that the temple and the insides were holy relics that should not be exploited.
It became known as a city of warriors, where every citizen was trained in combat from a young age. The city boasted an elite order of warriors said to channel the very power of the volcano underneath them along with the blessing of the war goddess. Smiths and Artisans utilized Volcaryx to craft legendary weapons and armor, forged from the fiery fury of the earth. The one thing that the city did utilize was the power converter from the magma veins that allowed them to power massive forges hot enough to work with the volcanic material as well as place an anti-magic barrier around the city where all magic was nullified or dampened severely.
For centuries the city stood as a symbol of strength and power to the Kragthor Territory until the abericlase went dark. The sudden loss of power caused a massive volcanic tremor that released bursts of toxic gas and erupted molten magma from the temple. The once harnessed fury of the volcano was released in short and powerful bursts, destroying parts of the city as well as parts of the temple.
Thousands of once great warriors that had perished rose once more, their charred bodies seeking only destruction and death. Some of the undead became flamebound wights that gained resistance to fire and some that could even wield it as a wepaon. Elemental creatures of ash and rock formed corrupt ashborn horrors that mixed between air and earth elementals. On the edges of the forests creatures that became known was root wraiths were born and were twisted tree-like creatures with gnarled limbs that feasted on those that attempted to escape. Toxic spores infected even more of the forest, creating diseased wildlife and plaguing the outskirts leaving the city.
As the undead overran the city more panic began to spread. Those that had survived turned on one another and factions began rising, blaming the other for the disaster that had occurred. Some factions chose to protect the remaining civilians and children while others fled the city. Warlords emerged with small factions of warriors, attempting to seize control of the chaos and deepened the fractures of the once brothers in arms mantra of the city. Today a perpetual ash lingers over what is left of the city, darkening the sky and covering the ruins in soot and ash. When disturbed it can animate into ashbound phantoms that attack any living creature, utilizing the residual and unstable wild magic that has become prevalent from the centuries of magic dampening.
The residents that survived and could not leave found their home in the lava tunnels. Below the surface now, they survive from the flora and fauna that reside underground in the tunnels that used to be for mining materials. Survivors have developed a grim culture of survival and reverence for fire as both a purifier and protector and often brand themselves with flame-shaped scars as symbols of resilience.
RUINED SETTLEMENT
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