Caldera

Caldera is the third and furthest away moon of Illon. Though it is volcanic and uninhabitable for most species, it was inhabited by the Calderans and their livestock. It has a 91 day lunar cycle. Caldera is associated with the trickster god, Mohtarr. The First Oracle made the Prophecy of the Chosen Nine, where Blackrazor must be driven into its core, sparking a cosmic event that could reshape the balance of life and death. In 70 3E, they fulfilled this prophecy, turning it into the Belt of Caldera.

Geography

Caldera's geography is as hostile as it is awe-inspiring. The moon is covered in vast fields of jagged rock, with towering volcanic mountains constantly spewing ash and rivers of molten lava that crisscross its surface. Earthquakes and eruptions are a constant threat, reshaping the land with little warning. The atmosphere is thin and choking, filled with sulfuric smoke and ash clouds that blot out the sky. Deep fissures cut through the landscape, glowing with the eerie light of the molten core below. Amid this fiery wasteland, there are rare oases of relative calm, such as plateaus of solidified magma. The few stable regions are dotted with glowing mineral deposits and strange crystal formations, pulsing with the moon’s volatile energy.

Fauna & Flora

Caldera is home to unique and resilient fauna adapted to its harsh volcanic environment. The most prominent species is the humanoid Calderans. Ember Beetles are small, glowing insects with heat-resistant shells that thrive near lava flows, their bodies providing essential nutrients for the Calderan diet. Blaze Hogs are large, boar-like creatures covered in ember-like bristles, with an internal temperature too high for most species to safely consume. Charhorns are massive, molten-horned beasts with obsidian-like hides, and they produce a rare, metallic liquid vital to the survival of the Calderans. Lastly, Gravestalk Root is a plant that grows upside-down, with roots hanging from the ceilings of Caldera’s caverns, its rock-like exterior hiding a tender, edible flesh within. These creatures and plants have adapted to the planet’s volcanic conditions, thriving in the extreme heat and mineral-rich atmosphere.

History

In 70 3E, The Chosen Nine learned of a prophecy that stated they need to destroy Caldera before the Harmonic Convergence. The group acquired a Spelljammer and sailed to Caldera. On the way, they were attacked by Nezrabog the Red. They killed him in self defense and then pushed his body off of the ship, sending him into Caldera's orbit. After arriving on Caldera, they discovered that it was inhabited. With the help of Mohtarr (who had been disguised as a Calderan named Maurice), the group evacuated the Calderans and their livestock. They then traveled to the Core of Caldera. They fought the Caldera Guardian, which Leisl Siannodel finished off with a Dispel Magic. Alan thrust Blackrazor into the core, destroying the sword and Caldera. After teleporting away, the group watched as Caldera exploded. Thanks to a deal they made with the Raven Queen, these chunks formed a ring of asteroids around Illon known as the Belt of Caldera. Nezrabog the Red's body still floats somewhere in this Belt.