Spindle Mortum

A set of fairly normal hills for the nearby plains, except they have been subjected to more erosion than typical. Gullies and ravines are common, making the terrain difficult to traverse. Then dominating the center is a floating crystal of a sickly green color. At night you can locate your direction for a hundred miles by the position of the moon and the glow of the crystal on the horizon. The local Mazalurk Tribes worship the stone as a blessing of their god Horeveloze, the destroyer of Zevick.

History

Sages differ on what they believe happened to create the ten meter thin crystal spindle. Some believe it was a necromantic spell gone awry, others that it is a divine manifestation of cleansing power to eliminate a plague but has corroded over time to kill all life. Still others believe it was the lair of a dangerous shadow dragon or powerful revenant, made as a reflection on the mythical Well of Souls. Either way, its existence has been well documented for almost 500 years. Its reach has expanded in the last 30 years for some reason, a troubling sign if it continues to expand.

Fauna & Flora

Within about a 20 mile radius nothing lives here. While there are dead trees scattered around the plains in this area, not even vultures tend to roost here. It anything can be said to inhabit the region it is the ghosts, specters, and the dead.

Natural Resources

The advantage of erosion is the exposing of some geodes and availability of caves. The crystal itself is certainly an unnatural resource used by priests and necromancers for various experiments and rituals.

Alternative Name(s)

The Dead Crystal, The haunting barrens

Type

Badlands

Location under

Henderent Plains

5e rules

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The 20 mile hex in which the spindle resides has all necromantic magic enhanced. Everyone who spends the night here must make a DC 18 Con save or take 1 point temporary Constitution damage, if this kills them there is a 5% chance they become a zombie, ghost, banshee, or ghoul. All undead in the region will be restored to their full form the next midnight unless the final blow is delivered with radiant damage.
The priests of Horeveloze can perform a resurrection once a season if they are within a mile of the spire. Additionally they can cast Inflict Wounds or Ray of Sickness as if it were a cantrip if they are within that hex. They must choose which they can cast every night or change it every night.