The Cliffs of Flame

Written by Thelazyauthor

Named for the visual effect they produce, these cliffs are formed out of rocks that catch the sunlight at sunrise and sunset to create an effect that makes it seem as though the water in front of them is on fire.

Geography

Just behind the Cape of thunder in the Kingdom of Pyrrhos, Rantrakkar, or the Cliffs of Fire, a sacred site where it is easier for the Gods to manifest in the world. On top of the cliffs, a simple temple stands. Within this temple are flames symbolizing the gods, each burning a different color. When a God is directly interfering in the world, that flame will burn brighter. The Cliffs themselves are sheer, with stairs cut into them from a dock to access the temple. Some species of bird make nests on the cliffs, but most stay away due to the flame-like effect produced at dawn and dusk. Conversely, fish swarm to the surface during this time, feasting on the plankton and microscopic algae that help create the illusory fire. The stairs are steep, taking the better part of two hours to scale, without guardrails, though there is a grove cut into the cliff for people to hold. From the stairs, one can see the Cape of storms, which holds the Fortress of Thunder, the largest military base in the Kingdom of Pyrrhos. Ships can respond to an attack on the temple within fifteen minutes, and a rotation of guards for the sacred flames is funneled through the fortress. It is considered a right of passage for clerics and priests to ascend the stairs during dawn, spend the day at the temple honoring the gods, and descend with dusk. leaving by the light emitted by the illusory fire. During this time they cannot eat anything except the fish and birds found on the cliffs, or drink anything but rainwater that falls in the area. This ritual is required for clerics of Pyrrhan nationality to commune with the gods at the Temple without sacrificing exp.

Fauna & Flora

Small seabirds and a wide variety of fish populate the waters surrounding the Cliffs, and the cliffs themselves. There are seven families of birds that possess the ability to cast a 1st level domain spell, with the specific domain depending on the family. These birds are considered sacred, and make nests in the sections of the temple dedicated to their respective gods. Plankton and microscopic algae populate the surface of the water under the cliffs, producing a flame-like effect when hit with sunlight from a specific angle. During these times, fish swarm to the surface for food, found in the microbes that exist.

Natural Resources

Rantrakkar makes it easier for divine spells to be cast, giving all divine spellcasters +2 effective caster level when casting divine spells. Other than the effect on divine spellcasters, the rocks taken from the small quarry behind the cliffs can store and emit light, producing bright illumination in a 10-foot radius and shadowy illumination in an area three times that. The stones emit light for as many hours as they are exposed to the sun. The Gods find it easier to take physical forms, requiring only forty levels of spellcasters, spread over a minimum of ten people to descend. The ritual for a God to descend is described in a later article. It is also easier to commune with the gods, requiring 1/2 as much exp to speak directly with them, or none at all if the ritual described above is followed.

Type

Coast / Shore

Included Locations