The land of dragons
Dakronas
A steep sloped prairie that climbs up the side of crudilex to the edge, it’s highest points becoming sheer mountain faces. The Entire landscape is at a deep incline
Battlemaps set in this location
Highlair
Highlair is a towering mountain, jagged and rugged, its cliffs punctuated by numerous dragon lairs. The rocky face of the mountain is riddled with deep cracks and hidden caverns, each one serving as a nest for dragons to claim as their own. These lairs are not merely places of rest—they are filled with glittering hoards of gold and treasure, accumulated over many seasons of nuptial migration. The treasures of Highlair are as varied as the dragons themselves, with items collected from across the world and beyond. From ancient relics to rare jewels, the wealth contained within each cavern tells the tale of the dragon's long history and its adventures through time. Highlair stands as both a natural fortress and a monument to draconic power, its peaks and depths concealing untold riches—and perhaps untold dangers as well.
Bastam; City of Dragons
Bastam is the heart of the Dragonborn, a sprawling city where dragon cults nurture hatchlings and care for whelplings in the absence of their parents, who are often away for most of the year. The city teems with winged serpents known as Thrinn, curious creatures that, like frogs to tadpoles, can transform into Dragonborn when exposed to enough gold and dragonfire.
Perched high in the rocky alpine highlands, Bastam is a city designed with dragons in mind, its grand architecture shaped to accommodate their immense size and majestic forms. Massive stone arches and towering spires reach toward the heavens, while vast courtyards and wide streets allow even the largest of dragons to move freely. Yet, despite its draconic design, Bastam is primarily inhabited by Tzal and Dragonborn, who have adapted to life in this harsh, unforgiving environment.
The thin, icy air carries a biting chill, and the city’s inhabitants wear thick, fur-lined garments to combat the perpetual cold. Despite the harsh climate, the people of Bastam thrive, driven by their sacred duty to rear and nurture the young dragons that will one day take to the skies. Fires fueled by dragonbreath warm the city, and the light of the flames reflects off Bastam’s rocky surroundings, casting an otherworldly glow against the snowy peaks.
Clutch Prairie
A vast, steep meadow of tall, windblown grass stretches endlessly, climbing toward the edge of the world. The land rises sharply, eventually steepening into jagged mountains that seem to pierce the sky. This breathtaking expanse is named for the giant shells of dragon eggs, harder than steel, that tumble down from the high lairs during hatching season. These remnants of new life, scattered across the landscape, gleam in the sunlight like fallen stars.
God's Lantern
A sacred site of profound reverence, this ancient temple is a destination for religious pilgrims of the pantheonic faith, Devinism. Believed to predate mortal existence, the structure is said to have been built by the primordial dragons in the Age Before Souls. Unlike temples designed for human worship, this colossal edifice was constructed for divine beings—walking gods of unimaginable power.
Its towering halls stretch thousands of feet high, their vastness humbling all who enter. Every pillar, arch, and chamber seems to defy comprehension, dwarfing even the grandest of mortal works. Known simply as The Lantern, this immense temple is a labyrinthine enigma. Despite centuries of exploration, its true extent remains unknown, with entire wings lost to the shadows of time. Pilgrims whisper of strange echoes, distant lights, and the feeling of unseen eyes watching from the dark.
Stone Valley
Bridging the dreaming lands of Nocturne and the Great Grassy Climb leading to Ahkurel lies the Valley of Stone, a desolate moonscape that stretches for miles. Completely lifeless, its rocky expanse is barren and stark, offering no shelter, no vegetation, and no reprieve from its crushing isolation. The land is eerily featureless, save for the occasional jagged cracks that split the stone underfoot and the imposing sight of two towering monoliths of Noctrite.
These crystalline spires rise from massive craters along the eastern edge of the valley, their crimson glow casting long shadows across the barren ground. The Noctrite monoliths are remnants of a celestial collision, their eerie light pulsing faintly as though alive. Few dare to traverse the Valley of Stone, for the silence is absolute, broken only by the occasional whisper of wind over the cracked surface, leaving travelers alone with their thoughts and the lingering sense that they are being watched.
Moonfall
Along the eastern edge of the Valley of Stone lies a scattering of red Noctrite, fragments of the moon that have rained down upon the grey expanse. By day, these jagged crystals glint dully under the sun, but by night, they radiate a terrible crimson light that bathes the entire landscape in a haunting glow for hours. This otherworldly illumination transforms the valley into an eerie, blood-red wasteland, amplifying its already oppressive desolation.
The Noctrite that composes Moonfall is not unique in its nature—similar meteorites have embedded themselves across Crudilex over the ages. Yet within the largest crystal lies a singular and disturbing anomaly: the silhouette of a creature, humanoid yet unmistakably alien, encased in stasis. It remains frozen within the crystalline prison, a silent and enigmatic witness to the centuries. The sight of this imprisoned being has fueled countless legends and fears, with some claiming it to be a forgotten god, while others whisper of a darker, more malevolent origin.
Gates of Kahara
Deep beneath the surface lies the Sunless Sea and the hidden city of Kobold, Kahara, carved into the ancient rock. Small and labyrinthine, the city is a marvel of engineering, its termite-like tunnels spiraling downward into the earth. Kahara is accessible through a single, monumental entrance: the gaping maw of a long-dead volcano, known as the Gates of Kahara.
Standing at the rim, one might peer into the abyss below. Most days, the pit offers only an unwelcoming darkness, a void that hints at the boundless Sunless Sea stretching far below. But during brood season, the sight changes dramatically—a massive platform comes into view, heaped high with an incredible hoard of gold, jewels, and treasures. This vast offering, shimmering in the dim light, is dedicated to the dragons of Dakronas, a gift meant to appease and honor the mighty beasts as they rear their young. The air hums with tension during this time, for the dragons themselves often descend to inspect their tribute, filling the cavern with the echoes of their powerful wings and guttural roars.
CULTURE
Rulership
Bastam operates under a system of anarchy tempered by meritocracy. For most of the year, the city lies nearly empty, save for the Tzal and a handful of Dragonborn caretakers. However, during lair season, the dragons return en masse. The various flights engage in fierce rivalries and squabbles, but even amidst their chaos, all bow to the overwhelming authority of the Primordial Dragons, ancient beings of unfathomable power who mediate disputes and enforce their will.
Food
The archwhale is both the most feared and the most prized creature in Bastam. These colossal flying beasts are notorious for their devastating migrations, yet their meat is considered a delicacy. Tender and rich, archwhale flesh possesses a unique property—it does not rot or decay until cooked, allowing it to be preserved indefinitely. When a flight of dragons manages to bring down an archwhale, the bounty sustains the entire city through the harsh seasons, providing enough nourishment to last until the next brood season.
Holidays
Brood Season: The most significant event in Bastam’s calendar. For three months, the skies above the valley are filled with thousands of dragons, mating, nesting, and battling for dominance. The spectacle transforms Bastam from a desolate stronghold into a bustling epicenter of draconic life.
Thrinn Sunter: During the wet season, Thrinn—a pupil stage of Dragonborn—reproduce at an extraordinary rate, darkening the skies with their swarms. This attracts the archwhales of Baanjax, who migrate to hunt the Thrinn in great pods, creating a natural balance.
Taboos
Eating Thrinn: Despite their short lives and animalistic minds, Thrinn are seen as sacred due to their potential to metamorphose into Dragonborn. Consuming them is strictly forbidden and considered an abomination.
Entering Bastam Without Gold: All visitors must bring offerings of gold, which are presented to the nearest Tzal's hoard. The wealth brought dictates the duration of their stay. To be poor in Bastam is not only a disgrace but a crime, punishable by exile or worse.
Turmoil
The Beast Curse: A mysterious affliction that occasionally manifests among the dragons of Bastam, warping their minds and turning them feral.
Rahido, Terror of the Sky: The most feared archwhale in existence, Rahido’s name is spoken in hushed tones. Known for its cunning and unmatched strength, Rahido is a predator even dragons fear.
Trivia
Tzal and Dragonborn serve as caretakers of the Thrinn and the dragon broods. In exchange, they receive dragonfire, the catalyst for the Tzal’s transformation into Dragonborn. This gift is seen as a divine rite of passage and a mark of honor.