recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Magma Crab

Art by Piper.t

> *Damnit Urist! The Magma Crabs came loose and set the cave a blaze, again.*
>
>

The **Magma Crab** is a creature that has made his home in the thick layers of molten rock found deep underground. Consuming rocks for a living, the crab has the unique ability to spit hot molten rocks at any aggressor, or dwarf that thinks petting a this creature is a good idea.

## Description

The shell of a Magma Crab is made up of hardened rock, more specifically the type that won't melt under the extreme heat of the magma. The outer layer of the skins is also made up of a hardy rock-like substance. This makes the creature the most hardy out of all the crabs. All in all the crab is naturally heat resistant, being able to survive a temperature up to 2500 degrees Celsius. And they enjoy it too, a Magma Crab is happiest when swimming around in the scorching temperatures of magma, which can reach between 1000 and 1200 degrees Celsius.

The crab survives on a diet of molten rocks and metals. The molten rocks that a crab spits are said to be their last meal. It should be noted that these rocks are so hot that they can set alight anything flammable. Anyone wise enough should avoid the spit of these tiny little buggers. On occasion stray Magma Crabs have set the vegetation of whole cave systems on fire.

The creature itself lives in smaller tunnels filled with magma. It uses this place to rest but also to lay eggs.
Cain's Ashes

The **Ashes of Cain** are the last remnants of the first vampire of Tara Tranda, Cain, who is seen as the Father of vampiric kind in Cainaan. After a four month long siege, between 1108 and 1109, of Cain's castle a wooden stake was driven through Cain's, thus creating Cain's Ashes.

## History

The moment the stake was driven through Cain's heart his body started to turn into ashes. This would be swept up by the people that had risen up, when they learned about what kind of being Cain was, and would be displayed in a glass urn for many years as a trophy. At first the urn was located at the castle of the commander who was in charge of Siege of Cain's castle known as Adescu Castle. Over time the urn turned from a mantel piece in just another trinket collecting dusk. As two generations had passed many had forgotten the power that Cain and vampires had. The most remember tales of this period are those of bards, who sign of the victory of Tara Tranda over the vampires. The glass urn, including ashes, would be sold to a merchant who was fascinated by the morbid. The merchant would receive regular visits from a befriended wizard, who noticed the odd urn. The wizard that they could feel a magical energy radiating from the ashes. The merchant claimed not to know why the urn or the ashes would have a magical property. This prompted the wizard to cast detect magic to be certain that the ashes were in fact filled with magic. The spell was successful and the merchant would sell the ashes to the wizard. Who in turn brought it to the high court of the monarchs of Tara Tranda. The ashes were gifted to the court. They would in turn use the urn as a magical foci, using it as an experimental magical device.

Vampires were never gone from Cainaan and many had infiltrated the Tara Trandan court, they managed to identify the ashes as those of Cain. When the reveal of vampiric rule of Tara Tranda and the siege of the capital there was an attempt to destroy the ashes, however these attempts were stopped by the infiltrated vampires. Now that the ashes had fallen back in the hands of the vampires a new destiny was in store for them. They would be displayed once again, but not as an item of victory. Instead they would become an item of worship, to be placed in the Palace of Cainites. Here inside would be a spiral tower, dedicated to the worship of Cain. Form this tower a thick dark cloud permeates, that cover the land. The energy to create this gloomy veil is said to be powered by Cain's Ashes.
Tara Tranda

Tara Tranda, the 'Land of Roses' was once a peaceful country north of Berok. This changed with the great plague swept the region, having its inhabitants turn to the traditional medicine of the region. The old traditional involved grounding up bones of ancestors, one of the bones ground up was that of an old vampire who lay dormant. In turn this caused the spread of vampirism in Tara Tranda, who eventually after a 300 year reign underneath a shadow court fell victim to full vampiric control. Since then the inhabitants of Tara Tranda have been oppressed by the tyrannical vampire overlords, who changed the name of the country to Cainaan.

Since 1431 the Tara Tranda culture has been subject to new laws, with some cultural aspects still being allowed but others outright forbidden. Since the 200 years that have passed many old customs have been forgotten, only being remember through oral tradition. However that does not mean that the old traditions are completely gone, for citizens of Tara Tranda fled to other countries bringing with them the traditions and detailed accounts such as books about them.

## Culture

The old Tara Tranda culture was one centred around botany and druids. The inhabitants of Tara Tranda were once felt a close connection to the many roses that sprawled all over the land. According to them the rose held a natural magical power unlike any other plant. However, the symbolism of the rose has largely been corrupted within the lands of Cainaan themselves. Now being a symbol of oppression by the vampiric overlords, who themselves were once of Tara Tranda culture. Only those outside of Cainaan remember the power of the rose, however even within friendly nations such as Berok the rose is shunned for its current association with vampirism. Due to other close connections with the Cainaan culture the Tara Tranda culture is avoided in neighbouring nations of Cainaan, such as Berok and Ralmulash. Therefore the Tara Tranda culture is fully oppressed within Cainaan and also semi-oppressed in nations who are enemies towards Cainaan.
Lilac Candy

## lilac\_candy

Season 1

**lilac\_candy** also known as just **Lilac**, is a drag performer and contestant on the first season of *Xtina's Drag Race*, where she placed 3rd/4th alongside AngolanDesert.
She later appeared on the first season of All Stars, where she placed 3rd/4th/5th alongside flushedawayegg and sharris2475. Furthermore, after her drag daugher s-sour\_candy won Season 7, Lilac was invited to compete on the second season of All Winners, where she finished as a runner-up.

## Track Record

lilac\_candy
 Episode Eliminated

## Memorable Quotes

### Season 1

* "Does anyone think global warming is a good thing? I love Lady Gaga. I think she’s a really interesting artist.” (entrance line)

### All Stars 1

* "L-lilac candy, so sweet then I get a little angry!" (entrance line)

### All Winners 2

* "Buckle up bitches! I’m back and it’s going to be a wild ride!" (entrance line)

## Trivia

* Lilac is one of the mods in the XDR Discord server.
* Lilac is the first queen to win a season while not even competing on it, winning the Season 7 crown alongside her drag daughter, s-sour\_candy.
	+ She is followed by Sharris on Season 10, along with both Venetia and Karte on Season 13.
Drumeosaur

When one travels through the Alweald Swamplands, a deep thunderous sound can be heard coming from miles around. Those unfamiliar with the marshes might think these might be the sounds of a raging thunderstorm or of an massive army on the path to war. But its neither of these things. No, these are the sounds of the **Drumeosaur** intimidating predators.

## Description

The Drumeosaur is a bipedal saurian creature with leathery osteoderms on its back. It has two small front limbs that it mostly uses to support itself when standing up or when holding vegetation in place, and two strong hind limbs with flat clawed paws that allow it to run across the boggy peat without sinking. To keep its balance it uses a long thick tail with a bony club attached to its end. This tail is rather articulated and can swing in an upwards 180 degrees radius. When needed it can use its club to defend itself, but the drumeosaur prefers to intimidate its foes instead. It does this by smashing its club against the scutes on its back. The impact of this then reverberates into a hollow air-sack that the drumeosaur has near its spine to create a loud drum-like sound.

## History

For hundreds of years the drumeosaur was only known from local lizardfolk legends and many believed it to be nothing more than that. That was until in 1575 when the eccentric merchant Jan Wenje send out a team of explorers under the leadership of Doctor Jonaszoon to discover the origin of the Madame river. One of the explorers joining the expedition was natural philosopher Dr. Allan Groods, who was fascinated with mapping out the wildlife of the Alweald Swamplands. It was he who discovered a live specimen of the drumeosaur when he was hiding in a tree after their expedition was attacked by a band of geckofolk braves. As proof he brought back an egg that he stole from the drumeosaur nest and afterwards gifted it to the menagerie of Madamsrest‎ where the now adult drumeosaur can still be seen today.
Church of Sveta the Liberator

## Tomb of Sveta the Liberator

Oil painting, depicting the lost Tomb of Sveta (1665) by Magdalena Maliar

The **Church of Sveta ''the Liberator'' od Soyka** is a lost monument dedicated to the sacrifice of the legendary ruler of Berok, Sveta od Soyka. Constructed shortly after her death, the tomb was lost to raid in 895 by viking warriors hailing from Svellbjargheim.

## History

Shortly after the sacrifice of Sveta to safe her bears Ursun and Ursa a small monument was erected at the site where she died. A small wooden palisade was constructed around a central pillar, made out of travertine form of limestone, marking the events that had passed. Slowly a wooden building was constructed around the pillar. With the pillar becoming the new centre for the structure. Wooden beams covered the building in a horizontal fashion and three towers were constructed, each smaller than the other. Historians and theologians alike argue about the symbolism of the towers. The theologians argue that the tallest spire represents the sacrifice of Sveta, thereby creating the foundation of the Berok Orthodox Church. While historians tend to agree that the spires each represent Sveta and her twin bears. The inside was said to be decorated with pictures showing the story of Sveta and the eventual liberation of Berok. In addition to the church a small amount of houses were build nearby, housing priests and any travellers going to the religious site.

However the close proximity of the Church to a river would bring its doom in 895. During this period Svellbjargheim was in its heyday of raiding and pillaging and hearing of a grand temple they set out to loot the place. Rowing over the nearby river they arrived during the night, killing most priest in their sleep. The few guards that were posted at the site did simply not stand a chance against the raiders. Just like when Sveta died a great light filled the area, except this time it was church that was set ablaze. It was said that the fire could be seen around for miles. But only the next morning was the faith for of structure found out by a group of pilgrims who were travelling to the church.

Going admits civil unrest and a potential civil war nothing much was done to restore the site. Eventually the site was simply forgotten of despite it significance in the history of Berok. However, recently the Berok Orthodox Church has been hiring adventures to find the original site, promising to restore the church and thereby strengthening the faith and improving the power position of the Berok Orthodox Church.
Wabu Islands

The **Wabu Islands** is volcanic island chain located to the north-west of Sari-ifa. The island chain has about 76 islands, however many of those are mostly uninhabited rocky islands there are nonetheless 9 main islands. The Wabu Islands are mostly inhabited by tortles and lizardfolk with a small mix of other races.

## Geography

The archipelago that is the Wabu Islands are mainly old volcanic islands formed by eruptions from the main volcano within the region. The islands form a chain alongside the Roxveldt from south-west to north-east. The nine main islands from south-west to north-east are as follows.

**Island 1**

Most volcanic active island, due to the fertility of the volcanic ash this is primary agricultural islands. Some dwarfs tried to recreate the success of Othlest Inod here, but were unsuccessful with their journey, most drowning on the route towards here. The few dwarfs that left integrated into Wabu society.

**Island 2**

**Island 3**

On of the smaller islands, said to be the birthplace of all the different species inhabiting the Wabu Islands. An important religious place and also main spot where the tortles, lizardman and frogman return to when laying eggs to spawn the new generation.

**Island 4**

**Island 5**

**Island 6**

**Island 7**

**Island 8**

**Island 9**

## Culture

The inhabitants of the Wabu Island have a general relaxed demeanour. They mostly don't care for the politics of the mainlanders, instead preferring to look inward at themselves and see how things can be improved on the islands themselves. The island has therefore attracted all sorts of people looking to seek relaxation. Due to their long lifespan the tortles tend to take things slower on a day to day passes, with the lizardfolk being the more productive of the two. Always seeking out new opportunist to improve fishing methods. Sometimes this causes conflict between the two races, however in the end they will always manage to put aside their differences to improve themselves.

### Religion

Not caring much for the politics of the mainland the people of the Wabu Islands don't concern themselves to much with the rituals of the Sun and the Moon. Due to this the island has also become a safe-heaven for anyone seeking refugee from one of the more zealous nations, these people are welcomed with open arms by the inhabitants of the islands. In the past this policy has led to problems with zealous Dragon-kin traders with even an attempted invasion. Despite them being apathetic there are still plenty of rituals which find their tradition in the old rituals. But perhaps the most odd, when compared to the rest of Bataf, is the way the Wabuans handle death. Instead of preforming a funeral service or wanting to die during the day, the Wabuans send out their dead during dusk on ships, believing that the souls of the death will follow the sun.
Maryirra

**Maryirras** (nicknamed **Table demons**), are square-shaped lesser demons born from the heaven of earth. They worship a greater demon known as Uh'enythnah as their goddess, for it is from their back that the maryirras spawn. When working together they can form large constructions such as bridges or walls at the order of their creator. Otherwise they are pretty weak, and only feed on the vermin or weakened creatures whenever they get the chance. Maryirras are very social when meeting creatures from the primal plane, which is a welcome relieve from the hostility of the heaven of earth.

## Description

Maryirras are demons made out of rock in the shape of a dining tables. They reach up to 80 centimetres in height and are around 150 centimetres in length and width. They have four legs attached to their square bodies with feet that all point in a different direction. A maryirra is capable of using two of its legs as arms while standing on the remaining two, which one they choose depends on the situation as their bodies don't have a concept of front or back. Their mouths can be found as large holes in the middle of their surface and they posses a eye in each of the corners of their body. Their four eyes are yellow with black slits, similar to those of their mistress Uh'enythnah.
The Night's Watch

Hidden in every society are a few individuals who protect the unaware masses against the things that go bump into the night. These are the witchhunters of the **Night's Watch**, an ancient vigilante order which has protected the world since time immemorial. The Night's Watch is not affiliated any government, as many of the monsters they hunt have nestled themselves into high society, but has been known the favour and trust of rules who they have saved. However the destructive habits in combination with the corruption of said vile creatures has made the Night's Watch just as many enemies.

## Organisation

The witchhunters of the Night's Watch almost exclusively work independently of each other, although big cities might have locally governed chapters with up to 10 individuals. Only when they are summoned by the Night Mother do they come together. The Night Mother is an mysterious individual who acts as a defacto leader of the Night's Watch. No one known exactly who they are, but most know that the Night Mother has always been around and recognise the Night Mother's seal when they see it.

### Initiation rites

Only few people are conducted into the ranks of the witchhunters in order to keep a low profile. And those who are must either be related by blood or have lost everything they know and love to the forces of evil. To proof themselves they have to hunt a evil creature all by themselves and bring back proof. Most initiates die during this task, proofing that they weren't suitable for the Night's Watch, but those who return are taken to a sacred site. Here they are given a special concoction which magically enhances their bodies, extending their natural life and giving them increased vitality.

## Culture

Members of the Night's Watch are highly superstitious as their lives are mostly held together by luck and the favour of the gods. To keep this favour they usually wear at least one holy symbol of each god on their person and as many good luck charms as they can realistically hold without limiting their combat capabilities. The witchhunters prefer to hunt with ranged weapons such as bows, crossbows, and guns, for they believe that any prolonged close combat with the wicked will corrupt them as well. The ammunition for their weapons are treated with salt and holy water as these will let their ammo burn into the flesh of the creatures of evil.
Sanctum of the Eternal Pyre

From far and wide the sick and downtrodden travel down to mountainous lands of Svellbjargheim, taking a sacred pilgrimage deep into the Snoll Region to the **Sanctum of the Eternal Pyre**. There they hope to be healed of their ailment through the rituals performed by the priesthood of Bál, god of purification and flame. The priesthood is guarded by an group of warriors with special prosthetics known as Bál's Ironsworn.

## Description

The main building of the Sanctum of the Eternal Pyre is a tall wooden structure attached to the side of a grey cliff-face. The wooden building has five different floors of varying sizes with the main floor being by far the biggest. On top of these floors are wedge shaped roofs with scales that resemble dragon scales. On each end of the wedge shaped roof is a small wooden decoration shaped like lashes of flame. This wooden building is primarily used as a staying place for visitors and as the living quarters for the priests of Bál. On the other side of the main floor are a set of giant wooden doors that lead to carved out cave inside of the cliff-side. The caves are shaped like a flower, with one central chamber from which all side chambers radiate out. In the middle of the central chamber stands the Eternal Pyre, a pyre which has been burning since time immemorial and is constantly being fed by its attendees and by the sacrifices that pilgrims bring to it.

## Usage

By the will of Bál the Sanctum of the Eternal Pyre is simultaneously a hospital and a religious temple. For it is the gods commandment that all who are willing will be purified by flame. For this reason the priests of Bál have become great doctors who accidentally discovered the importance of sterilisation. Before they perform surgery the priests will purify their tools in the pyre, burning away any filth and grime from the previous surgery. When people arrive with large open wounds such as freshly dismembered limbs the priests will burn the wound closed, cauterising it in the process.
Yassifite

**Yassifite** is a pink punch mineral commonly used in beauty products and as jewellery.

## Usage

Yassifite is believed to have a positive effect on a person's mental state. Those who come into contact with yassifite are said to become more accepting of themselves and to gain a larger sense of self worth. In some cultures it is tradition to gift a wooden dolls with eyes of yassifite to a shy child to help them come out of their shell and to tell them that it is okay to be who they are.

Grounded up yassifite is a core ingredient in many different beauty products for both man and woman. It is believed to help promote the production of keratin which helps with the growth of hair, nails, and the smoothing out of the skin. yassifite soap is known to cause the eye lashes and head hairs to grow in a curl. There is one negative side-effect to the usages of yassifite. Overexposure can for some reason cause eyebrows to fall out. Frequent users of yassifite containing products usually try to cover up the lose of their eyebrows by drawing thick fake ones on top of where the old ones used to be.

When throw into a campfire, yassifite dust creates beautiful harmless sparkles. When trying to impress guests, many hosts keep a bag of yassifite dust to create a small show. Yassifite crystals can fracture light into a prism, creating a rainbow of colours.

## Acquirement

Yassifite is found around the world, commonly found in veins on every continent. Yassifite is commonly found in mineshafts near the surface layer mixed in with other minerals such as magnetite and black mica. It is dug up in either large chunks or in the form of oval crystals.
Beetle Routes

The **Beetle Routes** are a series of interconnected tunnels and road ways which can be found at and between most major dwarven mountain homes. These rods are ridden by the so called beetle riders who ride cave beetles, that transport goods and people from one place to the other.

Each beetle is capable of carrying four riders, excluding the driver. The quality of the ride depends, the cheaper Beetle Routes will have almost no support for your butt and its quite easy to fall of the back of the beetle. Especially inexperienced riders are prone to falling of during a ride. The higher quality, albeit more expansive, services will have seats akin to saddles on a horse installed on top of the beetle. Increasing the comfort and safety of a ride. The tunnels of the routes themself run deep underground, connecting important parts of a dwarven home to each other. Riders are usually stationed around the corner and with the ring of a bell a new beetle is summoned ready for transport to any other part of the city. Of course the Beetle Routes are also used for more that just passenger transportation within dwarven forts. They're also used to transport cargo all around the place, from furniture to a new development to raw ores which are to processed, in turn the processed ores are also transported via the routes. Beside that some routes run long and far even going to other locations. The Beetle Routes while useful generally tend to get slowly replaced by a system of minecarts in more developed dwarven homes. Often with the old Beetle Routes tunnels being reused and filled with track, instead of beetle dung.

Not all Beetle Routes survived the ages, with some tunnels collapsing due to lack of maintenance or other occurrences. A major route that was lost were those to Othlest Zefon, the place were Cave Beetles were first discovered. The dwarven home lay abandoned after a series of incidents with a dwarven necromancer. With the collapse of a series of tunnels leading there the location of Othlest Zefon and the home of the Cave Beetles was therefore lost.
Akni-Garekk

Amongst the lizardfolk of the Dionychus tribe, it is traditional for newly born children to start their life by consuming the eggs of their brothers and sisters in a ritual known as the **Akni-Garekk** or **Brother-Swallowing** in common. The Dionychus tribe believes that this is the way to keep their warriors faster and stronger than those of other tribes and to make sure the population is well controlled.

## Ritual

The Akni-Garekk starts once the parents of the newly hatching batch have decided that enough healthy children have been born. They will take their children to the nest and drill a hole in a couple of eggs, one for each born child. Then the parents will force the child to drink the yolk coming out. Tasting this yolk initiates a feeding frenzy in the young lizardfolk, and they happily delve into the rest of the remaining eggs. In their frenzy they try to swallow each egg whole, with its leathery shell and all. Some are barely able to fit these eggs in their mouth, but yet they try. The children try to devour as many eggs as their stomachs can hold before they collapse into a food coma. When the children wake up they find themselves being observed closely by one of the tribe elders. If they are considered healthy and strong enough they are crowned with a hat made of ferns and made an official member of the tribe, but if they are considered weak or sickly they are banished into the swamps, never to return again.

## Tools and participants

Tools used in the Akni-Garekk include a small stone hand-drill which can bore into an egg without shattering it, a crown made of ferns and other swamp plants, and the unborn eggs from the nest.

Participants in the Akni-Garekk are the parents, the tribe elders, the recently hatched children, and the yet to be born eggs that still remain in the nest.
Bralutko

Founded on the north bank of the Dunaj River, Bralutko lies in the south-east of Berok. The relatively flat area supports abundant farms. All these features have come to make Bralutko the largest city and capital of Berok.

## Description

Bralutko is divide between a north and south section with the river Dunaj acting as its border, with only a single bridge connecting the two sections together. The northern side of the city is the most important, for it contains the castle, market and large religious buildings. Enclosed by a wall, bastions guard the city from attack. Five gates allow entry to the city: the southern Bridge Gate, the West Gate, the North-west Gate, the North-east Gate also known as the Castle Gate and the East Gate. The largest hill, which is located north of the river and east of the bridge, contains Bralutko castle. White stones decorate the wall of the main building and a red roof keeps out the rain. The structure is home to the Prince of Berok. The Dunaj river bends around the hill. To access the castle one has to walk a long winding path that starts opposite of the North-east gate, hence why its also known as the Castle Gate. The castle itself is surrounded by a series of old walls. East of the castle on the hill a small castle town is situated, where people who work in and around the castle live. On the northern side of the castle a small garden is located.

In the western part of the city the religious quarter can be found, here many great temples dedicated to the different Berokian dieties can be found. To the the strength and importance of the Berokian Orthodox Church the district is enclosed by a low stone wall. Entrance to the district is overall free, however a new treaty has stipulated that the Prince of Berok has to ask for permission to enter the area. So far the Prince has not been denied this request.

In the centre of the city the centre market square is located. Sitting at the crossroads of the most important roads of Bralutko, nobleman, merchants, and priest alike can be found here shopping for goods or getting drunk.

To get to the southern part of Bralutko one needs to cross the newly build stone bridge, with a large bridge tower standing on the southern side of the bridge. The southern section of Bralutko is currently not surrounded by a bastion wall. However the city of council has proposed the expansion of the walls. In the mean time the bridge tower is equipped with a gate, making sure that the bridge can be closed fully. The buildings along the main road going south are made from stone but going outward will reveal mostly wooden structures. This part of town houses most of the day labourers.
Blood Court

The **Blood Court** is the main ruling body of Cainaan based out of the Palace of Cainites and is headed by the Blood Prince. Its main task is upholding and writing new laws that protect the sanctity of Cainaan. The Blood Court is a continuation of the Shadow Court, which ruled Tara Tranda in secret until the vampires of Cainaan revealed themselves to the world.

## History

After the initial chaos of 1109 during the disposal of Cain, the first vampire, the remaining vampires who had survived the initial purge reconfined making plans for the future. Meeting in an abandoned castle, whose former inhabitants had died of the great plague, they plotted their first moves. It was decided that they should start with finding more survivors of the initial purge so that they could grow in strength. Long searches were held and it would take a decade to find every survivor. During this period slow strives were made in influencing the local merchants and even the baron. The vampires posed as doctors who would be able to cure any disease, with the memory of the great plague fresh in mind they gladly accepted. A cure they received, just not in the way they expected. The vampires turned the folk into thralls and on a rare occasion even into fellow vampires. It would also be decided that a basic set of laws would be written, many of these new laws implied secrecy and also that fellow vampires should not attack each other or their thralls. This firstly, was agreed upon because without secrecy the vampires would surely be purged again. Secondly, having vampires attack each other would also weaken their cause in creating a safe haven for vampire kind.

With the reveal of vampiric rule in Cainaan in 1431 the old Shadow Court reformed into what is now known as the Blood Court. The laws would be changed once again and would slowly change over 200 years as a need for new rules were found. Most of the secrecy laws were scrapped as they were no longer needed. In turn laws protecting vampires, their thralls and their subjects would be expanded. In addition new laws would be formulated to enforce a strong hierarchy between vampire and non-vampire but also in between different ranking vampires. For not each vampire was as powerful as the other. Nor did powerful vampires always hold power. Aside from writing laws the Blood Court is also tasked with the day to day tasks of Cainaan. Such as making sure that the laws are upheld and the enough blood is being 'donated' to support their diet.
The Forest of Malice

Hidden between the mountaintops, in a misty dale, lays the **Forest of Malice**. A dark pine forest where no local dares to go. Even the elves, usually at home in the woods, dare not to intrude upon its snowless grounds. Those few brave and foolish souls who do dare to enter the forest are never heard of again, for they are believed to have fallen prey to the woods dark inhabitants: The court of the Nidhogg.

## Description

The Forest of Mallice lays in a dale between two large mountains, In the north stands Tunglefjall and and in the south stands Murkrfjall. Water drips down from the snowy mountaintops and accumulates into a series of lakes and meandering rivers which feeds the forest. The Forest of Malice can only be entered from its western border, for the eastern border of the forest ends in a sheer cliff with a waterfall.

## Legend

According to legends the court of the Nidhogg is a malicious aristocracy of spirits who make their home in the forest and feed of the flesh of intruders. The lower nobility take the form of animals, such as wolves, giant spiders, or giant bats, which are capable of speech and show a malevolent intelligence. The higher nobility take the form of humanoids, usually in the form of a teenage elf or an old dwarf. The court is ruled by their king, the mighty Nidhogg. The Nidhogg is a large green wyvern with deer antlers who's breath smells like swamp-gas. Old beyond ages and cruel to its very core, the Nidhogg delights in finding new ways to punish intruders. If one has to travel through the forest they should wait for the full moon. For when the moon is at it fullest it is believed that the Nidhogg holds court. Here the spirits give him counsel about the state of the forest and about what the observed during the last month. After everything has been discussed the court holds a great feast, and any captured intruders are sacrificed for the enjoyment of their king. Common wisdom says that you know you are going the right way in the forest if you hear the screams of tortured prisoners behind you.
Drovos

The deity Drovos is associated with the domain of water in Berok. Droves services as the god of minerals and is a healing deity. It is said that Drovos grants his power to heal any ailment to the fresh waters of a spring.

After having taken a bath in a spring its common to make a small offering to Drovos to thank him for his healing powers. Normally small rocks containing salt, such as halite, are offered at his shrine. For it is said that the salt contained in the rocks is what grants the healing power of the springs. That way any visitor returns the favour of healing to proves and there for any other visitor to the many springs.
Oxströnd Harbour

**Oxströnd Harbour** is one of the oldest harbours in Bataf, and the oldest of Svellbjargheim. Whenever someone sees the stone walls of the harbour they will know that they have reached their destination of Oxströnd, the capital of Svellbjargheim.

## Description

In front Oxströnd lies a large (former) island that contains the most iconic part of the harbour, the Oxströnd lighthouse. About 85 meters tall the lighthouse towers over any other structure in Oxströnd. Made out of stone from the Bloomfang mountain, the structure is build up in two layers a thin square base going upwards. On top of this section is an even thinner square base, on which all the way were magic is used to create a bright light than can be seen form far away. The island is connected with a causeway to the mainland which has essentially created two different harbour sections. Both harbours are protected by a series of wave breakers, protecting them from the rough waters of the Svjell sea. The eastern of the two harbours is the military harbour and many ships lay at anchor here ready to raid an unsuspecting vessel. The military harbour is protected by a large wall, and a series of chains can be raised blocking entrance into the docks by sea. Shipyards can also be found here constructing both military and trade ships. The western harbour is the main trade docks for the city of Oxströnd, for anyone regular traveller this would be the first introduction to the city.

## History

The harbour would expand and grow over a large period of time. During this period two significant events can be found. First the construction of the causeway in 1530 with the subsequent expansion of the lighthouse in 1543 to what it is today. The causeway allowed the separation of military and civilian functions within the harbour. However, more important would be the great fire of 1651 during which the mainly wooden docks burned to a crisp after a ship carrying gunpowder had exploded in the harbour. Large portions of the harbour were damaged and would be reconstructed out of stone, giving the harbour its modern day characteristics.
Xtina's Xmas Xtravaganza (2021)

## Season 1

Xtina's Xmas Xtravaganza is the first special of the XDR franchise, with six XDR alumni returning for a chance to be crowned the first ever ***Christmas Queen.*** The special lasted a single episode, which was released in two parts. The queens' entrances and the maxi challenge/runway came out on December 23, 2021, while the lipsync and crowning was released on Christmas Day.

## Contestants

█ The contestant had positive critiques about her performance, won *Xtina's Xmas Xtravaganza* and was crowned as the *Christmas Queen*.
█ The contestant had positive critiques about her performance, but was not crowned as the *Christmas Queen*.
## Episodes

### ***"Xtina's Xmas Xtravaganza"***

*Airdate: December 23, 2021*

* **Main Challenge:** Write, record, and perform an original verse to RuPaul's song *"Hey Sis, It's Christmas"*
* **Runway Theme:** Merry Christmas, Baby!
* **Lip Sync Song:** "My Only Wish (This Year)" by Britney Spears
* **Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-Slay Spectacular: LuneyOnReddit**
* **Runners-Up:** AngolanDesert, bmay1310, CelestialWizard07, DripeeshaIman, and rolaskatox420
Scorching Library

The Scorching Library

The Scorching Library, previously known as the Erudite Citadel, was once one of the largest institutes of knowledge within Bataf. Located on the edge of the Cooking Canyon within the Princedom of Pyrulos, the Sorching Library was once at the forefront of magical research within the known world. The library would eventually finds it end when the ground underneath it was split open plummeting into the Cooking Canyon and its scorching lava.

## History

Founded by the dragon Niorvulth, the Quiet in the year 980, the Erudite Citadel as it was once known would grow out to become the centre of magical research in Bataf. Instead of hoarding chest of gold Niorvulth would hoard scrolls, books, staffs and other items known to either hold knowledge or magical properties. It is said that deep within the vaults of the library the last piece of makanium was kept. Makanium being a magical crystal once used by the elves of Al-Kanish as a power source, but has been lost for long after there magical arrival in the world of Bataf.

The Erudite Citadel prospered but would meet its end in the year 1498, with the ground underneath the library being torn apart. The whole structure fell into Cooking Canyon below, while heavily damaged parts of the building did manage to survive. Partially by sheer luck, however the few that survived the event said that the magii of the Erudite Citadel put together all there knowledge to safe the building from being destroyed completely. Nonetheless large parts were destroyed and only a handful of souls survived, with most of the knowledge being lost. It is however said that the main vault of the structure managed to live through the ordeal and that the knowledge kept within is still intact. This led to groups, be it scholars, mercenaries or opportunists to try and recover the contents of the vault, none of them managed to return.

The exact cause of the event is not known, some groups claim the library stored forbidden knowledge and therefore angered the gods. Others blame the dwarves located at Othlest Inod for experimenting too much with lava, which according to them would have triggered a massive cataclysm of lava. But some lay the blame at the librarians themselves, who must have caused unrest of the magical forces causing the ground to collapse. The official stance by the dragon princes of Pyrulos is that the dwarves were to blame, with many of the common folk of the Oroborian Empire believing these claims. The dwarves of Othlest Inod however claim that they were innocent.
Strombolian Vine

The **Strombolian Vine** is type of vine growing in the jungles near the Wabu Islands. It uses the bones of dead animals as an exoskeleton for both protection against predators and to move itself around the jungle.

## Description

The strombolian vines are light black with crimson leaves. They are 8 millimetres in diameter thick and covered in furry hair-like fibbers. The vines are able to contract themselves allowing them to pull objects closer. Usually two vines will wrap themselves around a solid object, such as a bone, and in turns contract themselves in opposite directions to move it in a perverted imitation of a muscle. As a plant matures it will grow more vines which grow around an increasing number of bones, until it eventually controls an entire skeleton. The strombolian vine attacks indiscriminately and when it comes along a living creature it either strikes at them with its exoskeleton or flings a loose vine at them to choke them out.

## Reproduction

The most dangerous aspect of the strombolian vine is its reproduction cycle. When a strombolian vine reaches sexual maturity it begins to grow a large orange and red flower from one of its exoskeleton's orifices, such as the eyes or the mouth. It then seeks out an appropriate host by killing any creature it comes along and tearing them open to find the ideal pile of bones to lay its seeds in. Ones the seeds are planted into a corpse they will use it as a source of fertiliser and ones the new vines have grown large enough they will begin to animate the remaining bones and begin the cycle all over again.
Ozul-Saba

Build on the southern edge overhanging the Cooking Canyon, **Ozul-Saba** stands proud as the capitol of Pyrulos. Ozul-Saba is known across the world as one of the most learned and one of the cleanest cities in all of existence, were no man lives as a peasant. The city has for generations drawn the attention of magical theorists from all across the known world, thanks to its lacks laws and the curiosity of its lord, prince **Sar-Thedronus**. The city has eleven universities and leads the world in the study of magic, with almost half of the population working as a scholar in some field of study.

## Description

Buildings in Ozul-Saba are packed close together, with only the eleven universities of the city standing free from the rest. The buildings on the border of the city even cross over into the city wall, and some are just a part of it. Thanks to this closeness the streets of Ozul-Saba are smaller than most other cities, being only 4 metres wide. This is no problem however as no carriages ever need to drive through them. The pavement of these winding streets is covered in volcanic rock, and many buildings are connected together through viaducts going over the street.

## Demographic

Ozul-Saba does not know a lower class of manual labourers. Every law-abiding citizen is either a middle class merchant or higher, and none of them have to worry about their ability to afford food. To ensure that the streets of Ozul-Saba remain clean and that heavy goods are transported around the city the scholars of **Isadora University** have created a special ritual to create Servetants: Magically mutated humanoids handcrafted for a specific purpose. To be turned into a Servetant is a special punishment for criminals committing highly criminally acts such as sleeping on the street or begging for money.
Blackpowder

**Blackpowder** is a highly reactive chemical component that when set a light will cause an explosion. Since the introduction of blackpowder warfare has slowly revolutionized in Bataf, with nowadays most armies being equipped with flintlock rifles and pikes. Aside from warfare blackpowder is also used for civil efforts, such as mining, quarrying, or clearing landscapes.

## History

### Invention

The earliest (justice) records of the invention of blackpowder date back to 968 in Othlest Inod. Here the dwarf Zefon and the dragonborn Aathtod, who was the assistant of the dragon Niorvulth the later founder of the Erudite Citadel, both scholars they were interested in studying properties of different materials. Having invited Aathtod to her home the two set to experimenting with the most important sources being charcoal, magma, saltpetre, and sulphur. The initial experiments were unsuccessful, however after a year of experimenting they managed to create a dark powdery substance that exploded when it came into close contact with magma. They create a barrels worth of the substance and wrote down their findings in a small pamphlet. The duo would later find out that the powder did not react to the magma but to the heat of it. Zefon and Aathtod returned from diner, with Aathtod having eaten a spicy crab cake, Aathtod led out a burb which by accident turned into a breath of fire. This in turn set the keg ablaze containing the barrel promptly exploding. The explosion ended up causing a small tremor and a few nearby rooms collapsed. In addition Zefon was killed by the blast and Aathtod severely injured. Afterwards the guards came rushing investigating the explosion and putting out the fire raging within the room. Aathtod was arrested and would be eventually banned from the dwarven fortress. The pamphlet was partly scorched and would be put in a box of belongings, mainly containing books and, given to a relative of Zefon, where it remained hidden until it was found a decade later by the gnome Lowin Blacksmoke during a sale of the box of belongings. This would lead to Lowin Blacksmoke being considered the inventor of gunpowder.
Beetle Rider

**Beetle riders** form the foundation of transportation along the so called beetle routes in Ralmulash. These lines are dug far and wide between the different dwarven homes within the country. Some routes simple only connecting locations within the mountain homes themselves, while others go far away. The profession however is slowly fading away in certain parts as the beetle routes are replaced for a minecart service.

A famous beetle rider is Bemmatir the writer of the children's tale Bremmy and Mirry.

## Profession

Being a beetle rider is no easy feat and requires a decent amount of practice. Even before riding a beetle a rider has to know cave beetles. What are their habits? What do they eat? How do they convey their emotions and needs? Being a rider means being one with the cave beetling you're riding. Only then can a rider be considered to be allowed to ride. After passing these first set of trials rookies will be trained in a closed environment, to get the ropes before being send out on a small public circuit. Its a proud moment within the training of a beetle rider when they are allowed to traverse their first route (albeit with an instructor). Afterwards (after passing the requirements) they are allowed to independently operate on shorter beetle routes. Then follows what many beetle riders consider the proudest moment of their career. They are allowed to pick a cave beetle who will accompany them for years to come, well perhaps its more the cave beetles who pick their riders. For they carefully sniff and investigate the potential new riders. From this point on a beetle rider is allowed to fully operate on short to medium length routes within a mountain home.

Still the learning process has not ended yet. For being a beetle rider on of the longer far out routes require a new set of skills. The routes through the caverns can be hard to navigate and sometimes even flat out dangerous, especially when compared to the dug out tunnels that make up a portion of the beetle routes. Advanced navigation courses are thought to beetle riders who wish to traverse the longer routes between fortress. In addition they are also thought survival skills, in case of when they get lost they will be able to subside on local foragables. Furthermore basic combat skills are also an essential requirement, for when a stray magma crab might be encountered or even highwayman waiting in ambush.