Geography

## Major landmarks

### The Wailing Sea

The vast ocean that surrounds the continent is full of tumultuous waves and dangerous maelstroms. Only the most intrepid and skilled sailors can manage to navigate these perilous waters. Even then, it is only in the relatively calmer coastal regions that navigation is routinely possible. Further out at sea there are waves that dwarf the tallest mountains upon the continent and beyond them is rumored to be pure uncontained chaos. From these pelagic depths come all sorts of monsters and beasts threaten any seafarer.

### The Royal Road

The Royal Road is actually in network of roads originating from Tian Xia City that connected it to all the other major cities. Constructed atop massive columns, the road itself lies high above the dangerous waste below. At the height of the empire, the road was adorned with golden trimmings and paved with glistening marble and granite stones that were as valuable as the trade that flowed atop it. However as the abyssal wastes continued to expand, it became progressively difficult to contain the chaos and the roads fell into further and further disrepair. Now the roads stand ruined and have almost entirely collapsed serving only as a grim reminder to the ever expanding wastes with it’s crumbling columns serving grim way stones for any travelers who dare to travel the wastes on foot.

### Yax Imix

Yax Imix or the world tree is one of the most sacred sites and all the continent. While Tian Xia city may sit at the prime nexus of all the Leylines, Yax Immix services an anchor and conduit for the most powerful and pure Leylines and its ability to channel magical energy rivals that of the Prime Nexus. The tree itself stands as tall as the highest peaks in the continent and can be seen from almost anywhere. At night it’s bows and leaves light up the night sky with arcane energy. Its power serves as the lifeblood of the city of Azatlan that's nestled in its protective roots. Access to the tree itself however is restricted to all but the highest priests and spell casters to prevent corruption of its powers from outside sources.

### Mt. Jolnir

Mt. Jolnir is a massive volcano on the east side of the continent. Home to Nidavellir, the stronghold of Yondalla and Moradin. It’s molten lava flows are used to heat the great forges beneath the mountain where the mightiest arms and armors of the lands are created. It’s stone walls also hold the largest archives as well as necropolis in the continent.

### The Chasm of Dis

A massive chasm that seems to extend into the very depths of the earth itself. A relic of when Shang Di smote the Nameless One down and buried them as well as the Tartarus ruins beneath great mountainous spears. From its fathomless depths a constant stream of monsters and chaotic energy seep out and corrupt the lands contributing to the ever growing borders of the abyssal wastes. Many imperial search parties were sent to find the source of the corruption however none have ever returned and any thoughts of charting the chasm have long since been abandoned. However, without definitively addressing the chasm any hope of staving off the inexorable tied of chaos is lost.

## Regions

### The Pure Lands

The uncorrupted regions around Tian Xia City form the agricultural heartlands of the continent with bountiful rice patties that once fed the entire continent. Irrigated by mighty rivers and lakes, the pure lands was once the picture of idyllic countryside and many influential people from the city set up large countryside estates in these farm lands. However, ever since the most recent expansion of the chaos wastes that isolated the Pure Lands, trade between cities has dwindled and the demand for its agriculture has diminished. In addition to the wastes actively destroying farmland, this economic downturn has driven most of the wealthy families back to the city and for many farmers to abandon their patties. The many unemployed farmers has led to an increase in banditry making the outskirts of the pure lands even more dangerous.

### Avernia

The uncorrupted region surrounding Ose, known as Avernia, is known for its breathtaking lakes and wandering streams as well as the dramatic seaside cliffs and secluded coves and harbors. It serves as the maritime hub of the continent whether it is through ocean or river travel. This region is the main supplier of seafood, fresh and salt water, to the rest of the continent and its cuisine is known to be some of the best in the empire. Since the isolation of the pure lands, it has also become the de facto economic hub of the continent as overland trade has become severely limited and maritime trade it’s the only economically viable option. This has caused a great influx of immigrants from other cities to flock towards Avernia for greater opportunity.

### The Feywild

The verdant forest in jungles surrounding Azatlan make up the Feywild. Without proper guidance, the jungle is nearly impenetrable to all but the most skilled Rangers and Huntsman. Replete with countless different species of flora and fauna, the creatures and plants that live in the Feywild are of great interest to researchers, magicians, spellcaster‘s, and collectors alike. Very specific sections of this forest and wilds have been designated for lumber operations and fields are rotated regularly to allow for sustainable logging. The denseness of the forest has also served as a bulwark against the encroaching tides of chaos and the Feywild has seen the least reduction of its area compared to the other regions in this most recent wave of chaotic expansion.

### Myrkheim

The majestic peak of Mount Jolnir and the surrounding mountain ranges dominate the majority of the Myrkheim region around the city of Nidavellir. The rocky soil, unforgiving altitudes, and frigid temperature do not make for a hospitable environment for many plant and animal species limiting above ground agriculture. However, deep beneath the mountains are sprawling networks of caves and caverns that support all manner of edible and delicious fungi and other hardier root vegetables and animals that feed upon them. What Myrkheim lacks in agricultural bounty it makes up for in mineral wealth with vast mineral and ore deposits hidden in its mountain peaks waiting to be mined. These ore veins have become even more and more in demand as needs for weapons and arms continues to rise to fight back against the oncoming tides of chaos.

### The Golden Hills

Gently rolling hills and calm grasslands characterize the Golden Hills region around New Imaskar. Known for its pastoral farming, flocks of sheep or cows are a common site on the roads into New Imaskar. This rustic countryside stand in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle and rising smoke stacks of the city. Many city goers who wish to escape the fast pace and loud noises of the city often retire out into the idyllic hills where they may live their lives in comfort. However these hills have very little natural defenses and have been rapidly swallowed up by the oncoming waves of chaos.

### The Abyssal Wastes

Land that has had the very life obliterated from it by sheer chaotic energy become part of the Abyssal Wastes. Originating from the Chasm of Dis, the chaotic energy that spews forth from the chasm is in constant flux against the organizing waves of power from ley lines and cities built upon leyline nexuses. However in recent years the powers of chaos have begun to overpower the powers of order and the abyssal wastes have a gun to grow at increasingly rapid rates. Almost entirely devoid of plant and animal life, the only inhabitants of these blasted planes are roving bandit and marauder camps or packs of wild demonic beasts. However, there a rumor of pockets of habitable lands scattered throughout the wastes wear colonies of refugees or ne’er-do-wells gather.