Known Magical Hotspots

## The Lands Beyond Mortal Reach

There are many places in The World that pulse and ebb with the flow of Magic. Areas and regions are home to mighty Magical and Demonic Beasts, ever-changing and/or extreme weather or even places beyond mortal comprehension. For more information see **this section** of the Zyreema page.

Listed on this page are some of the known Magical Hotspots (the list is not conclusive and there are many others). The Magical Hotspots on this page area divided by the amount of ambient mana and danger present in the region of the Hotspot, ranking from **Low** (areas that are slightly more saturated in mana then normal and might be home to low ranking Magical Beasts, Demons, Spirits or magical flora) to **Extreme** (areas that are impossible to enter or traverse due to extreme nature of the region or local predators without serious investment of time and resources).

## Low Ranking Magical Hotspots

### Itulia Valley

North-west of Brightlance, the capital city of the Galande Kingdom, lies a large valley covered in forests and meadows. The fertile land provides pastures and vegetation for many kinds of herbivores Magical Beasts. The presence of larger predators is carefully regulated by the local adventurers and druids, as this area is the largest breeding ground of the Itu, a riding animal used all across Zyreema. This kind of care is made possible by the the fact that the Magical Hotspot itself is not too saturated in mana and is nestled between three Galande towns and patrolled roads. Another alleviating factor is the the good relationship of local Spirits with the local druid circle. So long as certain, very old, rules are followed these Spirits spare no effort in aiding the Good people of the region with their work or by watching out for dangers creeping into the valley.

However, the north most point of the valley is very dangerous. An invasion of a Dungeon Keeper of the Vermin Lord from many decades ago has left the area at the foot of Sunnypeak infested with Giant Vermin and dangerous Demonic Beasts. That area is ranked as a Moderate Magical Hotspot and needs to be constantly suppressed by local soldiers and adventurers - lest the beasts spill out towards other areas.

## Medium Ranking Magical Hotspots

### Treasea

In the X-part of Yuihon lies a dangerous and strange forest that is avoided by all outsiders, be they Magical Beast or Mortal. This dense green woodland is filled with hallucinogenic plants that make navigating trough it immensely difficult. On top of that some of the local Magical Beasts take full advantage of the topography, seemingly "swimming" in the tops of trees and thus giving the area its characteristic name.

But while the natural flora and fauna of the area are dangerous they are not insurmountable. A well equipped and experienced group could traverse the Treasea if they should so desire - but the mortal denizens of this realm are not welcoming to intruders.

Six hidden villages are said to exist within the Treasea, inhabited by the Kitsune Clans. These clans protect their territory from outside intrusion with great conviction, and rare few posses the ability to defeat these "ninjas" in their home terrain.

The Hotspot itself however is considered the domain of Kumiho, one of the Three Great Beasts of Yuihon. It is due to her influence and her teachings (which they have passed down trough the generations) that the Kitsune are capable of living within such a hostile environment.

## Extreme Magical Hotspots

### Agni Shivatas

On the northern area of Wagashi, south of the Sandarra desert, is located an enormous mountain that bellows burning smoke and flows with liquid fire and stone. The earth around the mountain is in a state of constant eruptions that release short bursts of fire and hot air. The air around this mountain is so hot that any creature without serious resistance against heat would not even be able to approach within dozens of miles of it. Actually moving near the mouth of the volcano (much less entering it) would require the ability to withstand temperatures where stone melts and turns to glass.

Still, despite being such a hostile environment, the land at the foot of this mountain is home to many kinds of Magical Beasts and some plants that flourish in the scorching heat. The pinnacle of rare creatures that make their home here are legendary birds said to be made of pure fire that reside within the deepest parts of the mountain. Few have ever seen these "*Phoenix*" creatures and most of their ecology is a mystery, but many Wizards and mystics speculate that they may, in fact, be a kind of Spirit rather then a Magical Beast (though the truth remains unconfirmed to this day).

A famous incident occurred some three quarters of a century ago where an infamous Horned Reaper walked into the volcano and, to the disbelief of anyone who witnessed him leaving hours later, left with an actual burn wound (which remains as a scar on his body to this day).

### Bladestorm Cliffs

An area on the north-east of Wagashi that is circled around by even the mightiest of warriors and the bravest of explorers, the Bladestorm Cliffs are a high altitude area that howls in a perpetual gale that has not ceased for as long as recorded history. The ever-changing storm makes it impossible for anyone lacking very specialized enchantments or preparations to enter the area. If one could avoid getting blown away and slammed into the steep stone walls or flung off the cliffs, they would then need to dodge debris being flung at slicing speeds by the gale.

And yet, despite all of this, several kinds of very dangerous Magical Beasts make their nests here - cutting trough the winds without harm as the result of some strange innate intuition. Some of them include the ferocious **Axebeaks**, the small but deadly **Bloodflock Peackers**and, most dangerous of all, the Lord of the Hotspot, the feared **Tempest Garuda.**

It is known that at the heart of the Bladestorm Cliffs, at the center of the rending vortex, there exists an area of calm where the Tempest Garuda makes its nest. This area is also home to a legendary orchard in which grow fruits said to grant miraculous powers to any who partake of them. These fruits attract many kinds of creatures to the cliffs as their scent is scattered around the region (most of which becoming food for local predators).

The most infamous being attracted to the scent of these fruits is Yuihon's Tenou. Its arrival is heralded by the fruits becoming their most ripe (once only every few years) and is made known by the sounds of fierce combat between it and the region's Lord.

### Griffinroost Mountain

The Griffinroost Mountain, commonly referred to as the Holy Mountains, is one of the rare Extreme Magical Hotspots located anywhere near a mortal populated settlement.

It is a great holy ground that is home to several species of immensely powerful creatures, as one goes higher up the mountain they will enter an area so heavily saturated in mana that the very act of climbing it can put an immense toll one ones physical well-being. The light beaming down from the sky will sear the flesh of the and the air will as heavy as if someone had put countless weights on top of the traveler. This effect gains in strength the closer one comes to the summit.

The creatures that dwell in this environment, namely the ones the mountain received its name after, are also heavily aligned with Good and will not tolerate one with a wicked heart or weak spirit taking even a single step on their home. It is said that only those who have immense undergone rigorous training and have honed their Mind, Body and Soul while standing true to the Virtues will be able to reach the summit.

Officially, entrance onto the mountain is restricted to those who have direct permission from the King of Galande and the Lord of the mountain itself - **The Silvered Griffon**. The punishment for breaking this restriction within Galande is harsh - even harsher if the one who caught the perpetrators were the Griffins of the mountain, especially the Elder Griffins which live near the summit.

The only exceptions to this rule are the small population of Giants, the Cyclops clan, that lives in a small village near the base of the mountain itself. But even among them only those who have proven themselves are allowed to ascend higher than their village.