Ascendia

1. The Sea of Torment   Ascendia is dominated by the vast Sea of Torment, a massive, swirling ocean of molten lava. Unlike a chaotic sea, this body of molten rock flows in a precise, cyclonic pattern, constantly spiraling inward toward a central abyss. The heat is so intense that it permeates the entire plane, filling the air with ash, cinders, and the distant sound of crackling fire. The lava's flow, though perfectly ordered, is utterly lethal, its surface consuming anything that comes into contact with it, leaving no trace behind.     2. The Palace of Amalar   At the heart of the Sea of Torment floats the Palace of Amalar, the stronghold of the god of war. This massive fortress sits atop a rocky island suspended over the swirling abyss of lava below. Four colossal infernal chains, glowing with the heat of the lava, stretch from the palace to the surrounding mountain peaks, anchoring it in place. The palace, constructed from black iron and obsidian, radiates a sense of absolute control and authority, with its sharp spires and fortified walls. While the palace is held by four primary chains, other infernal chains crisscross the realm, tethering many landmasses together in a symbolic web of control.     3. The Islands of Damnation   Scattered throughout the Sea of Torment are the Islands of Damnation, jagged, towering landmasses that rise from the molten lava like dark claws. Each island is mountainous and covered in fortresses, serving as the home and battleground of the six factions of the Ebony Legion. These fortresses are made of black iron and stone, fortified to withstand the endless cycle of warfare between the factions. Trenches, towers, and defensive walls mark the landscape, as the Ebony Legion continuously prepares for battle, training and fighting in the endless wars that define the realm. Death is not the end here, as those who fall in battle rise again where they fell, ready to fight once more.     4. The Infernal Chains   Throughout Ascendia, colossal infernal chains connect most of the islands and mountainous landmasses, creating a vast, interconnected network of strategic importance. These chains are imbued with dark magic, glowing with the same fiery energy as the Sea of Torment. While many chains serve to connect the various islands, the four largest and most powerful hold up the island that supports the Palace of Amalar. These chains are etched with runes of domination and war, representing the unbreakable control Amalar holds over the realm. Walking upon the chains is possible, though their surface radiates intense heat and molten energy.     5. The Sky of Endless Dread   Above the land and sea is the Sky of Endless Dread, a pitch-black void streaked with crimson hues that twist and swirl like fresh wounds in the heavens. There is no sun in Ascendia; instead, a massive blood-red moon hangs eternally in the sky, casting its eerie, cold light across the land below. The atmosphere is oppressive and suffocating, with the blood moon providing just enough light to illuminate the molten sea and the distant peaks of the islands. On occasion, fiery storms sweep across the realm, raining down liquid fire and bullet-sized meteors, deadly to any caught outside during these hellish downpours. Despite the danger, these storms are seen as just another obstacle for the battle-hardened souls of the Ebony Legion to overcome.     6. Notable Features   At the very center of the Sea of Torment lies the Cyclone Abyss, the focal point of the swirling lava where it plunges into an endless chasm of unknown depth. Surrounding the sea are the Pillars of Malice, towering obsidian spikes that rise sporadically from the lava, serving as strategic points in the battles that occur between the factions. The infernal chains, which connect most of the realm’s islands and fortresses, add to the overall structure of the land, making movement possible across the otherwise inhospitable, molten sea. Every element of the landscape serves the cold, calculated purpose of endless warfare and domination, reflecting Amalar's vision of a realm bound by the laws of war.

1. Adapted Flora   The flora in Ascendia clings stubbornly to the edges of the molten Sea of Torment and the towering, frost-covered mountains that surround the islands. Plants in Ascendia are twisted and blackened, their roots buried deep within the warm volcanic rock beneath them. From the heat of the stone, they draw the energy they need to survive, but above ground, their growth is stunted by the freezing winds of the perpetual winter.   These plants are encased in a thick, frost-like shell that protects them from the icy atmosphere, but beneath this layer, they glow faintly, as if smoldering from within. This strange duality—drawing life from both the heat below and the cold above—defines the flora, which struggles to survive in a land where fire and ice constantly war for dominance.   2. Fauna of Fire and Frost   Creatures in Ascendia must navigate a realm where they are either bound to the molten sea or forced to survive the frozen mountains. The creatures that live within the Sea of Torment are infused with molten energy, their bodies designed to thrive in the overwhelming heat, but they cannot survive the cold extremes of the mountains. The shores of the islands, particularly the ashen beaches, form a middle ground where both fire and frost can coexist, and it is here that some creatures of Ascendia find sanctuary.   The towering predators of the molten sea, like the magma-beasts, live in the perpetual heat, their bodies thick with molten energy. However, they do not venture far from the sea itself; the freezing air that descends from the mountains would quickly immobilize them. The middle ground of the ashen beaches provides a unique habitat for creatures able to withstand both the freezing cold and searing heat—an ideal battlefield where the extremes of Ascendia's ecosystem meet.   3. Environmental Hazards   Ascendia is fraught with natural hazards that make survival difficult for any creature. The most prominent of these are the violent **flame-frost** storms that regularly tear through the plane. These storms are a terrifying mix of fire and frost, where the icy winds of the perpetual winter collide with the molten energy of the Sea of Torment. The storms rain molten fire and frozen ash in equal measure, shredding everything they touch and making the islands and mountains treacherous for any who wander outside shelter.   Additionally, the freezing atmosphere causes patches of black ice to form along the mountains and the chains that connect them. This black ice can freeze over the edges of the molten sea, briefly solidifying lava before it cracks and releases heat from below. The constant interaction between the icy cold and searing heat creates a dangerous, unstable environment, where the terrain shifts and transforms with little warning, making travel both perilous and unpredictable.   4. The Inhabitants' Struggle   The Ebony Legion, Ascendia's chosen champions, have honed and tempered their very essence to withstand the harsh extremes, training them to endure the heat and cold that would cripple or kill lesser beings. Their strength lies in their mastery over the environment, forged through relentless preparation and trial. Glory is found in their constant readiness for battle, and they thrive in the brutal conditions that define their realm.   Their armor, forged from crystalized black steel, has been designed to withstand both the invasive cold of the perpetual winter and the debilitating heat of the molten islands. This armor enables them to move freely across Ascendia’s hostile landscape, but beneath this powerful protection, they are still just mortal souls in service to Amalar, bound by their devotion to their god of war.   Conclusion   The ecosystem of Ascendia is one of relentless extremes, defined by the constant conflict between fire and frost. Every creature, every plant, and every inhabitant of this harsh realm must find a way to endure the molten heat of the Sea of Torment and the freezing cold of the perpetual winter that descends from the skies. The land itself is hostile, but in this eternal struggle for survival, life endures, twisted and hardened by the fiery and frozen forces that define Ascendia.

1. The Combination of Ice and Ash   The perpetual winter of Ascendia is driven by the frozen skies, which hang heavy with dark clouds and the looming blood moon. Cold winds descend from the atmosphere, freezing all exposed surfaces, including the peaks of the scattered mountains. Meanwhile, the Sea of Torment below remains molten, resisting the icy assault from above with its overwhelming heat.   The Cycle of Opposites: The Sea of Torment serves as the fiery core of Ascendia, radiating heat and molten energy. At the same time, the frozen skies bring down a relentless frost. Together, these forces create a violent balance where heat and cold eternally clash. The molten sea pulls energy from the blood moon above, while the freezing atmosphere pushes back, constantly trying to freeze the molten landscape.   2. The Blood Moon’s Influence   The blood moon dominates the sky of Ascendia, casting a harsh crimson light over the realm. It doesn’t provide warmth, but rather it sustains the intense energies of both fire and frost. This lunar influence empowers the Sea of Torment, keeping it molten, while simultaneously intensifying the icy winds that descend from the sky.   Energy Transfer: The blood moon draws energy from the Sea of Torment, creating a cyclical exchange of heat and cold. It enhances the power of the frozen skies while maintaining the molten churning of the sea below, ensuring the two forces remain locked in constant opposition.   3. The Flame-Frost Storms   Flame-frost storms regularly sweep across Ascendia, driven by the intense friction between the cold winds and the molten energy. These storms unleash waves of frozen ash and molten fire, creating a hazardous mix that can destroy anything caught in their path.     Storm Cycles: The storms are most frequent at the ashen beaches where the cold of the mountains meets the heat of the molten sea. They bring both searing embers and freezing ash, devastating the landscape and transforming it with each cycle. The storms are crucial to the natural rhythm of Ascendia, maintaining the delicate balance between the elements.   4. Elemental Tension and Transformation   As the frozen winds of the perpetual winter battle the molten heat of the Sea of Torment, the very land of Ascendia shifts and changes. Sections of molten lava cool and harden into black stone, only to melt back into lava when the heat resurges. These temporary, hardened landmasses are essential for the inhabitants, who use them to cross between the scattered islands, navigating the treacherous landscape between molten and frozen extremes.   Hardened Crossings: The inhabitants of Ascendia, particularly the Ebony Legion, have learned to use these solidified paths of cooled lava to their advantage. They form natural bridges between islands, allowing for movement across the realm, though these paths can become unstable at any time as the heat from the Sea of Torment reclaims the stone, melting it back into molten rivers.   5. Cosmic Rebirth and Destruction   Ascendia’s cycle is one of constant destruction and renewal. As the molten energy of the Sea of Torment builds, it erupts violently, casting lava across the islands and shifting the landscape. In time, the cold from the skies presses down, freezing over portions of the sea and reclaiming the islands in frost. Yet, this balance never holds for long. The Sea of Torment inevitably reasserts its power, melting away the ice and once again reshaping the land.   Eternal Flux: The constant war between fire and frost keeps Ascendia in a state of perpetual flux. No island, path, or mountain remains the same for long, as the elements relentlessly shape and reshape the realm. It is a world of eternal transformation, where survival depends on the ability to navigate the ever-shifting terrain.

1. Frozen Inferno Pockets   In certain areas where the cold winds from the sky battle the overwhelming heat of the Sea of Torment, frozen pockets of lava form and drift across the molten surface. These "frozen inferno" patches are unstable and highly dangerous. They appear as jagged, icy platforms, crackling with intense heat beneath the surface, and can suddenly shatter or melt without warning.  

Effects: These frozen pockets create a highly volatile environment. Anyone stepping on them risks being caught in a sudden collapse or geyser of molten lava. The Ebony Legion navigates around these frozen patches with caution, training themselves to read the subtle signs of when they are about to break.

  2. Chains of Command   The infernal chains connecting the islands of Ascendia aren’t merely physical structures—they pulse with Amalar’s infernal will. Occasionally, the chains emit a surge of energy, compelling those crossing them to feats of strength and combat. When this happens, warriors of the Ebony Legion are overwhelmed with a desire to test their might in glorious battle.  

Effects: When this phenomenon occurs, the chains become the site of small skirmishes, with warriors dueling mid-crossing, spurred on by Amalar's influence. This surge in combat typically dies down once the chain’s energy recedes, but it leaves behind heightened tension among the factions.

  3. The Shardwind   Descending from the frozen skies, the Shardwind is a blistering storm of razor-sharp ice shards that can cut through flesh, armor, and even stone. These winds sweep across Ascendia, driven by the endless cold that hangs over the plane, and are most dangerous in the mountain regions, where the cold is most intense.  

Effects: The Shardwind forces even the most hardened warriors to seek shelter, as it can rip through their armor if caught in the open for too long. Over time, the Ebony Legion has developed techniques to mitigate the damage, using their armor and the environment to survive these deadly winds.

  4. Crimson Geysers   The molten Sea of Torment predictably erupts with geysers of lava, sending molten rock into the air along the shores of the islands. These regular geysers are a navigational hazard but manageable for the Ebony Legion, who time their movements to avoid the bursts of lava.  

Effects: Rare and unpredictable, these special geysers erupt with a blood-red, molten lava imbued with infernal energy. The Crimson Geysers are seen as omens by the factions of the Ebony Legion, signaling a time for battle. When one erupts, it sparks sudden, fierce skirmishes, as the warriors view it as a divine call from Amalar to prove their strength. The tainted lava creates dangerous terrain, further heightening the risk and reward for those involved in the fighting.

  5. Frostfire Rifts   Occasionally, rifts tear open in the sky, revealing the chaotic and turbulent energies of Ascendia. These Frostfire Rifts serve as portals from which powerful fiends descend upon the plane. The creatures unleashed from these rifts are merciless invaders, not aligned with any faction, and they target the strongholds of the Ebony Legion in relentless assaults.  

Effects: When a Frostfire Rift opens, waves of fiends pour forth, descending upon the faction strongholds in a violent raid. These creatures attack with brutal force, tearing through fortifications and defenses with no respite. The Ebony Legion sees these fiendish raids as a true test of their mettle, fighting them off with the same fervor they bring to their own internal conflicts. The fiends continue their assault until the rift eventually closes, leaving destruction in their wake. While the raids are brutal, they also serve as a galvanizing force for the factions, pushing the warriors to new heights of strength and endurance.

Ascendia’s climate is a relentless clash of extremes, dominated by the eternal contradiction of searing heat and bone-chilling cold. The Sea of Torment churns below in a perfect cyclone of molten lava, radiating waves of heat that can be felt even from the distant mountain peaks. Above, however, the sky remains locked in perpetual winter, casting down freezing winds and layers of frost. This constant battle between fire and ice shapes the entire landscape, making Ascendia an unforgiving realm where both elements reign equally.   Near the Sea of Torment, the air is thick with ash and smoke, turning the skies black and choking the atmosphere with toxic fumes. The heat radiating from the molten sea is overpowering, making the land around it unbearably hot and difficult to traverse. Yet, even here, the cold winds from the mountains push down, occasionally creating pockets of frost on the ash-covered beaches, where fire and ice meet in an uneasy balance.   Higher in the mountains, the cold is unrelenting. Fierce winds howl through the jagged peaks, carrying with them the biting chill of the endless winter. Snow mixed with ash falls regularly, coating the ground in a dark, abrasive layer that crunches underfoot. The Ebony Legion has adapted to this brutal climate, having trained to survive the frozen ridges and the fiery shores alike. In these regions, strange storms known as flame-frost occur, where rain of liquid fire encased in ice falls from the sky, burning and freezing everything it touches in equal measure.   This volatile environment makes Ascendia a realm of constant hardship, where the land itself seems to conspire against its inhabitants. The inhabitants, however, have learned to endure the extremes, forging themselves in the crucible of Ascendia’s unforgiving climate.

Flora of Ascendia  

• Obsidian Thornbloom: This rare flower grows on the hard, frozen landmasses that occasionally form atop the molten Sea of Torment. These landmasses, forged from the clash of molten lava and freezing cold, provide a unique habitat where the Thornbloom can thrive. Its black, glass-like petals are razor-sharp and adapted to endure the intense heat below and the cold above. The plant channels heat from the molten rock into its frost-coated stems, creating a delicate balance of fire and ice.
• Frostvine: Twisting vines that cling to the frozen rock faces of Ascendia’s mountains, Frostvines are capable of drawing what little moisture remains in the air, encasing themselves in a layer of ice that protects them from both the freezing winds and the occasional bursts of heat from the distant lava sea.
• Ashfern: Found primarily on the ashen beaches, the Ashfern is a hardy plant with grey, soot-covered fronds that can survive both the fiery rain and freezing temperatures. Its leaves are thick and leathery, resistant to the flame-frost storms that sweep through Ascendia. These durable leaves are highly valued and often harvested to be used as materials in leatherworking, prized for their resilience and unique texture.

    Fauna of Ascendia    

• Infernal Drakes: These fire-breathing reptiles soar over the Sea of Torment, drawing energy from the molten lava below. Their scales are hardened against extreme heat, and they can dive into the sea of molten rock to hunt for prey, but they struggle to survive in the freezing cold of the mountains.
• Frostclaw Stalkers: Predatory creatures that roam the frozen mountain ranges, the Frostclaws have thick, ice-encrusted fur and sharp talons capable of piercing through metal. They are relentless hunters, capable of enduring long exposure to the freezing winds, and they avoid the heat of the sea, preferring the icy peaks and slopes for ambushes.
• Ashen Scavengers: Small, carrion-eating birds that inhabit the ashen beaches. These creatures have ash-colored feathers and are often seen circling battlefields, waiting to pick off the remains of fallen warriors or fiends. They have adapted to the frequent flame-frost storms, using the aftermath to scavenge in the wake of destruction.

    Ascendia’s ecosystem, while limited, is fiercely competitive and adaptable, with its flora and fauna embodying the balance between fire and ice that defines the realm. Each species, whether plant or animal, has found a way to survive within the brutal extremes, carving out a precarious existence in a landscape of endless war and elemental chaos.

Ascendia’s extreme and hostile environment yields a variety of unique natural resources, each shaped by the realm’s perpetual war between fire and ice. The harsh conditions create a landscape rich with valuable materials, crucial for the survival and advancement of its inhabitants.  

• Frost Iron: A rare and valuable metal found in the icy mountains of Ascendia. Frost Iron is renowned for its ability to retain heat despite the frigid temperatures. It is commonly mined from veins within the frozen rock and is used to forge weapons and armor that can endure extreme temperatures. The metal's ability to conduct and retain heat makes it highly prized for creating gear that can withstand both the searing heat of the Sea of Torment and the bitter cold of the mountains.
• Molten Obsidian: Extracted from the Sea of Torment, Molten Obsidian is a black, glassy substance formed from cooled lava. It is highly valued for its sharpness and durability, making it ideal for crafting blades and tools. The intense heat of the Sea of Torment gives the obsidian a unique resilience and sharpness that are crucial for survival in Ascendia’s harsh environment.
• Ashen Stone: This lightweight, porous stone is found in abundance on the ashen beaches and throughout the landmasses formed by the molten lava. It is used primarily as a building material due to its insulating properties, which help to regulate temperature in both hot and cold environments. Ashen Stone is also used in the construction of fortifications and structures in Ascendia, providing a durable and heat-resistant building material.
• Flamefrost Crystals: These rare crystals are found within the flame-frost storms that sweep through Ascendia. They are formed from the intense interaction between fire and ice, resulting in unique, multifaceted gems that are prized for their beauty and magical properties. Flamefrost Crystals are often used in enchantments and rituals, as well as in the crafting of magical artifacts that harness the elemental forces of Ascendia.
• Infernal Ash: This fine, powdery substance collected from the Sea of Torment and the surrounding areas. Infernal Ash is highly useful in magical and alchemical processes, where it is used to enhance spells and potions with fire-based or heat-related effects. It is also used in the creation of powerful enchantments and as a component in various arcane rituals.

  The natural resources of Ascendia are a testament to the realm’s brutal yet fascinating environment. From metals and stones to magical crystals and powders, these materials are not only essential for daily life and industry but also hold significant value in the realm’s continuous struggle between the forces of fire and ice.