Zalhara

Zalhara’s geography is a vivid tapestry shaped by raw elemental forces and the wild flow of leyline magic. Its landforms create natural borders for kingdoms and host an array of climates ranging from lush to extreme. Each feature influences the cultures, conflicts, and survival strategies of its inhabitants.  

The Verdant Northwest

The northwest of Zalhara is dominated by dense, ancient forests that stretch for hundreds of miles. The canopy forms a near-continuous green ocean, pierced only by occasional lakes and hidden valleys where mist lingers even at midday. Towering trees, some older than recorded history, are said to hum faintly when leyline surges pass through their roots. The region’s rivers carve through rocky gorges, feeding the wetlands farther east.  

The Mirelands of the Northeast

Transitioning from forest into swamplands and wet plains, the northeast is a world of constant moisture. Vast bogs and marshes dominate the landscape, fed by rain and slow-moving rivers that snake into the Mesowet Ocean. Fog blankets the area year-round, and the land is prone to sudden floods. Despite its treacherous footing, the Mirelands are rich in medicinal plants and rare alchemical resources, drawing traders and adventurers willing to risk its dangers.  

The Ashspire Mountains

Running through the continent’s center, the Ashspire Range is a spine of volcanic peaks and jagged ridges. Their slopes are scarred by ancient lava flows and studded with vents that still release smoke and heat. Earthquakes and eruptions occasionally reshape the terrain, creating new rivers of ash that fertilize the surrounding land. Many caves here glow faintly from crystals charged with arcane energy, attracting elemental creatures and daring miners alike.  

The Eastern Arid Basin

Beyond the Ashspires, the land opens into dry plains and sun-scorched deserts. The terrain is a mixture of rolling dunes, cracked earth, and rocky plateaus. Oases and rivers fed by mountain runoff provide lifelines for settlements and caravans. Winds sculpt the sand into shifting formations, and mirages blur the line between reality and illusion. This region’s heat and openness give it a harsh beauty, matched by the resilience of those who call it home.  

The Western Heartlands

The lands west of the Ashspire range are more temperate and fertile, with sprawling valleys and mist-shrouded mountains. These heartlands feature terraced hills, broad plains, and forests that climb the mountainsides in layers. Rivers weave through the landscape, sustaining both agriculture and trade. This balance of terrain makes the west one of Zalhara’s most habitable regions, yet leyline activity keeps it unpredictable, with sudden storms or magical anomalies occurring without warning.  

The Eastern Highlands (Island Chain)

The eastern isles rise steeply from the sea, their cliffs battered by relentless storms. Mist hangs thick over the highlands, which are blanketed in grasslands and rocky ridges. Valleys cut into the islands form fertile pockets, while the mountains offer shelter for hidden communities. The seas surrounding the islands are treacherous, filled with jagged rocks and unpredictable currents, fostering strong maritime traditions among their inhabitants.  

The Southern Frostmarch

The southern arc of Zalhara transitions from lowlands into snow-dusted forests, tundra, and finally glacial expanses. This region is defined by biting winds, frozen rivers, and vast stretches of ice where the land meets the frozen sea. Ancient glaciers carve deep fjords into the coast, and legends speak of spirits that dwell in the blizzards. Despite its severity, the Frostmarch sustains resilient wildlife and the hardy clans who have adapted to survive there.