The Swamp of Oblivion

Not completely solid earth, nor yet a clear sea, the realm of Mud is as varied as it is ever-shifting. Some areas are moderately solid, and can support woody plants such as cypress and mangroves. Others are broad marshlands without enough solidity for even a halfling to walk without sinking in the muck.   Moreover, unlike swamps on the more balanced realm of Primus, there is no water table or solid layer of earth under the mud and silt. Rather, it is said that objects lost in the ooze sink for 1,000 years, resurfacing only because this realm, like its para-elemental cousins, exists in constant flux between the pulls of earth and water.

While it is difficult for many land-based creatures to thrive here, those that do exist in neat harmony with the shifting landscape. Most creatures that live here do not keep strict territorial lines, as the landscape within that territory will not suit the creature's needs for long. The realm does support various kinds of flora and fauna, and is little-disrupted by sapient civilization due to its inhospitable nature.

While most of the Material realms exist above the Underdark, the Swamp of Oblivion is mud as far down as any creature has ever been able to measure. Even the Underdark, when it abuts this realm, becomes an impenetrable slog of mud, brackish water, and silt.

From the influence of water, the Swamp commonly sees rain and fog, though it maintains its fen-like state even if these weather patterns are magically suspended. Similarly, the chaotic influence of Terra leads to common mudslides and sinkholes, even in the more solid regions.

Some more solid regions are able to support large growths such as cypress and mangrove, or even evergreens, which seem to shift along with the earth they are rooted in. Lotuses, lilies, cattails, rushes, and all forms of algae are plentiful here.   Several varieties of beast manage to thrive in the Swamp's shifting environment, with amphibians especially adapting well to the constant instability of solid(ish) ground. All manner of frog, toad, turtle, crocodile, and snake thrive here. Beavers, otters, and in some areas nearer to Primus and Terra, even deer and elk live here, as well as several varieties of birds including kingfishers, hummingbirds, pheasants, songbirds, and all manner of waterfowl.   Besides its natural beasts, many magical creatures such as shambling mounds and elementals of earth and water, as well as mud mephits native to this realm, can be found here. Owing to the Realm's hazardous nature, it is also hosts a large population of undead. The Chaotic nature of the Realm also fey crossings common, and increases the presence of fey creatures such as hags, boggles, and will-o-the-wisps.

Though there are certainly easier places to mine it, the elemental nature of this swamp makes its supply of swamp iron theoretically eternal.

Generally an inhospitable place, most realm-hopping travellers would go around, sailing through Oceanus or braving the overlands of Terra. However, a few daring souls travel to the Swamp of Oblivion seeking treasures lost to its mucky depths, said to reappear at random points due to the shifting nature of the realm's elements.