View table: Settlement_Sections

Tzelha’s Wake edit

Tzelha’s Wake is largest open-pit mine in the region, said to have been split open by the final act of Tzelha, an enigmatic figure whose name is now spoken only in fragments of legend.

• The terrain is unstable, with sections collapsing and reforming unpredictably as the desert shifts.
• Miners claim the glass hums after storms, as if retaining echoes of something long buried beneath the surface.
• Certain areas of the quarry are avoided due to unexplained disappearances, with some believing that disturbing the oldest formations brings misfortune.

Vothar’s Forge edit

Vothar’s Forge is a Sunshifter-operated refinery where mirage glass is melted, reshaped, and infused with alchemical energy. It is named after Vothar, a figure from Sunshifter history who was said to have woven light into glass, though whether he was a real person or a symbolic myth remains uncertain.

• The furnaces burn with alchemical fire, producing heat capable of reshaping even the hardest materials.
• Shimmering mirages form in the air, making it difficult to discern reality within the forge’s walls.
• Apprentices must undergo the Trial of the Glassfire, a test of patience and control that determines whether they are worthy of the craft.

The Xalreth Span edit

The Xalreth Span is a fractured ridge of black glass, forming a natural bridge over the lower quarry. The name comes from an old Gilaari word meaning "shattered paths," referencing both its unstable footing and the way voices seem to carry unnaturally across its surface.

• The ridge is known for sudden fractures, making crossing it a calculated risk.
• During certain seasons, the wind through the glass formations produces sounds that resemble distant whispers.
• Some believe the span was once part of a much larger structure, long since consumed by the desert.

Omareth’s Hollow edit

Omareth’s Hollow is a network of underground tunnels and shelters carved beneath the settlement, used as a refuge during the glassstorms that periodically sweep through the region.

• The name comes from an oral tradition among the Gilaari, which tells of a caravan led by Omareth that survived a month-long storm by taking shelter in an early form of these tunnels.
• The deeper tunnels lead to excavation sites that have long been abandoned, though some explorers still seek forgotten veins of glass and minerals within them.
• Certain tunnels remain unmarked on any known map, with rumors of hidden chambers that predate the settlement itself.

Shavhiri Market edit

Shavhiri Market is Arenam’s primary trading post, where merchants from distant settlements barter for raw glass, obsidian tools, and alchemical components. The market takes its name from the Sunshifter term "shavhiri," which refers to wealth gained through mirages—an allusion to the way fortunes rise and fall unpredictably in the desert.

• The location of the market shifts depending on the season, alternating between open-air spaces and underground chambers.
• Traders often conduct business through indirect means, using gestures and coded phrases to disguise the true value of their goods.
• Water remains the most valuable currency, and some merchants require a portion of a buyer’s supply as a form of tribute before making a sale.

Districts edit

Azirith is divided into five main districts:

• The Shardspire Docks – The main port, where ships from across Adaris dock to trade for the desert’s treasures.
• The Prism Market – A chaotic bazaar of illusion and trade, where mirage glass, enchanted artifacts, and rare alchemical goods are bought and sold.
• The Emberhalls – The district of elite glass artisans, where obsidian and mirage glass are forged into weapons, tools, and art.
• The Smoldering Gates – The city’s western boundary, marked by molten-glass fortifications, leading into the Zanarak Desert.
• The Sunshifter’s Arch – A natural glass formation, rumored to reveal glimpses of the past and future to those who stare into its reflections.

The Shardspire Docks edit

A vast harbor built atop cooled obsidian flows, where ships, sand-runners, and desert caravans converge. The docks shimmer under the sun, reflecting the towering glass formations that surround the city.

The Prism Market edit

A sprawling open-air bazaar, where merchants sell: - Mirage glass, infused with desert magic - Obsidian-forged tools and jewelry - Rare desert minerals and Ashland relics - Spell-infused lenses and illusion charms

The market's pathways seem to shift daily, adding to the illusionary nature of Azirith.

The Emberhalls edit

The heart of glassworking and craftsmanship, where master artisans shape desert glass into legendary weapons, enchanted artifacts, and intricate sculptures. Some believe that certain pieces retain the energy of the Ashlands, making them prized across Adaris.

The Smoldering Gates edit

A massive archway of molten and fused glass, serving as the final threshold between Azirith and the Zanarak Desert. The gates pulse with trapped heat, rumored to be enchanted to withstand even the fiercest sandstorms.

The Sunshifter’s Arch edit

A mysterious glass formation that distorts reality, creating mirage-like visions at dawn and dusk. Some say that those who stare into its surface may see glimpses of lost futures or forgotten pasts.

Minthal is divided into multiple districts, each serving a specialized function within the city.

• The Forge District – The industrial heart of Minthal, filled with smelting chambers, metalworks, and engineering workshops.
• The Deep Halls – The oldest part of the city, home to historical archives, ancestral sites, and sacred gathering chambers.
• The Flowing Market – A vast underground bazaar, where merchants trade refined metals, alchemical reagents, and rare underground delicacies.
• The Ember Vaults – Secure chambers storing the rarest and most valuable metals, including mithril, adamantine, and legendary relics.
• The Council Spire – The governing center of Minthal, where the ruling Minthari leaders convene to make decisions on trade, law, and foreign relations.

Minthara’s most famous sites revolve around geothermal luxury, wellness, and relaxation.

• The Steamheart Springs – The largest and most famous geothermal spa in Minthara, with naturally heated mineral pools carved directly into the cavern floors.
• The Hollow Hearth – A massive communal chamber where soft moss bedding and heated rock benches offer a comfortable resting place for weary travelers.
• The Emberveil Resort – A high-end Minthari luxury retreat, where the most finely sculpted spa chambers provide an exclusive escape for elite visitors.
• The Whispering Pools – A series of small, private hot springs, set within dimly lit caverns. The naturally resonant stone walls amplify sound, making even whispered conversations audible from across the pools.
• The Merchant’s Row – A market district within Minthara, where travelers can purchase hand-crafted goods, enchanted minerals, and rare alchemical tonics extracted from the hot springs.

Minthek is structured for defense, survival, and observation, with each section of the settlement serving a vital purpose.

• The Stone Eye – The largest natural viewing aperture in Minthek, allowing Minthari watchers to survey the lands beyond Mount Atal while remaining hidden.
• The Ice Vaults – A series of deep glacial caverns, where frozen reserves of water, food, and minerals are stored.
• The Spear Tunnels – Defensive choke points built into the tunnels, designed to collapse inwards in case of an invasion, sealing off access to Minthek’s core.
• The Echo Chamber – A vast hollow chamber where sound naturally amplifies, allowing Minthari sentinels to listen for distant surface movements carried by the mountain’s vibrations.
• The Deep Warrens – The living quarters of Minthek, dug into the mountain’s innermost rock layers, offering warmth and protection from the frigid surface conditions.

Despite its ever-changing nature, several locations within Mirajhar remain known across the ages, reappearing through the cycles of shifting sands.

The Mirage Bazaar edit

A marketplace unlike any other, the Mirage Bazaar appears and vanishes with the movement of the dunes. Merchants of the desert set up their stalls at sunrise, but by dusk, the entire market may have shifted to a new location, carrying exotic goods such as alchemically treated fabrics, mirage-infused glasswork, and charms containing whispers of the desert spirits.

The Sandspire edit

One of the few landmarks to persist in Mirajhar despite its shifting nature, the Sandspire is a towering structure of fused glass and desert stone, catching the light of the sun in dazzling hues. It is believed to serve as a central anchor for the city’s movements, aligning with the celestial bodies and desert winds.

The Echoing Halls edit

Beneath the dunes, vast chambers carved from sandstone serve as repositories of ancient knowledge. The Echoing Halls are said to hum with voices from the past, as the Gilaari have preserved their history in carved inscriptions and whispered songs that resonate through the tunnels.

The Hidden Wells edit

Secret water sources known only to the Gilaari and trusted allies, the Hidden Wells are life-giving sanctuaries scattered throughout Mirajhar. Their locations shift, known only to those who can read the patterns of the sands.

Districts edit

Orundahl is divided into three main districts:

• The Dustway – The outer trade district, where caravans from Terasil, the Canyonlands, and other realms gather to exchange goods.
• The Inner Refuge – The heart of the city, where the majority of Gilaari, Sunshifters, and long-term residents live.
• The Scorched Gate – A heavily guarded southern checkpoint marking the final passage into the Sea of Dunes.

Notable Locations edit

The Last Well edit

A sacred spring-fed oasis at the center of Orundahl, The Last Well is said to be the final source of fresh water before the true desert begins. Many travelers pause here for reflection, deciding whether to turn back or press onward into Zanarak.

The Navigator's Guild edit

A prestigious group of desert guides and survivalists who have mastered the dunes' ever-changing paths. Only the most skilled and experienced travelers can earn the title of Navigator.

The Mirage Market edit

A chaotic and unpredictable bazaar where traders sell rare alchemical ingredients, enchanted desert artifacts, and supplies for crossing the desert. The market is said to shift unpredictably, as if it has a life of its own.

The Sunshade Spire edit

A towering glass observatory serving as a beacon for lost travelers. It reflects the light of the sun by day and glows eerily under the moon.