Zul (Zull): A star born within the earth
With its land being entirely encased in streams and rivers of flowing lava, jagged rocks and mountains that make the earth difficult to traverse, and towers of smoke that blot out the sun, emitting from melted rocks. A true bed of chaos as far as the eyes can see. On the surface the entire region looks to be uninhabitable. Only able to nest dangerous monsters that are heavily armored to withstand the intense heat, or smaller creatures with a developed respiratory system in order to breathe the toxic, dense air. But this land has also been conquered by man and have grown accustomed to this region to meet their everyday needs. As a matter of fact, they view the abundance of magma as a resource, as it is merely earth in a semi fluid form due to being melted down. The magma lands of Zul is a true symbol of man finding resources in just about anything, and their drive to harness it for their benefit.
As far as the earliest piece of history can date back, it is arguably said that the land of Zul is one of the earliest civilizations to be established. As those that inhabit this region have made their homes within the safety of the tunnels and caves systems under the earth. A tradition that can be deeply connected to the earliest of man that found salvation within naturally formed caves. Fables and legends say that the magma from this region is the birthplace of the majority of the rest, as over the years magma spilled into the sea to form new lands. Some even believe that the now dormant Earth Star erupted around this time. Scattering literal tons and tons of lava across the world, and forming the lands that we now know today as the other regions.
The Earth Star
The Earth Star is without a doubt the largest volcano in the world. Although dormant, magma flows from its brim and tunnels, and into the rivers and streams of lava that can be seen all throughout the region. Lava from this specific volcano is considered a priceless resource, despite the climb up to be treacherous and dangerous. Those driven enough will be rewarded with the fabled lava to be infused with the power of the world’s core. Or some even believe that millions of years ago a star had crashed into the planet, melting and infusing the earth around it with its otherworldly power, and soon erupting to begin the origin of life as we know it. It is said that anything crafted with this lava infuses it with mystical powers. Such as a sword that will never dull, or a shield as sturdy as a mountain. Whichever tale is followed, the lava from this volcano is in a class of its own. Burning brightest with a yellow hue like the sun itself.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Gate of magma is located here. Although out in the open, and unguarded, the lava poses as a defense mechanism by itself. As of currently there isn’t a spell or living being that is able to traverse through the magma without combusting into flames, and any stupid enough to try is considered a fool with a death wish.
The Molten Sea
Inevitably, anyone traversing through the overworld of Zul would soon find themselves encroaching upon the Molten Sea. A gargantuan flow of lava that divides the land in half, making it impossible to cross by normal means. In addition, there is said to be a serpent at the bottom of the Molten Sea, waiting to ambush anything alive that may stray into its territory. So it is advised if one wishes to cross Zul by normal means, one would have to traverse through the underground that bypasses the Molten Se.
The Mirrored Grounds
Between the lands that divide the Rouge Sands and Zul, an environment completely unique to any other can be found here called the Mirrored Grounds. It gets that name due to a physical reaction when the intense heat from lava and sand meet, thus making a large layer of glass that goes on for a mile. This land is completely desolate without a single living creature or organic material to be found. It is uninhabitable, but probably the least chaotic area in comparison to the Rouge Sands and Zul.
However, there is a legend that goes around between the two regions that there is a demonic spirit that lives within the reflection of the Mirrored Grounds. It is said to slowly stalk its victims until it is directly behind their reflection and faze its hands through to glass to grab at their feet, then pulls them down into its mirrored realm to never be heard of again. The origin of this tale is unknown, and is usually ruled off as a way to deter people of Zul and the Rogue Sands from crossing into the other’s region. It could also be enforced due to how eerily quiet and desolate the Mirrored Grounds are, causing people to balance on the brim of paranoia.
The UnderGrounds: A power struggle
Underneath the surface where the conditions are more bearable, though any source of natural light and greenery is something that those that dwell within this region are not familiar with. Though much like some regions, their housings commonly consist of materialized earth, whether that may come from an already sturdy structure or cooled magma. It isn’t an uncommon thing for the people of Zul to never leave the safety of their underground.
Although their living conditions are already haphazard as it is, they’ve learned to utilize the dangers to their benefit. With the numerous vertical tunnels above their housings that may allow lava to flow through, the people of Zul have crafted obsidian tubes along these tunnels for lava to flow where they can collect it. Resourcefully using the collected lava to fortify their home against incoming earthquakes, as that is the recurring natural disaster that afflicts them most and have learned to defend themselves against it.
Scattered among the undergrounds are dozens of similar towns and villages, interconnected by hundreds of tunnel systems that allow them to traverse from one settlement to another. Despite already living a reclusive life from the overworld, the underground of Zul is a divided region and any form of communication or trade is met with reluctance and hesitation. Settlements usually only consist of one majority race, with very few straggling races that barely scratch the surface of becoming 1% of the population.
This distaste among races is a power struggle of pretentiousness and pride, and to divulge upon it, one would have to understand each race’s perspective on the matter. Though one thing is for certain, this power struggle is deeply rooted to the presence of the Earth Star and which race should have free rein and ownership of it. Each race views their craftsmanship as being superior to the others, and could only see the other races improperly using their most valuable resource. (See Dwarves, Goblins, and Dark Elves)
The rebellion
This ploy has set a great divide among the Dark Elves, as not all are in agreement with exacting revenge through such lengths. Some would even agree that even if their living conditions are less than ideal in comparison to their previous homes in the Earth Region, they truly must pay for the sins for their kin, and that is just part of their nature. They’ve tried to reason with their bloodthirsty brethren that those that do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. But they did not listen, as they are driven by the act of self righteous justice.
Not wanting to stand around to watch their entire race commit genocide, or be slaughtered if they are to fail, a good portion of Dark Elves have fled Zul in search of help. Even if it is an act of betrayal against their own kind. They attempted to warn the other two races of Zul of what their kind plans on doing, but they simply took that as a threat and returned it in favor. Those that fled to the Fire Region were never seen from again. The only option the Dark Elf rebellion has is to seek help from the same people that had exiled them in the first place. The Earth Region.