Cove of the Vanquished

The Cove of the Vanquished is a desolate, frozen region located in the far north, surrounded by towering mountains on three sides, with a frigid sea to the north. Once a hub of technological and magical advancements, the area fell into ruin after the Abericlase went dark, taking with it the goddess stone of Bhita, the goddess of modernization. The cove is now infamous for the many adventurers who perished trying to retrieve the goddess stone, and it has since been renamed from its original title of The Meridian Sanctuary.

Geography

The cove is nestled in a frozen wasteland, located in the far northern reaches of the world. It is encircled by tall, jagged mountains on all sides except from the north, where the land slopes down toward a frozen sea. The mountains are treacherous, with sharp cliffs and hidden ravines, creating a natural barrier that makes entry difficult. Scattered throughout the cove are crumbling towers that resemble ancient "phone towers," once believed to transmit power or signals connected to power of the Abericlase.

Ecosystem

The cove is a desolate and harsh environment. The freezing temperatures and constant snowstorms make it difficult for life to thrive. However, the dark energy left by the second Abericlase has warped the area, allowing unusual flora and fauna to survive here. Around the opening of the cove, strange glowing fungi grow near the remains of the towers, feeding off the residual magical energy. The land is also dotted with icy, blue-hued lakes that never fully freeze over, believed to be tainted by the magical energies of the fallen Abericlase.

Localized Phenomena

Abericlase Shadows: At night, shadows of long-gone adventurers and explorers can be seen wandering the cove. These ghostly figures are remnants of those who perished attempting to retrieve the goddess stone. They appear in places where magic was strongest and vanish by morning.
Tower Echoes: The phone tower structures occasionally emit strange, haunting sounds, believed to be echoes of the magical signals they once transmitted. Some theorize these echoes are fragmented messages from a distant time, though no one has successfully decoded them.
The Vanquished Mist: An ethereal mist rises from the frozen lakes, swirling around the cove at unpredictable intervals. It is said that anyone caught in the mist may be transported to a different place or time, or simply vanish forever.

Climate

The climate is freezing year-round and snowstorms are frequent and violent, making visibility near zero during much of the year. In the summer, the region experiences brief periods of sunlight, but the temperature remains frigid. There is little respite from the icy winds that howl through the mountains.

Fauna & Flora

Flora: 

• Glowing Frostcaps: Bioluminescent fungi that grow near the remains of the ancient towers. They glow a faint blue and thrive in the magical remnants of the Abericlase.
• Snow Thorn Vines: Hardy, twisted vines that creep along the rocky terrain. They have sharp, frozen thorns that can cut through flesh, a natural defense against the harsh cold and predators.

Fauna:

• Frost Wargs: Large, wolf-like creatures that prowl the edges of the cove. Their thick fur protects them from the freezing climate, and they are often drawn to the magical energy that still lingers.
• Ice Ravens: These large, blue-feathered birds have adapted to the cold, feeding on the frozen remains of creatures and any leftover magic they can scavenge.
• Spectral Foxes: Ethereal, ghost-like foxes that can phase in and out of existence. They are believed to be creatures tied to the magic of the goddess stone and are rarely seen by travelers.

History

The cove was not always known as the Cove of the Vanquished. Originally, it was a prosperous area called The Meridian Sanctuary, where powerful magic resonated with the surrounding lands, creating a technological hub centered around Bhita’s modernization. The towers that now lie in ruin once connected the cove to the rest of the world. When the Abericlase went dark, the entire region fell into disarray. The magical collapse destroyed much of the surrounding technology and left the cove in ruins. The surrounding towns of Inedel and Prul were heavily affected as well as the primary capital of Adheath which most citizens either left or perished in the chaos. The area became known as the Cove of the Vanquished after numerous adventurers died trying to reclaim the goddess stone of Bhita, which was thought to reside within the cove. Despite many attempts, no one has successfully recovered it and the bones of many that fell remain on the outskirts or just inside of the opening of the cavern.

"They called it progress once, but now the only thing that thrives in the Cove are the memories of those it claimed—whispers of ambition lost to the ice." —Elder of Prul