World's Maw

Home of the Dragons, Kobolds and plenty of lava.

The World's Maw is a giant crated formed millions of years ago, long before any species had risen to self-awareness or any form of higher intelligence. The impact was so severe it cracked open the earth, splitting the crust into the layers of molten stone far beneath. This caused the molten substance to flow up, forming large lakes and streams of lava that circulated back into the cryst through large fissures along the edge of the crater's base. The rippling effect it had caused a single, tall plateau-like mountain to burst up in the middle, forming Dragon's Peak, the future centre of the Dragon Council's political seances. Tall mountainous formations form the rim of the crates, littered with magma tubes, both idle and active, forming an intricate web of tunnels deep into the many mountains, which eventually became the home of the Kobolds, most notable Kowa-Voloz-Marak being the capitol and coincidentally the largest peak of the crater's edge.

Geography

The crater is home to a few different types of geology, depending on the location and height along the crater's surface. Large, knife-like peaks surround the crater's edge, piercing the skies high above and casting an intimidating shadow on those living under it or just happen to pass by. They are rather hard to climb without the guidance of a Kobold and only seasonned climbers manage to reach the higher peaks of the crater's rim. The magma tubes are a safer way of passage, forming long and directionless pathways deep under the highrise above. These often form labyrinths that only local Kobolds can reliably navigate, thus having one as a guide is a must unless you wish to lose yourself into the deep, dark tubes. The inner slopes are much smoother then the rocky outsides, made up mostly from volcanic rock, ash and lush patches of flora thriving in the fertilised volcanic soil underneath, often tended by local villagers for sources of fruit and herbs. Around Dragon's Peak one would find predominantly lava in large quantities. Large lakes of lava form around deep vents, sometimes forming geysers that are both a spectacle to watch and a common cause of death for amazed onlookers. Rivers of molten rock flow with grace along the rocks as only the firm bridges of the Kowa manage to resist the heat and provide passage towards the home of the dragons.

Fauna & Flora

Flora

The plants of the Maw are only found in patches where the volcanic activity has mostly become idle or inactive, thriving from the ashes and soil the entire seismic process has left behind. Exotic herbs and otherwise hard to grow plants thrive in the rich ground, the the locals use this to their advantage to grow these rare plants for trade. There is always a risk a local lava vent becomes active and destroys the entire crop, so it is always a gamble to start up a farm around these parts.

Fauna

Natural fauna is not very common, only warmth-loving birds roosting in the trees during their trek southwards. Small reptiles and far relatives of the Dragons and Kowa do roam around the smoother slopes of the crater, such as Magma Lizards.

Alternative Name(s)

Dragon Crater, The Crater

Type

Crater / Crater Lake / Caldera