The Ember is a plane of existence where the primal force of fire dominates every aspect of its being. This realm is an embodiment to the raw power and untamed beauty of fire, from the flickering flames that dance across its landscapes to the molten rivers that carve through its territories. It's a world where heat, fire, magma, and steam are not mere elements but the very foundations of life and creation. The Ember is a land of extremes, marked by volcanic mountains, vast deserts of smoldering ash, and lakes of liquid fire, embodying the destructive and rejuvenating nature of flames.
The landscape of The Ember is as diverse as it is dangerous. Volcanic ranges dominate the horizon, spewing forth rivers of lava that feed into great molten lakes. The air is thick with the scent of sulfur and the heat of unquenched fire, making it a challenging environment for those unaccustomed to its fervor. Steam vents and geysers punctuate the terrain, releasing plumes of scalding vapor into the air, creating an ever-present mist that shrouds the plane in mystery. Despite the inhospitable conditions, life thrives in The Ember, adapted to the extreme heat and toxicity that would be deadly to outsiders.
The Ember is home to a variety of beings that embody the essence of fire. Creatures of flame, such as fire elementals, salamanders, and phoenixes, roam the land, their forms perfectly suited to the searing temperatures. The plane is also inhabited by communities of fire giants, efreeti, and other fire-affine beings who have built their civilizations amidst the flames, forging their societies in the crucible of The Ember's relentless heat. These inhabitants have mastered the art of survival and creation within this infernal realm, harnessing the power of fire for forging, crafting, and warfare.
The Molten Seas: Vast bodies of liquid magma that serve as both a source of life and a barrier to travel. Islands of cooled lava float upon these seas, hosting unique ecosystems and rare minerals found nowhere else.
The Searing Plains: Expanses of blackened ash and smoldering ground, where the air shimmers with heat. Rare, fire-resistant flora and fauna can be found here, thriving in conditions that would incinerate the unprepared.
The Pyre Mountains: Towering peaks of volcanic rock, home to the plane's fiercest creatures and the source of its volcanic activity. The mountains are riddled with caves and tunnels, holding untold treasures and ancient secrets.
The Furnace Cities: Settlements built around and within active volcanoes, capitalizing on the natural heat for their forges and industries. These cities are marvels of engineering, with architecture designed to withstand the rigors of their environment.
The Ember plays a crucial role in the balance of the cosmos, serving as a source of elemental fire that fuels creation and destruction across the planes. It is a reminder of the primal forces that shape existence, where fire is both a destroyer and a creator, capable of reducing worlds to ash or giving birth to new life from the flames. For adventurers and scholars, The Ember offers a realm of unparalleled challenge and opportunity, a place to harness the untapped power of fire or to seek the wisdom of those who have made this plane their home.
In summary, The Ember is a plane of eternal flame, a realm where fire reigns supreme and life flourishes amidst the blaze. It stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of fire, inviting all who dare to explore its fiery depths and to discover the beauty and terror of a world forged in flame.
The Ember, with its dominion of fire and heat, hosts a variety of remarkable locations that are as perilous as they are awe-inspiring. Here's a closer look at some of the plane's most notable sites, including the majestic City of Brass.
The Molten Seas are vast, turbulent bodies of lava that stretch across vast portions of The Ember's landscape. These seas are a source of both danger and life, with islands of cooled, solid lava dotting their surface. These islands are rich in rare minerals formed from the cooling magma, attracting miners and adventurers brave enough to navigate the treacherous molten waves. The heat from the seas also creates thermal winds that are harnessed by the inhabitants for energy.
Spanning miles of The Ember's surface are The Searing Plains, vast expanses of ash and smoldering earth that can reach unbearable temperatures. Mirages shimmer in the heat above the blackened ground, and the air is thick with the scent of sulfur. Despite the extreme conditions, life persists here in surprising forms, with fire-resistant plants and creatures adapted to survive the scorching heat. The plains are often crossed by those seeking passage to other regions within The Ember or hunting the rare creatures that dwell here.
Dominating the skyline of The Ember are The Pyre Mountains, a range of active and dormant volcanoes. The mountains are alive with volcanic activity, providing a constant source of lava flows that feed into The Molten Seas. Within these mountains lie networks of caves and tunnels, some natural and others carved out by past inhabitants. These caverns are rumored to hold ancient secrets and powerful artifacts, guarded by creatures born of fire and stone. The peaks of The Pyre Mountains are considered sacred by many, and climbing them is seen as both a pilgrimage and a test of endurance.
Within The Ember are several Furnace Cities, settlements that have been established in and around active volcanic vents. These cities utilize the natural heat for their forges, making them centers of craftsmanship and metallurgy. The architecture is designed to withstand the extreme temperatures and occasional eruptions, with buildings crafted from heat-resistant materials. The largest and most renowned of these cities is the City of Brass.
A masterpiece of engineering and magic, the City of Brass is a vast metropolis encased within a gigantic brass "container" that floats above the landscape of The Ember. The container, nearly 48 miles in diameter, showcases the advanced arcane and engineering prowess of its creators. Within this expansive enclosure, the actual city takes up a smaller area, with its spires and domes shining brightly against the backdrop of the constant glow from the fires and lava below.
The City of Brass is a hub of commerce, culture, and political intrigue, home to fire giants, efreeti, and a melting pot of other fire-affine creatures. Its markets are famous for trading in rare minerals, magical artifacts, and goods from across the planes. The city is ruled by a council of fire mages and powerful efreeti, Sultan Pyralis, who maintain a delicate balance of power through a combination of magic, diplomacy, and, when necessary, force.
Enclosed within the fiery City of Brass soars a levitating marvel - the Floating City of the Ember Plane. Sustained by arcane forces and elaborate hovering platforms, this refuge endures as a tribute to its architects' magical creativity. Here gather planar scholars, elementalist wizards, and weary travelers seeking sanctuary from the searing waste below. Beyond the noise of the Brass City, this small yet resplendent aerie fosters inward focus and cerebral pursuits, its cool libraries and azure flames nurturing study into the inner mysteries of the planes. Most highly prized is insight into the esoteric elemental turbulence that brought the fiery Ember Plane into burning being - a secret engraved in every smoke-filled street and alchemist's glowing forge of the Floating City. Thus its hovering architecture stands, not as boast but test field, built by scholars to study the airborne anomalies and physics of the fiery world that buoys its soaring spires aloft.
Each of these locations within The Ember contributes to the plane's reputation as a realm of unbridled elemental fury and boundless potential. From the perilous beauty of The Molten Seas to the architectural wonders of the City of Brass and its floating counterpart, The Ember offers adventures and mysteries that beckon to the brave and the bold.