Aetoc, The first realm

Description

A rocky and hot realm that sits closets to Vux. Its surface is covered in hard craggy rock and mountain ranges where rivers of molten metals flow. All of the realms water exists below the surface, deep under the protection of layers and layers of rock. The subterranean lakes build up into spouting geysers that rain mineral fonts down upon the realm's surface.

Deep in the valleys between large volcanic geysers settle pools of molten metals. Pools of silvery metallic liquid fill over time as their bottom cools until an eventual fill of gas and heat causes the pools to explode upward into the sky in massive jets. The metals then rain down upon the hills and mountains in the areas, pouring down the hot surface rocks back into the silver valleys.

climate

The heat upon the surface of Aetoc makes it completely uninhabitable by anything but the most heat resistant creatures. Red dragons regularly use the surface to create dens and homes where they nest their young. All other creatures that call Aetoc home dwell beneath the crust. Deep in cavern systems below they have carved out cities and tunnel roads all across the world. The dwarves that live among these tunnels have cultivated fungal forest and a wide variety of animals suited for the underground lifestyle they are accustomed to.

demographics

The primary denizens of Aetoc are dwarves, with very few people of other ancestries capable of living among the deep tunnels and darkness of the dwarven halls. Salamanders are a common trade partner for the dwarven clans, and the dwarves often rely on salamanders to deliver goods from the realms surface to deep into the safety of their caverns.

ecology

The surface of the realm is almost entirely desolate, with sweeping planes of super heated rock. There are spotted civilizations of salamanders that rely on the creatures living in mineral geysers to sustain themselves. However deep under the surface of Aetoc is bursting with life, in the vast subterranean lakes and fungal forest cultivated by dwarves are swathes of fish and animal alike.

Crustaceans are the primary creature both on and off land among the dwarven tunnels, Cave fishers, Rock scorpions, Pebble crabs, gemstone crabs being the most common source of meat for the dwarves. The fungal life that sourrounds the damp environs underground also provide a surprisingly diverse mammal life, most of which have adapted to relying on the bioluminescence of other creatures to hunt. The most notable among these is the cavern sloth, who adapted to allow thick coats of glowing moss to grow upon their backs, to both identify each other, and create enough light to distinguish between harmful and edible fungus.

Notable locations

Steel Eye

Orbiting high above Aetoc the Steel Eye floats while its spys observe the planet below. The original purpose for the steel eye was to maintain and observe Vux the sun. However, it has been utilized by the red dragons and their lord Erallin the immense as a place of operation while they make plans and maneuver their iron grip on metallic exports from their planet.

Mount Hoki

A great volcanic mountain in the northern hemisphere of Aetoc. This mountain is the only known docking station capable of taking ships into the dwarven tunnels, and is the only place where dwarves may enter the stars. It is only ever used during the dark of night when the bright rays of Vux. The station itself is run by Salamanders who use a large bored opening in the bowels of the long dead volcano.

Notable Figures

• High King Gryn
• Erallin the immense