Myths and Legends: Locations

The following is a list of locations that have mysterious origins or supernatural phenomena. Some of these are related to The Tragedy of Demechrelle and The Legend of the Oiriopata.

These locations are detailed:

- The Clock of Aian

- The Four Horae

- The Garden of Semele

- Miragia Forest: The Ruins of Lorraine

- Tobol Mountains; Sorrow's Peak

- The Evernight Forest

-- The Tenebra Ruins

-- The Twilight Rim

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The Clock of Aian

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After the titanic battles that scarred the face of Felarya, in a time when the islands of the Shimmering Sea were shifting dimensions erratically, the race of Elven warrior giantesses with glowing hair known as the Oiriopata built a magical clock that brought some much needed order to the area. This clock which lies in the temple of Aian on Helicon Island and is heavily guarded by winged centaurs, limits the dimensional shifting of the archipelago. The four Horae that stand on the outlying islets of the archipelago are also components of the system and essentially mark the region's border. There are three other dimensions with similar light hours that feature statues resembling the Horae in Felarya; clearly these dimensions were selected by the Oiriopata for their compatibility with their time measurements.

The Clock of Aian allows dimensional shifting to occur at the end of every quarter which is made up of 127 chronological days. As indicated by artifacts left behind by the Oiriopata, a day consists of 32 hours of 64 minutes of 32 seconds. Though most civilizations in the archipelago have their own names for them, the quarters were originally named after the four Horae; Bori in the north, Eure in the east, Notul in the south, and Zehyr in the west.

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The Four Horae

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Concerning the only four that are positively known to be working: Constructed out of stone and Iracal Crystal by an ancient race of giantesses, the Horae are four colossal statues that stand on islets in the north, east, south, and west of the Shimmering Sea surrounding the archipelago. Each resembles a female warrior with three faces, four wings, and stands about 300 feet (91.4 meters) high. To those who do not know of the Oiriopata, the reason behind the appearance of the Horae is the subject of much speculation. Some of them have theorized that the three faces and four wings are symbolic. But of what, they are unsure. At their base which is firmly planted on islets is engraved, "In the name of the Oiriopata, we stand watch over this domain now and forever more."

There have been rumors of the Horae moving and even speaking, but these reports come from sailors who were either intoxicated, or just so many kilometers away that they could have been fooled by atmospheric illusions. What may not be so far-fetched is the myth about the Horae marking the border of a field of highly unstable space-time that can have unpredictable affects on those that pass through it.

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The Garden of Semele

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Named after the myth of an Oiriopatan dying in a battle versus a Titan, the Garden of Semele is occupied by a Flora elemental that takes the form of an Elven giantess. Some people have suggested that it is Semele's spirit reborn. That is because Semele's undecayed body is rumored to be preserved in a crystal tomb somewhere within the garden. If that body can be discovered, it would be the discovery of a lifetime because the mythical Oiriopata vanished suddenly ages before any living person was born. The Flora elemental that lurks within the garden is said to give off an intoxicating aroma, sending all who smell it into a mad frenzy, sometimes killing themselves or others. She wears a necklace with a magic stone in the center that is rumored to grant the holder with the ability communicate with Dryads on their network and befriend nearly all plant life. But they must first defeat the elemental to take the magic stone from her.

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The Miragia Forest; The Ruins of Lorraine

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Many years ago there was a marvelous city located in what is now called the Miragia Forest. This city called Lorraine was originally built by humanoids many times larger than the humans that moved into the city after it's original occupants mysteriously vanished. The humans inherited Lorraine and a Hex Gate, but to them it was only an enormous crystal structure that emanated a power they did not understand. The belief grew among the Lorraineans that the immense, flat, and hexagonal crystal structure was a creation of the Gods put in place for the protection of the city. It was a period of time when the giant hybrid predators had not yet come into dominance over Felarya. The only threat that the Lorraineans had to worry about were the humans that came from a city to the west who showed great interest in the crystal structure. They claimed to know exactly what the structure was, though the construction material was different from what they were use to and quite obviously not from that area of Felarya. The westerners insisted that they would put it to better use than the Lorraineans would. After refusing all offers from the western civilization the Lorraineans soon found themselves at the mercy of an insurmountable army. During the invasion, the crystal structure was damaged and mysterious power began seeping from the large crack in the structures surface. Like a violent storm, the mysterious power destroyed both the Lorrainean people as well as the invaders from the west. As legends go, a Guardian sensed the chaotic energy released in the land and attempted to seal the crack; the power flowing through the giant crystal structure was cut down but in the end it could not be fully contained. It is said that the Guardian's investigation of the cause of the event led her to an advanced civilization of Elven giantesses that lied in the west. After seeing the great power in their possession and their willingness to recklessly wield it, the Guardian tore the civilization asunder in a single night. Since that moment, the Guardians have been more vigilant in watching for unexpected threats to life and order in Felarya springing up. Unfortunately it came too late for the city of Lorraine which lies in ruin, deep within a forest where a mysterious power runs amok.

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Tobol Mountains; Sorrow's Peak

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Most commonly known as Shadow Rock, this mountain is strangely cloaked in a perpetual shadow. It's unclear what the cause is, as none of the other mountains are in a position to cast a shadow on the mountain. Shadow Rock is also unlike the surrounding mountains in that its surfaces are not quite as steep and features paths that, according to legend, were carved by a once prosperous civilization that was swallowed by a nightmarish darkness. Building upon the already impressive peculiarities of the mountain is what many claim to be the sound of sobbing that has been heard by countless adventurers traversing the mountain range. Many speculate that fierce winds from the west are the cause of the sound, but there are a few claiming that there is a more supernatural explanation.

Its alternate name, "Sorrow's Peak," was derived from a legend regarding Demechrelle that was believed to have originated on an island in the Shimmering Sea. That same legend claims that the sounds of sobbing heard by travelers near these mountains are actually that of girl who's cries became trapped in time during a significant event in the area's history, and this event replays itself again and again; much like the mirages of the Akaptor Desert. It is also believed to be the location of a legendary artifact called the Sword of Knowledge that was crafted with a small piece of Philosopher's Stone in the hilt. Philosopher's Stone is a legendary mineral highly sought after across many dimensions and knowledge of its existence has spurred many tales. Adventurers travel to the Tobol Mountains in search of the legendary mineral, but few have actually done enough research to be able to separate popular myth from truth.

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The Evernight Forest; The Tenebra Ruins

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Danger: Hazardous

Inhabitants: Darkness Elementals, Ghosts, Wandering Nightmares, Night Terrors, Horrids

Flora: Neverlight Trees

Hidden deep within the Evernight Forest and surrounding the Tenebra Maze are the ruins of a once glorious kingdom. Everything from the businesses to the homes have been swallowed by a supernatural darkness reminiscent of that which fills the palace, now called the Tenebra Maze. The buildings and other remains of a prosperous civilization are all strangled by Neverlight Trees and vines. Creatures adapted to the darkness make their abodes in the neglected structures, hoarding the wealth of the lost occupants. Homes have Neverlight Trees growing right through their centers. The strange darkness fills the air with a feeling off despair that adds to the already eerie environment.

Building upon the chilling air of the ruins are the alleged sightings of ghosts that roam them. Some are said to be intelligent, while some are said to be residual manifestations. These rumored ghosts appear often as luminous silhouettes and occasionally as fully formed human figures with a subtle glow. In any case, they wander aimlessly through the ruins as if in a daze. It is generally believed that most don't realize they're dead. They are also said to be very fearful of adventurers, possibly due to the traumatic events that occured in Tenebra. All will flee and hide if they spot an explorer, but most will scream in terror before they flee. This scream is said to be incredibly loud and horrendous, making the hair stand on ones head. It also alerts the wandering nightmares to invaders of the once majestic city. Dozens of grotesque nightmares will be closing in on the invaders in short time. If one makes it through these haunted ruins, they'll be rewarded with the opportunity to explore the Tenebra Maze.

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The Evernight Forest; The Twilight Rim

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Danger: Normal

Bordering the Evernight Forest and surrounding it on all sides, the Twilight Rim is home to many more types of flora and fauna due to the fact that their is still light by which to see, albeit very faint light. It is essentially a ring measuring many kilometers deep and is much safer in comparison to the pitch black forest that lies beyond it. One doesn't want to remain here too long though, because when night comes this area becomes no different than the terrifying Evernight Forest.