Volcano Esmir is a towering, active volcano nestled within a mountain range known for its volatile geological activity, a region of several interconnected volcanoes. The landscape is harsh and unforgiving, yet it is home to one of the most ancient and secretive cultures in the Mortal Realms—the Seraphon, a race of enigmatic lizardmen.
In the shadow of this volatile mountain range lies a sprawling Cave of Rok-Nar system, where the Seraphon have established their hidden domain. The caves are not only a safe haven for these ancient beings but also have a unique connection to the volcano itself. The magma from Esmir flows deep underground, feeding the Seraphon's sacred, natural hot springs, where the heat nourishes the lizardmen’s ritual pools, known as the Bronze spawning pools. These pools, warmed by the volcanic heat, play an important role in their spiritual and physical well-being, and are key to maintaining their connection to the cosmos.
One of the most revered Seraphon in this cave system is Lord Oxa'Lakuu, a wise and powerful Slann, who has long watched over his people from the heart of their volcanic refuge. Under his guidance, the Seraphon lived in peace, their lives intertwined with the rhythm of the volcano and the river that flowed from the depths of the caves—the Sallow River, a dark and mysterious waterway that springs forth from the heart of the mountains. This river provided the Seraphon with sustenance, moving beneath the surface like the pulse of the earth itself.
However, the peace that the Seraphon had enjoyed for centuries was shattered when Volcano Esmir suddenly became active. The once-dormant volcano erupted with an intensity the Seraphon had never seen before, spewing ash and molten lava into the skies. The eruption threatened to consume everything, including the sacred caves and the hot springs that the Seraphon relied on.
Knowing the disaster that was to come, Lord Oxa'Laku made a difficult decision. In a desperate bid to save his people from certain destruction, the Slann and his most trusted allies worked together to cast a powerful spell—an ancient and arcane ritual that would temporarily transform the Seraphon into stone statues. This magic was meant to preserve their physical forms and protect them from the volcanic fury that was about to strike. In the caves, the Seraphon stood motionless, their bodies turned to stone as the eruption raged outside, their minds still active but trapped in a form of stasis.
For many years, the Seraphon remained in this state, their stone forms silently enduring the fury of Volcano Esmir. The eruption slowly subsided, but the Seraphon were unable to return to their former state. Their magical transformation had been both a curse and a blessing, for while they were safe from the eruption, they were also frozen in time, unable to aid their world during this period of turmoil.
The volcano, still smoldering with the power of the earth, continues to rumble beneath the mountain range. Yet, the Seraphon wait, in their stone forms, ever watchful for the day when they will be needed again to restore balance to the realms. The once-thriving city in the caves remains empty, its people encased in stone, yet their legacy endures—etched into the very bones of the land, waiting for the day when the magic will be undone, and the Seraphon will rise once more.