The Lake of Ignivar is a vast, molten expanse of lava situated within the Forlorn Flames of Fyrashan, perpetually fed by the twin volcanoes, Mt. Ylvan and Mt. Ragnavar. This searing inferno serves as a center of both myth and reverence for the Unknown people, who view the lake as the still-burning blood of Ignivar, the fallen Elementari of Fire. Its turbulent surface churns endlessly, a fiery testament to the chaos and destruction unleashed during the Twilight of Creation.
Environment and Activity
The Lake of Ignivar is a hostile and volatile environment. Its shores are riddled with vents spewing toxic gases, and rivers of molten rock snake outward, carving paths of destruction across the Forlorn Flames. The oppressive heat and constant eruptions make traversing the area a perilous endeavor. Yet, its dangerous allure draws scholars, adventurers, and Fyrashan Spirit Seers alike, all seeking to understand or harness its fiery essence.
Origins and Mythology
The lake's fiery birth is said to date back to The Aeonic Struggle, the climactic battle between the Elementari—primordial titans of the elements—and the Unknown. In the final moments of the Twilight of Creation, Ignivar, the Elementari of Fire, fell in battle, his immense form shattering and spilling into what would become the Lake of Ignivar. The Fyrashan people believe that his molten blood continues to burn eons later, a reminder of the destructive power of unchecked chaos and the enduring scars of that ancient conflict.
Flames of The Fire Giants
The Lake of Ignivar is also tied to the origins of the Fire Giant, who are believed to have been spawned from the fiery essence of Ignivar himself. These towering beings roam the Forlorn Flames, embodying the untamed fury of their progenitor. Among them, the infamous Fire Giant Fralskjar holds a dark place in Fyrashan lore.
Fralskjar, a colossus of rage and destruction, was once imprisoned within Mt. Ylvan by the Spirit Seers of Fyrashan, using their profound spiritual and elemental mastery to contain his wrath. However, when the Chosen of Khaos unleashed him upon the world, the Lake of Ignivar overflowed in a cataclysmic wave of molten fury. This event obliterated the nearby tribe of Unknown, leaving behind only the scorched remnants of their encampment.
Significance to the Fyrashan
The Lake of Ignivar holds profound cultural and spiritual importance to the Fyrashan. It is seen as a symbol of resilience, as the people endure the lake's fiery presence and draw strength from its intimidating beauty. The Spirit Seers frequently perform rituals along its shores, communing with the spirits of the fallen and drawing upon the lake’s chaotic energy to seal rifts to the Plane of Khaos.
The lake is also a site of pilgrimage, where Fyrashan seeking to prove their spiritual fortitude venture close to its bubbling edges. It is believed that those who can withstand the oppressive heat and survive the trials of the Lake of Ignivar are spiritually attuned and favored by the divine forces of Helios and Deimos.
The Fall of Ashfjal
The lake's destructive potential became starkly evident during the freeing of Fralskjar. When the Fire Giant broke free from his prison within Mt. Ylvan, the lake surged in a tidal wave of magma that consumed the encampment of Ashfjal, annihilating the tribe in moments. The Fyrashan remember this tragedy as both a warning of chaos's power and a call to vigilance in safeguarding their fragile balance between fire and spirit.
Legacy
The Lake of Ignivar stands as a stark reminder of the destructive power of the ancient Elementari and the sacrifices made by the Fyrashan to contain the chaos of the past. It is both a source of terror and inspiration, a burning heart that defines the Forlorn Flames and the indomitable spirit of those who call it home.