The Sea of Glass is a sprawling and otherworldly desert located to the east of the Fields of the Frenzied Flame, beyond the jagged cliffs that mark the volcanic landscape’s edge. This vast expanse is made up of fine volcanic glass dunes, stretching endlessly under the harsh sun. Its surface shimmers like a fractured mirror, reflecting the light in a dazzling array of colors that give it an almost serene appearance. However, beneath its beauty lies treacherous terrain, filled with hidden dangers that make the Sea of Glass one of the most perilous regions in the realms.
Geography and Formation
The Sea of Glass was formed by the violent convergence of temperatures and elemental forces where the Fields of the Frenzied Flame meet the cooler, more temperate climates of Norska to the far northeast and The Verdant Vale to the direct northeast.
The constant volcanic activity of the Fields of the Frenzied Flame expelled vast quantities of molten lava, which flowed toward the cliffs and into the cooler lands beyond. When the extreme heat of the molten rock met the cooler air and ground, it solidified rapidly into volcanic glass, creating the landscape of glassy dunes that define the region.
The dunes are made of fine, powdered glass and larger shards, giving the desert a shimmering, iridescent quality. The interplay of light across its surface creates mesmerizing waves of color, from deep obsidian black to fiery red, golden amber, and translucent emerald green.
Hazards and Dangers
Though beautiful, the Sea of Glass is a deadly place, fraught with natural perils that challenge even the most seasoned travelers.
- Razor-Sharp Terrain: Walking across the dunes is treacherous, as the fine glass grains are sharp enough to cut through boots and flesh. Even the larger shards, scattered like jagged teeth, present a constant threat. "One misstep can turn a journey through the Sea of Glass into a bleeding trail," warn locals.
- Sinkholes: Beneath the shimmering surface, pockets of unstable sand and glass fragments can give way without warning, dragging unwary travelers into hidden pits or underground caverns. These sinkholes often lead to jagged tunnels filled with razor-sharp glass shards.
- Temperature Extremes: The Sea of Glass is subject to scorching heat during the day and freezing cold at night due to its lack of vegetation and the reflective nature of the glass, which traps and radiates heat during sunlight hours.
- Blinding Glare: The sunlight reflecting off the glassy dunes creates an intense glare that can blind travelers without proper eye protection. This dazzling effect also distorts distances, making navigation difficult.
Unique Flora and Fauna
Despite its inhospitable nature, the Sea of Glass is not entirely devoid of life.
- Glass Stalkers: Sleek, translucent predators resembling lizards or large cats that have adapted to the terrain. Their bodies are covered in reflective scales, allowing them to blend seamlessly with the glass dunes as they hunt.
- Shard Bloom: Rare flowers with crystalline petals that grow in sheltered crevices where shards of glass have cracked and allowed mineral-rich dust to settle. The flowers are said to have alchemical properties, capable of healing burns or enhancing fire-based spells.
- Volcanic Beetles: Hardy insects with obsidian-like carapaces that burrow beneath the dunes to avoid the sun’s glare. Their shells are often harvested by Ignin alchemists for crafting heat-resistant armor.
Notable Landmarks
- The Glassfall Cliffs: Where the volcanic plains of the Fields of the Frenzied Flame descend into the Sea of Glass, the cliffs are a jagged precipice of cooled lava flows and obsidian spires. The cliffs glow faintly at night, reflecting the fiery activity of the volcanoes behind them.
- The Shard Dunes: A region of particularly unstable dunes where sinkholes are more frequent and the air feels heavy and oppressive. It is believed that a massive underground cavern system lies below, filled with unclaimed riches and deadly traps.
Traversing the Sea of Glass
Only the bravest or most desperate travelers attempt to cross the Sea of Glass, and those who do often seek the aid of Ignin guides or other seasoned experts. Proper preparation, including reinforced boots, protective goggles, and equipment to detect sinkholes, is essential for survival.
- Ignin Expertise: The Unknown have a natural affinity for the Sea of Glass, their Sun-Rifting magic enabling them to traverse its treacherous terrain with ease. They often serve as guides, though their services come at a steep price.
- Superstitions: Many travelers leave offerings of gemstones or firesteel at the edges of the Glassfall Cliffs, hoping to appease the spirits of the desert before venturing inside.
Legends and Local Beliefs
The Sea of Glass is steeped in myth and fear among nearby cultures, many of whom regard it as a cursed or sacred place.
- The Shard-Song: Locals speak of an eerie phenomenon called the Song of Shards—a faint, melodic hum that echoes across the dunes on windy days. Some believe it is the mournful cry of lost souls trapped beneath the glass, while others attribute it to the wind rushing through cracks and tunnels beneath the surface.
- The Shard Warrden: Tales persist of a spectral figure said to wander the Sea of Glass, appearing as a shimmering silhouette of shifting colors. Known as the Shard Warden, it is said to guide the worthy to safety while luring the greedy or impure deeper into the desert’s traps.
Legacy
The Sea of Glass remains one of the most enigmatic and dangerous regions in the known world. Its beauty is as captivating as it is deadly, and its shimmering expanse continues to inspire awe, fear, and countless tales among those who dare to stand on its edges. Those who survive its trials are forever marked by the experience, their stories etched into legend like the glass beneath their feet.