The Eye of Ember is a mysterious and forbidding island located in the northwest of Dragon's Reach Bay, a body of water whose shape resembles the head of a great, fallen dragon. Dominated by a dormant crystal-encrusted volcano, the island glows with an eerie green luminescence emitted by veins of crystalline formations running up its glassy volcanic slopes. This haunting glow, visible even from the mainland, has long captivated the imaginations of the Y'azi Dragonborn, who believe the island is the resting place of an ancient dragon from the Second Age—a being fated to awaken in a time of great need or peril.
Despite its allure, the Eye of Ember remains uninhabited. The island is cloaked in a deadly, noxious green gas that seeps from fissures in the volcano’s surface, suffocating all life that dares set foot upon it. Its combination of beauty and danger has solidified its place in the legends of the Y’azi Peninsula as both a sacred site and a grim warning.
Geography and Features
At the center of the island stands the eponymous volcano, whose slopes are covered in jagged crystalline formations that shimmer in shades of green and gold. The volcano’s surface appears like polished obsidian in some areas, while others are jagged and raw, with crystalline veins running like rivers of frozen light.
The island is perpetually wreathed in a green, toxic mist that seeps from vents and cracks in the volcano. This gas, while luminous and beautiful, is incredibly deadly, killing any lifeform that breathes it. The mist is thought to be a mixture of volcanic emissions and an unknown arcane energy tied to the crystalline formations.
At night, the island emits an unsettling green glow, giving the impression of a watchful, unblinking eye staring across Dragon’s Reach Bay. Sailors report feeling uneasy as they pass near the island, often describing an inexplicable sense of dread.
The bay itself is a natural marvel, with jagged rock formations and cliff faces that give it the uncanny appearance of a dragon’s skull. The Eye of Ember is situated where the "eye" of this natural dragon visage would be, further fueling its legendary status.
Cultural Significance
To the Y'azi Dragonborn, the Eye of Ember is both a sacred and forbidden place. It is seen as a holy site tied to their draconic lineage, and approaching the island without the blessing of the Dragon Emperor is considered a grave act of blasphemy.
The island’s unblinking green glow is often referred to as the Watchful Eye, a symbol of Kaijoryu’s eternal vigilance. During times of war or hardship, Y'azi priests perform rituals to honor the resting dragon and seek his protection.
Hazards and Exploration
The green gas that permeates the island is the most significant barrier to exploration. Those exposed to it suffer severe symptoms, including difficulty breathing, burning sensations in the lungs and eyes, and eventual suffocation. Prolonged exposure results in death within minutes.
The volcanic slopes are treacherous, with sharp crystalline edges, sudden sinkholes, and brittle ground that can collapse underfoot. Combined with the toxic mist, the terrain makes the island nearly impossible to navigate.
Explorers have reported strange magical phenomena near the island, such as inexplicable illusions, distortion of time, and bursts of energy that disrupt magical equipment. These occurrences have led some to believe that the crystals on the volcano are infused with latent draconic or elemental power.
Religious Beliefs
The Y'azi Dragonborn believe the island is the resting place of an ancient dragon, Kaijoryu, the Emerald Inferno, who fought valiantly during The Planar Rapture to protect the world from elemental chaos. Weakened and near death, Kaijoryu retreated to the Eye of Ember to recover, entering a deep slumber. It is said that the crystalline formations are his scales, fused with the volcanic rock, and that the toxic gas is his breath leaking into the world as he dreams.
According to Y'azi lore, Kaijoryu will awaken only when the world is in dire need—when the balance of the elements is disrupted, or a great evil threatens the Y'azi Empire. His awakening is said to bring both salvation and destruction, as his wrath is as uncontrollable as his power.
Sailors and adventurers who approach the island often tell of strange occurrences, such as hearing low, rumbling growls or seeing flickering lights in the toxic mist. Some claim these are signs of Kaijoryu stirring, while others believe the island itself is cursed, protecting its secrets from intruders.
Mystery and Mystique
Some scholars speculate that the crystals covering the volcano could be harnessed as a source of immense energy, potentially rivaling Rift magic in power. However, the dangers of retrieving such crystals make this a theoretical pursuit at best.
Adventurers speak of hidden caverns within the volcano, said to contain treasures left behind by the Saurus or even relics of Kaijoryu’s battles. Others believe the island is a gateway to an ancient draconic plane.
The toxic gas, growing brighter and more concentrated in recent years, has fueled speculation that Kaijoryu is beginning to stir. While no tangible evidence supports this, the Y'azi Dragonborn remain vigilant, ready to interpret any sign as the dragon’s return.
Legacy
The Eye of Ember stands as a captivating enigma within Dragon’s Reach Bay, a place of both wonder and terror. Its unearthly glow, treacherous terrain, and toxic mists deter all but the most daring or foolish from setting foot on its shores. To the Y'azi Dragonborn, it remains a sacred beacon of their draconic heritage and a harbinger of both hope and destruction.
The question of Kaijoryu’s slumbering presence persists, its answer locked within the crystalline heart of the island. Until that answer is revealed, the Eye of Ember will continue to watch, a silent sentinel of a forgotten age, waiting for the moment when the world’s fate will call upon the Emerald Inferno once again.