Umber Tor

Information
Demonym	Xadian
Inhabitants	Rex Igneous Terbium Chert Earthen creatures
Map

Umber Tor, also known as The Great Mountain of the East, is a tall mountain range in the east of Xadia. It holds the lair of the Archdragon Rex Igneous. It is also the nexus and the main power source of magical creatures connected to the Earth.

History

Umber Tor became the lair of Rex Igneous at an unknown point of history. The Great Gates of the mountain have been guarded for at least 500 years, with those who wish to have audiences with the mighty Archdragon being granted entrance throughout those years.

Information

The inner core of Umber Tor can be accessed through the Great Gates carved into the mountain side, which is overseen by two stone guardians named Terbium and Chert. This entrance is big enough to fit an Archdragon. An alternative, human-sized route can be accessed through the Pit of Despair located inside the Drakewood. The Pit of Despair will lead onto the Path of Despair, which is separated into the three "Zones of Peril", as dubbed by N'than.

Geography

Umber Tor is located in the far east of Xadia, surrounded by the ocean in the Southeast, and nestled between the Uncharted Forest in the Northwest, including the Drakewood.

Notable Locations

The Crystal Labyrinth

The Crystal Labyrinth is the first obstacle on the path towards Rex Igneous's lair. It is a labyrinth cave filled with large rock formations decorated with magic gems of each Primal Source, with the exception of those connected to the Star Primal. Its dangers lie in the easy chance to get lost forever inside of the vast interior, causing one to starve to death.

To get through, one needs to "let music lead the way". There are several special gems called tuning crystals in the cave that form a path through the labyrinth. When tapped, the tuning crystals release a sonic music-like wave. The wave stimulates the next tuning crystal so that travelers can find their way to it. By following the crystals, they can find their way to the next stage of the mountain.

The Bridge Through the Darkness

The Bridge Through the Darkness the second obstacle on the path towards Rex Igneous's lair. There is a narrow bridge formed from roots that goes above a deep abyss, and the chamber where it sits is in total pitch-black darkness. Its dangers lie in the chance to plummet from its heights.

Using torches is out of the question, due to the earthen creatures roaming this territory. These creatures will attack anything that exposes them to even the faintest light source, though it is not entirely clear if they hate the light or if they eat it. Either way, the fact remains that the narrow bridge must be crossed in total darkness.

Lavaland

Lavaland is the final obstacle before reaching the lair of Rex Igneous. It is a large lake of molten lava. Its dangers lie in the immense heat emitted from the lava, as well as the threat of being burned.

This is arguably the easiest obstacle to overcome, since the lava moves like the ebb and flow of the ocean tides. One simply needs to wait a few hours and they can simply walk across when all lava has receded, when a rock bridge is formed.

The Lair of Rex Igneous

After making it through the three Zones of Peril, one has reached the lair of Rex Igneous. The entrance is protected by a large gate, decorated by two dragon statues, similar to the Storm Spire's entrance. The lair walls displays frescoes of Rex Igneous's accomplishments throughout the history of Xadia and is overflowing with hoards of treasures and relics that had been given to him by those who have ventured into Umber Tor. The lair also features a massive pool of boiling water where Rex likes to submerges himself.

Gallery

The Crystal Labyrinth

The Bridge Through the Darkness

Lavaland

The bridge of Lavaland

The gate to Rex Igneous's lair

The treasures of Rex Igneous

Rex Igneous's pool

Trivia

• "Umber Tor" roughly translates to "shadow hill" in Latin. "Umber" is also a term used for a natural brown earth pigment.
• The use of tuning crystals to navigate through Umber Tor's Crystal Labyrinth is similar to the shining crystals from "The Cave of Two Lovers" in Avatar: The Last Airbender.