realms
The Arch of Fire
The Arch of Fire
Not a settled realm but a war zone: a volcanic waste in the northeastern Icereach Range, where the twin Mount Cantrinus volcanoes throw up a burning arch said to be a route to the Plane of Fire [Alm-ArchFire] [CM1] [MMB-Region]. Two peoples of fire contest it.
- Government: titled an “Efreet Kingdom,” though the entry’s own fields call it an efreet duchy; there is no settled rule [Alm-ArchFire].
- The efreet: some 2,500, expansionist and tyrannical, who seized the northern Mount Cantrinus about six years ago and (their enemies say) mean to stage an invasion of Mystara through the fire-gate [Alm-ArchFire].
- The sollux: about 400 of the radiant Sun Brothers, a knightly order on a holy mission to destroy the efreet, led by Feudelance, “Brother of the Sun,” Fighter 14 [Alm-ArchFire].
- Fire elementals: about 1,000, holding the southern volcano and so far watching the war without taking a side [Alm-ArchFire].
Terrain
A flat volcanic plain of lava streams, meltwater lakes, and steam geysers, maybe 5,000 square miles, between the White Bear River swamp and the Icereach peaks. The fiery arch rises four to six miles and spans some four days’ walk; it is visible from seventy miles off [Alm-ArchFire] [Neri-TG]. Leeha lies 15-20 days’ travel east [Alm-ArchFire].
The situation
The efreet stronghold is lethal to approach. The Sun Brothers are gathering their scattered order from across Mystara and need allies [Alm-ArchFire]. For a party, the Arch is a high-tier objective (the efreet are a serious army) and a recurring threat on the western horizon: a holy war a DM can let simmer for a dozen levels and then light.