Saw this idea on another forum and decided to steal it. :grin:

In the real world there are many famous landmarks, both manmade and natural, that have become iconic sights known the world over. There's the great wall of China, the moai statues of Easter Island, the Grand Canyon, the pyramids of Egypt, and so on. What kinds of sights would impress people living in a fantasy world where magic and miracles are widespread, if not outright commonplace?

How the Thread Works

  • It's simple, we build a world together!
  • Each post, you're allowed to create one landmark, kingdom, city, or natural sight. These can be relatively normal, or very magical. :sparkles:
  • The only rule is that you're only allowed to create one landmark each turn, and you can only have a turn after someone else has posted after you.

So, without further ado, let's see what kind of world we can build together?
Let your imagination run wild!

magic

I'll start:

The Mirror at World's End

Rumored to be located at the edge of the world, there is a lake that reflects the true nature of everything shone within it, revealing if they are kind or wicked. The lake is as broad as the sky, stretching to the horizon, and when rowing a boat to the middle of it, the reflection of the sky is so pristine that it is the same as rowing through the clouds and skies. This lake is only a legend: not many dare to travel to the edges of the world to find it... or perhaps they are scared of discovering what their true reflection will behold.

The Misty Woods

A forest clouded in mist and smoke. As you enter it, the only safe way to get through is by following a thin trail that could barely be considered a path. Along the way, you might encounter the chilling calls and screams of various monsters. The mist often forms to create your worst nightmare, or your deepest fantasy. The path is safety, but as soon as you step off the trail, the mist instantly clouds your vision, quickly hiding the path from view. Unless you have an enchanted compass or map, it is unlikely that you would ever find your way out of the forest once you step off the path. Few have ever made it though the forest. The residents of nearby villages say that the forest is haunted by a corrupted dryad who was infected by a necromancer's spell gone wrong.

The Abyssal Tunnel Underneath

A dark, damp tunnel that passes throughout the world, situated deep underground. Its entrances are scattered at the peak of the tallest mountains. A path rich with magical resources and denizens of the nightmare, but it is not a labyrinth. It has a start and an end, with the path traversing the world without any intersections. Legends state: if you look deep into the Mirror you will arrive in the abyss.

The Forbidden Island

An island in the middle of nowhere, abandoned and lonely. The trees like titans touching the sky, mountains piercing the heavens, in the middle of the island a crystal clear lake filled with the legendary water of life, around the lake all kinds of mythological creatures mentioned only in legends: Pheonixes, Qilins, Dragons, Unicorns and all kinds of unknown creatures, all living peacefully, but this beautiful image hides a terrible secret, The Remnants of the Ancient. A civilizations that saw the birth of the world, they who pursued greatness, they who ruled them all, they were so powerful that no other creature could threaten them, they who disapeared when the world needed them the most. A civilization long lost, but not forgotten

THE SNAKED PASSAGE

Nick named from it's snake-like appearance connecting two of the highest mountains in the world. Going about 1000km, and 500m wide. It's height raging about 3000ft. It's path is rumored to be filled with caves inhabited by monsters who lures those that chooses to take the tunnel into their clutches by singing or showing them their greatest desires or their worst fears and only the strong in heart filled with courage can be able to make it through the other side. The villages at the foot of the mountains uses this snake passage as right of passage for their young men and women who chooses to become warriors. It tastes their courage, their faith their truth and their strength.

The Abrogation Triangle

Stretching from the northern tip of the Forbidden Island, to the southern edge of the Misty Woods, and as Far East as the entrance to the Abyssal Tunnel Underneath atop mount spindle-thorn, there is a vast expanse of the barbarous countryside known as The Abrogation Triangle. This region has no charted villages or towns. Even magical creatures are scarce throughout it.

While it’s never been proven, and many are afraid to test it, but rumor has it that no magic exists in the region. Fairies and even dragons have been known to fall from the sky, unable to use magic to help lift their frames with their undersized wings. Mages have succumbed to ordinary animals that are usually not a threat due to their lack of a connection with the arcane, such as bears. Even magical items have been reported to lose their effects forever in The Abrogation Triangle.

Many adventures seeking riches and glory in other areas of the word have found themselves reaching their destination ill-prepared or injured after passing through The Abrogation Triangle. Arch Mages, magical races, and strong magical creatures tend to avoid the entire region. Philocleatus, the now deceased Elven king, once described The Abrogation Triangle as, “An offense to nature that is beyond the wisdom of the Elven people.”

The City of Horus

One of the great cities located on a mountain towards the edge of the world. Named after some powerful deity, this city has been the start of many wars throughout history. Its architects were clever, utilizing the mountain into part of the city itself. Its outer edges spread to the desert, making it convenient for caravans of traders to come. It is almost apt to call it a fortress, as it is a good source of protection. However, the people there, called Horaisians...something is off about them. Steely-eyed, strong...yet legend rumors that they have never been seen to smile or laugh. And all of them...are good with a blade.

Will a traveler perhaps venture there one day and find the reason why? Or perhaps, he will become one of them himself...

The Town of Beginnings

Nestled away in an open plain there sits a quaint village, the rough housing speaks of history, of times long past. Of families that have seen generations come and go with no need to advance beyond the simple small town life.

The town is almost haphazard, like each new house was given free reign to set down its roots. The simple lanes being little more than well worn foot paths well trodden by years of residents passing by each others houses.

The only landmark of note, an ancient willow tree, standing tall and proud beside the mayors house. Were it not for this tree that had stood there unbothered for centuries, one would find the town leaders house no different or resplendent than any other. For this is an easy going place, of simple, honest lives unconcerned with the hustle of wait lays beyond...

Canyon of the lost souls

Rumored to be present when people are lost, not in direction but in life. Legends mentioned it many times, and despite many are lost, not many tales about it, unfortunate.
The souls of disturbed peace wouldn't settle until visiting it in night, during dreams as the souls get freed from all the shackles of mortal life, and the owners could venture through this canyon, invited by the great witch living there.
A witch with a long spoon that would make all shudder when seeing it. The magical soup that she makes is really magical, able to relieve any distress and worries; not able to hide anything from her, even your darkest deepest secrets.
Confession of the soul, relieved by releasing all the hidden toll of the weak minds and tortured beings' sins caused by others; this is what this witch does in the canyon with her magical soup. Legends of the old spoke about a lost witch, lost her beloved daughter due to misfortune events, unable to rest until she found her daughter again. So, she lived forever in the canyon, inviting all the lost souls to her, looking for the one reincarnation of her daughter, hopefully she could relieve her distress, helping her in this life as she didn't manage to do in the past one.
Are you her lost child? Are you the one to relieve her from her own misfortune and misery? That's the question.

The Plains of Titans

Flatland as far as the eyes can see, located west of the City of Horus. Ghost of huge Titans roam the plain at night, it's said they are the ghost of the fallen Titans who fought with the Horaisians ages ago. Brave adventures will roam the plain to scavenge for ancient war relics and if they are lucky they will found some Titan remains.

The River of Night

Also known as the River of Lost Souls, this river is unique in that at night, you can see the night sky reflected in its waters, as if a galaxy in itself. Legend has it that the stars you see in it are the souls of the lost floating away... But in the morning it is merely a pleasant place to have a picnic beside.

The Fountain of Death

Named as such because of a legend surrounding it. the legend goes that it was where the first sentient creature experienced death. That creature in its final moments prayed to the lord of death, and the lord took pity and gave him a second chance and so was born the first undead.

Due to such legend it has become a tourist attraction to all walks of life, From the kings and priests to necromancers and cultist alike. however none dare to commit violence in such a place that had drawn the gaze of one of the eldest god.

Description of the fountain: It is a natural fountain that has existed since time immemorial and despite how the environment around it changes be it a drought or a flash flood a colorful an extremely heavy liquid exit it that has luminescent qualities, this liquid then after a few days dissipate into the ether. it should be noted that this liquid cannot be moved or picked up, it doesn't react to any type of energy be it physical or mystical in nature.

Bay of Stars

Hidden along a distant northern coastline lays a very special beach, the sand is a pale white that shines under the moon each night. Sparkling and glittering like untold countless gems strewn across the ground stretching from a sheer cliff face all the way to the lapping waves of the crystal clear ocean.

What truly makes this site magical is an array of boulders that shine with a metallic lustre, the dark sounds stand in a circle half buried in the beaches pure white sands while the other half jut from the ocean like a natural reef. Each night these stones shine, glimmering beneath the moonlight and calling to the stars above.

Wether it is the stones themselves, or some yet unearthed treasure beneath the sands, those that watch the skies amongst this ring of stones would see the stars dancing across the sky, shooting stars like a river flowing across the dark sky as if every star wished to come down and nestle amongst the pure white grains of sand like their brothers already there...

Kahul’s Stairway

Known by the human race as the “stairway to heaven” this white marble spiral-staircase stretches up from the center of The Plains of Titians into a cotton-like could of mana. Although harpies have measured the stairway to be exactly 100 meters tall, no living being has been able to ascend the staircase on foot.

Winged creatures who enter the cloud at the top pass through and report that nothing is in the cloud or over the staircase. However, none have been able to land upon the steps without simply passing though and falling.

On foot, the stairs are solid and a shimmering city of gold is rumored to be just visible through the clouds. Anyone who attempts to climb the tower finds each step more difficult than the last, until the force opposing them throws them from the steps.

No one knows what force keeps others from climbing the tower, but it doesn’t affect everyone equally. Some adventurers have managed to climb several steps before reporting any resistance. Others get thrown off the very first step.

Many brave souls from every race come from near and far to attempt to climb the steps and see what awaits at the top. The tallest recorded climb is sir Robert Kahul, a half-dwarf who ascended 30 meters before falling to his death over 1000 years ago. His reputation for unifying the humans and dwarves led many to believe that only a creature accepting and loved by all races could climb the stairway named after this half-blood king.

Titans Oasis

A small pond that randomly appears on the Plains of Titans at night when there's a full moon, the rumours said that the water will give whoever drinks it super strength like the Titans and will heal any diseases.

Many brave individuals tried to search for the oasis, some of them went missing either killed by the ghost titans or died by starvation after roaming the endless plains, and the lucky one come back with their lives even though empty-handed with injuries all over their body from the titans' attack.

But once in a while, a mysterious person with super strength will appear all over the world with ragged clothes and memory loss.

The Crystal Caverns

A mystical set of winding tunnels and caves. The walls are made of various kinds of crystals, and are lit up by the crystals that glow by absorbing mana and transforming it into light. The crystals of the cavern often form into complex shapes, from stalagmites and stalactites to entire forests. It is said that as soon as a crystal from the caves or tunnels leaves the cavern's mana-rich environment, it instantly transforms into a worthless mineral. Because of this, many people who have tried to mine the crystals for profit have failed and given up. The Crystal Caverns are infused with a heavy concentration of mana, allowing several of the species of animals that live in the caverns to evolve into more powerful species. The caverns are also a popular tourist destination, with its beautiful appearance and scenery.

MAGIC WELL

In the Great Central Asian Plains, there is an ancient city that is more than 3000 years old. In this city there is an Old School, in the form of an eastern castle. Beautiful walls of turquoise bricks, ceiling covered with gold. Arabic script on the columns. There is a small well in the yard. According to the legends of the caretaker, this well connects two worlds. This peace on Earth and peace in space. Researchers who tried to find out if this was true or deceiving did not come back.

The well attracts the attention of tourists.

Loquim's Passageway

R. Loquim, one of the great wizards from the past, had built a wonderful, sprawling house for himself in the seams of the space-time continuum. Eventually, with the existence of time travelers, his house began breaking apart piece by piece, and he had to leave and move somewhere else. However, his passageway still exists. Some say, if you can reach the light at the end of the corridor, you will find what you have wished for...

Al-HA-Shabaka

The five orcish tribes each have their own version of a legend of a sixth tribe of orcs. This race is said to have existed and left the world before written history. All the evidence of their existence comes from orc sooth-sayers. The details of each legend are different, but they all agree on certain aspects.

First of all, the 6th tribe of orcs are called the luxuhkin, or light orcs by human factions. This race of orcs is said to have been more intelligent and less brutish than the other Races of orcs, with a connection to the arcane even stronger than the elves. Of course, the elves take exception to this fact.

Their magic Is said to be so strong that they created a city out of solidified mana, known as Al-HA-Shabaka. Some human races call it “the city of mana” but never in the presence of an orc. Al-HA-Shabaka is described as a glowing city of magic where nothing is made of metal, wood, or other materials of the world.

Buildings, furniture, and even household objects were permanent mana-bound items. They would respond to their owners will and were impossible to steal. Dishes could cook food or keep it cold, doors would open for those allowed to enter and remain immovable to those who were not, and the streets would paralyze those who intended harm to the inhabitants.

While mana can be formed into solid objects, elven mages claim that a city like this is impossible to create. All elves write legends of Al-HA-Shabaka off as the foolish fantasies of unsophisticated creatures with a poor connection to the arcane. Wars have been waged between the elves and orcs over the legitimacy of Al-HA-Shabaka, but no physical evidence of the city exists.

According to all of the legends, the luxuhkin found a spell to merge themselves with mana itself. They sang in unison and turned into a brilliant light, merging with the stars. All orcs agree that The Crystal Caverns are the souls of the luxuhkin that chose to stay in the world. Two of the more extreme orcish tribes have been known to attack miners and non orc-travelers that venture too deep into The Crystal Caverns where they believe the souls of the luxuhkin elders reside.

WORLD UNDER SCHOOL

The world is under the school, only a few knew about it. Palace under the palace. The floor was covered with a thick carpet of greenery. The walls were light green and the ceiling was turquoise. This palace had a source of fresh water. It was delicious and gave strength to those who drank this water. Numerous corridors led to the main square of the palace. It was a green park. The center housed a library of knowledge about the past, present and future. Unfortunate researchers crowded around the shelves with books, they could not leave the source of knowledge. They flew like moths to the light of knowledge. They, like a monkey, were caught on a banana and could not let it go.

The Shadow of Cloud No. 7119

One of the mysterious clouds which has not yet dissipated. Legend says that if the cloud floats over your farm or you, even, you will receive good fortune. Still a mystery to meteorologists, however. Perhaps left over from some wizard's magic? Or perhaps some great being from the heavens rides upon it...

Saorenjin Sea

A mysterious, perilous sea next to the island of Shayu. A large whirlpool resides in the middle of it. Out of the many expeditions sent there, only 2 survived to tell the tale. It was rumored that at night, a large, serpentine creature can be seen frolicking in the sea.
Whatever you do, please explore that area with extra caution.

WORLD OF BOOKS

The books were so fascinating that the minds of the researchers were dragged as if by a large snake to the bottom of the source of knowledge. Nobody could, and did not want to leave this place. It was warm, good, there were bushes on the walls, on which hung yellow, green, red berries. They quenched hunger, water from the spring quenched thirst and gave strength. Each book was a new world, with its own special atmosphere. New knowledge allowed researchers to discover new worlds, new technologies. It excited their minds. After reading one book, they wanted to know the continuation of the story in another. And there were countless books. They could travel across other universes and worlds.

The Tablet NO.1

In the depths of The Misty Woods there lies a strange black stone tablet towering up to 9 meters, around it thousands of skeletons scattered on the ground. On the tablet hundreds of unknown words glowing red moving around as if they have a soul, with every move as if you can hear the last screams of terror of its victims.Legends say that the first necromancer managed to understand one word and obtained great power but at a great cost, his sanity.

if you are the creator of The Misty Woods, hope you like it.

if anybody has no inspiration please continue with The Tablet NO.2 with different kinds of powers.
Have a great day.

The Tablet No. 2

In the deepest part of The Abyssal Tunnel Underneath, only accessible from the southern-most entrance, there is a grand white tablet with yellow writing. It towers 9 meters high and has a tunnel through the base large enough for ten dwarves to stand in shoulder to shoulder, with a height of 6 meters.

Mages and researchers have been unable to translate a single character or word into a modern language. Many are unsure of who created the tablet and why, but every so often a living creature will emerge from the tunnel at the center from seemingly nowhere. These creatures range from endangered species to new breeds of creatures never discovered before.

According to ancient dwarven legends, many of which are only partially translated, the tablet was called “The Obelisk of Life” by the ancient world. These legends state that all life emerged from the second tablet to populate the world, and that it predates any dwarven history by “an immeasurable amount of time.”

Many modern dwarves claim the tablet was made by their god of life, Viskana. Ancient writings refer to a race called “the unknown” as a “lost civilization” that “is old enough to remember the origin of the Obelisk of Life” who were “lost to history forever.”

The tablet is made from a material that can not be damaged by modern tools or studied by magic, due to it being impervious to all magic and physical damage. However, the tablet radiates life energy and can heal anyone within a 30 meter range of it. The magic of the table is said to even cure death, and no mages have been able to recreate its effects.

Interstellar Laser Ballista

A 20km wide elliptical laser cannon that orbits 800 km above the home planet. The ballista is basically a second moon. It can disintegrate an Earth-sized planet about 2 light years away. It currently resides in a solar system that's 3.5 light years away from the Horseshoe Nebula.
The 1 km "crust" is used as living space. People who live there are mostly technicians.
Its people rarely use it for wars. But, when they do, the effects are devastating.

World's Ill-fated Rock

Journeying far and wide across this majestic world you gave seen natural wonders that would make even Goddesses hide their faces in jealous shame. You have scoured the great cities, the vast plains and the deepest oceans to find all sorts of encounters of great fortune. It is here where luck is at its highest that karma balances all things.

With a curse you haul off your foot wear and dump into your palm this miraculous and yet loathed stone. How it got there, no one knows. How it came to be only science can explain. Regardless of all that there is a stone in your boot.

A simple pebble, nothing remarkable or world shattering.

You toss it aside to be found in someone else's shoe down the road, for such is its vile nature, beware traveler of this menace to adventurers and scholars!

The simple pebble. 😋

Valley Of The Lost Souls

Running between the wailing mountains of Ergard, the elongated area had become the haven for the troubled souls, both dead and alive. Flowing through the valley was the mystical yellow river, Othram, which provided solace for the lost souls.

STRANGE WORLDS

Scientists were transported to new worlds, different eras. Market square. Sand covered the area. It was mango-colored. Small, dilapidated houses stood along the perimeter of the square. There was a pillar in the very center. It was dark blue, metallic. 28 meters high. In the middle some symbols were forged. The pedestal was also of the same metal. The researchers were surprised at the lack of people. By running the scanner, they discovered that the metal was unknown on Earth. By touching the pillar, the researchers found themselves in a different world. There were two mountains, three moons, and another pillar. Having touched it, they again found themselves in the library.

The Machine From the Abyss

If one of us were to see it, we'd say it was a rocket ship that crash-landed into a swamp. Who knows how long it has been there, but vines have grown on it and bloomed, and the fireflies create a soft, calming aura around it. So far, only one person has attempted to open it and see what is within, but to his surprise, he found only things that he didn't know of. Rusted fireworks, ripped plushies, old coffee that smells of dreams...

It came from the abyss, and shall stay in the abyss.

5 days later

The River of Oblivion

Sister river of the River of Night, it resembles the Underworld's Lethe, where those who drink from its waters lose all memories of their life and fall into oblivion. Those who sip from or bathe in its waters will be judged: only the worthy can have a chance at reincarnation, to start a new life. The same legend has it that the souls of the lost in the River of Night's depths are the victims of the River of Oblivion who could not pass its test - souls with no memory, cursed to wander.

Under the stars, the River is clear; a silver stream of undisturbed water, an almost peaceful yet fatal lake.

It is also known by many names, like the River of New Beginnings, Reincarnation, Death, but most prominently: The River of No Return. Those both fear and curse its name, as many have loved and lost those who seek its embrace: the embrace of the river of no return, and of oblivion.

Eleventh Street

Legend tells of a street in the midst of a bustling city that only appears at the eleventh hour of the day. If you're lucky enough to find it, then all your wishes and dreams just might as well be granted. The stores and shops are strange, mystical...magical, even. Have you tried this coffee? It makes you feel as if you could fly...quite literally...

DENSE FOG

On December 31, a thick fog descended on the capital, like milk. Belated passers-by caught in the fog disappeared from the streets of the city. Some found themselves unexpectedly on a ridge in the snow-capped mountains, others in a noisy and unfamiliar city, and still others found themselves at the edge of the forest. A note appeared in heaven:

"2020 hasn't been the best year, but it hasn't been the worst year either.

2021 can be either better than the previous year or worse.

It all depends on the look of the person. "

A moment and passers-by again found themselves in their hometown. The fog began to dissipate under the sun's rays.

Passers-by remained in a daze for a minute, so that in a moment they would forget everything.

21 days later

The Skyscraper of Heaven

It isn't actually heaven's skyscraper. It's a corporate building that stretches almost as high to the sky. What goes on within is unknown to most of the public, but they are responsible for almost everything going on in the city, from public transport and festivals to lighting and energy. The CEO remains a mysterious figure.

    STRANGE WEATHER

    A warm day of +25 degrees Celsius has already changed into a sharp cold snap of minus 10 degrees in the evening.

    The next morning, the entire city was covered with thick snowdrifts, 1 meter high. Thermometers dropped to minus 25 degrees.

    The cars would not start. The cats huddled pitifully and looked with frightened eyes at the entrances of houses, where they fled from the cold. Not a single person raised a hand to drive them out to certain death. These were young cats who did not yet know how to survive in the city.

    Their more mature colleagues sat on the pipes of the central heating network or climbed into the air ducts of the subway, it was warm there. A saving warmth on such a cold day.

    The next morning, the cold Siberian air was gone, replaced by warm Persian.

    Again the city became warm and welcoming, as if there was no winter just yesterday. The cats were happily warming themselves on the porches.

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