Narisis

The Fire Plains of Yolpika are a location on the continent of Kytayur on Ucharpli. They are an area at the base of a chain of volcanoes known as the Yolpika Mountains. The area is mostly devoid of ordinary life and hosts an entirely different ecosystem from the rest of the continent.

Geography
Because of the long chain of volcanoes, the sky is blocked with volcanic ash making it eternally dark lit only by the lava on the surface. The ash also makes the land unsuitable for growing ordinary crops so this area remains uncolonized by the Dhragolon.

Ecosystem
The creatures here have an entirely different anatomy than the rest of the creatures of Ucharpli. Many creatures have rock-like skin to protect them from the heat. However, they have evolved to rely on this heat and will turn to stone if submerged in water. Thus, to keep their biological systems running, they inhale water vapor and steam. For respiration, the creatures have special mechanisms that filter out volcanic ash.

The most common predator is the Fire Demon, a large bipedal gorilla-like creature with vestigial wings. However, the giant winged reptile known as the Northern Yoltox resides in these mountains. Even though the Yoltox cannot actually eat anything native to the Fire Plains, the Yolpika Mountains serves as a base for the Yoltox when they fly out to the country side and feast on livestock.

The intelligent tribe of Muruu-fai lives here as well. Ash crop is their main source of food, special plants that can absorb volcanic ash and convert it into nutrients.

Settlements
There is only one known advanced settlement built by ancient Muruu-fai. It is an underground city known as Karzah-dun. The city itself has many lava canals which are used as forges to create obsidian as well and even Dragonrock. Because of convection, Dhragolon cannot usually enter let along live in this city. However, with the invention of the pressure suit, Dhragolon have begun researching the Muruu-fai and established their own miniature embassies within the city.

One of the city's main attractions is a mounted Yoltox skeleton said to have been slain by a hero known as the Cleanser from Afar, a Dhragolon explorer who searched all over Islerfia for a way to defeat the evil wizard Merukor the Deathless.

History
The creatures of Yolpika are believed to be the oldest life forms in all of Ucharpli predating even the protists that inhabit the deepest oceans. When oceans formed in Ucharpli, oxygen formed on the surface and the creatures of the Fire Plains were born.

When the world was swept by a flood several thousand years ago, the Fire Plains remained untouched due to their high elevation above sea level. Thus, the creatures of the volcano continue to persist.

After the founding of the Dhragolon Federal Monarchy, the next heir to the throne would be required to cross these mountains from the east to the west coast to prove strength and perserverance.