Ruins

As the individual accounts of each elemental region infers, scattered across Dreva lie the echoes of a forgotten age where humans once flourished… a time that came before Umbra reduced all human achievement to mere memory, or at best, ancient ruins of cryptic essence.

These ancient structures - ranging from crumbling fortresses to forsaken temples - now stand as relics, overtaken by the relentless forces of nature, time, and magic. Here, each whispers untold stories of Dreva’s distant past, serving as haunting reminders of human grandeur and the destructive greed that led to their downfall.

Among these forgotten relics, a handful stand particularly significant. Fort Stronghold is one of these. Once an impregnable fortress, the fortress now lies in disrepair, with its battlements shattered and overtaken by twisting vines and creeping roots. Yet, within its crumbling walls, hidden treasures still await those braves enough to venture in, with ancient weapons, powerful tomes, and forgotten relics all said to be buried within its depths.

Fort Stronghold Ruin Concept Art

The Temple of Darko, once a sacred sanctuary, is another example of a sacred ruin. Now cloaked in an eternal shadow, the structure hides a series of deadly puzzles and traps within its darkened halls, with powerful runes and mystical artifacts - all untouched for centuries - waiting to be rediscovered by those courageous enough.

On the other hand, some ruins have found new life under the hands of the Barkians. Particularly common in the Earth and Water regions, the distinct subsection of sentient Pikamoons have repurposed many ancient foundations into building settlements, markets, sanctuaries, and other establishments that coincide with their modern way of living. Although mere businesses or places of leisure for some, these now-habitable ruins provide a unique glimpse into how Dreva’s survivors came to adapt, as they demonstrate how the past has been weaved into the contemporary.

For adventurers, these ruins hold endless opportunities, whether solving intricate puzzles, battling ancient Pikamoons, or unearthing hidden scrolls that possess libraries of forgotten knowledge. However, as corruption spreads, one ruin has begun to stir more than most… its doors, sealed for millennia, now creak open, releasing a long-lost darkness into the world.

What lies within is a mystery that may reshape Dreva’s future, revealing secrets best left undisturbed…

Ruins Concept in Water Region