Bloomburrow

Bloomburrow is a low-technology, nature-centric fantasy plane where the dominant civilizations are small woodland animals rather than humanoids. Magic exists but is generally subtle, natural, and tied to seasons, rivers, storms, and forests rather than large-scale arcane systems. The world is centered around a region called Valley, where small animal societies live in villages and cooperate to survive natural dangers. The main threats are Calamity Beasts, enormous elemental animals that embody natural disasters such as storms or floods and periodically attack the plane. The plane resembles a storybook woodland ecosystem, but with organized societies, knights, scholars, and traders among species like mice, rabbits, otters, and frogs.

Bloomburrow is decentralized; it consists mostly of small settlements and natural regions rather than large empires. Important regions include: Valley, the rural and vibrant home of the plane's animalfolk. A small region in the larger plane of Bloomburrow, Valley is a temperate stretch of land, home to a diverse array of wildlife and natural landmarks. Within Valley are five biomes: meadows, ponds, marshes, hills, and thickets. Meadows are characterized by flowers and grasses dotted with animalfolk farms. Ponds are freshwater, fed by rainfall, and are popular locations for fishing. Marshes teem with insect life, especially in the tunnels and subterranean caverns below. The hills have sparse flora, and their ample sunlight warms Valley's lizardfolk. Forests are lush, holding enormous, ancient trees that house cities of animalfolk. The lands outside Valley's villages and towns are known as the Brambles. The Ancient Seedbed is an untamed and uncultivated wilderness where unique plants can be harvested. Though much of the food grown here isn't as refined as that grown in Valley, rabbitfolk learn to take in the varietals found here and cross them with other varieties to increase yield, flavor, or size. It is a source of many of the seeds that grow in Valley. Burning Bog, a smoldering bog that never burns out. It marks the end of Valley and the beginning of the mystery lands beyond. The Calamity Graveyard, a large pit of tar that contains bones from Calamity Beasts killed during the war of cinders. Squirrelfolk draw their necromantic powers from here. The Cliff of Heroes, a cliff on the highest of hills in Valley scaled by its bravest inhabitants, especially teams of mousefolk, to demonstrate their willpower and teamwork.It is said the Cliff is so high that the sun never sets on it. The path to the cliff is rife with bandits. Conch, a marshland village inhabited by psychic ratfolk and their snail companions. Crater of the Cosmos, a vast obsidian crater left by an unknown cosmic event created eons before the Mending. At night, water condenses on the surface, causing the sky to be refracted like a prism on every wall of the crater. Batfolk venture to the bottom of this planetarium-esque structure to stare into the cosmic reflections and deep into space, channeling the light of the moon into magical energy. A dandelion field between the ratfolk cavern and Fountainport. Dewrim, between Pondside and Mintvale on the main road. Emberheart Forge, a weapon forge. The Ever-Burning Oak, a once great oak that was split by Wildsear's fire and lightning and still smolders generations later. It is revered by lizardfolk and used by artisans as a power source. Fell Comet, a floating comet above an underground pond deep beneath the surface of Valley. It is worshiped by ratfolk. Water leaks down from the caves above, streaming over and around the comet and freezing into a basin of dry, icy land directly below that's used as a proving ground. Young ratfolk must reach the center of the caverns and chip off a chunk from the icy rock as a test of their cunning and ingenuity. The Flower Garden is a secluded grove in the underbrush and a sacred site of pilgrimage for rabbitfolk of all ages. The winding path to the center has been planned over centuries so that no flowers are ever damaged by visiting rabbitfolk. If a flower begins to die, the petals and other parts are collected to decorate the homes of any rabbitfolk villages that witnessed the flower's passing. Seeds are planted where the old flower grew in the hope that it will grow again. If a flower grows in an unexpected area, the path is forever changed. Forest of Iron, a forest of ancient, petrified ash trees made of iron hidden within a deep fissure. The trees still grow, their branches becoming sharp and pointed while their bark oxidizes into rust. The forest is an important source of iron for armor and weapons. The thicker the tree, the more pure the metal towards the center is, with each "tree ring" containing more and more impurities — the most ancient trees have cores of pure steel. The forest is a site of pilgrimage for lizardfolk. Fountainport, a city formed as a three-tiered, soapstone-carved fountain that rises from Valley's largest pond. At its pinnacle lies a sculpted flower and a magically suspended spire of water. Portcullises gate the city, and glass elevators, slides, and waterfalls connect the different levels. It contains most of Valley's frogs and is ruled by King Glarb. The second tier of the city holds domed frogfolk houses that sit upon individual bowls and more elegant boats than the lower levels. On the top level, the weaving of water magic supplements mundane architecture. The top level contains the throne room, where King Glarb resides. It is surrounded by magical pillars of water, and its basin is covered by many-colored lily pads. The Tadpool Harbor District, a rowdy district at the fountain's base. It consists of markets on floating docks and lily pads. An animalfolk town, possibly Goodhill, in the trailer. An animalfolk town, possibly Goodhill, in the Bloomburrow trailer. Goodhill, a town with white-petal roofs and woven grass walls interspersed with larger, painted clay burrows and a tall windmill. Colorful glass rainwater collectors line its cobbled street. Towering above it all, the wooden homes of batfolk stand atop long poles. Goodhill has a diverse population of many species. It is a two-day ride from Fountainport. Hanging Gardens, a shallow cenote behind a waterfall whose walls are covered with foliage that drapes down to touch the water's surface. Lily pads float freely on the surface of the pool, and frogfolk come to bask in the sun at midday when the sun is right above its opening. Haymeadow, at the southern point of Valley's main road. It is closer to Pondside than Goodhill is. Kell's Ridge The Knowledge Ossuary, a limestone cavern village inhabited by ratfolk lorekeepers. The most ancient Ossuary in Valley, it houses a library of the plane's history. It is protected by powerful enchantments and warriors, and only a ratfolk elder can permit a visitor to view the contents of the Ossuary. One of its entrances along the Long River is covered by a mussel shell, and its tunnels are illuminated by enchanted lights. Long ago, it was burrowed by an extinct species of enormous insects. It is west-southwest of Fountainport. Mintvale, north of Dewrim on the main road. Mushroom Valley, a vast valley full of mushrooms that grow large because of the leyline that runs below it. Colorful fungi, inedible plants, and strange insects thrive here, and Squirrelfolk venture here to gather poisonous plants, cultivate fungi, and scavenge Calamity Beast remains. The Lighttrap Spires, precarious spires stacked upon each other. Twice a day, the sun and moon each beam through them, casting a shadow across Valley. Mirrors catch this light, reflecting it onto a massive opaline gem embedded in the center of the towers. Here, an elder batfolk trades their sight for visions of the realms beyond Valley. Their eyes are subsequently filled with a unique nebula-like pattern that marks their ascension to the upper ranks of the priesthood. The Long River, which runs the length of Valley from its source above the forests and empties into the vast marshlands.Three Tree City was built on its banks. To the south, it passes Pondside. One of its tributaries veers southwest. Three Tree City or Three Trees City, the largest settlement in Valley. A forest city formed by the intertwining of an ancient oak, sycamore, and willow tree on the banks of the Long River. Buildings and fungal paths decorate its canopy and trunk. The city was founded to harmonize with nature, which is apparent in its organic layout. It was flooded by the Flood Gar around 4564 AR. The Crown, the highest point of Three Tree City. The Docklands, a sprawling array of docks and rafts off the bank of the Long River. It lies under the tendrils of the Willow. The Docklands are the center of trade for Three Tree City. The Quilted District, in the city's heart. It is named after its vast quilted banner symbolizing the union of all animalfolk, featuring squares from every species that visits the city. The Willow, one of the three trees. The burnt ruins of Pondside, a small village beside a pond. It sat between Haymeadow and Dewrim on the main road and was near Goodhill. Composed almost exclusively of frogfolk, the rest of its population was diverse, despite a lack of squirrelfolk. It was destroyed by Maha around 4564 AR. Pond Creek, the thin stream that feeds the larger pond beyond. It reaches near Goodhill. The Root Maze, a vast hidden labyrinth of roots inhabited by raccoonfolk. Scratchbark, a region leading to the Root Maze. The Sunflower Sanctum, a well-kept sanctuary where tall sunflowers grow. Many animalfolk source their seeds from here during the summer to store for the winter, but their heights are too dangerous for some animalfolk, so birdfolk claim many of the seeds. The Tip of the World, a perilous mountain where only birdfolk dare to venture. When this risky adventure, called the Plumecreed, has been completed, the birdfolk receive the title of "Wingcrested." Whiskervale The Outer Woods, which presumably surrounds Valley.

Civilizations consist of anthropomorphic animals. Major peoples: Mice Often knights, soldiers, and protectors. Organized communities with strong traditions of bravery. Rabbits Farmers, traders, and community organizers. Excellent burrow builders. Otters River navigators and magic users. Known for curiosity and scholarship. Frogs and Toads Mystics and weather watchers. Often connected to natural magic. Squirrels Gatherers and scouts of the forests. Badgers and larger animals Often warriors or guardians of territory. Bloomburrow is populated entirely by animalfolk, anthropomorphic animals roughly the size of real animals. Birds Rats Lizards Raccoons Bats Mice Other animals also appear, such as: hamsters skunks weasels. Relationships are generally cooperative but influenced by regional specialization.

The main conflict of the setting comes from Calamity Beasts, massive elemental animals that embody natural forces and disasters. Their attacks threaten the villages and ecosystems of Valley Key tensions include: Predator incursions threatening settlements. Magical storms disrupting harvests and travel. Territorial disputes between forest and river communities. Ancient threats awakening in the Deepwood. Adventure opportunities often revolve around: protecting villages escorting caravans investigating magical disturbances exploring dangerous wilderness.

Bloomburrow features a unique style of magic called “weaving.” This magic allows animalfolk to harness natural forces and shape the world around them. Important points: Magic is tied strongly to nature and community It is practiced by many species The plane does not emphasize a pantheon of gods. Rather than structured wizard schools, magic is learned through tradition, observation, and intuition. Great Weaving is sealed, because it causes insanity and turning its users into monsters.

Bloomburrow exists within the wider Magic Multiverse Visitors transform into an animal version of themselves when they arrive. For example, the planeswalker Ral Zarek appears as an otter while on Bloomburrow. Travel between planes can occur via Omenpaths, portals connecting different worlds

Bloomburrow’s recorded history focuses mostly on the current struggle against the Calamity Beasts rather than ancient empires Legacies include: Old burrow networks abandoned after floods or storms. Ancient tree-root settlements swallowed by forest growth. Ruins of villages destroyed by predators or magical disasters.

Because society consists of small village communities, the economy is likely local and agricultural. Goods and resources are shared among villages, and cooperation between species appears to sustain society.

The lore emphasizes community cooperation rather than centralized governments or legal systems. Heroes and adventurers are usually villagers or travelers who step up to protect their homes from disasters and monsters.

The primary antagonists of Bloomburrow are the Calamity Beasts. Examples include: Beza – an Spring elk Eluge – a fish Lumra – a bear Maha – a night owl Wildsear – a fire wolf Ygra – a cat These creatures are elemental embodiments of natural disasters that influence weather, seasons, and climate on the plane. Other creatures can be Snails, Worms, plantlife or other woodland creatures.