Lyrach is the most vital planet in the Halion star system. Situated between Achaer and Halci, it is a steamy place full of spirits, energy and wrath.
Most of Lyrach is covered by salt water. Its polar icecaps are miniscule and entirely devoid of life. However, life teems in the sea and on the millions of islands that dot the endless ocean, which range from a few meters across to the size of small continents. There are several greater island chains, and more are always being formed due to the intense volcanic activity of the planet.
Lyrach's islands are covered in thick, wild forests that tend toward the red-violet color spectrum rather than green. Everything in Lyrach grows to huge proportions, from trees to wildlife, because of the intense vitality and warmth of the world. Trees tower into the sky; mammalian and reptilian behemoths roam the jungles; and massive fish and turtles cruise the seas. Even visitors from outside of Lyrach become taller and stronger the longer they stay on the world...provided that they survive its hazards. Both creatures and plants are frequently poisonous, as well.
While Lyrach is nominally protected from demonkind by the Chain of Ydgys, it is not immune. Like its sister planet Halci, it has been infected by demon seeds--young world-eaters--and is dotted with infernal portals. Areas of jungle, and sometimes entire islands have turned into fetid, dying swamps or stark deserts because of the demonic assaults, but unlike Halci, Lyrach is a strong and brutal planet uncompromised by intelligent races and alien gods. Its spirits are powerful and furious, and they take out their anger in terrible tempests, explosions and earthquakes upon the encroaching demons. Whole islands have shattered or been washed away by their rage. The beasts of Lyrach also attack demons obsessively, though many can be and have been corrupted by the demon invaders to do their will.
In addition to demons, there are other temporary and permanent visitors to Lyrach. Foremost among these are the elven descendants of the colony ship Kasshadaithe, which crash-landed on one of the larger islands of a long archipeligo back in the age of the Elven Descent upon Halci. The ship Kasshadaithe was partially disabled while passing through the Chain and thus missed Halci. Its elven passengers tried to communicate with the other colony ships, but found that arcane magic flared and surged dangerously on this world and also brought on the attention of very angry Lyrachin beasts. Many of the elven mages went insane from the power overflow, or fled in an attempt to spare their kin from the wrath of the world. Those exiles and madmen roam the jungles or live as hermits, constantly at war with the world around them.
Many of the other elves attempted to embrace the ways of this dangerous world, but found that the aggressive spirits would have nothing to do with them without offers of sacrifice and enslaved service. The elven ship captain, Prince Faiarren, learned of the struggle with demonkind however, and with a band of his more militant followers went and destroyed the closest demon-controlled area, closing that portal. He called upon the spirits to recognize this deed, which they did, however grudgingly. Before this act, the spirits had been tormenting the elves the same way they fought the demons, but afterward they relaxed their assault upon the non-arcane elves. Many were still caught in the crossfire between spirits and demons, but no longer intentionally.
Over the ages, the elves mastered more-natural magics that did not offend the spirits. They learned the ways of plants and beasts, and how to read the weather and forecast the wrath of the spirits. Some even learned to change their shapes to those of the plants or animals. These druids became the protectors of the elven tribes as the population grew and split and branched into other islands.
In addition to elves, there are a few human and part-ogrish mages that call Lyrach a nice vacation-spot, if not home. These few generally arrive and depart by way of Solarian ships, and build residences in a normal way by the seaside since it is so dangerous to use arcane magic on Lyrach. Some few do spellcast, but are most often eaten by Lyrachin animals drawn to the smell of it, or else go insane or burn out from the surges. The wise ones simply come to collect samples of flora or plant their own small gardens, because anything planted in Lyrachin soil will flourish and grow massive. Many biomagically spliced plants are thus grown in Lyrachin gardens to give them the best chance of success before being transplanted back into Halion soil. There are a few small Solarian port towns also, consisting of little more than collections of huts occupied by farmers, foragers, fishermen and hunters dedicated to restocking Solarian ships on elseward voyages. These ports are also the only places where metal goods enter Lyrach, as there seem to be few deposits of ore anywhere reachable.
As a whole, Lyrach has a humid, rainy, tempestuous climate. Heavy volcanic explosions do cause localized coolings due to ash-clouds, and if a whole chain of volcanos went off it could be disastrous to the warmth-loving wildlife. Earthquakes, tsunamis and hurricanes are regular occurrences. Demonkind, elves and humans have only a tenuous foothold on this world, which is just how Lyrach likes it.
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