Editing Crossroads of Izril

'''The Crossroads of Izril''' or '''Crossroads of Issrysil''' is a dimensional pathway that connects to multiple places to [[Izril]].

== Overview ==
The Crossroads of Izril is an ancient and dangerous place with a network of pathways that connected all of Izril, ending at its coasts. The size and shape of the Crossroads are identical to Izril, with any changes to Izril echoing in the Crossroads. Space is warped within the Crossroads, described to having  "multiple dimensions folded in ridiculously." While most of the laws of physics are identical to the normal world, velocity is expedited within the Crossroads; objects can be thrown four times as far as they should, and [[Pisces Jealnet]] was able to run 120 feet in 4.2 seconds.<ref name=":3" /> However, travel through the Crossroads results in accelerated the passage of time, aging unenchanted objects faster and spoiling and decaying food within a matter of hours. As for travelers, while they do not exhibit any signs of aging (i.e. hair and fingernail growth), their metabolisms will increase proportionally to how fast and far they travel through the Crossroads. At high, constant speeds, constant food intake is required or starvation will occur within hours.<ref name=":4">[https://wanderinginn.com/2023/12/06/9-69-pt-2/ Chapter 9.69 H (Pt. 2)]</ref> 

The Crossroads are a hazardous region with hundreds of threats. There are several safe places, such as the road and waystations located in the Walled Cities and Great Plains; however in its current state of disarray, it is dangerous to travel even a few feet in certain places. It is theorized that the Crossroads in the New Lands will be comparatively safer, as it will not have been destabilized by past conflicts.<ref name=":2">[[Chapter 9.50]]</ref> New gateways to the New Lands have also appeared in the Crossroads.<ref name=":4" /> Sometimes, animals wander into the Crossroads from a gate, including [[Monsters]], some of which establish a habitat within the dimension.<ref name=":3">[https://wanderinginn.com/2023/10/28/9-64-bh/ Chapter 9.64 BH]</ref>

Casting magic is harder within the Crossroads, costing more mana than normal. Furthermore, it is a mana-free zone, so [Mages] can't replenish their mana reserves naturally, and must rely on mana potions.<ref name=":3" />

Several Walled Cities were built in the Crossroads, including Imlerith, the City of Crossroads and Lesegoth, the City of Shields. Waystones are required to access it.<ref name=":1">[https://wanderinginn.com/2022/06/03/9-00/ Chapter 9.00]</ref> There were also ways to project images from the Crossroads into the real world.<ref name=":4" />

== Geography ==
The ground in the Crossroads is naturally grey, and the roads are overgrown with plants that are non-native to Izril. Aside from the mountains, the land covered with a film of gel which can absorb organic and inorganic objects and mimic its properties, so long as it's connected to the ground for a certain period of time. The purpose of this gel is theorized to prevent the growth of plantlife, though it doesn't affect living creatures. There are ruins of structures, worn down by age and oxygen, making the surrounding gel dusty and grey, and may be the reason the ground is naturally grey. At the borders of the Crossroads is a wall of blackness.

The Great Plains is considered a safe area. Northwards of the Plains is a wide open expanse until there is a rocky terrain, and at the center of southern Izril is the Walled City Imlerith. North of the city, the land is tainted by the [[Bloodfields]], save for the road and the mountain ranges, which gives the ground a reddish gradiant as far as the Great Plains. In the east there are larger roads and the ruins of an unknown city. The south slopes downwards. Around [[Zeres]]' location, there is a murky swamp of putrid water inhabited by sick and contaminated fauna, and a brackish, foul rain. In the west is a range of rocky mountains, which includes the ruins of Lesegoth.<ref name=":3" /> Near the area that parallels the Hivelands is a thousand miles of blasted rubble and broken tunnels.<ref name=":2" />

== Locations ==

* [[Walled Cities]]
** [[Mershi]] / City of Stars
** [[Imlerith]] / City of Crossroads
** [[Lesegoth]] / City of Shields (''Ruins'')<ref name=":2" />

== Native Monsters ==

* [[Acid Flies]]
* Bloodfield Shamblers
* [[Watchertrees]]
* ? - rolling armadillo<ref name=":4" />
* ? - cave octopus<ref name=":4" />
* multiple unknown types of hot, orange monsters<ref name=":3" />
* unknown purplish demi-people<ref name=":3" />

== Inhabitants ==

* Asgrel
* [[Bograms]]
* Mahadak

== History ==
The Crossroads in the north were corrupted during the Reign of Blood, introducing great dangers.<ref name=":2" /> The Crossroads were later damaged by the Tier 9 spell used to destroy [[Lesegoth]], and was closed off soon afterwards.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2023/01/24/interlude-foody-discussions/ Interlude- Foody Discussions]</ref>

=== Volume 8 ===
[[Belavierr Donamia|Belavierr]] and [[Maviola (Undead)|Maviola]] used the Crossroads of Izril, meeting [[Wer|a man with a staff who smelled of blood and bandages]].<ref name=":0">[[Chapter 8.79]]</ref>  

Chieftain [[Seru’nial]]'s ghost told the Plains Gnolls to seek the Crossroads of Izril.<ref>[[Chapter 8.85]]</ref>

=== Volume 9 ===
[[Erin Solstice]] posted a <Heroic Quest> to connect the Crossroads in conjunction with the <Mythical Quest> to find the Walled City of [[Mershi]].<ref name=":1" /> 

During [[Teriarch]] and [[Rhisveri Zessoprical|Rhisveri Zessoprical's]] battle, a dimensional portal into the Crossroads was briefly opened, terrifying Wer as he was traveling.<ref>[[Chapter 9.06]]</ref>

Using Wer's Skill, [[Horns of Hammerad|The Horns of Hammerad]] and [[Colthei|Colthei the Supporter]] were the first adventurers to enter the Crossroads of Izril.<ref name=":2" />

== Trivia ==

* There used to be a road toll.<ref name=":0" />

== References ==
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[[Category:Locations]]
[[Category:Izril]]
[[Category:Crossroads of Izril|*]]