Lava Lands
Lava lands are regions or entire planets, often found in fantasy or science fiction worlds, where the landscape is dominated by lava, magma, or other volcanic terrain features. Fictional lava lands contain lava lakes, lava rivers, lava waterfalls, volcanoes, perilous bridges, and other elements. The may be home to fire elementals, demons, heat-resistant aliens, or other denizens.
| Synonyms: magmalands, lava worlds, volcano worlds, volcanic areas |
| Example Mythonyms: Land of Ash, Ember’s Realm, Kingdom of Morthor, Planet IX |
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Designing Fictional Lava Lands
Overview
Lava lands are often depicted as evil realms in many published fictional worlds, likely due to the parallels between their features and the Christian concept of Hell. They are also frequently used to describe a more primordial elemental plane, in this case representing fire, and are areas where fire spirits, fire creatures, and gods may live.
These regions are a violent fusion of molten rock and jagged stone. Mountain ranges and inselbergs may tower above the land while rivers of lava meander slowly through canyons below. Often lava lands have elaborate cave systems. Hidden routes may provide safe passage through these lands for those that know the way.
The lava lands of fantasy worlds often contain temples, ruins, and castles. The lava lands of science fiction worlds, on the other hand, often feature industrial areas, depicting instead this region as one being exploited for natural resources. There may be off-world mines, refineries, and warehouses.
Molten rock is called lava if it is above the ground and is called magma if it is underground.