The Plains of Armaak are home to the Initium Occasus and The Observatory, as well as being the sacred lands of the Zealots, and refuge to any, Nephilim or Human, who are otherwise ostracised from society.
In the heart of the scorching Plains of Armaak is the mysterious and spectacular Initium Occasus, a towering column of Vita made material. The Initium Occasus resembles a huge pillar, stretching beyond the clouds, of green light dressed with white sparkles of pure Vita, which constantly glows, silently illuminating almost the entirety of the Plains of Armaak, both day and night. From the Initium Occasus, Nephilim are birthed, for no understandable reason and in no regular pattern, on an average of one a day.
There have been uncountable studies and expeditions to determine the nature of the Initium Occasus, mostly by either the latinus scholari or The Observatory, but nothing is certain, and even the legend of its origins, 125 years ago, is now becoming doubtful. Certain facts have been determined, however.
First, the Initium Occasus is extremely dangerous to Humans. The heavily concentrated Vita gives off some kind of radiation, which has no (known) effect on Nephilim, but which causes fatal sickness to Humans who get too close. The safest distance is unknown, and the Humans of The Observatory, two miles away, may yet still be at risk, but with the effects simply not yet manifested.
Second, the Initium Occasus is lethal to anyone, Nephilim or Human, who actually makes contact with it. Many have sought to satisfy their curiosity and have stepped into the energy tower, simply disintegrating upon immersion in the Vita. The same has happened to any objects and animals that have entered the Initium Occasus; as determined some years ago by an expedition launched by the latinus scholari.
Third, increasingly it is becoming apparent that the Initium Occasus is losing its stability. Although extremely minor, there have been recorded by The Observatory various unusual fluctuations in its form. There is much speculation about these fluctuations; some say they have always been there, and others believe that they bear some relation to the pattern of Nephilim birthings. Still others fear that the Initium Occasus really is becoming unstable, the result of which could be devastating to Humans, given the effects of the radiation.
Unofficially, the Plains of Armaak are as good as the Eighth Kingdom, and if the current debates go a certain way, that idea might become official after all.
Although the Nephilim race are spread throughout the World, approximately half still claim residence in the Plains of Armaak, and with the exception of those belonging to The Observatory, and occasional visiting parties from the latinus scholari, Humans are banned from entering the Plains. There are of course other exceptions, spies and outlaws being the most obvious.
However, like the Wastelands, the Plains of Armaak are a rather inhospitable place to live, even for the likes of the Nephilim, and it is usually only those who would prefer not to live among the Humans (such as the Zealots) who choose to live there.