"exploration"

what if, similar to trials, players could have their characters set out on exploration "missions" to try to discover new areas? like notable landmarks on the map, or new regions entirely. These could be determined by admin and limited to a certain number per season or something. Like maybe when Freeze is over, new regions could become accessible since they're only thawed out during sorch (think certain caves and such) or only accessible during Freeze when waterways are frozen over, making pathways. idk just idea vomit

perhaps magical regions could be discovered? :O (fountain of youth, species specific places, etc...)

That's a really neat idea! It goes hand-in-hand with Chark's suggestion of landmarks, so 'missions' for 'landmarks'. Were you thinking that the mission goals would be player-created, or would it be admin-guided?