Scorched Badlands
The Scorched Badlands stretch over a large swathe of the eastern part of the Uruger region, home to nomadic gnoll packs, barbaric orc tribes, and the progeny of the dragon kings from the Burnt Mountains.
Geography
The landscape's rugged beauty belies its danger. The spires, buttes, and deep gorges ripple with an astonishing array of color: bands of reds and oranges interrupted by thin lines or gray, black, or a yellow so pale it almost looks white. Little grows in these badlands, which means water is a precious commodity. Strange rock formations rise in twisted shapes from the barren earth, causing travel across the land to be difficult. Bordered by the Aenean Ocean to the north and east, and the Burnt Mountains to the south, the badlands also extend into the nearby province of Cespion.
Natural Resources
For centuries, the red dragons would fly over this region, lighting it aflame in their hunt for food. The sand and rock would warp due to the intense heat, and because of this became nearly inhospitable. However, because of the unnatural phenomenon of regular flame strikes, the sand itself began to crystalize in places. The pressures of the heavier sand condensed and formed blackened minerals just under the surface, and therefore provided intelligent creatures with access to obsidian in order to construct weapons and even makeshift armor. Due to the lack of timber, any construction was typically composed of a combination of rock, sandstone, and obsidian.
History
For centuries before the revelation, the Scorched Badlands were dominated by the red dragons of the Burnt Mountains. However, as they began fading from the world due to the onset of the wellsprings, those that remained retreated back to their mountain lairs. To take advantage of the power void, savage orc tribes began competing with demonic gnoll packs over territory, while dragonborn clans began settling in the southern part of the badlands. Due to the inhospitable nature of the terrain, the respective factions were unable to establish permanent settlements, and consigned themselves to a nomadic lifestyle. Therefore, the badlands now feature a power struggle of competing races all vying for the little amount of resources available to survive. Those that have endured such a harsh environment have become some of the strongest and feared creatures on the continent of Aecenys.
Type
Badlands
Location under
Comments