Aut'tep'ko
The Barrens
The most northern of the Realm that is.
Orcs, desert, drought, monsters and death. Any who survive show it in their stride.
A Short description by famous Geographer, Vorno D'llsstan.
The Barrens begin where civilization ends. Well, not really, but for many yes. The homeland of Orcs is a place that is best left to the Orcs. It southern most region gently rolls into the rest of Az-Atla with gentle food hills, pleasant vales, river valleys that are lush and verdant, and within 60km it all ends with the true boarder of The Barrens, the Wall of Tears an unforgiving mountain range that cuts across the totality of the Realm a physical manifestation of the Orcish attitude of solitude.
Once you pass beyond the Wall of Tears you are confronted with a high desert region. Some 1500 - 2000 meters above sea level, the Barrens themselves, are a skin blistering hell during the day and a frostbite horror at night if you are not prepared properly. There is a stark beauty to these lands and while it may appear that little lives in the dunes and sand blasted rock, there is an abundance of flora and fauna that has adapted well to the Barrens.
Geography
Aut'tep'ko is a high plateau comprised of desert and mountains. This allows for a wide and wild variety of micro environments nested in the larger environment of sand and heat. Many of the valleys between mountains are green and lush at high altitudes in the summer months, and if you go to the furthest northern expanses, then you will be blessed to see the never ending sun. Yes, in the North Barrens, deep in the homeland of the Orcs the sun never sets.
There are many mountain fed rivers and the majority of them end up in one of the four great rivers; The Edge, The Bleed, The Life-Taker, and The Worm. All of these rivers spill over the Wall of Tears in great cataracts which have at their base moderate settlements of the same name. While it is undisputed that the Barrens in the Orc's homeland, there are a few other races that also call the Barrens home, but they are less populus and often care not for the doings of Orcs or others. The Dragonkin and Gnomes also call the Barrens home.
There are many mountain fed rivers and the majority of them end up in one of the four great rivers; The Edge, The Bleed, The Life-Taker, and The Worm. All of these rivers spill over the Wall of Tears in great cataracts which have at their base moderate settlements of the same name. While it is undisputed that the Barrens in the Orc's homeland, there are a few other races that also call the Barrens home, but they are less populus and often care not for the doings of Orcs or others. The Dragonkin and Gnomes also call the Barrens home.
Collecting Tears by VantoZexWes
Fauna & Flora
This is a brief list of the living things in the Barrens that most people know to be wary of:
Koulev I'gna (Rock Snakes): fast moving snakes that have encased themselves in stone shards which function as scales. This increases their resistance to damage, allows them to better moderate body temperature, and to better retain/collect moisture. They are often invisible until stumbled upon due to their 'rock' scales.
Kekuskjald'kur (Pryroxene Tortoise): large nocturnal desert tortoises that have a hard mineral shell. These creatures have an amazing capacity to store water in their bodies and travel great distances without water. They do not often frequent desert oasis, but make like pilgrimages to the upper mountain valleys for water. They weigh several tones and have almost completely impregnable shells. The Order of The Spear protects this species from hunting.
RiteKi'ullare Areya (GlitterCake Spiders): small spiders with colour abdomens. They are often found in colonies of several hundred and will attack prey that they have lured close. They will group together to mimic various alluring colours. Sometimes is blues, perhaps greens, or if the colony is near a populated area the spiders quickly adapt to mimic minerals or valuable gems. Due to their poisonous nature their bite will cause excruciating burning in almost all animals. With enough bites this pain is paralyzing.
Svarta'akutla (Blacknecks): a variety of rodent that has adapted to living under the sands of the Barrens. They create communities and tunnel warrens several feet below the surface. Herbivores, Blacknecks, gather the roots of plant for food and for moisture. The moisture is sucked out and sorted in a community cistern deep underground. Blacknecks are inedible as they are toxic and will completely destroy farmed fields in a matter of weeks.
LapnVio-Vatnwai (WaterBunnies): a mutated species of the common rabbit, WaterBunnies live in warrens of 3-8 families at oasis. They have adapted such that they have fur which looks like short grasses not only from a distance, but up close. They are carnivorous and will attack most creatures who come to water at the oasis they have established their warrens at.
Sanji-Takye (Leech Root): is a grass plant that can travel as needed through the use of its roots. Leech Root does not use free water, but has to leech water from other living things. Leech Root can survive years without water in a basic root network to become active when a host stops near by.
Bló'mie-reh-manjou (Blood Rose): is a small shrub found in the lower mountain valleys in the transition zone between desert and green zones. Blood Rose has an on surface root system with thorns. When an animal steps into the root system, the roots coil up, pinning the animal and piercing the animals flesh. The Rose then takes minerals and water from the animal. Of course it has flowers. They are very beautiful, typically 10 - 15 centimetres in diameter and often deep red.
Anbasve-i'te (KapKing): Only found in the desert, the KapKing is a fungi that has adapted well to the dry environment. It has inverted itself. The caps of the mushroom rest downwards and inverted under a light covering of sand. Small Kapking's have caps of a mere meter or two across. Larger KapKings have cap diameters of upwards of 15 meters across. The stalk protrudes upwards in the caps center and provides a shallow pool of water. The larger the KapKing the larger the stalk. Birds and insects are lured to the water, and larger animals are lured to the the birds. When a larger animal walks across the cap, a blast of toxic spores is released which kills the animal. The Kapking then takes nutrients from the body.
The Order of The Spear knows how to identify and avoid these specimens of flora and fauna and many others.
Fauna:
Koulev I'gna (Rock Snakes): fast moving snakes that have encased themselves in stone shards which function as scales. This increases their resistance to damage, allows them to better moderate body temperature, and to better retain/collect moisture. They are often invisible until stumbled upon due to their 'rock' scales.
Kekuskjald'kur (Pryroxene Tortoise): large nocturnal desert tortoises that have a hard mineral shell. These creatures have an amazing capacity to store water in their bodies and travel great distances without water. They do not often frequent desert oasis, but make like pilgrimages to the upper mountain valleys for water. They weigh several tones and have almost completely impregnable shells. The Order of The Spear protects this species from hunting.
RiteKi'ullare Areya (GlitterCake Spiders): small spiders with colour abdomens. They are often found in colonies of several hundred and will attack prey that they have lured close. They will group together to mimic various alluring colours. Sometimes is blues, perhaps greens, or if the colony is near a populated area the spiders quickly adapt to mimic minerals or valuable gems. Due to their poisonous nature their bite will cause excruciating burning in almost all animals. With enough bites this pain is paralyzing.
Svarta'akutla (Blacknecks): a variety of rodent that has adapted to living under the sands of the Barrens. They create communities and tunnel warrens several feet below the surface. Herbivores, Blacknecks, gather the roots of plant for food and for moisture. The moisture is sucked out and sorted in a community cistern deep underground. Blacknecks are inedible as they are toxic and will completely destroy farmed fields in a matter of weeks.
LapnVio-Vatnwai (WaterBunnies): a mutated species of the common rabbit, WaterBunnies live in warrens of 3-8 families at oasis. They have adapted such that they have fur which looks like short grasses not only from a distance, but up close. They are carnivorous and will attack most creatures who come to water at the oasis they have established their warrens at.
Flora:
Sanji-Takye (Leech Root): is a grass plant that can travel as needed through the use of its roots. Leech Root does not use free water, but has to leech water from other living things. Leech Root can survive years without water in a basic root network to become active when a host stops near by.
Bló'mie-reh-manjou (Blood Rose): is a small shrub found in the lower mountain valleys in the transition zone between desert and green zones. Blood Rose has an on surface root system with thorns. When an animal steps into the root system, the roots coil up, pinning the animal and piercing the animals flesh. The Rose then takes minerals and water from the animal. Of course it has flowers. They are very beautiful, typically 10 - 15 centimetres in diameter and often deep red.
Anbasve-i'te (KapKing): Only found in the desert, the KapKing is a fungi that has adapted well to the dry environment. It has inverted itself. The caps of the mushroom rest downwards and inverted under a light covering of sand. Small Kapking's have caps of a mere meter or two across. Larger KapKings have cap diameters of upwards of 15 meters across. The stalk protrudes upwards in the caps center and provides a shallow pool of water. The larger the KapKing the larger the stalk. Birds and insects are lured to the water, and larger animals are lured to the the birds. When a larger animal walks across the cap, a blast of toxic spores is released which kills the animal. The Kapking then takes nutrients from the body.
The Order of The Spear knows how to identify and avoid these specimens of flora and fauna and many others.
Natural Resources
More rocks then you can think off. More minerals then you care to see. And, not enough water unless you are near one of the four Rivers. Off its north coast Black Bile of the earth has been found.
Tourism
There is a moderate and robust tourism economy that is supported by the Orcs through the Order of The Spear. With a little bit of planning and significant funds, the Members of the Order will take small groups through the known passes and trails into the Barrens and off into the wild if desired. Additionally, there are several famous spots worthy of sightseeing that are accessible with guidance. Some hearty adventures do attempt and manage to navigate the wild Barrens on their own, but many stick to the known paths that are maintained, or pay the tourist 'tax' to the Order for their support and expertise.
A few notable locations that are visited frequently are:
Bowe Son-Hunga (The Singing Dunes):
This valley is nestled just to the east of the Edge river and accessible by a well traveled path. Famous because as the winds travel through the valley, the shifting dunes of sand create an eerie harmonics which are song like. During the months of Ollar-iht and Fersc'iht these songs last for many hours if not days. Some find them relaxing and others have found them deeply unnerving. Rarely, do people travel deep into the valley as navigating it is difficult.
Lanstin-Kai (Mineral Sea):
Deeper into the Barrens is a plateau that is some 180,000km2. The plateau is an almost perfectly flat sea of salt and other minerals. Most people remain on the edges of the Sea as traversing it requires special equipment and skills and offers almost no reward. There is no settlement in the Sea. There is no reason at all to enter the dangerous landscape. It is simply best to enjoy the unbelieavable pseudo-sunsets and sunrises, because at this point in the north, there is no true night; merely a surreal chromatic twilight as the light refracts across the salt mixture.
BoojVytn Noclian'Vorrs (Mineral Springs):
Near the Wall of Tears just to the west of The Bleed River can be found these wonderful hot springs. They are a popular attraction to those who wish to enjoy a little bit of danger and a little bit of Orc culture as well. These springs are only accessible with the permission of the Order of The Spear due to their unique access and egress. The springs are found in a large chasm which completely surrounds them. This means that citizens who want to enjoy them, must jump into them for very high. In the winter, when the springs are the hottest, the jump is a mere 30 meters. But, in the summer the springs recede and the jump can be as far as 160 meters. There is a small facility at the springs themselves to help deal with accidents and to help recover before the climb back up. When asked the reasons why easier access and exits have not been made, the Order replies, "It's the Orc way. If you take a bath, then we will tell you. It's your turn. Now jump." It is interesting to note that for many scholars of the Orcish culture, having a publicly accessible mineral springs is strange. In fact, this spring may be unique in that aspect.
There are many more strange and extreme sites in the Barrens. These three are merely a taste of the harshness of the Orc's homeland.
A few notable locations that are visited frequently are:
Bowe Son-Hunga (The Singing Dunes):
This valley is nestled just to the east of the Edge river and accessible by a well traveled path. Famous because as the winds travel through the valley, the shifting dunes of sand create an eerie harmonics which are song like. During the months of Ollar-iht and Fersc'iht these songs last for many hours if not days. Some find them relaxing and others have found them deeply unnerving. Rarely, do people travel deep into the valley as navigating it is difficult.
Lanstin-Kai (Mineral Sea):
Deeper into the Barrens is a plateau that is some 180,000km2. The plateau is an almost perfectly flat sea of salt and other minerals. Most people remain on the edges of the Sea as traversing it requires special equipment and skills and offers almost no reward. There is no settlement in the Sea. There is no reason at all to enter the dangerous landscape. It is simply best to enjoy the unbelieavable pseudo-sunsets and sunrises, because at this point in the north, there is no true night; merely a surreal chromatic twilight as the light refracts across the salt mixture.
BoojVytn Noclian'Vorrs (Mineral Springs):
Near the Wall of Tears just to the west of The Bleed River can be found these wonderful hot springs. They are a popular attraction to those who wish to enjoy a little bit of danger and a little bit of Orc culture as well. These springs are only accessible with the permission of the Order of The Spear due to their unique access and egress. The springs are found in a large chasm which completely surrounds them. This means that citizens who want to enjoy them, must jump into them for very high. In the winter, when the springs are the hottest, the jump is a mere 30 meters. But, in the summer the springs recede and the jump can be as far as 160 meters. There is a small facility at the springs themselves to help deal with accidents and to help recover before the climb back up. When asked the reasons why easier access and exits have not been made, the Order replies, "It's the Orc way. If you take a bath, then we will tell you. It's your turn. Now jump." It is interesting to note that for many scholars of the Orcish culture, having a publicly accessible mineral springs is strange. In fact, this spring may be unique in that aspect.
There are many more strange and extreme sites in the Barrens. These three are merely a taste of the harshness of the Orc's homeland.
Type
Desert
Included Locations
Included Organizations
Characters in Location
Related Tradition (Primary)
Inhabiting Species
Clearly Marked. by VantoZexWes
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