Northern Orcish Plains

The Northern Orcish Plains are a grassland region in the northeastern section of the continent of Tarteria. It is claimed by the Queendom of Keeleon.   The region is bordered by the Western Valley to the west and the Desecrated Hills to the south. The coast of the border reaches the Leviathan Sea to the north and the Azimuth Ocean to the east.

Geography

Rolling hills and wetlands spread across the plains, bordered by the major Rexun River and the coastal settlements dotting the edges of the region. The port towns of Porgorag and Port Haville in the north and New Keeleon on the Rexun River in the south contrast with the wild homesteads living off the herds and wetlands of the plains. The upper reaches of the Orc Highway stretch across these tall grasses, following the slope of the land from the hills of central Tarteria towards the coast.  

Climate

The Northern Orcish Plains are a warm and wet area of the continent. The plentiful rain from weather systems coming from the northern Leviathan Sea provide for grasslands and dense wetlands across much of the region.   The Rexun River provides much to the region in terms of silt and sediment deposits over its history, making the area rich for plant life. With the change of the lower third of the river westwards after the sinking of the Western Valley, the eastern stretches of the region have become dryer, transitioning from the common wetlands to more moderate fields.  

Flora and Fauna

Tall wetlands grasses fill the region, standing several feet tall and blowing in the strong breezes like waves. The greens of the plains are occasionally broken by infrequent short bushes, copses of short trees and shrubs, and wildflower patches. Armadillos, wild boars, and maned wolves stalk and scavenge in the wild. Mallow, wild beets, and arugula can be foraged from the land.   Near the center is the Axe-Breaker Thicket, where hard and tough axe-breaker trees are found. Pangolins, including dire pangolins, can be found among the trees.   Farther south, closer to the dryer region of the Desecrated Hills, Ankhegs can sometimes be found ranging from their usual hunting grounds.  

Notable Locations

Society

The orcish nation of the Queendom of Keeleon claims the territory of the Northern Orcish Plains. It makes up a bulk of the queendom's claimed territory, but so far from the heart of the country, the crown's influence isn't as strong in the northern plains as the southern, and the Keel's Band is centered in the cities, like Porgorag and New Keeleon, leaving the trade roads with minimal patrols.   Smaller settlements dot the areas away from the main trade avenues, such as Gimoruk and Bridon Tillage.   Though it is considered a part of the queendom, the semi-autonomous city of Port Haville also sits on the northeastern coast.

History

The Third Age: The Age of Zenethia
The orcish kingdom of the Warlord Keel, the First Orc King, emerged onto the world stage late in the Third Age. Keel used the rich veins of orichalcum in his lands to wage war and press his influence across northern Tarteria and unite the orc tribes under one banner.   In the late Third Age, the Santeem explorer Tamas Havin founded Port Haville on the northeast edge of Tarteria. The timing was perfect for the new port settlement to open the door to maritime trade for excess orichalcum to bring riches into the region.   At the end of the age was the Great War. When Esturk emerged with the Power of Evolution, a great collapse of northwestern Tarteria occured, and the land sunk dramatically. This formed the Western Valley and redirected the ending sections of the Rexun River.   The final battle of the war, the Battle of the Demons' Blood Marshes, was fought on the northern coast of Tarteria. At its end, the area at the delta of the Rexun River would be forever corrupted and Esturk was set to slumber beneath the continent once more.  
The Fourth Age: The Age of Shadow
In the wake of the Great War the lands of Keeleon flourished with new trade and orcish influence grew greatly in northern Tarteria.   At the end of the age, Esturk arose once more and the Tarterian War started. Nearly all of Keeleon was destroyed, the royal family was nearly extinguised, and the orc populace were scattered.  
The Fifth Age: The Age of Beginnings
After the events of the Tarterian War, the nation of Keeleon lay in ruin. Queen Alena, daughter of the Last Orc King, brought her people back to this ruined place to start on the path to rebuilding. Many of the major cities in the region would be rebuilt in the coming decades.   The city of Porgorag was founded in 5A 005 by Grupe, the Monster Hunter, to facilitate incoming resources and to fortify the needed trade roads through the country.