Pelopas: The Scorching Wastes

The great dunes of Pelopas...this wasteland of yellow sands and scorched ashes exemplifies the history of my world. To the south east lies Pelopas, the first continent to be settled by mortals. A near perfect circle this land was carved from the lager landmass of Locatria by the great tyrant god of the first pantheon. The king Lafiel after defeating Atalia trapped her army on this continent. They begged for mercy, but no one opposes the power of Lafiel. He scorched the land, the trees, and every creature. "To ashes, let that be your legacy. The legacy of heretics and traitors to my name. The inheritance of you and your kind shall be a searing inferno without respite nor mercy. All shall be swept away by the burning radiance of my light"- Lafiel on the first day of his rule. His seat of power was the mountain which rest at the center of the desert. During his next war with the Daeva lords still in their dragon forms however, the mountain was devastated as was the slowly mending lands. Now forever it shall be a wasteland home only to those able to weather the extreme temperatures and volcanic gasses spewed forth from Vilanus. It is truly a forsaken place .

Geography

Most of the wastes are just that, wastelands. As such massive dunes of sand and structures from ancient times which were swallowed by the sands are all that is to be found. The wastes themselves cover most of the continent, which is slightly larger than your worlds Australia by my estimate. The wastes are comprised of two key areas, the desert, and the true wastes which are the center. The desert surrounds the wastes, and is somewhat habitable, provided you are close to the relatively few waterways and rivers. At the center of this ring are the volcanic ashes and rocky ridges which were supposedly once Lafiel's kingdom. True there are a great many structures which have been preserved in the falling ashes that constantly bombard the area, but so too can one see the bones of creatures and mortals who wandered into those wastes. Prevailing winds from the east carry the ash and soot in great clouds across the western side of the continent. Thus that entire area is a somewhat less severe mimicry of the wastes. This ash and gas chokes the life of all who come near. Be wary traveler for more than poisonous air and empty ruins of great civilizations rest here...who knows what lurks beneath the sifting sands. Perhaps think of it as not a land, but a sea unlike any that water can form.

Fauna & Flora

Very little plant life survives in the desert, especially near the wastes. However sugar cane, papyrus, and trees which can thrive in the hot arid environment may be found near water sources. Occasional oases may be found with ferns and other relatively small plants. Petrified trees with blackened bark and roots can be found once one approaches the wastes. Some however have been found to grow outside of the watses. Reports from various accounts report of these trees being exceedingly rare and much larger than those in the wastes. Reportedly, their bark is so strong they cannot be felled by any known magic nor tool and their roots go so deep no mortal has seen the ends. I never was able to find one myself, but I have heard of these trees taking on a visage most...disturbing. some say they have faces, hundreds of them. Others say the barren limbs resemble legs arms and elongated fingers. they do indeed grow over time, and yet all accounts claim them to be dead after magical evaluation for mana. This has given them the name of "Mortun" (mor-tune) or death tree. As for animals, many lizards and cold blooded creatures reside here. As well as a host of monsters. That is why most mortals do not live outside the outermost ring of the deserts. Massive insects capable of burrowing under the sands, giant spiders, and great desert worms able to spray acid and emit lighting call this place home. None are so frightening though as the Dracalius. (See Bestiary for reference)

Alternative Name(s)

The Scar of the Gods, Atalia's Seared Flesh, The Kingdom of Lafiel and home to the few who can survive its climate.

Type

Desert