Tyranos Plains
"We traveled over the Tyranos Plains to Elpida. It was a short trip of only around 100 kilometers, yet it was a hard one. Bandits tried to rob us at night. Over the day we came across many dangerous animals. Lucky for us that we were so many and that the monsters dared not to attack us. Lucky for us that we came across a farm, with which we could trade some food and goods. It is always an adventure to travel over the plains."These dry and dangerous plains are very thinly inhabited and not claimed by any nation. There exist no big cities or towns, but only small farms and villages across the plains. Most of them are in the hands of small tribes, often either bandits or people fleeing from slavery or simply wanting to be away from civilization. Mutated predator animals roam the plains, but if you are lucky you may find Pinkerid here.
Geography
The Tyranos Plains are a wide, open area split apart by the Aqua Lia river in the center. The area is mostlyy flat, interrupted by some mild hills, but none higher than 50 meters. There are many smaller and bigger pockets of vegetation between the hills, but most of the area is dry and lifeless. In the far distance towards north, you can see the Tyranos Mountains.
Localized Phenomena
There exist descriptions of the inhabitants of the plains and travelers that special weather can appear in summer. A dry thunderstorm with pink lighting in the sky. From protected areas, it can be a fascinating show in the sky, as it is illuminated in pink. Yet, if one of these pink lightings hits earth, a massive wave of Pink Mist energy erupts in the area and can cause heavy mutations in the local flora and fauna around it. It is believed that many of the monsters that roam the plains are result of formerly peaceful animals being hit by one of these pink lightings. Locals often refer to them as "Pinkilis".
Climate
The whole area is very dry with little vegetation and rocky ground. Life mostly exists between the hills, where water can condense and form little pockets of life. Around the river Aqua Lia, there is a marshland with farmable land, but most of the area can only be used to let herd animals feed on the little vegetation. In summer, temperatures can reach easily over 40 degrees Celsius, but fall at night to near zero. In winter, temperatures can reach down to -20 degrees Celsius at night and rarely pass 5 at day. It is a harsh climate that allows little civilization. Heatwaves are common outside winter. During these, temperatures are high and the wind is non-existent. During these heatwaves, the rocky plains can reach over 60 degrees Celsius, making them deadly areas for all fauna. The only protection is the pockets of vegetation between the hills, where temperatures are a bit more mild.
During summer, in rare cases, massive thunderstorms can come from the west and reach deep into the east of the plains, bringing heavy rain with them. The Aqua Lia extends to triple its size during these flood events and the hills save the water for many weeks, partly even months. After such rainfalls, life flourishes in the plains and you may think that finally, these plains become habitable for bigger cities. Yet, as sudden as these rainfalls come, as rare they are. Between them, it may be years or even decades often with heavy dry seasons.
Fauna & Flora
The plains are inhabited by many smaller animals that fight over the little resources that the area has to offer. There exist many mice, moles, and small birds in the area, as well as groups of boars some of the biggest animals around. Most life circles around the central river and becomes less and less with distance to the water. Some bigger predators roam the land, making it dangerous to cross for little groups. The biggest monsters live near the Tyranos Mountains and have their caves in them. The legends say that even a mighty dragon lives there and many travelers tell of a massive shadow in the sky. These legends are not confirmed nevertheless, but most dare not to get too close to the mountains because of them.
One of the most common predators that roam the plains is mutated boars and birds. The boars are wilder than their natural cousins and bigger. Their skin is thicker and they are highly aggressive towards anyone who dares to enter their territory. It is typical that such a mutated boar is leading a group of normal boars.
The mutated birds are often formerly normal birds that were in the sky during a Pinkili. They are bigger and have a far wider wingspan than normal birds. It is typical to see them flying in groups over areas with animals to feed on them. Even groups of travelers or local farmers are sometimes attacked by them.
The plant life on the plains mainly exists around the river and in the areas between hills. Most of it is smaller grass and ferns. In the water-rich areas, you can also find smaller trees and bushes. Most of the vegetation is small and adapted to the harsh temperatures and the little water that most of the plains offer. Luckily, most plants are eatable and there are only very few that are toxic.
Natural Resources
The area is rocky, but rich in metals. Some of the hills hide massive veins of Silver, Copper, and even Gold. The dangerous wildlife does not allow any big mining operations.
One special material often pulls adventures to it: Pinkerid. The dangerous, but highly valuable crystal forms by the Pinkilis and can be used for old Magitech. Finding such a small pocket of Pinkerid can make a man rich in an instant, but only if he is able to bring it safely to a city. The material should not be touched directly and can cause heavy mutations.
History
The plains were once a habitable area in the center of the Theocracy of Atlantis. After the big disaster 2500 years ago, the plains slowly dried out and life mostly vanished from it, at least most bigger life. The cities and villages that existed in these lands were left and mostly forgotten. Today, you can mostly find small farms across the land, inhabited by freedom-loving individuals or small families that simply want to be left in peace. The ruins of the old cities can be found, but are mostly eroded away by the heat and the heavy floods over the past thousands of years. Sometimes, lucky ones can find the ruins of houses or temples that are freed by recent events and if they are very lucky, they may even find ancient Magitech artifacts.
Alternative Name(s)
Monster Plains, No-Mans Plains
Location under
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