Desolate Expanse

The largest desert in Faerie, the Desolate expanse is found in the middle of the continent. The desert contains most of the Eternity Mountains and the Moaning Highlands, making its terrain very rocky and mountainous. There are many valuable metals and minerals found here, which have supplied the continued industrialization of the Faerie Empire.
The expanse was once sparsely populated. However, the allure of valuable mining has filled it with boom and ghost towns as miners follow the ore. There is also a region called the Soot Band, a clump of factory towns along the south-west edge of the desert. These factories process ore and certain minerals for safer and more efficient transport to the industrial centers around Ashfire.

Geography

The Desolate Expanse is a mountainous cold desert. Many rivers have their sources in the mountains, or in the neighboring steppes, including the River of Roses. Settlement in the expanse is challenged both by the temperature and extreme weather, but also the mountains. The Moaning Highlands are notoriously volcanic, and the places where the Eternity Mountains cross the Highlands is known for high seismic activity.

Ecosystem

The Desolate Expanse is home to many interesting forms of life, all interestingly adapted to the conditions. This includes several species of warm blooded lizards, giant birds which are often hunted for meat, and Fae. There are also many types of plants that are specially adapted to the desert. These plants usually don't look ,like much, but when they go into bloom the desert is filled with bright and fantastic colours.

History

The Desolate Expanse is actually one of the oldest inhabited areas in Faerie, with well preserved ruins dating to before the Corruption. Very little is known about these early desert people. There are many dragon bones at the Besieged Fort, the most famous pre-Corruption archaeological site. This suggests either the people of the Desolate Expanse had dragons, or a group the warred with did. The architectural style found at the Besieged Fort can be found at many smaller sites in the Desolate Expanse. Recently, a discovery has been made in the Moaning Highlands which may prove bigger than the Besieged Fort. It appears to be the remains of an entire village, with traces of the same architecture, buried in volcanic ash. This connects to a local legend of the spirits of a long-dead Fae kingdom moaning in the hills prior to eruptions. It was said that an ancient eruption buried the Fae kingdom, which seems consistent with what has been found at the site.
This site could lead to further discoveries about the original post-Corruption inhabitants of the Desolate Expanse, as this site has been dated to that time period. Aside from this site, permanent constructions in the desert are traditionally carved into the sides of mountains where there is abundant water. Many groups of nomadic people lived in the Expanse and the surrounding steppes for years.
Eventually various Kingdoms got grabby with the lands, particularly around the rivers. The Desolate Expanse was fully conquered by the Faerie Empire shortly before serious mining began. Now, the majority of the deserts inhabitants are miners, though several communities still thrive here.
The Desolate Expanse exports raw and processed materials to the factories in South Faerie. Many companies have considered building factories closer to the Expanse to decrease the costs of manufacturing, especially as Ashfire works towards independence. However, a lack of pre-existing infrastructure in the region has slowed down their plans. It now seems more likely more industry will be moving to River Centre and other cities in the southeast, which are also close to Glacia.

Art is mine.

Type

Desert

Location under

Faerie

Included Locations

• The Buried Kingdom

Inhabiting Species

• Will o' Wisps