Desecrated Hills
The Desecrated Hills are a hilly and scree-filled region in northern and central Tarteria. It is claimed by the Queendom of Keeleon.
The region sits between the Northern Orcish Plains and the Southern Orcish Plains of the Queendom. The Desecrated Hills also connect with the Western Valley to the northwest, the Serra Coast to the southeast, and the Azimuth Ocean through the Pandia Gulf to the northeast.
On 2 Avedar 5A 351, the Prophets of Regression used the Severance Key and caused an unexpected interaction with Red Lake's elemental fount. As a result, rogue elemental energies started to affect Red Lake, which displaced some native creatures and monsters. Additionally, Chedae's light was blocked from Tarteria, causing the corruptive effects of Keeleon Castle to spread much more rapidly. Corrupted Ankhegs started ranging through the region and causing problems for the Warden Rangers efforts.
Geography
A range of scree-filled hills and rocky ridges sit along the eastern coast of the region. These hills have become a source of spreading demonoil corruption spreading from Keeleon Castle and threatening the areas around it. Along with the ruddy foothills of the Khushuut Mountains in the west, these hills border the central valley formed by the Rexun River. The Orc Highway runs along the river and by the great Red Lake, connecting the Northern Orcish Plains and the Southern Orcish Plains.Climate
The Desecrated Hills are a warm and dry area farther south from the lush areas of the Northern Orcish Plains, which is mostly made of rocky ridges and hills. With the exception of some sections of the region much farther north or south, the foothills of the Khushuut Mountains range are very dry, making a semi-arid steppe climate in the region. However, the Rexun River provides the needed moisture for live to thrive along its banks in the river valley. The eastern coast along the Pandia Gulf is also more hospitable, as well, however the corruptive effects of the Keeleon Castle largely negate that.Flora and Fauna
The dry terrain has infrequent groupings of short feather grasses and hardy shrubs among the scree, rocks, and ridges. The small, sturdy flowers on the evergreen shrubs bloom in pale pinks and yellows, which stand out against the rocky reds of the terrain. Small mammals and burrowing rodents in the region include weasels and chinchillas, which take shelter from falcons, buzzards, and pumas. Wild guanacos and rams come down the hills towards the central Rexun River and Red Lake, which have their own variety of native species, including varieties of reeds, frogs, and trout. There are many threats to travelers in the region, especially deep into the hills. Burrowing monsters dot the hills with tunnels and warrens, and the deep waters of Red Lake hide large underwater creatures. Additionally, the corruptive effects of Keeleon Castle in the east make some varieties of monsters more dangerous and more aggressive, such as the Ankhegs faced by the Warden Rangers.Notable Locations
- New Keeleon
- Keeleon Castle
- Red Lake
- Aktrout
Society
The orcish nation of the Queendom of Keeleon claims the territory of the Desecrated Hills, and it is a needed overland connection between its main population centers. Additionally, the town of Aktrout is here, which has great cultural importance to the orcs. The large city of New Keeleon is on the region's northern edge and is a power point of the queendom. Other settlements and a few homesteads sit near the path of the Rexun River and around Red Lake, but aside from these, the wider region is largely unpopulated. Though it is considered a part of the queendom, the semi-autonomous city of Thoriktown is here high in the Khushuut Mountains.History
The First Age: The Age of Creations
According to Age of Creations myths, Azimuth was formed by energies from the Elemental Planes coming through places modernly referred to as elemental founts. If these stories are to be believed, Red Lake likely would have been originally formed by a surging of elemental energy from the Plane of Water. Orc myths and cultural stories claim the area around Red Lake is the origin of orcs. It is said the first orcs drank from the waters of the lake, and it is believed that orcs have resided along the lakeshore for as long as Red Lake has existed.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. Of his accomplishments were the building of Keeleon Castle and the placement of the Orichalcum Idol at Red Lake. At the start of the Great War, the sinking of the Western Valley due to Esturk's emergence damaged much of the earth beneath northern Tarteria. Tunneling creatures and monsters would start to become more common in the region.The Fourth Age: The Age of Shadow
After the loss of most of the country's orichalcum mines, exploratory mines were dug in the region. However, these mines did not generate any of the precious metal. During the Tarterian War at the end of the age, Keeleon Castle was sacked and corrupted. Since that time, demonoil corruption would spread from the castle into the surrounding hills.The Fifth Age: The Age of Beginnings
5A 351On 2 Avedar 5A 351, the Prophets of Regression used the Severance Key and caused an unexpected interaction with Red Lake's elemental fount. As a result, rogue elemental energies started to affect Red Lake, which displaced some native creatures and monsters. Additionally, Chedae's light was blocked from Tarteria, causing the corruptive effects of Keeleon Castle to spread much more rapidly. Corrupted Ankhegs started ranging through the region and causing problems for the Warden Rangers efforts.
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