The Wastelands; A perplexing and dangerous land

The Wastelands are a barren expanse, racked by sandstorms and covered in orcs and desert tribes. It is a dangerous place, home to the fiercest warriors, and few ever venture there, except to obtain some of its few natural resources.

Geography

A few sparse ponds dot the surface of the Wastelands, imbued with magical power. At a few locations, known only to the desert tribes, orcs, and the rare traveler, lie hidden ponds that have the power to heal. Aside from these few small refuges, the rest of the Wastelands is a sandy expanse, hot and dry in the daytime, and freezing cold in the night. High, slippery dunes lay throughout the Wastelands, and sandstorms spring up out of nowhere, bombarding travelers and inhabitants of the Wastelands with sharp tetrahedrons of sand. The sand yetis burrows can be found in some of the largest dunes, and unoccupied burrows can be used as a refuge against the frequent sandstorms. Dry brush and the occasional palm tree pepper the land.

Fauna & Flora

The Wastelands contain few natural plants and animals, as only a few creatures and plants have adapted to live in this wilderness. Orcs can be found roaming the dunes and the few paths found in the Wastelands, ever at war with the desert tribes. Occasionally a traveler may happen upon a desert tribes camp, and, depending on their species, may be invited to stay the night, being sent off with a guide in the morning, or be chased off with arrows and spears. Out of the few plants that grow in the Wastelands, one of the most common is the brush. It can be found almost at every step, and its small, sharp thorns dog travelers progress. Another, more rare form of flora is the palm tree, which can be found nearby a water source, such as tribe or orc dug wells, or a hidden magical pond. The palm trees in the Wasteland are small, no taller than 7 feet, and have small, sharp-edged leaves that are colored yellow. They bear little yellow fruits that taste like a cross between a lemon and a pear. The desert tribes call this fruit Rasha, and the orcs call it a Yurk. The sandstorms that spring up randomly are a form of fauna, being magical beasts that lie in wait for travelers. They are shaped like tetrahedrons, and have sharp edges which cut into their prey. Usually if a traveler cannot find shelter when attacked by this curious form of beast, they die and the sandstorm picks the bones clean in minutes. One of the last type of fauna in this strange land is the sand yeti. It is about a foot high, and is ball-shaped. The sand yeti is usually harmless, attacking only if it has a nest or children nearby. It blends in with the sand, being sand-colored, and is usually undetectable. The desert tribes and orcs use the pelt of the sand yeti for clothing. Some of the water sources in the Wasteland are enchanted, and hidden in caves inside the dunes. Sand yetis usually make these caves their homes, if they can find them. The caves are hidden with a powerful natural magic, and are extremely hard to detect. The walls of these natural caves glow with a pinkish light, and silkworms crawl about them, fearless in the knowledge that they are protected by a powerful magic. These caves are generally small, with a little pond in their centre. The ponds are imbued with magical healing power, but do not retain this power when bottled or carried away from the cave. The Wastelands are also home to a kind of sand deer, which is extraordinarily fleet of foot and small. The desert tribes and orcs chiefly hunt this animal, called a slim by the desert tribes, and a ghit by the orcs, for meat and its durable skin, which can be used to make shields and armor, if cured correctly.

Natural Resources

The Wasteland has very few natural resources, the chief ones being the Rasha fruits, sand yeti pelts, and slim skin and meat. The meat of the slims is very sustaining, and one small slice can keep a traveler going for 2-3 days. Due to this, it is very popular among the elves, who occasionally undertake to go on long journeys to obtain more knowledge. The elves have captured a few slim, and breed them at home in the forests. They keep small stores of slim meat, to be given to the few elves that leave for the pursuit of knowledge.

Type

Desert