The Obsidian Hills

The Obsidian Hills, or Ashbalitheifn in Holmgardian, is a hostile wasteland north of Holmgard and bordered by the rivers Alchen and Meve. 

The region is the location of one of three tribal regions that formed the Old Holmgardian Empire: Graelheim, with the others being Lupenheim and Erheim.

Geography

Ashbalitheifn is a hostile environment home to hardy folk, flora, and fauna. The land appears almost churned up, as if it was ploughed by giants, and the soil is rocky and infertile. Enormous spires of broken obsidian pierce the sky and are accentuated by the lightning storms common to the region. Aside from these downpours, the area is generally quite dry and devoid of rivers or good sources of freshwater aside from small lakes that punctuate the landscape.

The soil is rich in minerals and the flatter parts of the land feature rust-coloured gravel fields. Along with the lack of rivers and jagged terrain, this makes the vegetation sparse.

Ecosystem

The flora and fauna of the Obsidian Hills are as rugged as the land. Among the stunted pine forests, gorak graze on sickly patches of grass. Gorak are a relative of elk with thick, bony plates protecting the shoulders and joints. Feeding off of these mighty creatures are the noble demigryphs But by the most dangerous creatures in the region are the so-called Rock Devils. Rock Devils are golem-like creatures made of obsidian that haunt the largest of the obsidian spires and assault explorers and hunters with unstoppable force.
The climate of the Obsidian Hills is similar to the North, that is: cold. The growing season is short, and the winters are long and harsh, adding to the regions overall inhospitality.

Localized Phenomena

Lightning storms are far more frequent here than in neighboring regions. Storms from the Sea of Wyrms sweep in and cause torrential downpours and blizzards. Interaction with the metals in the soil cause dangerous amounts of lightning. In the aftermath of these storms, a rare phenomenon known as the "Black Wind" can occur. The Black Wind is a euphemistic term for the activation of large numbers of Rock Devils, which destroy everything in their path.

History

The Obsidian Hills have a history that dates back thousands of years. Humanity has scrabbled out a life here since time immemorial, and it is in this wasteland that the Graelingard dynasty was forged. When the northern tribes were simple nomads, the Dwarven realm of Arknthand reached the height of its glory. Their thirst for wealth was so great that they established numerous outposts on the surface, nestled among the dreadful spires that punctuate the Hills. It was through the dwarves that the northern tribes learned the secrets of metallurgy and runelore.

The Graeling tribe that called this region their home was originally hemmed in to the south by the Middenheim Valmer , to the west by the hostile Lupercals and to the east by the Erheimlings. At the time of Holmgardian unification, the Hills had been settled by both Dwarves and Humanity. Though the population density was never high, numerous hill forts, fortress monasteries and villages dotted the region. As the Empire expanded, it relied on its hardy people to form heavy infantry regiments. This, combined with the prospect of fairer land to the south, caused the Obsidian Hills to be gradually depopulated. Those that remained in the North gravitated to the old Imperial capital of Drakenhelm.

Now, the Obsidian Hills are mostly abandoned. A couple mining towns and villages remain populated, along with Castle Graelingard. From its high towers carved from the blackened rock, one surveys an unforgiving landscape punctuated by ruins and haunted barrows as far as the eye can see: all that remains of the Holmgardian homeland.

Alternative name: The Ashbalit Hills, Ashbalitheifn

Type

Badlands