Barren Wastes

A desolate and accursed land, the Barren Wastes are a windswept expanse of rock and ruin on the shores of the Icy Sea, haunted by the remnants of the Rovers of the Barrens and the ever-burning Burning Cliffs. Hidden within this desolation lies the fabled Tomb of Tzunk’s Hands, where the severed remnants of a legendary archmage await discovery—and perhaps, resurrection. Yet, even more ominous is the legendary Dragon Graveyard, a forsaken valley where the bones of ancient wyrms lie undisturbed, their remains whispering of forgotten battles and long-lost power.

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Also known as the Wastes, the Barrens, or the Barren Plains, this forlorn and desolate expanse of rock lies along the southern shore of the Icy Sea, stretching inland for over 100 miles. Cold winds sweep across this bleak, inhospitable landscape, howling through the shattered stone as if mourning some long-forgotten catastrophe.

Geography & Borders

The Wastes lie north of the Bandit Lands, with their eastern border defined by the Forlorn Forest, the Bluff Hills, and the western Griff Mountains. To the west, the Cold Marshes and the Opicim River mark their boundary. Once, these lands were ruled by the proud Rovers of the Barrens, a nomadic Flan people. Now, they are but a whisper of their former glory, scattered remnants of a legacy fading into dust.

Flora & Climate

Life struggles to take root in the Wastes. Moss and lichen are the dominant vegetation, clinging desperately to the shattered stone. Sparse grasses and stunted trees find shelter in the few places shielded from the ceaseless, frigid winds. Even in summer, the chill in the air is ever-present, a stark reminder of the region’s cursed desolation.

Notable Features & Settlements

The Burning Cliffs

Perhaps the most infamous landmark of the Barren Wastes, the Burning Cliffs stretch along the northern shore, facing the Icy Sea. Here, the land itself is aflame—oily shales and a strange black rock burn endlessly, sending up thick plumes of smoke that darken the sky. Some believe the Cliffs are fused to the Elemental Plane of Fire, for creatures of that plane have been sighted in the smoldering ruins. The flames seem to have spread inland in recent centuries, creeping ever forward like a slow-moving, insatiable beast.

Sailors navigating the Icy Sea speak of seeing the Cliffs from over a hundred miles away on clear days. At night, an eerie glow shrouds the region, casting flickering shadows that dance upon the waves. The sooty fumes from the Cliffs stain the sails of passing ships, and rumors persist of strange figures moving amidst the smoke—beings wreathed in fire, their forms shifting and unnatural.

The Tomb of Tzunk’s Hands

In the northern Wastes, buried beneath the windswept stone, lies a tomb that few dare to seek—the Tomb of Tzunk’s Hands. Legends tell of the archmage Tzunk, who once wielded the infamous Codex of the Infinite Planes and sought to conquer the City of Brass. His ambition led to his downfall, and the enraged Sultan of the Efreet ordered his body torn into a hundred pieces, each part scattered to the winds, burned, dissolved, or buried deep in the earth.

Yet, death could not claim him entirely. Within this tomb, Tzunk’s severed hands are said to still exist—imbued with lingering power, eager to reunite with their lost body. Guarded by arcane constructs, treacherous traps, and twisting mazes, the tomb has repelled every would-be looter. Those who find the hands may wield their divinatory powers, but the artifacts carry a terrible curse: they seek to control their user, leading them inexorably toward the retrieval of the other scattered remnants of Tzunk.

The Dragon Graveyard

Deep within the heart of the Wastes lies a site of grim reverence—the Dragon Graveyard. This secluded valley, veiled in perpetual mist and shadow, is a place where dragons of old came to die. The skeletal remains of ancient wyrms litter the cracked earth, their bones imbued with latent magic and the echoes of their final thoughts. Some say that the spirits of these dragons still linger, watching over their hallowed resting place with spectral eyes.

Legends claim that those who dare to walk among the bones risk incurring the wrath of these ancient spirits. It is whispered that the graveyard is guarded by spectral dragons, illusions of flame and fury that strike down intruders. However, seekers of power are undeterred, for it is said that fragments of a long-lost draconic prophecy are etched into the bones, waiting to be deciphered by those bold enough to try. Alchemists, necromancers, and treasure hunters have all braved the valley, hoping to harvest the magical marrow within the remains—but few return, and those who do speak only in hushed tones of the horrors they witnessed.

Dark Rumors & Recent Activity

• A Portal to the City of Brass: Deep within the Burning Cliffs, it is whispered that a hidden gateway leads to the City of Brass, home of the efreeti lords. The flames that rage across the land may be but a symptom of some ancient, forgotten connection between the Material Plane and the Elemental Plane of Fire.
• The Hand of Iuz: Both Iuz and the Horned Society have shown unsettling interest in the Burning Cliffs. Scouts and dark agents have been seen traversing the Wastes, seeking something within the smoke-choked ruins. Some fear they mean to bargain with the fiery denizens or unleash something upon the Flanaess that should remain forgotten.
• The Cult of Pyremius: A shrine to Pyremius, the god of fire, murder, and poison, has been erected along the northern coast of the Cliffs. The significance of this altar remains unknown, but rumors persist that the cultists offer sacrifices to appease something lurking within the inferno.
• The Draconic Awakening: The presence of dragon bones in the Wastes has drawn the attention of scholars and cultists alike. Some believe that powerful necromancers seek to reanimate these fallen titans, while others whisper of a slumbering dragon god beneath the valley—one that might one day rise again.

The Wastes remain one of the most untamed and enigmatic regions of the Flanaess, a land of ruin, fire, and forgotten power. Few who venture there return unchanged—if they return at all.