chaos wastes

The term "chaos waste" refers to any area irradiated by chaos magic to a point of perceived danger and "uncontrollability". Chaos magic radiation virtually only ever comes from high volumes of Ederstone - either a large deposit blasting radiation out, numerous small Ederstone chips embedded in the ground, or both. Usually both.
Chaos waste is a pejorative term used by sedentary states to designate areas they struggle to exert control over. Granted, there is usually a significant reason for this in the form of hostile ecosystems, magical anomalies, swarms of monsters, and other hazards. Even in the most inhospitable magical climate, though, there are communities that have found a way to survive.
Chaos wastes are also hubs of immense biodiversity, as the radiation constantly produces new species. Sedentary states often try to cull these new plants and animals - some may indeed by dangerous, though most aren't.
There are three main chaos wastelands: The Northern Wastelands, The Southern Wastelands, and the The Cursed Rurateg Mountains. Each contains numerous sub-regions, often with their own magical temperament.
Chaos wastes are a phenomenon unique to Stildane currently, though sufficient radiation elsewhere can always change that.
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