Balikan Plains

The Balikan Plains, also known as the Great Plains or simply the Plains, are a massive expanse of dusty, grass-filled earth. They are bordered to the north and west by the Berngan Mountains, to the east by the Scorpion Coast, and to the south by the land of the elves known as the New Dominion

Setting

The Balikan Plains consist of the large area between the Berngan Mountains and the Scorpion Coast. These grasslands, savannas, and shrublands form the transition zone between the mountainous forests to the north and west and the flat coastal region in the east. Rolling hills are common throughout, interspersed with wide, flat expanses. To the north and west, the Plains border coniferous forests and steep, craggy hills. In the southwest, the grasslands extend to the Elmark River and the lands of the New Dominion, where they transition into low, marshy forests. The eastern Scorpion Coast is filled with jagged spurs of rock jutting from the ground. In the northeast lies a small passage into the fertile Tondor Valley.

Climate

The Balikan Plains are a temperate grassland biome with warm, wet summers and frigid winters. The region is relatively humid and features decreasing rainfall from west to east.

Flora

The dominant flora consists of medium to tall grasses, the most widespread of which being wolf grass, so named because wolves are the dominant predator known to hide in this grass. Grasses are commonly above a man's head in the late summer. The drier regions closer to the coast are most commonly populated with shrubs, small trees, and dune grass. To the north and west, the slopes of the Berngan Mountains support large swaths of coniferous forest. Broadleaf deciduous trees are found throughout the plain, though never in large enough populations to be named a forest. Towards the swamps in the southwest, marshy forests become thick as the land transitions to the Elmark River.

Grain is common on the Balikan Plains. Grain can be found almost all over the plains, but it is spread out sporadically and rarely found in large clusters. 

Fauna

Because of its high humidity and precipitation, a wide variety of wildlife can be found throughout the Balikan Plains. Beasts made by the mad god Xugnos also run rampant through this region.

Wolves are the dominant predator in the core of the Plains, frequently using the tall grasses to their advantage

Wild horses run free across the short and medium grasslands

Gazelle are a common food for wolves

Pheasants and partridges occupy the stands of trees found across the Plains

Eagles make their homes along the coast and across the interior

Foxes, hedgehogs, weasels, and more call the Plains home

Giant scorpions, known as Barbclaws, occupy the rocks and boulders of the titular Scorpion Coast. Barbclaws live in and out of water, swimming at great speeds and emerging with deadly force. They are around 10 feet tall to their back and around 20 feet long, not including the tail. Barbclaws are so named for their spiny, venom-covered spikes protruding from their massive claws. Barbclaws are known as one of the fiercest Beasts on the continent. They frequently feed on whales, wolves, horses, and whatever ships and sailors are foolish enough to sail close to shore here.

Giant wolves, known as Dreadhounds, stalk the tall grasses of the central plains. Few of these Beasts are known to exist. They range from the mountain foothills, where they feed on sheep and goats, all the way through the central plains and occasionally venture out to the coast. These monsters are very rarely seen as far south as the New Dominion. They stand around 8 feet tall at the shoulder and are around 20 feet long. Unlike their smaller and more natural brethren, these wolves require no camouflage, and are hence colored in sometimes surprising shades such as dark purples, browns, and oranges.

People

The Balikan Plains is a sparsely populated area. The land itself would be conducive to civilization, but the local wildlife proves too difficult to defend against. New Dominion elves attempted settling here after colonizing the Elmark River basin, but quickly found the land un-tameable without magic. The only elvish city remaining in the region is Ner Caelora, which sits at the northeast corner of the plains, at the entrance to Tondor Valley.  Dwarves tried emerging from their dark tunnels to claim the plains, but were pushed back by the Dreadhounds.  Goblins are perhaps the most adept at navigating the plains, and elves even report a tribe of mounted goblins patrolling the area. Could they have somehow tamed some of the beasts that call this place home? Reports also indicate one last inhabitant of this region known either as trolls or golems, though none have been seen alive. Large humanoid statues decorate the landscape in seemingly random patterns. Elves claim these statues were once alive, though a more likely explanation is they are the artistic remains of a long-lost civilization, perhaps the gnomes. Still, there isn't any evidence of civilization here...

Type

Plain