Soladurn (/səˈlædɜrn/)

Soladurn, the largest landmass within Aevolacor, is a vast desert terrain characterized by its harsh climate and rare but rich resources. The region, shielded by the Granite Spine from the majority of rainfall, stretches for approximately 500 km, transitioning into the Nelvaclist Flats as you travel south. It is a place that beckons hardy nomads who've adapted to the harsh desert conditions, housing a diverse mix of humans, dragonborn, kenku, thri-kreen, tabaxi, and the occasional desert kitsune.
Despite the aridness, the desert is paradoxically rich, yielding a wealth of gemstones and gold. This treasure of natural resources has shaped the socioeconomic fabric of Soladurn, enabling it to become a hub of trade and commerce. Cities have sprung up around oases and aquifers, forming the heart of Soladurn's agriculture and offering a stable refuge amidst the shifting sands.

The Soladurni People

Nomadic lifestyles dominate the Soladurni way of life, necessitated by the vast expanse of arid terrain. Bands of nomads travel together, pooling their resources for survival, and including conjurers who play an essential role in summoning water and providing shelter from the merciless desert sun. Such is the value of these magic practitioners, that they are given great respect and attract high wages, often inspiring many Soladurni to pursue magical education.
However, not all of Soladurn is characterized by perpetual movement. Permanent settlements, primarily built around oases or aquifers, provide an anchor for the community. These settlements form the backbone of Soladurni agriculture and industry, exploiting the region's natural resources, particularly gems and gold, and feeding into the mercantile republics and theocracies that govern the land.
The Soladurni are also characterized by their friendly and welcoming culture. Given their historical status as a hub of trade and their non-competitive position due to the harshness of their lands, the Soladurni people have cultivated a strong reputation as reliable trade partners. This sense of mutual benefit and peaceful coexistence is even evident in their relations with the Monster Kingdoms, maintaining an understanding of safe passage and non-aggression despite sharing their largest land border.

Geography

Soladurn is characterized by its vast desert landscape, shielded from precipitation by the towering Granite Spine to the north. Spanning approximately 500 km latitudinally, the terrain primarily consists of sandy deserts, interspersed with the occasional oasis or aquifer, providing sparse sanctuaries of water in the otherwise arid landscape. This harsh environment offers a range of temperature extremes, fluctuating between 15C and 30C averages.
While the northern regions are dominated by relentless desert, Soladurn transitions into the more forgiving Nelvaclist Flats towards the south. This grassland area, though more hospitable, is still subject to the overarching arid climate, but nonetheless offers a change in the otherwise monotonous topography.
In the midst of the desert, however, Soladurn hides a wealth of resources. Beneath the endless sand and rock are vast deposits of gemstones and gold. This geographical wealth has shaped much of Soladurn's industry and socio-economic structure, with settlements often built around these resource-rich locations.
The aftermath of the Terminal Catastrophe has left its mark on Soladurn's geography. The separation from the Shimeran Jungle led to a decrease in vegetation and heightened aridity, marking the desertification of formerly savanna areas. Efforts to combat this desertification are ongoing, with limited success in slowing but not halting the process.
Soladurn's geography also includes a land bridge to the Monster Kingdoms in the south, marking its largest land border and contributing to a unique dynamic of peaceful cohabitation in an otherwise inhospitable landscape.

The Great Mint of the First World

Despite its arid and harsh desert environment, Soladurn plays a crucial role in the global economy of the First World. The region is incredibly rich in natural resources, particularly gems and gold, the latter of which has earned Soladurn the nickname "The Great Mint of the First World."
Prior to the Terminal Catastrophe, Soladurn was a primary source of gold for the entire First World, with its metal being used to create the currency in circulation throughout the nations. The Soladurni gold piece, even now, is the official currency of most of the First World. It is universally accepted and holds a value that is remarkably stable.
Aside from gold, the abundant gemstones found in Soladurn's desert — such as agates, amethysts, jasper, opals, garnets, desert roses, topaz, peridot, turquoise, and even diamonds — are also major contributors to its economic prowess. These precious stones are often mined, refined into magic items, turned into jewelry, or traded as they are to other nations.
The presence of these valuable resources has led to the formation of several powerful mercantile republics within Soladurn. These republics have a list of specific nations that they supply with resources and manage the vast wealth of the region with remarkable efficiency and cooperation.
Soladurn's geographical location also aids in its economic prominence. It serves as a land bridge for the Monster Kingdoms, providing them with their largest land border and a means for trade and transportation.

Shimeran Jungle and Ecological Disaster

Before the Terminal Catastrophe, Soladurn had a natural and magical connection with the Shimeran Jungle. The Shimeran Jungle naturally sought to grow and used its inherent magic to do so. This unique characteristic affected Soladurn, despite the geographical difference between the two regions. The Shimeran Jungle's wild magic led to gentler climates, increased humidity, and resulted in stronger and healthier vegetation within Soladurn's borders.
The connection between these two vastly different ecosystems created a sort of symbiosis where Soladurn, despite being a desert, had pockets of lushness and was more fertile than one would expect from a desert region. It was not an oasis in the typical sense, but rather a desert enriched and tempered by the influence of the Shimeran Jungle's magic.
However, the Terminal Catastrophe brought about significant geographical changes and, most importantly, severed the connection between Soladurn and the Shimeran Jungle. This had drastic consequences for Soladurn's environment. With the loss of the Shimeran Jungle's magic, the landscape began to experience increased desertification. Areas that were once fertile and lush began to dry up, turning into true desert landscapes.
Soladurn's people have taken measures to combat the rapid desertification. The conjurers, or mages who specialize in conjuration, work tirelessly to recreate the magic that was lost with the disconnection from the Shimeran Jungle. They employ large-scale magic rituals to attempt to curb the desertification and maintain the remaining fertile lands. However, these efforts are only slowing the process; the land continues to dry up and become more inhospitable. As of yet, a permanent solution to halt or reverse the desertification has not been found. The struggle against the encroaching desert continues to be a pressing issue for the people of Soladurn.

Religion

The belief systems in Soladurn are quite different from the rest of the First World. Rather than widely following the Merillian Decadivum, the people of Soladurn have developed their own pantheon of deities that directly tie to their way of life.
While the specific deities can vary between different communities and even amongst the various species living in Soladurn, common themes run across these deities — elements related to the harsh desert environment, the prized resources found beneath the sands, and the unique life that thrives in these conditions.
For example, one might find a deity that represents the relentless desert sun, revered for its merciless, scorching power, but also for its role in sustaining life and marking the passage of time. Another could be a deity of the rare and precious aquifers, venerated as bringers of life and sustenance. A god or goddess of gemstones might represent the wealth and prosperity that comes from the earth.
The nomadic way of life in Soladurn has also influenced their belief system. It's common to see deities that symbolize travel, adaptation, or survival, representing the strength and resilience required to thrive in the harsh desert.
This belief system has also influenced their social and political structures. Soladurn is organized into a number of mercantile republics and theocracies. The former are often governed by councils that are directly tied to their religious beliefs. In these theocracies, spiritual leaders often hold political power, using their interpretation of their gods' will to guide their governance.

Type

Desert