The Maarlands

The Maarlands is the region of Ashun blanketed by volcanic ash from the Ashmounts. The region is home to some unique flora and fauna that have evolved to survive the ashen region.

Inhabitants

The Maarlands are most well-known for their ashen landscape and constant ashfalls from the nearby volcanoes. Due to the constant ashfall, many races struggle to survive in the region. Prolonged exposure to the ash is toxic to those without proper protections or adaptations.
The eastern portion of the Maarlands is inhabited by the fire genasi of Chatha. They have an innate ability to breathe the ashen air without becoming ill.
The north-western portion of the Maarlands is home to the ash dwarves of Thurgunn. Like the fire genasi, ash dwarves have developed an innate resistance to the toxic effects of breathing in the ashen air.
The expanse of the southern portion of the Maarlands is inhospitible territory and there are no permanent settlements. However, travellers, bandits, and orc raiders frequently traverse the area.

Fauna & Flora

The Maarlands are home to unique creatures and plants. Many of the species listed below also reside in the Outlands and some can be found as far as the Brushlands.

Flora

The Maarlands are home to several species of coral-like plants that grow as large as trees and glow with a dim orange hue known as Sekel Plants. At night, large clusters of Sekels illuminate the Maarlands with their orange glow.
The Maarlands are also dotted with many species of fungal plants, such as large mushrooms, that are able to grow in the ashen landscape.

Fauna

Several species of reptiles and insects inhabit the Maarlands and Outlands, including Stirges and Ankhegs. Some species of note:

• Draggers: Large herbivorous beetle-like creatures, around the size of oxen. They form large herds and have straw-like mouthparts that burrow below the ashcover to reach plant matter on the ground. Tamed Draggers are often used as pack animals, however their slow speed makes them unpopular mounts.
• Ash goats: A large species of goat that is native to the Ashmounts. They have thick pelts that form a protective layer to prevent ash buildup beneath their fur. Often used as mounts by Fire Eaters.
• Wyverns: Wyverns are flying beasts that make their nests in the Maarlands and the Outlands. They make fiersome mounts for those that manage to tame them.
• Tuskars: Large bipedal reptiles with two huge forward-facing horns on the sides of their faces that they use for goring their prey. They are occasionally used as mounts, but their aggressive nature makes them difficult to control.
• Displacers: Ashen Displacers are a variant of Displacer Beast with grey fur and slightly larger size. They have thick saber-teeth particularly adapted for piercing the thick hides and exoskeletons of Maarland prey. They hunt solitarily and use illusions to give the appearance of hunting as a pack.
• Several species of heavily armored reptiles roam the Maarlands and the Outlands:
  • Talars: Herbivorous cow-sized Talarurus.
  • Glyptodons, referred to by locals as Glyptos. They are herbivorous, but become hostile if approached.
  • Scuttels: Goanna-like burrowing lizards with thick armoured hides that eats small insects.
  • Struthos: A strutho is an armoured lizard around the size of a komodo dragon. They eat insects and have extremely thick plating, making them very slow but also making it difficult even for an Ashen Displacer to eat them. They are not easily frightened and will usually not bother to run away if approached.

Additionally, there are legends of large spiders and spider people, possibly driders, roaming parts of the Maarlands. These legends are unconfirmed.

Type

Region