The Varilands

The Varilands is one of the five continents in the world of Sanctuary. It is the largest, most advanced, continent and is home to many different types of regions; such as desert, tundra, forests, mountains, plains, marshlands, islands, underground areas, and wastelands. Each region has a unique array of monsters that inhabit it.   There are five factions in The Varilands, each with their own cultures, heroes, claimed territory, and laws. The most influential of these factions is the Highlands. Its capitol is in the southeast and is the largest city on the continent. The Highlandian Kings have always thought the entirety of The Varilands as theirs by divine rite. Most of the mortal wars in this continent's history was started by the Highlandians. They are not bloodthirsty by nature and always attempt diplomatic means before brutal ones. King Marcus Turwin X is the current leader of this faction. This region is made up of mostly mountains, valleys, and plains, with a forest seperating their region from the Wetlands to the northeast. Recently the Highlands have started expanding into Wetland territory, creating tension between The Highlands and the Unguins that live in the Wetlands. This is something King Turwin X is not concerned with, The Highlands have a military that rivals all other mortal armies combined.   The Lowlands is in the center northern area of The Varilands. This faction has no central leader, instead choosing to follow a council of leaders. The Head of the Hunters Guild, Leader of the Elves, The Druid Shaman Prime, and the Elders of the towns Cruwell, Berg, and Tham are the members of the council. The Lowlands are quickly growing and will soon rival the Highlands in both population and trade. The largest freshwater source, Lake Sera, is in The Lowlands and provides a large supply of amenities for the continent as a whole. The Lowlands constantly dealing with raids from the Orcs that live in the south. The Great Serian Forest is the largest forest in on the continent and it covers most of The Lowlands territory. While the military force of The Lowlands is low in number, each member is highly trained, intelligent, and crafty.   The Shifting Sands, once called the Valley of Prosperity, is a faction that has been cursed by Thamin, God of Nature and Food. For three hundred years the once lush forested area has been turned into a desert. The Orcs that live here are forced to live on the coast, their primary food is fish and oranges from a small peninsula saved from Thamin's wrath. The Orcs choose to raid other regions for resources because of this. The deserts here hold many secrets in the buried structures and towns. Looters are commonly seen leaving The Lowlands and heading to The Shifting Sands with empty sacks, hoping to find their fortune.   The Wetlands is a faction in the northeastern section of The Varilands. It is made up of mostly water and broken islands. The Unguins who inhabit this area are wary of the other factions and are very unhappy that The Highlandians are expanding into their claimed territory. While the Unguins were still a young race their King challenged Poesdu, God of the Sea and Moon, to a contest of martial strength. The King knew he was no match for the God but he had a trick up his sleeve. Fathesil, God of Shadows and Trickery, had given the King a ring that would allow him to control the water around him. During the bout Poesdu realized the King was wearing this ring and decided to punish him. To Poesdu a challenge was a very honorable thing, to bring another God's influence into it was despicable. He covered the land in water with a massive tsunami and drowned the King.   The Wasteland, once called The Raised Lands, was once a flourishing kingdom. The Elves and Halflings lived here and created a paradise for their kind. Their forest extended from one end of their territory to the other, gems and ores plentiful, water clear and full of life, and a mountain range that separated them from the other areas. All of it was destroyed when Mount Kafter erupted. Some say the Gods did it out of spite, some say it was just a natural disaster, others say it was something darker, more vile that was at the heart of the destruction. In the end the entire area was covered in a later of ash, smog, and rock.