Western Edge
A coastal stretch of flatland known for the storms that plague its barren landscape. Beyond the narrow Black Strait, lies a graveyard of bleak plains. A wasteland standing as a border between the known world and what lies beyond. Its name is the Western Edge. A title given for it being the westernmost stretch of land humanity has ventured since the beginning of the New Age. It is here, the colossal entities known as 'Rift Storms' lay waste to the long-dead landscape. One would struggle to find a living soul out here. Its dirt, grey, from the constant battles between the earth and the sky. And those skies above illuminate the heavens with an eerie pink: violent energy sourced from the northern Riftlands seeping out as the storms erupt.
Basic Information
Geography
The topography of the Deadlands is similar to that immediately east of the Black Sea. No hills or mountains can be found for a great many miles across the landmass. From sea to sea, a deathly flat topography blankets the land in a sea of grey. The western coast remains are rocky hellscape for ships. With much of the coastline being built from igneous granite and basalt, the result is a collection of harsh cliff faces and jagged rock formations, which when coupled with the dreadful storms that batter these coasts, results in nightmarish conditions for sailors foolish enough to sail along this coast.Fauna
As one would expect for a land nicknamed the 'Deadlands', little life has the capabilities to survive out here in such conditions. However, as nature always does, it prevails. The Nocavime for example is an avian species that builds subterranean burrows, which during storms they use to take shelter in. While not exactly impressive in size, standing only six inches tall, their ability to survive in such an inhospitable location makes them unique amongst birds. The meteorological factors are only one side of why this land is so dangerous to venture into. Another is the Petriverm. A member of the reptilia class that, despite its worm-like appearance, is more closely related to snakes. Their appearance is a strange one. Their function without sight using sensory organs found on the front of their heads that detect vibrations in the soil. Unlike other subterranean species, the Petriverm is one of the few highly adapted species that can survive in such acidic soils. They are the apex predators in their ecosystem, feeding on similar blind earth-dwellers such as the Pardien - a much smaller herbivorous relative of the Petriverm.Advanced Information
Settlements
While the conditions of this land have made it nearly impossible for permanent settlements to emerge, there are signs of minor human activity. The eastern shores for example is an area rich is certain precious metals. Gold for example is found in abundance here leading to several mining outposts being set up over the past century...though with that being said, the majority have succumbed to the cruel reality of this region becoming abandoned leaving only the dusty skeletons of mines. However, the eastern coast is not the only part of this region that humans have penetrated. The western coast, aptly named the Bone Cliffs, is home to a towering structure: Haemon's Rest. It is here, a coven of long-abandoned alchemists continue to conduct their work as if there were no threat at all. Perhaps it is their great knowledge that has protected them from the elements for so long.Type
PlainsParent Article
AmothPseudonyms
Deadlands, Storm's PathInhabiting Species
NocavimePardien
Petriverm
Flora
When it comes to plantlife, little can be find growing any taller than a foot in height. Grisfern is one such plant that is found throughout the landmass, thriving on the acidic soils that other plants would surely die in. While the great amount of rainfall above average temperatures would expect to yield a prosperous ecosystem, the energy secreted by the Rift Storms seemingly inhibits this. Only few plants that can tolerate these storms can withstand the conditions. The largest would have to be Fangweed. These poisonous, flowering plants are perhaps the most beautiful yet deadly throughout the continent. Their leaves and stems grow a muted green whilst their flowers bloom an off-white colour with dots of red on their tips. Their name evidently given due to their flowers' odd appearance that strikes similarities with that of a snake fang, growing laterally from a tall stem.Rift Storms
So what is it about these meteorological tyrants that have given them such an infamous name? Well the colossal stores of energy within them is perhaps the most notable thing to be mentioned. It is thought they are first birthed from the warm seas of Eastern Laváta, a continent to the far north-west that has been scarcely mapped, shrouding it in mystery. It is here, in the Shattered Sea, that the warm and deep waters conjour great hurricanes that are blown further east to the western coast of the Riftlands. Here, they pick up traces of Blakral that fuel these cyclones for their great journey down the shoreline of Cenath wreaking havoc down the Western Edge.Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments