Western Slopes
"The rolling hills were barren and unforgiving, their once-green pastures now a sea of dry, prickly grass that crackled underfoot. The sun beat down mercilessly, casting harsh shadows across the landscape.
The hills stretched out as far as the eye could see, their jagged peaks and valleys looking more like the broken bones of some ancient beast than the gentle curves of nature. The air was hot and still, carrying with it the scent of scorched earth and dust.
Despite the harshness of the terrain, the hills had a stark beauty all their own. The golden grasses shimmered in the sunlight, casting a warm, honey-colored hue across the land. And in the distance, there was the silhouette of a lone tree, its branches stretching skyward like a beacon of hope amidst the barren expanse.
There was a sense of rawness to this place, a feeling of survival and resilience that was both humbling and awe-inspiring.
The rolling hills were a reminder that even in the harshest of conditions, life finds a way to thrive. The grasses may be dry, the earth may be scorched, but there is a beauty in the struggle, a determination to survive that is both fierce and formidable."
-Squall Uhrheart, founder of Tempestus
Geography
The Western Slopes are an expanse of rolling hills that stretch for miles, covered in dry and dense grassland. With the exception of New Nord'ial and several unimportant hamlets that dot the countryside, very few people call the Slopes their home. Some - mainly Druids of the Grassland persuasion - call these lands beautiful... but to most, they consider it "rideover" territory.
Ecosystem
Flora and fauna that can call the Western Slopes their home are generally adapted to the harsher conditions of the landscape. There's very little access to water in the 'dry season' (except for a few ponds here and there, where the towns and hamlets set up shop near), and rain rarely happens outside of the 'rainy season'. Most of the animals here can survive on minimal water intake.
Climate
The Western Slopes experience two main seasons: a dry season and a rainy season. During the dry season, which lasts from around Lone Moon to Blue Sea Moon, the grasses in the hills turn brown and brittle, and water becomes scarce. The temperature can also be quite hot or bitterly cold during this time, with daytime temperatures often reaching well over 100 degrees or below 0.
Despite the challenging conditions, many animals are well adapted to the dry season. Grazing animals such as antelopes and bison are able to survive on dry grasses, while predators like lions and cheetahs become more active as their prey becomes more vulnerable. Smaller animals, like rodents and reptiles, may burrow underground or find other ways to conserve water. As the dry season comes to a close, the first signs of the rainy season begin to appear. In late Blue Sea Moon or early Verdant Moon, the first rains of the year bring relief to the parched hills. The grasses begin to turn green once again, and water sources replenish, providing a much-needed drink for the animals and few residencies nearby. As the rainy season progresses, the hills come alive with new growth and activity. The grasses grow tall and lush, providing ample food for grazing animals. Wildflowers and other plants begin to bloom, attracting insects and other small creatures. The increased moisture also make it easier for predators to hunt, and the hills are alive with the sounds of life and energy. The rainy season typically lasts from around Verdant Moon to Pegasus Moon, with the heaviest rains falling in Horsebow and Wyvern Moons. During this time, the hills are transformed into a vibrant, lush ecosystem, bursting with life and vitality. But as the rains begin to taper off in Pegasus Moon, the dry season returns once again, and the cycle of life in the rolling hills begins anew.
Despite the challenging conditions, many animals are well adapted to the dry season. Grazing animals such as antelopes and bison are able to survive on dry grasses, while predators like lions and cheetahs become more active as their prey becomes more vulnerable. Smaller animals, like rodents and reptiles, may burrow underground or find other ways to conserve water. As the dry season comes to a close, the first signs of the rainy season begin to appear. In late Blue Sea Moon or early Verdant Moon, the first rains of the year bring relief to the parched hills. The grasses begin to turn green once again, and water sources replenish, providing a much-needed drink for the animals and few residencies nearby. As the rainy season progresses, the hills come alive with new growth and activity. The grasses grow tall and lush, providing ample food for grazing animals. Wildflowers and other plants begin to bloom, attracting insects and other small creatures. The increased moisture also make it easier for predators to hunt, and the hills are alive with the sounds of life and energy. The rainy season typically lasts from around Verdant Moon to Pegasus Moon, with the heaviest rains falling in Horsebow and Wyvern Moons. During this time, the hills are transformed into a vibrant, lush ecosystem, bursting with life and vitality. But as the rains begin to taper off in Pegasus Moon, the dry season returns once again, and the cycle of life in the rolling hills begins anew.
Alternative Name(s)
the Occidental Hills
Type
Rolling Hills
Location under
Inhabiting Species
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