The Forbidden Badlands
The scarred peninsula of Aluin...
The Forbidden Badlands is a peninsula on the continent of Aluin. The land was once known as the Grassy Plains of Lador, rich with fertile soil and plant life. During the First Great War, the Kingdom of Lador went under siege and the lush, fertile, lands became scorched with fire and dark magic leaving only a barren wasteland devoid of most plant life and water.
Geography
The Badlands is located in a peninsula of Aluin and, thus, almost entirely surrounded by the ocean. The Coastline is mostly elevated from sea level with tall cliffs. Only a few flat coasts are dotted around the peninsula. Though the flat coasts are often rugged and rocky, making it harder to reach via boat.
Originally, the Badlands boasted expansive rolling plains of grass which gave it the name "The grassy plains of Lador" until brutal conflict permanently scarred the lands, making it impossible for most plant life to grow. The land is now mostly a semi-arid desert. Grass which once covered the Mesas burnt away, never to regrow.
The mesa sprawls over the peninsula. Large chunks of it were shattered by great forces and dug into during the First Great War. Lakes, which were once dotted around the peninsula, dried up over time. Now the only source of water throughout the badlands can be found in underground pockets.
A vast and intricate network of tunnels and caves were mined out by the Goblin hordes and used extensively by Orcish clans.
Fauna & Flora
Originally, the grass plains of Lador were home to all manner of animals and flora. After the fall of Lador at the conquest of Yielden Keep, the lad became a barren and arid wasteland. Most plantlife slowly withered and died with only certain types of cacti surviving. The animals, native to Lador, migrated away from the peninsula or died.
Since the fall of Lador, the Forbidden Badlands has been home to many foul creatures. Orcs and Goblins live underground in the vast maze of tunnels and caves, fighting among themselves for dominance and scraps.
Giant scorpions roam the arid and barren plains. The undead corpses of the fallen wander the ruins of Lador aimlessly while evil spirits lay dormant in the mesa and the Black Fortress of Kas Dhozgul.
Natural Resources
The Forbidden Badlands is rich is precious metals and gems. Along with an abundance of iron and coal.
The plentiful veins of iron and vast quantities of coal were exploited well by both the Kingdom of Lador and, later, the Grim Order of Kala to create steel for weapons and armour.
Since the fall of Lador, water has become a scarce and valuable resource on the surface. The only source of freshwater can be found in pockets underground. But to venture there would risk running into one of the many Orc clans or Goblin Hordes.
History
The Peninsula was once the home to the prosperous Kingdom of Lador. Under its rule, the land was beautiful and rich in life and colourful flowers. The small towns were connected by elegantly paved cobbled pathways that blended in with the natural beauty of the land. Many small mining communities were set up in the mesa to mine the precious stones and metals along with the iron that gave them more tools and equipment. The Kingdom of lador used the land completely to their advantage, making them one of the most prosperous Kingdoms during the first age while keeping the natural sites untouched. Many people flocked to the peninsula in the hopes of starting a new life in the Kingdom of Lador, making it one of the most popular locations on the continent of Aluin.
The natural beauty of the peninsula was known far and wide. It even got attention from the Elves of Theilon who would frequently visit the kingdom and its monarchy. The old king of Lador became good allies with the king of Teilon and, eventually, their children would cement their alliance. Prince Avon of Lador and Princess Lierin of Theilon would marry and, later, become King and Queen of Lador. Together they built the impressive Yielden Keep which was named after their newborn son, Prince Yielden.
The rolling grass plains were even admired by the Dwarves of Thindolir, known more for their love of vast halls and mountains. The King of Thindolir often visited the Kingdom of Lador, offering gifts of precious gemstones from the mines under Thindolir. One day the king sent a huge workforce of dwarves to build one of their famous Dwarven foundries in Yielden Keep as a congratulations for the birth of the prince.
The prosperity of Lador, however, would not last. Over a decade after the construction of Yielden Keep, the First Great War began and the peninsular became under siege.
The Orcish Legions invaded through the mines of Lador, swiftly conquering the mining towns and outposts in the peninsula, leaving no survivors. It was unknown where the dark armies of the Grim Order of Kala came from, but they soon swept over the land. One by one the towns and cities would fall, razed to the ground. The very earth was scorched and scarred by fire and dark magic until the very ground itself was dead, unable to regrow. Eventually Yielden Keep, itself, would fall and the Kingdom of Lador was no more. The peninsula became barren and diseased.
Eventually Lord Nal'loth and his armies fell. The remnants of the Grim Order of Kala were pushed back to the peninsula, now known as the Forbidden Badlands. A massive wall was erected, separating the Badlands from the rest of the continent. The vast wall would eventually become known as the Bronzefort Wall with a large citadel at the centre, keeping a watchful eye over the borders of the Badlands.
In the Forbidden Badlands, Orcs and Goblins hid underground in a vest network of tunnels made during the First Great War. All manner of dark creatures became attracted to the evil presence hidden in Yielden Keep, now known as the Black Fortress of Kas Dhozgul.
Peace, however, would not last. And the Grim Order of Kala would regain its strength. During the second age, Lord Nal'loth returned from the dead with a body of flesh and steel and became the leader of the Grim Order. The new dark armies waged war against the earth, shattering Bronzefort Wall and razing the citadel. The evil forces spread far and wide before, once again, being defeated and pushed back to the Forbidden Badlands. This time the armies of Araes pushed the Grim Order of Kala all the way back to the Black fortress. The fortress itself would be left ruined and the Orc legions scattered into mere clans. Bronzefort wall was rebuilt, once again Keeping the Forbidden Badlands separated from the rest of the continent.
Alternative Name(s)
The grassy plains of Lador, The Ladorian peninsula, The Orcish wastes, The sinister barrens.
Type
Badlands
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Included Organizations
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