Hetao Plains

The Hetao Plains or Hetao Flatlands, stretching from the Xin Ruiku border to the southernmost edges of Ganaguk, are a vast and haunting expanse, steeped in the echoes of war and the scars of human conflict. Once fertile and bustling with farming communities, the plains now stand as a somber testament to history’s relentless march, a land where the remnants of battles and abandoned livelihoods blend with nature’s slow reclamation.

Geography

A War-Torn Expanse

The plains cover 70% of western Ganaguk, leading from the Xin Ruiku border to the western coastline and southward to the Ganaguk mountain ranges.Once a key agricultural region, the Hetao Plains are now a mixture of barren fields, abandoned villages, and overgrown battle sites.

A Haunting Atmosphere

Ghost Towns and Ruins: Many villages lie abandoned, their fading rice fields overrun with weeds and their worn windmills standing as silent witnesses to the past. Bombed-out ruins of former towns and military installations punctuate the landscape, reminders of the ferocity of past conflicts.

Ghost Towns

Entire villages have been deserted due to famine, war, or environmental decline. These ghost towns are eerie remnants of a once-vibrant countryside, slowly decaying under the weight of rain and time.

Dangerous Terrain

The plains are littered with unexploded ordnance, making travel treacherous. Wildlife and Bandits: Some areas are overrun with predatory wildlife or opportunistic bandits who use the abandoned bunkers as hideouts.

Unmarked Mass Graves

Hidden Burial Grounds: The plains are dotted with unmarked mass graves, hastily dug during the chaos of war for both soldiers and civilians. Many graves remain undiscovered, their presence betrayed only by the uneven ground or skeletal remains unearthed by rain or animals.
Silent Witnesses: The remains of Nyaanese and Malnarrian soldiers are still frequently found scattered across the plains. Many skeletons are still dressed in their decayed uniforms, clutching rusted firearms or broken swords.

Ecosystem

Abandoned Farmland

Once thriving with rice fields, much of the land is now unsuitable for farming due to:

• Pollution from war debris
• Depleted soil from overuse and neglect
• Flooding from poor drainage

Farmers who stayed behind struggle to eke out a living, while most communities have moved to urban centers like Baegora or Binkyepae.

Ecosystem Cycles

Spiritual Unease

Legends of Restless Spirits: Local legends tell of ghost soldiers who wander the plains, trapped in eternal duty, and phantom armies that march in the fog. Some villagers claim to hear battle cries on stormy nights or see shadowy figures in the distance.
Haunted Windmills: The sound of creaking windmills is said to carry the voices of the dead, warning travelers not to linger.

Localized Phenomena

Stories of Restless Souls: Locals believe these mass graves are the reason for the ghostly apparitions and phantom battles reported during foggy nights, as the spirits of the unburied dead wander the plains seeking peace.
Battlefield Echoes: During heavy fog, travelers report hearing the unmistakable sounds of a battle that isn’t there: Drums beating, as though signaling an advance. The distant blast of trumpets and whistles, accompanied by the faint sound of marching. The staccato crack of gunfire or the dull boom of cannons, fading in and out with the fog.
Smell of War: Along with the sounds, travelers sometimes smell gunpowder, burning wood, and the metallic tang of blood, as though they’ve stumbled into the aftermath of a battle long gone.
Unnatural Silhouettes: During certain times of the year, when the sun is high and the fog is thin, travelers have reported seeing shadowy figures moving across the plains. These figures vanish when approached but are said to resemble soldiers in formation.
A Collective Vision: Entire groups of travelers have claimed to see the same figures at the same time, lending credence to the belief that these aren’t just tricks of the light.
Unexplained Illumination: Pale, flickering lights resembling lanterns or torches are often seen drifting across the plains at night. Known locally as "Phantom Lanterns," these lights are said to be carried by the spirits of soldiers or civilians searching for their loved ones.
Luring the Lost: Folklore warns travelers not to follow these lights, as they are believed to lead the unwary into treacherous bogs, abandoned trenches, or even to their deaths.
Unnatural Voices: On windy nights, locals swear they hear whispers carried on the breeze. These voices are faint and fragmented, resembling orders shouted on the battlefield or desperate cries for help.
Cursed Winds: Some say the wind is cursed by the dying breaths of soldiers who perished in agony, their final words forever etched into the plains.
Recurring Figures: Certain spirits are said to appear more often than others, including:

• A Nyaanese commander, still shouting orders as his troops march into the fog.
• A Malnarrian medic, clutching an empty satchel and weeping over unseen casualties.
• Groups of faceless soldiers, trudging silently across the fields.

Eternal Combat: In rare cases, travelers have witnessed what seems to be a battle replaying itself, with ghostly soldiers charging, firing, and falling before vanishing into thin air.
Marching Soldiers: Travelers often hear the sound of footsteps marching in unison, despite seeing no one around. These footsteps are said to grow louder or fainter depending on the fog, sometimes accompanied by faint murmurs or commands.
Dead Zones: Certain areas of the plains fall into an unnatural silence, where even the wind and rain seem to stop. These places are avoided by locals, as they are believed to be mass graves or sites of immense suffering.
Haunted Machinery: The worn windmills scattered across the plains are said to emit eerie, human-like wails as the wind turns their decayed blades.
Supernatural Beliefs: Locals believe these windmills are cursed, imbued with the pain and sorrow of the war-torn land. Some even avoid using windmills for fear of angering the spirits.
Dangerous Finds: Items recovered from the plains, such as firearms, helmets, or medals, are often believed to carry a curse. Owners of such artifacts report:

• Nightmares of being on the battlefield.
• Hearing faint battle sounds when alone.
• Unexplained feelings of dread or unease.

Ghostly Connections: Some claim these artifacts are bound to the spirits of their original owners, who follow the items wherever they go.

Climate

Persistent Rain: The plains are drenched in frequent rain, creating marshy lowlands and giving the landscape a perpetually wet and dreary appearance.
Fog and Wind: Thick fog often blankets the plains, obscuring visibility and creating an eerie, dreamlike atmosphere. The howling winds, mingling with the creaks of old windmills, amplify the unease.

Fauna & Flora

Flora:

Bloodrose:

Appearance: The Bloodrose thrives in areas of great tragedy or conflict, particularly near mass graves or old battlefields like the Hetao Plains. Its petals are a deep crimson, veined with black, and glisten as though wet with dew at night.
Cultural Significance: In Ysanaf, the Bloodrose is viewed as a flower of both mourning and warning. Legends claim they bloom to honor the lives lost and that their presence may signal restless spirits nearby. They are often used in rituals to appease these spirits.
Magical Uses: Alchemists harvest the Bloodrose for its potent properties in blood-based Artts, such as enhancing vitality or connecting to ancestral spirits.

Fauna:

Scarlet Crow

Appearance: Scarlet Crows are medium-sized birds with feathers that shimmer between fiery red and black. They often travel in small groups and are associated with ruins or sites of magical activity
Behavior: These birds are highly intelligent and exhibit problem-solving skills. Their cries are sharp and piercing, often described as unsettling.
Cultural Significance: Scarlet Crows are seen as omens of transformation or destruction, their presence sometimes linked to impending conflict. In some cultures, capturing a Scarlet Crow is believed to grant foresight or protection in war.

Night Fowl

Appearance: A stout, dark-feathered flightless bird with a wide beak and glowing yellow eyes. The Night Fowl has an uncanny ability to mimic the sounds of battles, including gunfire and shouting.
Behavior: Mostly nocturnal, they are scavengers, thriving on the remains of battlefields. Their calls are used as a form of defense to deter predators by mimicking danger.
Cultural Significance: Considered both a nuisance and a blessing. Night Fowls can unintentionally sow panic by mimicking conflict but are also revered for their ability to "keep alive" the memory of past struggles. They’re often mentioned in songs and poems of Ysanaf's war-torn regions.

History

Battleground Between Empires

The Hetao Plains were the site of fierce clashes between the Nyaan Empire and the Malnarr Empire, making them a strategic war zone for centuries.
Landship and Airship Wreckage: The wreckage of colossal landships and fallen airships dot the plains, rusting and half-sunken into the earth, serving as stark reminders of the scale of the conflict.
Trenches and Bomb Craters: Deep trenches and craters from bombings crisscross the landscape, some filled with water from the endless rains.

Abandoned Military Installations

During the wars, numerous bunkers, barracks, and water treatment plants were repurposed into military bases. Many were abandoned after the conflicts ended, now serving as decaying monuments to human ingenuity turned to destruction.

Tourism

Points of Interest

The Rusted Colossus

A massive Nyaan Empire landship, half-buried in the mud, now serves as a grim tourist attraction for those brave enough to venture onto the plains.Its interior is rumored to hold ancient relics, unspent munitions, and even the spirits of its crew.

The Silent Barracks

A sprawling complex of abandoned bunkers and barracks, once a key Malnarr military base. It’s now a haven for smugglers, but locals avoid it, citing haunting lights and unearthly sounds.

The Fogfield Windmills

A cluster of worn and creaking windmills surrounded by overgrown rice paddies. Their haunting sounds have inspired both fear and fascination, with artists and poets flocking to capture their unsettling beauty.

The Drowned Trench

A long trench filled with rainwater and remnants of war. The area is known for its beautiful yet eerie reflections of the sky and the occasional sighting of ghostly apparitions.

Type

Plain

Location under

Malnarr