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The '''Scourgelands''' are an almost uninhabited region on the | The '''Scourgelands''' are an almost uninhabited region on the western coast the [[Chaska Sea]]. Many have lived within the Scourgelands at one point or another. Once the domain of ancient elves, more recently settlers from the eastern and northern coasts of the Chaska Sea founded small cities and towns here. Today it is almost completely abandoned after the appearance of a strange type of insectoid creature. | ||
Some believe the demon lord Deskari to be tied to the fate of the Scourgelands. Certainly the [[Scourge]] creatures seem to have been warped by unearthly forces. In fear of what may arise in the future, some clerics and champions of other faiths maintain a vigil over the Scourgelands, preparing for any eventuality. | Some believe the demon lord Deskari to be tied to the fate of the Scourgelands. Certainly the [[Scourge]] creatures seem to have been warped by unearthly forces. In fear of what may arise in the future, some clerics and champions of other faiths maintain a vigil over the Scourgelands, preparing for any eventuality. | ||
== Geography, flora, and fauna == | == Geography, flora, and fauna == | ||
The forests of the Scourgelands were once full of life, an inviting new home for colonists from elsewhere. Today, much has changed. The settlements are depopulated ghost towns, and even many of the animals that used to live in the area are now gone. | |||
The native wildlife of the region is still recovering from the emergence of the [[Scourge]]. Their origins are poorly understood, with the first recorded sighting of a [[wikipedia:Locust|swarm of giant insects]] near [[Acridae]] in Y6629. Reports of the creatures expanded outwards rapidly. Wherever the Scourge was seen, they quickly devoured all they came across. Towns in the region soon dwindled and depopulated - sometimes from not evacuating in time, but more and more frequently out of fear. | |||
The native wildlife of the region is still recovering from the emergence of the [[Scourge]]. Their origins are poorly understood, with the first recorded sighting of a [[wikipedia:Locust|swarm of giant insects]] near [[ | |||
After sweeping over the land, the swarms of the Scourge disappeared as quickly as they arrived. Unconfirmed sightings of the creatures have continued in the century and a half since, though seemingly most have re-entered their underground burrows to wait for until some unknown future date. | After sweeping over the land, the swarms of the Scourge disappeared as quickly as they arrived. Unconfirmed sightings of the creatures have continued in the century and a half since, though seemingly most have re-entered their underground burrows to wait for until some unknown future date. | ||
To the west, the forests and plains of the Scourgelands are separated from the [[Sangora Desolation]] and other arid regions by the [[Kheldezir Hills]]. Remote and dry, rumors of precious metals within still draw some that are particularly brave or foolish. | |||
To the west, the | |||
== History == | == History == | ||
=== Timeline === | === Timeline === | ||
* Pre-colonization - At some point in the distant past, these lands were home to an elven population of a fairly significant size. Though long gone, surprisingly well preserved remnants of their society remain, mostly concentrated in the forests south and west of the [[Rokola River]]. No modern elven population draws a connection between themselves and this ancient civilization - what happened to them is unknown. | * Pre-colonization - At some point in the distant past, these lands were home to an elven population of a fairly significant size. Though long gone, surprisingly well preserved remnants of their society remain, mostly concentrated in the forests south and west of the [[Rokola River]]. No modern elven population draws a connection between themselves and this ancient civilization - what happened to them is unknown. | ||
* Y6444 - The first modern settlement in the area, [[ | * Y6444 - The first modern settlement in the area, [[Senasa]], was founded on the banks of the Rokola River by colonists out of the [[Tirione|Tirione]] city of [[Cedarwood]]. Mellima served as the first town of arrival for most new inhabitants, stopping there before moving farther inland. | ||
* Y6444 - | * Y6444 - Y6629 - Colonization continues. By the middle of the 67th century, around 8,000 people lived in the area. | ||
* 16 Gozran | * 16 Gozran Y6629 - First sighting of the Scourge near Acridae. | ||
*4 Erastus | *4 Erastus Y6630 - The population of Acridae stops stops sending regular mail to nearby towns. Expeditions sent to investigate find bones stripped of all flesh, accounting for almost all of the roughly 550 humans and dwarves that lived there. Over the next month, smaller settlements around Acridae suffer the same fate. Swarms of giant insects begin to appear throughout the region, devouring all they encountered. | ||
* 16 Irorus | * 16 Irorus Y6630 - [[Metar]], home to almost a thousand people, goes dark. Boats and barges with only the remains of their crews drifted south down the river, prompting more investigations. Those that are sent to explore are quickly driven away by lingering swarms of the Scourge creatures. | ||
* 9 Rova | * 9 Rova Y6630 to 20 Pharast Y6631 - A mass migration out of the settlements began, aided by further rumors, some true and some not, of other disappearing towns. Senasa was the last to be fully abandoned, as the docks remained operational for long enough to assist the evacuation. | ||
* Present - Few | * Present - Few remain in what is now termed the Scourgelands. A handful of small settlements have been reestablished east of Senasa, and scavengers occasionally visit Meliagria in search of items left behind. | ||
== Demographics == | == Demographics == | ||
Almost no one lives within the Scourgelands today. Outside of a small number of hermits and druids | Almost no one lives within the Scourgelands today. Outside of a small number of hermits and druids, the region is otherwise entirely depopulated. The few new inhabitants that do arrive tend to be desperate and fleeing something worse than the fates that might meet them here. | ||
== Culture == | == Culture == | ||
Revision as of 02:24, 4 April 2022
The Scourgelands are an almost uninhabited region on the western coast the Chaska Sea. Many have lived within the Scourgelands at one point or another. Once the domain of ancient elves, more recently settlers from the eastern and northern coasts of the Chaska Sea founded small cities and towns here. Today it is almost completely abandoned after the appearance of a strange type of insectoid creature.
Some believe the demon lord Deskari to be tied to the fate of the Scourgelands. Certainly the Scourge creatures seem to have been warped by unearthly forces. In fear of what may arise in the future, some clerics and champions of other faiths maintain a vigil over the Scourgelands, preparing for any eventuality.
Geography, flora, and fauna
The forests of the Scourgelands were once full of life, an inviting new home for colonists from elsewhere. Today, much has changed. The settlements are depopulated ghost towns, and even many of the animals that used to live in the area are now gone.
The native wildlife of the region is still recovering from the emergence of the Scourge. Their origins are poorly understood, with the first recorded sighting of a swarm of giant insects near Acridae in Y6629. Reports of the creatures expanded outwards rapidly. Wherever the Scourge was seen, they quickly devoured all they came across. Towns in the region soon dwindled and depopulated - sometimes from not evacuating in time, but more and more frequently out of fear.
After sweeping over the land, the swarms of the Scourge disappeared as quickly as they arrived. Unconfirmed sightings of the creatures have continued in the century and a half since, though seemingly most have re-entered their underground burrows to wait for until some unknown future date.
To the west, the forests and plains of the Scourgelands are separated from the Sangora Desolation and other arid regions by the Kheldezir Hills. Remote and dry, rumors of precious metals within still draw some that are particularly brave or foolish.
History
Timeline
- Pre-colonization - At some point in the distant past, these lands were home to an elven population of a fairly significant size. Though long gone, surprisingly well preserved remnants of their society remain, mostly concentrated in the forests south and west of the Rokola River. No modern elven population draws a connection between themselves and this ancient civilization - what happened to them is unknown.
- Y6444 - The first modern settlement in the area, Senasa, was founded on the banks of the Rokola River by colonists out of the Tirione city of Cedarwood. Mellima served as the first town of arrival for most new inhabitants, stopping there before moving farther inland.
- Y6444 - Y6629 - Colonization continues. By the middle of the 67th century, around 8,000 people lived in the area.
- 16 Gozran Y6629 - First sighting of the Scourge near Acridae.
- 4 Erastus Y6630 - The population of Acridae stops stops sending regular mail to nearby towns. Expeditions sent to investigate find bones stripped of all flesh, accounting for almost all of the roughly 550 humans and dwarves that lived there. Over the next month, smaller settlements around Acridae suffer the same fate. Swarms of giant insects begin to appear throughout the region, devouring all they encountered.
- 16 Irorus Y6630 - Metar, home to almost a thousand people, goes dark. Boats and barges with only the remains of their crews drifted south down the river, prompting more investigations. Those that are sent to explore are quickly driven away by lingering swarms of the Scourge creatures.
- 9 Rova Y6630 to 20 Pharast Y6631 - A mass migration out of the settlements began, aided by further rumors, some true and some not, of other disappearing towns. Senasa was the last to be fully abandoned, as the docks remained operational for long enough to assist the evacuation.
- Present - Few remain in what is now termed the Scourgelands. A handful of small settlements have been reestablished east of Senasa, and scavengers occasionally visit Meliagria in search of items left behind.
Demographics
Almost no one lives within the Scourgelands today. Outside of a small number of hermits and druids, the region is otherwise entirely depopulated. The few new inhabitants that do arrive tend to be desperate and fleeing something worse than the fates that might meet them here.
Culture
At one time, this area was a unique melting pot of peoples and cultures, primarily seafarers from the eastern Chaska and colonists from Hellea. Traditions, cultures, and religions mixed with the material realities of settling the area. Settlers were generally not well-off and valued their independence highly, as unlike the nearby Nionegrast and Argengrast this colonization was not a state-sponsored affair.
Many settlements had small shrines and altars, usually to the common pantheon of deities - worship of Desna in particular was quite widespread.
The structures that still stand in and around old settlements tend to be architecturally quite simple, usually made using simple techniques and materials like wood and stone. The area was not settled for long, and most towns kept a rustic appearance until their demise.
Government
The Scourgelands have no government.
Economy
The Scourgelands have no economy.
Relations
Nionegrast, and therefore Tirione as well, holds an interest in expanding into the Scourgelands. However, this has not progressed beyond talk and plans that have yet to go anywhere; the internal politics of Nionegrast have so far hampered any serious effort.
Aside from small independent expeditions that rarely return, nobody else has much to do with the Scourge - probably a wise choice.