Caewyld, Cold Fields
... the shifting sands and snow of the chilly fields' mystery reveals!
Fields of ice and sand, Caewyld is a harsh region of wind, snow and stone. Shaped by the Gi' Dyvasi, this river system provides vital water to the frigid land. Relentless elements carve the dunes in the Oricori Mountain's shadow, as wintry dust storms roll across the frozen snow-scape.
This frozen region is prized for fertile hunting grounds. Migratory creatures cross the plains outside of the Shalks, and the river provides opportunities for ice fishing. Many young Hunters and Shamans are taken here to prove themselves in rites of passage amongst various Cultures.
"When you need strength, drink from the waters of the Gi'Dyvasi. It has carried our vessels to and from the sea for generations, carving its' name through the ice and stone. To survive in the Caewyld, you must do the same or be scattered by the gales of the Oricori."
Regional Information
Caewyld is a highland region and one of the last retreats before the White Ocean. Under the rain shadow of the mountains, the cold desert creates long fields of barren wastes. Only the most frost-resistant plants grow around the cliffs and dunes.
As a part of the territories of Mystomythia, it is small and remote, but it holds access to an important source of water. Rain-melt in the warmer months brings clean water, and the river is maintenanced by the Folk that made this region their home.
Geography & Regions
Caewyld Expanse
"Caewyld" translates to "Cold Wild" from the Folk Word. Natural terrain features, such as great mountains and the cold desert, make the borders of this region, creating an area of barren lands nestled between the rain shadow of imposing mountains and contained by coursing river banks.Gi' Dyvasi River
From the North-West, it cuts through the Caewyld, and into a volcanic region to the South-West, where it ends in a cascade into an icy cavern. Tributary streams feed the great lake, Tolke's Basin, where their waters combine to form a large underwater cavern and ground aquifer. Myst Folk discovered alleys of magical Ice beneath the river, which keep it from freezing. For this reason, the Folk preserved the Ice bed beneath by creating canals and utilizing the warming properties of Pink Ice.
Oricori Mountains
Oricori Mountains is covered in fine dust and sand that blows from the Southern volcanic region. When the intense pressures of these regions collides, it can cause hail and dust storms which pelt the land intermittently for weeks. Travelers through these regions must proceed with caution.
Aeflshalks & Bunnishalks
Aeflshalks, or "Elven Slopes" is the cold desert region that forms the Caewyld Expanse. Directly beneath the Oricori Range, this volatile region is constantly shifting with a fine white sand, mixed and dried by ice and wind. The Aeflshalks is rich in mineral deposits, scattered about by wind erosion from the storms. Sparse vegetation survives in the cold desert, but scaled trees grow here in solitary populations.
Bunnishalks, or "Bunny Slopes", is one of the calmest areas of this region. Existing on the other side of the Gi' Dyvasi, the Bunnishalks serves as a buffer of protection against the harsh winds of the Caewylds. Dense Aelaefagis sprout around the river banks, as a forest valley opens to the tundra of the East, beyond Caewyld. Many villages form here, including the Caedun Vala, "Cold End Village". Buniru make their homes in the woodlands, nestling themselves in dens of snow and stone.
Migratory Mammoths
As a barren, inhospitable land, only the most frost-resistant survive. As such, Caewyld hosts no native plant or animal species. Beasts discovered in these lands are migratory animals in search of food and shelter from the various storms that mark Caewyld. Travelers attempt to avoid the perilous storms in the warmer months.
Biome & Ecosystem
Regional Climate
Caewyld experiences frequent blizzards and dust storms from the Oricori Mountains. Sparsely vegetated, only shrubs and the most sturdiest plants grow in Caewyld. Plants have adapted to the cold cycles of the Caewylds volatile weather patterns, producing unique specimens. Even in the warmer months, most animals move through this region quickly, stopping only to drink from the pools of water provided by the river system.Ecosystem Cycles
While blizzards are more frequent in the colder months, it is the dust storms of the warmer months which makes the region incredibly difficult to live within. Hail and sandstorms are frequent in this region.
In the summer, animals become more active, seeking potential mates or prey, as they take advantage of the warmer climate.
Around the slopes and mountainous valleys surrounding the Oricori Mountains, dense shrubs and hardy plants thrive despite the weather challenges. These are often what drives the paths of migratory animals in the warmer months. Though limited, there are small zones where these plants thrive.
Many creatures prowl the forest oases, rich in resources. Some come to the rivers, where they drink the water before heading South towards warmer climates. Others thrive in this environment, using their natural abilities, the harsh terrain, and weather conditions to navigate the cold fields.
Flora & Fauna
Crawlers of the Wastes
Warmer months draws out many of the hill's denizens, including Giant Wasps and Icing Orb Weaver. Natural conflict arisese between their territories, where they hunt the prey animals that wander through the fields of snow.
Intense rivalry between these two Insectoids has led many to avoid these hostile zones. Trees often snare smaller specimens, leaving them entombed in Amber. Others harvest the bi-products of these creatures.
Local Resources
Mining is a way of Life in the different regions of the Caewyld. These precious minerals were often traded for the prized Salt found in the mines. Copper was also particularly useful, as it was used in the process of creating Thermal Baths.
The river also provided fresh Clay, which was used to make pots and utensils. Fishing from the river also provided an excellent source of food. The mountains contained deposits of Stone and Iron, which made primitive axes and knives. Stone tools were excellent for crafting. Flint from the iron also made it incredibly useful for starting fires with the tinder and Timber of the wilds.
The river also provided fresh Clay, which was used to make pots and utensils. Fishing from the river also provided an excellent source of food. The mountains contained deposits of Stone and Iron, which made primitive axes and knives. Stone tools were excellent for crafting. Flint from the iron also made it incredibly useful for starting fires with the tinder and Timber of the wilds.
Bloody Amber
Caewyld hosts Aefalagis Trees, prone to a growth mutation. Blood Amber seeping from the tree is a sign of this contagion. Localized Phenomena
Storm of Furious Detritus
Caewyld is frequently besieged by Furiorios, or the "Comet Furies". These storms whip up mineral-laden dust particles into furious storms, posing deadly risks to any caught unprotected from the elements.
One must cover their face from loose particles when venturing through the dust storms created by a Furiorios. Survivors reap rewards in the form of mineral deposits left behind in icy sands, making the Narrows a perilous destination for adventurers and miners alike.
The minerals left behind are collected from the region. Gold, Silver, and commonly, Moon Stone, can be found after a Furiorios.
One must cover their face from loose particles when venturing through the dust storms created by a Furiorios. Survivors reap rewards in the form of mineral deposits left behind in icy sands, making the Narrows a perilous destination for adventurers and miners alike.
The minerals left behind are collected from the region. Gold, Silver, and commonly, Moon Stone, can be found after a Furiorios.
Comet Fall
Historical Significance
Caewyld Expanse was discovered during a Hunting Festival between Aelves and Mystomythians. Aelves quickly settled the village of Aefalgar. Aelves used the river as a means of transporting goods to Tolke's Basin, located near their capital, Aeflheim. Folk settlers made their way to the West, but were lost in a snow storm before they came to find the Aelves had claimed the region.
Instead, they settled the small village of Caedun Vala in the snowy foothills close-by. The Folk continued to thrive as the Aelves suffered time and again from the choice to settle Aefalgar. When it was abandoned, the Folk and others repopulated. Buniru moved into the dens and mines of the slopes while Mystomythian Folk reclaimed the icy land from their Aelven rivals.
After generations of blood shed over territories, the Aelves that remained and the Mystomythian triumphants chose to live once again in accord, returning to Hunting Festivals and Blood Sports as forms of entertainment and conflict resolution, but only after savagery of the first Tribal War, the Mystomythian Conflicts, had been resolved with reparations.
Myths & Cultural Relevance
Aelven Pacts
Inevitably, the Aelves were driven from the region by furious weather patterns, forcing them to abandon Aefalgar. Assumedly, this was due to the harsh environment, but it would later be determined that the Aelves were cursed by the Eidolon, Shakhan, so that they may secure the means to settle the region first. This created the Alps- a vicious creature born from Aelves and cursed by the Eidolon. The Folk have worked to drive the Alps into the Oricorio Mountains, where they harass travelers and pilgrims.Dungeons have formed numerous times in the Caewyld, surrounding the animosity and skirmish war-fare that would later become the War of the Expanses, between the Aelves and the Mystomythians. Mystomythian's decision to re-settle the lost city, Aefalgar, made the Aelves angry, provoking a retaliation by the Aelves in the form of an assassination attempt of the Chieftain of Mystic Nations. Together, the Mystomythians were like the furious storms, driving them from their home of Aeflheim, and conquering the Caewyld Expanse.
Cool Wild Frontier
Caewyld Expanse
Geography
Biome Type
Cold Deserts
Continent:
Mystomythia
Region:
Mystomythia
Region:
- Caewyld Frontier
- Oricori Mountains
Climate:
Cold, Arctic
Sub-Regions:
Cold, Arctic
Sub-Regions:
- Aeflshalks
- Bunishalks
- Tolke's Basin
Major Cities:
- Aefalgar
Minor Cities:
- Caedun Vala
Resources
Flora:
- Aefalagis Trees
- Aelf Pepper
- Deichi Onion
- Tundra Bottan
Fauna:
- Alps
- Giant Wasps
- Mammoths
- Icing Orb Weaver
Natural Resources:
- Blood Amber
- Clay
- Copper
- Icing S-Silk
- Iron
- Gemstones
- Gold
- Magic Ice
- Moon Stone
- Salt
- Silver
- Stone
- Timber
- Water
In response to the prompt Describe a cold desert in your world. What creatures and what resources can be found here?
Comments
Author's Notes
Change. Refuge. Belief. Entropy. Change in this sense as the region is often changing by the coursing river and shifting dunes, offering new discoveries of old things. Refuge, in that while it's dangerous, there are places of safety and rewards to be had for perseverance. Belief, in that it takes strength and courage to live here; something not every resident of the Caewyld had. Entropy, in the errosion that takes place to the spiritual decay that led to the abandonment of Aefalgar and the birth of the Alps. It was a unique opportunity to attempt to associate the ideas and relate them through World-Building!
I'll return to the Caewyld Expanse- but not before I pick up a comfy Tundra Bottan Mantle and a pair of Icing Silk Gloves! ^^ Have fun out there and be cool this Summer!
**Update:02/11/2025**
Switched the order around, condensed areas, and divided the sections more evenly. Some resources were removed and some species added too. "Giant Wasp" will have a name in the future.
MYTH X