Arandar
Pronunciation: AIR-ran-dar
Map Index: G3, G4, H3, H4
Location: A long peninsula on the southwest coast of Beorlan
Geography: Arandar, a long and wide peninsula on the extreme southwest coast of Beorlan, is a land defined by its volcanic nature. Dominated by active volcanoes, the landscape is dramatic and ever-changing.
Primary Population: None
Secondary Population: None
Minor Population: None
Climate: The climate is tropical, experiencing distinct wet and dry seasons. During the wet season, the fertile volcanic soils are drenched in rainfall, resulting in a breathtaking blooming of flowers. This does not extend to many of the volcanic peaks however, as recent eruptions have killed off any vegetation that was on their slopes. The dry season brings a tremendous change to the landscape as the lack of rainfall, combined with the oppressive heat, withers the vegetation, causing many plants to go dormant. The dry season is also plagued by the risk of large wildfires, which can burn for weeks, ignited by the eruptions of Arandar's volcanoes. Eruptions of the peninsula’s volcanoes are frequent, with great clouds of volcanic ash often looming over the peninsula. The fine ash combined with effusive sulfur emissions regularly make breathing difficult. There is often little warning of when a volcano is about to erupt. Sometimes tremors or small clouds of steam above the peaks give warning, but often, violent eruptions take place seemingly out of nowhere, making travelling through the volcanic peninsula extremely hazardous.
Wildlife: In response to the constant threat of fire, small mammals have adapted by digging protective burrows in the deep volcanic soils. The native vegetation has also adapted as many of the most common plants have become fire-resistant. The apex predators on the peninsula are lions who prey on roving bands of gazelles.
Humanoids: The dangerous volatile nature of the volcanoes has deterred most permanent humanoid settlements in Arandar. However, the peninsula is home to small tribes of Ifrit, who do not fear the fire of the volcanoes like others do. These curious fire tolerant creatures were once human before being corrupted by the Great Cataclysm.
Occasional visitors, such as the Turoch and the goblins of Gok Grusmak, brave the hazards to explore this enigmatic and ever-changing land in their search for diamonds.
Monsters: Fire drakes and other fire tolerant creatures are known to inhabit areas of the peninsula.
History: The land of Arandar experienced a tremendous transformation during the Great Cataclysm. The cataclysmic event triggered nearly continuous eruptions of many volcanoes, leading to the swift addition of a significant amount of new land, especially in the south. Over time, the pace of eruptions has gradually decreased, and today there is rarely more than one volcano erupting at any given time. The end result of all these eruptions is that the land of Arandar is now about four times larger than it was during pre-cataclysm days.
Today: Arandar remains a place of both awe and danger, where the forces of nature shape the very foundation of the peninsula, creating a unique and captivating environment that continues to evolve with each volcanic eruption. The landscape is now characterized by tall barren volcanic cones surrounded by ash and lava-filled plains, covered in fire resistant shrubs and grasses.
Map Index: G3, G4, H3, H4
Location: A long peninsula on the southwest coast of Beorlan
Geography: Arandar, a long and wide peninsula on the extreme southwest coast of Beorlan, is a land defined by its volcanic nature. Dominated by active volcanoes, the landscape is dramatic and ever-changing.
Primary Population: None
Secondary Population: None
Minor Population: None
Climate: The climate is tropical, experiencing distinct wet and dry seasons. During the wet season, the fertile volcanic soils are drenched in rainfall, resulting in a breathtaking blooming of flowers. This does not extend to many of the volcanic peaks however, as recent eruptions have killed off any vegetation that was on their slopes. The dry season brings a tremendous change to the landscape as the lack of rainfall, combined with the oppressive heat, withers the vegetation, causing many plants to go dormant. The dry season is also plagued by the risk of large wildfires, which can burn for weeks, ignited by the eruptions of Arandar's volcanoes. Eruptions of the peninsula’s volcanoes are frequent, with great clouds of volcanic ash often looming over the peninsula. The fine ash combined with effusive sulfur emissions regularly make breathing difficult. There is often little warning of when a volcano is about to erupt. Sometimes tremors or small clouds of steam above the peaks give warning, but often, violent eruptions take place seemingly out of nowhere, making travelling through the volcanic peninsula extremely hazardous.
Wildlife: In response to the constant threat of fire, small mammals have adapted by digging protective burrows in the deep volcanic soils. The native vegetation has also adapted as many of the most common plants have become fire-resistant. The apex predators on the peninsula are lions who prey on roving bands of gazelles.
Humanoids: The dangerous volatile nature of the volcanoes has deterred most permanent humanoid settlements in Arandar. However, the peninsula is home to small tribes of Ifrit, who do not fear the fire of the volcanoes like others do. These curious fire tolerant creatures were once human before being corrupted by the Great Cataclysm.
Occasional visitors, such as the Turoch and the goblins of Gok Grusmak, brave the hazards to explore this enigmatic and ever-changing land in their search for diamonds.
Monsters: Fire drakes and other fire tolerant creatures are known to inhabit areas of the peninsula.
History: The land of Arandar experienced a tremendous transformation during the Great Cataclysm. The cataclysmic event triggered nearly continuous eruptions of many volcanoes, leading to the swift addition of a significant amount of new land, especially in the south. Over time, the pace of eruptions has gradually decreased, and today there is rarely more than one volcano erupting at any given time. The end result of all these eruptions is that the land of Arandar is now about four times larger than it was during pre-cataclysm days.
Today: Arandar remains a place of both awe and danger, where the forces of nature shape the very foundation of the peninsula, creating a unique and captivating environment that continues to evolve with each volcanic eruption. The landscape is now characterized by tall barren volcanic cones surrounded by ash and lava-filled plains, covered in fire resistant shrubs and grasses.