Shaa’darr, The Shattered Hills
Pronunciation: SHAY-dar
Map Index: H8, H9, I8, I9
Location: East Central Centakus
Geography: The land of Shaa'darr, now an uninhabited wasteland, once thrived as a tributary of the Movorian Empire prior to the Great Cataclysm. This land of desolate rocky hills exhibits changes in the climate between its northern and southern halfs. In the more arid north, the elaborate wind carved bedrock, shaped by the relentless wind, features low dunes of sand between the hills. In the semi-arid south, increased rainfall allows scraggly grass to grow upon the windcarved hills and valley floors.
Primary Population: None
Secondary Population: Veng
Minor Population: Ynka'shira
Climate: The land of Shaa'darr is a harsh and unforgiving region characterized by its extremely arid tropical climate. The relentless heat persists year-round, with daytime temperatures so scorching that they can overwhelm even the most resilient travelers.
In the northern part, where rainfall is a rarity, vast deserts dominate the landscape. Here, only the most drought tolerant vegetation survives, and the land is largely comprised of endless stretches of windblown sand and bare rock hills. Great sand dunes rise and fall, constantly shaped by relentless winds that sculpt the terrain over the centuries.
In the southern half of Shaa'darr, occasional rains bring temporary relief. This area sees sparse growth of grasses, cacti, and small trees, particularly around oases. Great dust storms, many originating from the White Desert of Movoria, sweep down the coast, enveloping the land in thick black clouds. Chaos storms often lurk within these dust storms, concealed until flashes of red or blue lightning reveal their presence.
Wildlife: Shaa'darr's vegetation is equally perilous. Carnivorous plants lurk in the shadows, equipped with venom-coated dart-like projectiles and toxins that incapacitate unsuspecting passersby. These plants drag their victims over their roots to absorb nutrients from decaying bodies, a gruesome testament to the land's perilous nature.
Humanoids: The Great Cataclysm swept through Shaa'darr with savage effect. The initial survivors found their bodies terribly altered by the magic of the chaos storms. While conveying survival advantages, the population was no longer human. A millenia later, these corrupted, humanoids dwelling in hand-dug or natural caves to shelter from frequent chaos storms. Devious and intelligent, these monstrous beings often build elaborate traps to catch unwary travelers, while the less intelligent ones attempt to overwhelm their victims with their large numbers.
One of the most common humanoids to live in this area is the Vishkanya. With serpent eyes and tiny scales, they possess a snake-like look that unnerves humans who have not encountered them before. A few recent populations of the human Ynka'shira have recently moved into the borderland hills with the primeval jungle of Troog. They live behind high stone walls for protection. Descended from the inhabitants of the pre-cataclysmic Sultanate of Kephir, they keep to themselves in the hills and rare venture northward into Shaa'darr.
Monsters: Legends speak of the lands of Shaa'darr as being the homes of Jinn and large numbers of giant scorpions. The few travelers who have braved these lands confirm these legends as being true.
History: Before the Great Cataclysm, Shaa'darr was a prosperous small kingdom, that was subjugated by the Movorian Empire and forced to pay tribute. At the time, the tropical fertile tall grass savanna supported large numbers of grazing cattle. However, the Cataclysm obliterated Shaa'darr, leaving only those who had taken refuge underground as survivors. Unfortunately, the chaos storms that accompanied the Cataclysm corrupted these survivors, transforming them into monstrous humanoids.
Today: The wind passing through this barren land whispers a howling of sadness for days past. Amidst this windblown landscape danger awaits. Humanoid aberrations, Jinn, and dangerous giant insects lurk just out of sight, awaiting the unwary traveler who dares trespass in this forsaken land.
Map Index: H8, H9, I8, I9
Location: East Central Centakus
Geography: The land of Shaa'darr, now an uninhabited wasteland, once thrived as a tributary of the Movorian Empire prior to the Great Cataclysm. This land of desolate rocky hills exhibits changes in the climate between its northern and southern halfs. In the more arid north, the elaborate wind carved bedrock, shaped by the relentless wind, features low dunes of sand between the hills. In the semi-arid south, increased rainfall allows scraggly grass to grow upon the windcarved hills and valley floors.
Primary Population: None
Secondary Population: Veng
Minor Population: Ynka'shira
Climate: The land of Shaa'darr is a harsh and unforgiving region characterized by its extremely arid tropical climate. The relentless heat persists year-round, with daytime temperatures so scorching that they can overwhelm even the most resilient travelers.
In the northern part, where rainfall is a rarity, vast deserts dominate the landscape. Here, only the most drought tolerant vegetation survives, and the land is largely comprised of endless stretches of windblown sand and bare rock hills. Great sand dunes rise and fall, constantly shaped by relentless winds that sculpt the terrain over the centuries.
In the southern half of Shaa'darr, occasional rains bring temporary relief. This area sees sparse growth of grasses, cacti, and small trees, particularly around oases. Great dust storms, many originating from the White Desert of Movoria, sweep down the coast, enveloping the land in thick black clouds. Chaos storms often lurk within these dust storms, concealed until flashes of red or blue lightning reveal their presence.
Wildlife: Shaa'darr's vegetation is equally perilous. Carnivorous plants lurk in the shadows, equipped with venom-coated dart-like projectiles and toxins that incapacitate unsuspecting passersby. These plants drag their victims over their roots to absorb nutrients from decaying bodies, a gruesome testament to the land's perilous nature.
Humanoids: The Great Cataclysm swept through Shaa'darr with savage effect. The initial survivors found their bodies terribly altered by the magic of the chaos storms. While conveying survival advantages, the population was no longer human. A millenia later, these corrupted, humanoids dwelling in hand-dug or natural caves to shelter from frequent chaos storms. Devious and intelligent, these monstrous beings often build elaborate traps to catch unwary travelers, while the less intelligent ones attempt to overwhelm their victims with their large numbers.
One of the most common humanoids to live in this area is the Vishkanya. With serpent eyes and tiny scales, they possess a snake-like look that unnerves humans who have not encountered them before. A few recent populations of the human Ynka'shira have recently moved into the borderland hills with the primeval jungle of Troog. They live behind high stone walls for protection. Descended from the inhabitants of the pre-cataclysmic Sultanate of Kephir, they keep to themselves in the hills and rare venture northward into Shaa'darr.
Monsters: Legends speak of the lands of Shaa'darr as being the homes of Jinn and large numbers of giant scorpions. The few travelers who have braved these lands confirm these legends as being true.
History: Before the Great Cataclysm, Shaa'darr was a prosperous small kingdom, that was subjugated by the Movorian Empire and forced to pay tribute. At the time, the tropical fertile tall grass savanna supported large numbers of grazing cattle. However, the Cataclysm obliterated Shaa'darr, leaving only those who had taken refuge underground as survivors. Unfortunately, the chaos storms that accompanied the Cataclysm corrupted these survivors, transforming them into monstrous humanoids.
Today: The wind passing through this barren land whispers a howling of sadness for days past. Amidst this windblown landscape danger awaits. Humanoid aberrations, Jinn, and dangerous giant insects lurk just out of sight, awaiting the unwary traveler who dares trespass in this forsaken land.