Lushland Corridor

Wedged between two inhospitable realms—the scorched Silvertide Plains to the west and the dust-choked Lonewind Flats to the east—the Lushland Corridor runs north to south like a lifeline through the dry interior of the continent. At first glance, it appears welcoming: sparse grass, scattered scrub, and the occasional low tree suggest a more forgiving terrain. But the comfort is shallow. This is a survivable passage, not a hospitable one.   The corridor is not just a natural feature—it is a vital artery for those who live beyond it. Caravans loaded with food, tools, medicine, and trade goods wind their way up the corridor regularly, always in a hurry and never without risk. Duststorms from the east and flash winds from the west can close the trail without warning. Predators, while rare, have adapted to the corridor’s patterns, watching from shaded outcrops or old creekbeds. On the way down, the caravans carry precious stones and silver from the Stoneheart Mountains, mined in harsh but rich settlements along the range’s southern edge, bound for the markets of the Riverhold Heartland.   Yet, despite the hardship, the land sustains life in fleeting, remarkable ways. Dryland herbs used in both cooking and alchemy cling to gravel beds where moisture collects. Insects, birds, and small mammals burrow deep or vanish during the day, only emerging under dusk. The Duskwings Vulture circles in wide, silent arcs—less a hunter than a reminder of failure.   And then there are the shelters: low-walled, stone-built, and placed at measured intervals by those who came before. Used for shade, sleep, and survival, they mark the path like mileposts through a land that never truly welcomes anyone.   No one stays in the corridor longer than they must. But without it, the mining towns would wither.