The Barrens
The continent now known as "the Barrens", is a confederate empire comprised of a handful of moderately sized settlements in the northern and southern regions. The captial city of the Barrens, Vaganbrint, is nestled high up in Rogven's Spine, a towering, snowy mountain range in the south. These mountain's peaks once stood as the deepest depths of a trench, which stretched half the continent over. Port cities and fishing towns lined the shores on either side, trade carriers and cargo ships bustled in and out of the trench by way of the southern Sea of Artibold. The result of a failed Module experiment during the Cyber War era, a geophysical phenomena inverted the trench into a towering mountain range, spilling the waters of the trench for miles in every direction. Settlements and ships were carried away by the powerful flood of the trench's waters, eroding away hundreds of years of civilization and industry in a matter of seconds, leaving very few behind to rebuild. Some say karma had a hand in the demise of the Lord whose module caused the catastrophe, as they too were swept away in its aftermath. In the years that followed, under new leadership, the survivors salvaged what they could of the many shipwrecks and ruined port towns, establishing the Barrens as its own country. The Barrens were aptly named so, in regards to the lack of plant and animal life in the region around the presumed epicenter of the failed experiment. Now, quite some time later, the Barrens are considered some of the most respected and wealthy trade territories left in the world, under dictatorial rule by the charismatic entrepreneur Kreuvis vi Raxian III.
Geography
The northern part of the continent is a relatively desolate, hilly and with scarce resources and wildlife, but a couple of prominent settlements and a mountain range. The southern portion of the continent transitions from the desolate hills of the northern region into a snowy forested terrain with an accompanying mountain range. A number or rivers and a couple of notable lakes can also be found here, along with some additional settlements to the south. The wintry southern forest is quite a sight to behold despite the dangers within.
Ecosystem
A surprising number of organisims have adapted to the southern climate of the continent, and as such the southern forests are teeming with wildlife year round. This wild life ranges from the common moose, wolves, bears, and other creatures you might expect, but also includes otherworldly creatures that are suited to the climate such as wisps. Due to the very minor shift in the weather between seasons and abundant water sources, the ecosystem here is relatively stable and doesn't have many concerns in the way of seasonal habitat loss or supply shortages. On occasion, the over-hunting of regular prey animals by monsters can creature shortages for the people in the settlements here, and serves to create shortages of certain animal byproducts such as furs, pelts, and other resources.
Ecosystem Cycles
The only changes seen in the local ecosystem are around the apex of the summer months when it warms up the most, during which time the larger animals and monsters such as bears and trolls tend to retreat into their dens or caves for a period of several months, before resurfacing to look for food again in the autumn season.
Localized Phenomena
Due to the way in which the Rogven's Spine mountain range was formed, an unnatural abundance of raw materials are able to be mined all over the mountain range that would normally be impossible to obtain with what is left of the advanced technology from the past, due to the depths to which a submerssible would need to go to find them. Another local treasure is the aurora you can usually witness nightly across the sky in the southern region of the continent.
Climate
Generally chilly year round, often bordering on freezing during the winter months, with only a brief respite during the very short summer months. Anyone traveling without proper equipment in the souther region of the continent could easily find themselves in a dire survival situation due to the freezing temperatures at night and lack of naturally occuring food sources. Sometimes hail storms and other weather events such as the occasional blizzard will pass over.
Fauna & Flora
The northern region of the continent is very scarce in either, but you can occasionally encounter packs of coyotes and other common scavengers, a variety of small rodents, and monsters of similar stature whose environmental and dietary needs are simple. You may find the occasional dead tree or withered bush in your path, but there are very few varieties, and even fewer which bear fruit or can be used in labor.
In the southern region of the continent, you can expect to find more diversity in the fauna, often ecountering snow-adapted animals such as wolves, bears, snow rabbits, and moose, as well as more hardy monsters suited to the weather. In the south you can also expect to find a small variety of edible berries and other unique fruits which seem to somehow thrive in the cold environment, as well as several varieties of trees.
Natural Resources
Stone
Iron
Copper
Silver
Maldevine (mineral only found in Rogven's Spine)
Enrevine (mineral only found in Rogven's Spine)
Trees
Water
Fish
Skins
Hides
Sinew
Antlers
History
Not much is known about the history of the Barrens before the collapse of civilization. The only well preserved bit of information is the Module disaster which created Rogven's Spine when it inverted the trench into the towering mountain range it is today.
Tourism
Tourism? In this day and age?
Type
Continent
Owner/Ruler
Ruling/Owning Rank
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