Zetrean Badlands
Breaking the endless prairies of the continent are the parched and rugged Zetrean badlands. Unlike the lush grasses of the Zetrea plains or the deep forests of Ulmera, the badlands are a dry and inhospitable place, devoid of life aside the hardiest plants and animals. While most of the region is rocky, bleak and dry, a deep and immensely forested valley known as the Greenway cuts its way across the badlands, fed by the Redwood River. This valley is home to massive redwood trees, rising hundreds of feet into the air, and is the lifeline of the badlands.
The badlands are rich in minerals and gems, and many mines and quarries can be found scattered about the flats. What is hauled out of the ground is then taken to the Greenway, and loaded up on to barges to be sent down the Redwood River towards the coast. Towns hug the river, each of them contributing to the wealth that is sent down to the coast, whether it be the ore mined from the flats, the lumber felled from the forested valley, or animal goods from the ranches that dot the Greenway.
Settlements, Towns, and Cities
Oldgrass
Population: ~2500
Oldgrass is the last town along the Redwood River before it reaches the ocean, and the port city of Weyatle. Being the last town along the river means that all the goods moving down stream pass by Oldgrass, which has led to the town becoming a way station of sorts; it is here that the last goods from the valley can be loaded onto and off the ships bound for the coast, making the town a bustling hub of trade.
Warlington
Population: ~9500
The largest and most populated town along the Redwood River, thanks to city’s shipyards. It is here in Warlington that almost all the ships that ply the waterways of the Greenway are made, as well as maintained. This industry provides good jobs and livelihoods to a large swath of people within the city and has led to Warlingtons continued growth year after year.
Life in the Badlands
Life out on the dusty wastes of the badlands is hard, unless you are lucky enough to live in one of the mining camps or towns. Living alone out in the wastes is a tough prospect because fresh water is scarce, and growing food is all but impossible. This trouble makes living in the company camps a very attractive prospect, even if that means living under the thumb of the restrictive rules of the company; giving up some freedom for the safety of the camp is a small price to pay.
Living down in the Greenway is a lot easier thanks to the valley’s fertile land and ample access to fresh water via the Redwood River. Making it on your own in the valley is not out of the question, and quite a few personal land claims are scattered about the Greenway. Life in the valley’s towns is much the same as living in any other town the world over, and much easier than living alone.
Points of Interest
Eyes of Jehudiel
Sitting upon a mesa deep in the southern half of the badlands is a ruined and ancient observatory known as the Eyes of Jehudiel. Most of the observatory’s dome has collapsed, destroying the old telescope long ago, and the inside of the building is choked with rubble. Who built this place and when is still a mystery, and it being so deep in the badlands keeps many scholars away.
Lotus Glade
In one of the small and slow-moving channels of the river is the beautifully flowered, yet still dangerous, Lotus Glade. Named after the countless lotus that grow in the swamp, the glade is also home to an ancient and ruined town that was flooded ages ago.
Apothecaries and alchemists from across the Greenway travel here to harvest not only the lotus flowers, but a variety of other plants and ingredients needed in their craft.
Merchant Bridge
Spanning the width of the Redwood River between the towns of Warlington and Oldgrass is the beautiful and ornate Merchant Bridge. The bridge rises a good 65 feet above the surface the water and is carved to look like two long-neck dinosaurs stretching their necks out to meet each other over the water. It appears as if the bridge was carved from a single gargantuan stone, but by who and when is unknown.
The bridge deck is wide enough for wagons to pass each other without problem, allowing a constant flow of peoples and goods across the river.
Ecology
Here are a few examples from down in the Greenway as well as out in the badlands proper.
Bulette
Burrowing through the ground and attacking from below, bulettes, also known as land sharks, are the bane of anyone trying to cross the badlands. These large monsters burst from the ground without warning, ambushing anything that crosses their path, and preying on anything they can catch.
Gnolls
Prowling through the craigs of the badlands are the horrible humanoid hyenas known the world over as gnolls. Their never-ending blood lust and hunger for flesh, along with their incessant cackling, are the defining traits of these beasts, and it is highly recommended that they are to be avoided at all costs.
It is said that the gnolls are demon spawn, and that they are evil by their very nature. They should be shown no mercy when fought, as felling one is doing the world a favour.
Harpy
Half bird and half human, the harpy is an evil creature who delight in luring their prey to them via their beautiful, and haunting, songs. Making their colonies both in the badlands proper, and down in the Greenway, they are an issue for everyone who calls these lands home. There is always work for those who can destroy the colonies, and good pay too.