Adri Varma Plateau, The Great Northern Wildlands
by Gilles LeblancLocation: Continent of Brun. North of Sind, northwest of Glantri, west of Wendar.
Description: The Adri Varma plateau is a vast and diversified plateau. The plateau's wall, or side, has been broken in several places with millennia's of erosion, earthquakes and other geological activities. In several places, rubble from rock slides and other natural occurrences have thus made for easy climbing. The rest of the plateau's side is composed of eroded rock filled with many small caves. Thus it is easier than most expect to climb its wall.
Of a general height of 6000 feet the lands near the plateau's cliff side are mostly badlands. Other regions include the desert region, which mostly consist of hills and rocky desert, and finally the interior region, which consists of plains, grasslands, hills with some rare forest and swamps. The most known and biggest swamp is known as the Great Northern Wetlands, or simply the Grey Marshes to many of the plateau inhabitants. This swamp is only slightly smaller than the Darokinian Malpheggi swamps.
These descriptions of the plateau are for the southern part of the plateau, which is nearer to Sind and Glantri. As one travels northwards on this large plateau the climate progressively gets colder until the landscape is more of a tundra and later falls into artic climes.
Flora/Fauna: The plateau houses many diverse ecosystems. The plateau houses many magical creatures, the results of failed Glantrian experiments which have been further mutated by the corruptive force of the plateau.
Regions: The three main regions are the borderlands, which are close to the border of the plateau wall. The desert ring is a region surrounding the borderlands. And finally the mainland region that occupies the central region of the plateau.
Borderlands
Description: The borderlands are a semi-arid region of badlands which also encompass the plateau's wall themselves. This region is home to the Ungolwaith, also known as the Sand Folk. They tend to dwell more around the cliffs. More information can be found on the Vaults of Pandius under Adri Varma Plateau. This region is also inhabited by cactus-like creatures which roam the badlands and the deserts of the desert ring.
Throughout the region small underground spring or small stagnant pools of water can be found under the shade the broken terrain has to offer. From time to time underground caves opening can be found which leads into warmer caves. At the bottom of these caves can often be found magma pools which account for the warmer underground temperatures. Rarely, in some small crevice or precipice, which are frequent through the region, can be found a small volcanic vent spewing hot air and gases. The vents often lead to magma a few hundred feet below. While these vents offer a good source of heat during the night, their fumes have poisoned many travellers. Cacti most often grow near cave or vent mouths, living off the heat provided.
Climate: This is a dry region where rains rarely fall. The few clouds let the sun shine almost permanently. Although the region is hot during the day constant winds cool the air. During the night, the thin air and high altitude makes for a sudden drop in temperature which is close to the freezing point. The winds are known to pick up during the night because of the cooling of the air. These winds blow strong gales of cold air that chill creatures to the bone.
Flora/Fauna: Small cactus patch thrive near gas vents and caves entrance. The rest of the region grows mostly thin hardy shrubs, thick strong bramble weed and small patches of short greyish grasses. The region is also home to the Stolari, the cactus creatures, the Ungolwaith, condors, air fundamentals, hive brood, surtaki and some athach giants and some giant centipedes.
This region also hosts a number of failed Glantrian magical experiments. Many sages believe the surtaki to be one of them. Mages often banish, let loose or study magical creatures in this environment due to it's close proximity to Glantri.
The desert ring
Description: The desert ring is an arid region composed mainly of small hills and rocky deserts. These deserts are mostly rock beds littered with rocks of different sizes down to sand grain. As the rocks are not in an advanced state of erosion sand isn't found through most of the region. The rocky desert is the area closer to the borderlands, while the hilly region is closest to the mainland. Offering some small protection against sand and winds. This area borders on both of it's neighbour regions and can be seem as a transition area between the two. Caves are rarer in this part of the plateau and most often found in the hills. Here and there in the desert ring, small extinct volcano cones can be found.
Climate: The climate here is similar to the borderlands except that the winds, while still being strong, are much less strong. This fact become increasingly true as one distances himself from the plateau's cliff. The region tends to see a little less rainfall in the desert regions, while the hills receive about as much rain as the borderlands. As the winds get weaker, the temperature also gets colder to the point where it is a couple of degrees colder during the day and during the night the temperature is about the same. Because the borderlands have strong cool winds, this difference in temperature isn't noticeable too much to travellers coming from the borderlands.
Flora/Fauna: This regions has small grasses, weeds and bushes on it's hill while the rocky desert has few plants. From time to time some small cacti or plant can be spotted but these are rare. The region also houses some Stolari cactus and some rare Ungolwaiths, but these two creatures are rare occurrences in this region. Other creatures include snakes, death worm, vultures, earthquake beetles, bugbears, a few rare gargantuan trolls and chimeras and some giant centipedes. Rumours also speak of a single deadly mek patrolling the hills.
Some Glantrian experiments also roam this region although they are a less common occurrence in this region.
The mainland
Description: The mainland is a cold area which mostly consist of windy plains and grasslands. A small forest of tall pine trees can be found here and there as well as the occasional swamp. The plains are rolling and moderately fertile. Small rivers and ponds dot the landscape. The river Devaki is the largest of these, it is known in Sind as it diverse it's foul, black polluted waters during monsoon season. The river is polluted has it passes under the corrupting influence of the lands under the control of the Atzri-Voca and also near it's source when it passes in the lands of Sol-Klor. The mainland is the most habitable region on Adri Varma.
Climate: This region receives more rainfall than the rest of the plateau due to a microclimate. Strong winds are present, but are far less dreadful than on the rest of the plateau. Past the hills the climates get much colder due to the increased humidity and several other factors. The winters are extremely cold and the summer months are considered extremely chilly by known world standards. As one travels northward on the mainland, or anywhere else on the plateau, the climate gets progressively colder. Going into taiga and tundra and even further north into a semi-artic climate. Fortunately the southern part of the plateau is warmer.
Notable Sites: The Grey Marshes also known as the Great Northern Wetlands are a large area of cold wetlands which consists of interconnected grey murky shallow ponds surrounded by very small muddy islands covered in wet grasses and brown shrubs. The black woods are a large pine forest near the Grey Marshes. Named for the deep shade provided by it's thick canopy and the many large rocks and caves it contains.
Flora/Fauna: With plains, grasslands, forests and swamps this regions has many diverse ecosystems. To be noted among the fauna are eagles, bears, yaks, wild horses and dire wolves.