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The Barrens

Feb 19, 2016
The Barrens
  • Part of the Shieldlands along with The Patrician Cities and The Sisters.

    The Barrens are a harsh and unforgiving wasteland filled with the ruins of the Qadaq Republic, and are the largest area of the Shieldlands. It is here that many mercenary settlements have grown in the dust of the old regime to earn a living scavenging from the broken cities and trading much needed food, water and arms to the south in return for these valuable artifacts.

    The shattered corpse of the Republic lies broken and in ruins across the length and breadth of this region. When the Days of Fire came, all the major cities and towns were severely damaged or destroyed. All commerce and rule vanished, leaving a vacuum that changed the balance of power in the region. The ruins have stood desolate and empty to this day, dark imposing husks of a nation long since gone from sight.

    Kaleea of the Kingdom, Mercenary Undead-Hunter at the Wall of Iron
    These burned and decayed places still hold interest to the denizens of the region however. Within the structures and deeps of these old settlements lie hidden and forgotten riches that spell salvation to enterprising bands of mercenaries. Scavengers who make their living from searching these places, recover all sorts of items and treasures and trade them to the south for the things they need to survive.

    It is not easy to subsist in this manner however. Many are the rumours that herald from the mercenary towns of twisted things in the shadows of the blasted buildings. Tales of creatures that live in the dark of the fallen republic abound and are supported by the many adventuring bands that do not return from their endeavours ...

    It is true that there is great wealth to be gained by recovering artifacts of the past from the ruins of the old regime, but the risks are great and it seems that there are many more things other than roving Undead war bands to deal with in the dead ruins of the Qadaq Republic ...

    The Mercenary Towns

    With the rise of the mercenary in the Shieldlands, it was inevitable that some of these bands of professional fighters would settle and make homes for themselves in the areas that they find their work. Dotted all over the Barrens are scavenger settlements that rely on these mercenaries for their protection and livelihood.

    The mercenaries are a vital part of the protection of these settlements and they benefit from the efforts of the scavengers that delve into the depths of the old ruins and recover lost treasures. The towns pay their mercenaries well and in turn they accompany the scavenger teams and protect the towns from roving Undead war bands that threaten the settlements. The horrors that lurk in the depths of the old cities are only told of in stories in the taverns. They are spoken of in hushed tones with wary glances to the doors and windows. The stories tell of grasping claws and eyes in the dark that wait to consume those that dig to deep. No one knows what they are or where they come from. Some say they are poor unfortunates that were changed by the Days of Fire. Others say they are servants of the demons who have been sent to sow chaos and disorder in the realm ...