Cyllian:Blasted Lands
The center of Dytika were fertile rolling plains. They had the highest population density of humanity and the wealthiest human nations. The Diene Empire was built on the backs of these lands, as eventually all of these human nations were brought into the empire. This continued to be the largest, wealthiest nation until the destruction of the Diene-Illyrian War. The powerful magics unleashed during the war decimated both the people and the land, leaving lingering magical radiation that has warped and destroyed the native flora and fauna, as well as humanity.
Oasis's[edit]
Oasis's are scattered throughout the Blasted Lands. Some are on natural water springs, others on dammed rivers, or along the larger rivers. Access and control of water is the central fact of all of these Oasis's. Many are held by gifted men and women who sanctuary, or enslave, other humans up to the number that can be supported. Others have found or created a godling who they offer worship to in exchange for protection. Almost all of these Oasis's are full and regularly turn wandering bands of unfortunates away. All of them are guarded, most walled, to protect themselves from desperate wandering bands. The communities are largely self-sustaining, with enough water to both drink and to irrigate and produce crops.
Nomads[edit]
There are far more humans in the Blasted Lands than there is space in the Oasis's. These form bands for protection and move about searching for food and water, and an opportunity to find some level of security. These groups feed off each other and any Oasis that is weak enough to succumb to them. Some have wandered north into border lands with the Brupek Empire, but are kept at bay by the strength and efficiency of that empire. Many of these bands are little more than bandits.
Many of the nomads are magical mutants, warped by the magical radiation that still exists in the Blasted Lands. These desperate horrors are turned away by all untouched humans and in turn have turned to seeking to destroy those they come across. Occasionally, they'll seize one of the Oasis's with the aid of a heroic mutant.
Cult of the Eternal Flame[edit]
Over the last century, a new power has arisen in the most desolate areas of the Blasted Lands. Nomads and local settlers have been drawn in to build large pyramids that house the rites of the cult. In exchange, the cult provides security. They're said to have secret rites that involve magic of some power for those with the dedication and strength of mind. The cult grows outward in all directions from locale to locale, to the alarm of the strong men and women who currently control Oasis's nearby.
Lizard Folk[edit]
Large groups of Lizard Folk wander the Blasted Lands as nomads. There's no record of them existing before the Dieni-Illyrian War. There's some debate as to whether they entered the world through a gate opened by one of the two sides during the war and aided in the war, or came through later into the desolate Blasted Lands. They are far better adapted to the lands than humans and act as a constant pressure on humans of the region. They have been kept at by on the border of the Brupek Empire, but have made their way south into Garhattan.
It's believe that the Lizard Fold have access to magic through ancestor spirits through shaman, and that some of them have learned to manipulate sorcery.
