Highlands

The Highlands are the most volatile region in Nempur. The tribes and exchange hubs constantly war over land and the high-value sands that drive the region's economy. There are no subregions in the Highlands.

## Geography

The Vast is a desert that covers ninety percent of the Highlands and is the only desert in Nempur. Kersi and Kon Khar are the two main cities in the desert. The rest of the independent cities are located on the coasts.

## Economy

The Highlands' main economy is the several different types of sand that can be found throughout the region, creating the Geometric Trade Route. Silica sand is the most basic type and is usually used for construction. Salt sand, found off the Salt Sand Coast, is common sand used for preserving food and bodies after death. There is river-sand along the banks of the Etosha River that is used for medicinal purposes. Star sand, a substance used as a stimulant, can be found on the Little Coast, south of Kryant. The Glittering Canal holds green gemstones called serra sand. Deposits of metal sand are found along the Mineral Range. Metal sand is highly sought after worldwide, especially the rare gold and silver varieties. Quartz sand is at the bottom of Lake Etosha and is known for curing most diseases. This rare sand can only be found in this lake, causing conflict.

## Exchange Hubs Along the Geometric Trade Route

The Geometric Trade Route is a network of roads and exchange hubs or ‘cities’ where cargo is transported around the Highlands.

Nepei is the largest exchange hub in the Highlands, located off the Salt Sand Coast. Being the first stop on the trade route, Nepei holds the largest variety of sand found throughout the region while also receiving lavish imports from other continents. Off the cliffs of Nepei are salt sand mines, one of the most common forms of sand found in the Highlands.

Off the banks of the Deep Creek is Aigossos, also known as ‘The City of Jewels’. There is no sand in the Deep Creek, only polished pebbles that are used as jewelry. The overabundance of these pebbles transitioned Aigossos from a small fishing village to the second exchange hub stop along the Geometric Trade Route.

Kyrant is the third exchange hub known for its sea fishing industry. Travelers can ferry from Kyrant to the Island of Gigyago by going through the Mineral Channel.

Kersei is a small city tucked away in the Mineral Range near the Etosha River. The fourth exchange hub is known for its kindness towards travelers, its river fishing industry, and its generous exports of the helpful river-sand.

Marralock is a small city located near the northern peaks of the Mineral Range. Some of the largest deposits of mineral sand can be found near Marralock, which should make the city very wealthy, but yearly epidemics have made it the least populous city in the Highlands. The constant epidemics have also stopped people from coming to the fifth exchange hub on the route.

The city of Bilbru is located on the Glittering Canal off the Saudade Port. The Green Duchies control the city, forcing Bilbru’s economy to be surrounded around serra sand. For many, Bilbru is the last exchange hub on the Geometric Trade Route because the true last stop is extremely dangerous.

Kon Khar is a hostile separatist city located on the banks of Lake Etosha. Kon Khar is a totalitarian society ruled by House Khar. The city is known for the harsh treatment of its citizens and its culture surrounding violence and slavery. Some still travel to the final stop on the Geometric Trade Route because of the elusive quartz sand the city holds.

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Grey, Gabrielle. *WTFBT Expanded: Nempur,* 2022.