Hinderlands

The Hinderlands are a wild region on the northwest coast of Emperus.

## Climate

The Hinderlands are a "temperate" region that has the greatest variance in weather conditions of any region on Emperus. The average ambient temperature is a crisp 286°k, but the winter weather is far less fair, with wintry days averaging a frigid 262°k and typical winter nights dropping to a numbing 242°k. Conversely, summers are uncomfortably heated with even the nights set at a warm 301°k and the average days reaching torrid heights of 315°k. And yet these averages do not tell the whole story of the Hinderland's climate as it is prone to experiencing irregular heat waves and cold fronts that can stretch on for weeks at a time, potentially making the extremes of seasonal weather more severe, or even reversing the seasons by bringing summer temperatures to winter and winter temperatures to summer, and anything in between. The highest recorded temperature in the Hinderlands was a scorching 335°k whilst the lowest was a bleak 205°k. The Hinderlands are known to experience just about any and every meteorological event under the sun, making life in the region exceptionally difficult for any creature that cannot adapt to its inherent climate instability.

## Locations

### Notable Human Settlements

#### Myrrh "The Fragrant City"

Legends tell of a halfling explorer with a nose size of a grapefruit who once ventured deep into the wilderness of the Hinderlands in search of the finest fragrance. As he wandered, it was upon the Whale Tale peninsula that he discovered an odorous mass of ambergris which he took in along with the natural smelling salt and minerals of the land to make fine perfume. Pilgrims looking to settle the land followed the peculiar scent far and wide, and before long, the Settlement of Myrrh was established. Notably, the fragrances common in the city of Myrrh may be appealing to Humans, but many other races, especially Orcs and Goblins, find the scents to be repugnant. When significant populations of these creatures were moved into the city during the Conquest Era, a new Butcher's Ward was created which was instead filled with the scent of blood and slaughter.

#### Aegis

The City of Aegis defends the highly Imperially populated Whale Tale peninsula from the rest of the dangers of the Hinderlands through its high walls that encompass not only the settlement itself but also the roads leading to and from it for miles on end.

### Notable Other Settlements

#### Ungula "The City of Bones"

Ungula is the capital of the Bonehoof Centaur Clan. The majority of its buildings are temporary, tent-like structures made of hollowed-out dire bones and dire leather poached from the numerous ferocious dire beasts that roam the Hinderlands; like most Centaur cities, Ungula is mobile and the Bonehoof Clan will frequently migrate to find more favorable locations when the regional weather becomes too brutal for them to handle. However, unlike most Centaur cities, Ungula also has a number of permanent structures, most notably five bone palaces located at strategic locations in the Hinderlands. Whereas for other races such palaces might function as defensible citadels to reign over these strategic territories, the Centaurs completely abandon these structures when they migrate and so they have designed the architecture in such a way that it offers little in the way of practical defensive features The Centaurs are well aware of the fact that when they migrate, their palaces will come to be inhabited by opportunistic squatters whom they must drive out upon their return. These homecoming slaughters are both celebratory and sacred events for the Bonehoof Clan; a singular bone from each and every creature they find in the palace upon their return will be added to a central altar within the palace's main chamber.

#### Olberg the City of Trolls

Olberg is perhaps the only example of a settlement of ordinary Troll species. While the Trolls of Olberg still lead largely isolationist lives, they at least do so within close proximity to their kin, and they are even known to engage in the occasional social conversation beyond the usual shouting and grumbling their kind are known for. The city itself is largely comprised of ancient ruins constructed by a civilization that was lost during the forgotten era. The Trolls of Olberg do at least do some maintenance of these ruins to keep their own chosen home with a standing roof, but for the most part, the city has been overrun by wild overgrowth. This way of "city" living as one with nature ensures that the Trolls will always have plenty of prey to ambush and keep their ravenous appetites satiated.

#### Whimsey "The City of Wonder"

Whimsey is a Fey city located within an acorn affixed to the center of an arch oak stump.

## Inhabitants

Ib

Fauna

Flora