Peril Risk: Low

A land decimated by the Fracture and the storms that followed. In the old world, this land was used for farming. Now, the forces of nature work to bury any signs of the past. Powerful storms scour the surface of the land, turning it to lifeless dust. The ever shifting winds reveal and bury scattered structures and vehicles of mankind.

The Warped in this region are thin and sickly, some shambling along as mere husks. It's hard to harvest anything valuable from these fragile foes, but their weakness makes it far easier to survive. Ones greatest concerns are always food, water, and the storms. If you can take care of those, you can last a long time out here.

Subregions

Crater Fields - Caused by falling rocks, ice, or other sky objects. Craters can be as large as characters.

Stone Stripes - Exposed stone here is burnt black by sky rays. Deep crevices sometimes expose underground springs.

The Scour - Plants here never grow more than a few inches tall. The soil is too barren to support more life. When dry, the silty dust here raises in thick plumes at the slightest disturbance.

Crumbling Hills - These hills have been frozen and torn to their breaking points. They are little more than a mound of gravel at this point. Those small enough may be able to burrow into the cracks between stones in pursuit of treasure. Be careful, the gravel is prone to collapse.

Blackstone Ridge - Soft, crumbling stone coats the top of this outcrop. It becomes painfully hot and sticky in the heat. Large, dangerous Warped are often found here.

Landmarks

Hollow Hills - A sandy hill located in the Scour with a man structure buried beneath. Once used by wandering survivors for shelter, it has since been overtaken by acrid warped. Those who survived this event at known as the Hollow Hill survivors.

Turned Metals - The abandoned carcass of a man artifact. Located near the Blackstone Ridge. This location was used for shelter after the fall of the Hollow Hill, and was burned to a crisp by a Warped.

The Tower - Discovered during Expedition 1. This tower stands out from the barren landscape. The area around it is prone to sinkholes and Warped attacks.

Material Wealth

The earth here is scoured by storms, made nearly uninhabitable for all but the cleverest of creatures. The warped are thin and frail, with hardly enough meat to make a meal. The plants, likewise, struggle to survive here. There is little in the way of potent herbs and guts.

One is more likely to find salvage here than anything else. Ancient artifacts of mankind waste away here, slowly decomposing into less valuable materials. Old fabric, metal scraps, and glass are among the most common forms of salvage found here.

Fauna

Warped found in the Scarlands are frequently frail and sickly, weakened by the harsh nature of the landscape. Though they are easier to take down, these weakened warped often yield fewer rations and usable materials when butchered. Warped in this area are often sickly, infected by the [ACRID] bane. These toxic warped are poisonous to the touch, and yield no edible rations.

The most common warped are shown below:

Storm-Gliders

Size: Average
Threat Level: Low

This warped is commonly found during bouts of severe weather. It floats through the air, taking advantage of air currents to move faster. It's long tail can whip around at high speeds. The oily shimmer of its hide hints at the foulness of its meat. It is edible, in a pinch.

Capable of producing an acrid gas.

This creature has been known in this region since the Fracture.

Storm King

Size: Massive
Threat Level: High

Seemingly related to Warped 1, this creature is altogether more powerful and dangerous than its smaller counterparts.

Only one has been seen so far. It was powerful enough to destroy the Hollow Hill.

This creature was discovered during the Fall of the Hollow Hill.

Prickly Snoutbeast

Size: Small
Threat Level: Minor

A weak creature known to have defensive spines hidden under its brightly colored fur. Prickly Snoutbeasts are commonly found hiding in tight spaces, waiting for an opportune moment to strike. They make an easy meal for the hungry carnivore.

This creature has been known in this region since the Fracture.

Named by Newt.

Sleag

Size: Small
Threat Level: Minor

Only found near the Roaring Peaks to the west. Sleags like to hide in contaminated water, using the surface sheen to obscure its own reflective body.

They can leap several meters from the water, often taking their prey by surprise.

The Sleag is considered inedible, as it appears to lack meat. The foul slime that composes its body falls apart after death.

This creature was discovered on Expedition 2.

Harvester Crane

Size: Tall
Threat Level: Low

The Harvester Crane spends most of its time with its head handing low, searching for valuable plants to eat. Its favored food is Potent Herbs. A small flock of these creatures can permanently destroy known patches of Potent Herbs, making them a particularly hazardous pest.

Though not particularly aggressive or threatening, its tough skin can make it a difficult to defeat without weapons.

Warped 5

Size: Average
Threat Level: Low

Slow and lumbering. It is unusual to find these creatures in the Scarlands. They are unable to maneuver quickly enough to outrun the worst of the weather. It is believed the majority of these warped travel here from another region, as the massive stores of fat on their backs allow them to travel for a long time without eating.

Exercise caution if observing from afar. The spines on their backs can be launched several meters away to dissuade potential predators.

Warped 6

Size: Towering
Threat Level: Moderate

Found roaming the Blackstone Ridge at the Turned Metals. Taken down by Felony's hunting party. Its liquid flames dance over the earth long after it has breathed them.

Little is known about these creatures.

Warped 8

Size: Tall
Threat Level: Low-Moderate

The large wings of this Warped are fully jointed with powerful grasping fingers. It's preferred tactic is to entrap its target with its wings and bite at them.

The tight space makes it difficult to fight back, and those who have been trapped swear they saw images in the darkness of its wings.

Warped 7

Size: Large
Threat Level: High

One of the most dangerous creatures known to roam the Scarlands. This beast can spot you from a mile away and be upon you in seconds, long limbs allowing it to easily sprint over dust and sand.

The crack of its tail can shatter stone. This is its favored method of attack.

Flora and Fungi

Many plants in the Scarlands appear to be relatives of the farm crops that came before them. Having once been filled with corn and wheat, grains are the most common plant one will find in the Scarlands. It is also common to find mushrooms here. Fungi feast of the remains of mankind, hidden in buried buildings and abandoned machines where they are safe from the sun.

Maizelikt

Size: 2x Towering

A relative of the corn plant, this variety was found growing on the tower discovered by Expedition 1.

Rancid Slickroot

Size: Small

[POTENT HERB]

This foul item leaves a greasy coating on the paws when touched. Eating it causes one to vomit immediately.

Carnivore: In combat, spend the next 2 rounds vomiting.

Herbivore: In combat, spend the next 1 round vomiting.

Stonebulb

Size: Small

[POTENT HERB]

Too tough to chew, this large bulb must be swallowed whole by most animals. Despite this, it's perfectly safe to eat. If you're willing to choke one down, it could grant you the strength to continue on a particularly difficult journey.

Carnivore: +5 Vigor when eaten raw

Herbivore: +2 Vigor when eaten raw

Sparking Burr

Size: Small

[POTENT HERB]

It sparks with static every time its touched, and sticks to fur aggressively. When taken herbally, it provides a quick energy boost.

Carnivore: +5 energy when eaten raw

Herbivore: +2 energy when eaten raw

Silvered Straw

Size: Small

[POTENT HERB]

Believed to be a relative of barley, this low lying plant has hollow, silvery stems. They're stronger than they look, and can be a challenge to harvest without a knife.

It is only found in western subregions.

Carnivore: Bolsters the bones for 1 day, giving them strength like steel. Works like a day long full body Brace [Source Armor Tier 1]

Herbivore: Strengthens the bones for ~12 hours, giving them strength like steel. Works like a half-day full body Brace [Source Armor Tier 1]

Sharptongue Mushroom

Size: Small

The flakey cap of this mushroom gives it a distinctive, easy to identify appearance. It prefers to grow in dark, damp places.

An unknown compound in this mushroom makes the consumer feel more bold for the next hour or so. This boost in confidence makes it a favored snack before giving a public performance or speech.

When consumed, the next insult the character says in the next ~2 hours will deal 1 astral damage to its target.

Flukeshroom

Size: Miniscule

These tiny mushrooms are easy to overlook, and are easily confused with several lookalikes. Nobody is quite sure how many variations of this mushroom there are.

Thanks to their versatile nature, they can be found growing in all sorts of places.

When consumed, the effects can be...unpredictable.

Roll 1d4 for effect:

1: The vigorous variety improves blood clotting, providing 1d4 vigor of healing to any physical wounds. (roll once per wound OR take 2 healing for all wounds)

2: The energized variety tingles on the tongue. This is the only warning you'll get before you suddenly lose your handle on your magic. Autocast a tier 1 power.

3: The Gut-killer variety...well, it's what it says on the tin. Be prepared for a long night behind a bush.

4. The chef's cap variety provides a delightful punch of flavor to any meal. Good for improving party morale.

Ghostcap

Size: Miniscule

This mushroom is considered completely unsafe to eat. Those who try it may begin vomiting blood as parts of their organs vanish into thin air. Fortunately, the effects are mostly temporary as the afflicted body parts reappear after about a minute of agony.

Found in places with a chill in the air.

When applied to an object, causes it to target vanish for ~1 minute (10 rounds). May be slightly influenced by flux/intention of character, but mostly acts as wild magic.

Sturdyshroom

Size: Small

Perfectly safe to eat. They only take magical properties when they grow near leylines, but may boost natural defenses when consumed.

When consumed, the character is protected from body parts being severed and bones being broken for the next ~2 hours.

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