Wyrmscar Wastelands

The Wyrmscar peaks is a chain of desolate mountains way beyond the forests of the Verdant Shroud. It has an extremely harsh climate and contains a chain of active volcanoes that erupt at irregular times. It’s known to be inhabited by dangerous creatures and ravenous untamed dragons. Survival of the fittest is the doctrine that reigns supreme in this lawless and wild outland. The Wyrmscar region is not under control by any singular nation and is home to various tribes and warlords all fighting to survive.

Origins

Speculators within the eastern cities say that the desolate landscape of Wyrmscar is shaped by unnatural forces. Rifts between mountains appear like fractures in brittle stone. Deep parallel trenches carve across the landscape like claw marks in a ferocious struggle between titans. This has led historians to hypothesize that the Wyrmscar Wastelands was once an ancient battleground between Primal beasts. 

Though some creatures do live here, the heat of the landscape is still overbearing and the lack of greenery provides no refuge from this harsh environment.  

Fractured Tribes

“Bring back a head… with or without the body. The bounty demands it!” -Thorn Howlbreaker

Scattered across the wasteland are many villages, tribes, and outcasts that all vie for power and survival. Almost every bandit tribe that roams Wyrmscar arose as a band of outcasts seeking out like-minded allies in a place where no one could be trusted. Aside from the Dragonkin tribes nestled away within the mountains, many humans and therians in the area are not native to the region—many being refugees of war or exiles by criminal punishment.

Eventually, small clans and villages formed out of necessity – survival alone in Wyrmscar is not easy. The distant tribes tend to be territorial, keeping distance from each other, lest skirmishes break out.

Ashfang Clan: Known across the wasteland as roaming raiders, the noise of their motorbikes can spark fear amongst the desperate survivalists of Wyrmscar. The clan is primarily formed of Fenrir demi-humans, forced far from their homeland due to the fall of Segovia. Though many fenrir chose to assimilate peacefully within the neighboring Republic of Concordia, some decided that true freedom could only be found in the lawless expanse. They joined together under the command of Thorn Howlbreaker – the Alpha of the pack – and began to thrive as bounty hunters, mercenaries, and raiders.

Dragonkin Tribes: Various distinctions of dragonkin live in the Wyrmscar Peaks, each worshipping their own ancient progenitor dragon. They’ve always lived in relative harmony, but the encroachment of the various fenrir and human warlords in the region has begun to drive tension within the political stalemate. Their strongholds lie within the mountains and are protected by territorial dragons, yet intruders still attempt to steal the many treasures of the Dragonkin. 

The Fireclaws are residents within an active volcano and descendants of the mighty dragon, Ashgron. Meanwhile, the Goldspire Clan view their gold as not only as a symbol of power, but as a tangible connection to their ancient dragon ancestors. Jinlong is an immensely long golden dragon said to slumber beneath the Goldspire Peaks, only awakening to account for his treasure.

Skyscourge Raiders: A new warband led by the dragon tyrant, Varenthus. This group consists of dissident dragonkin and fenrir mercenaries. They work with the Harkan Authority in a mutually beneficial agreement. Infamous for their brutal warfare and savagery, they are notorious from their recent raids on Concordian border cities. 

Harkan Authority: A human junta warlord faction that consists of ex-military exiles from the nations in Concordia. General Castor Harkan leads the coalition with an iron fist. They set up their own nation within the wastelands, seeking out the vast mineral wealth hidden beneath the surface. As an instinctual businessman, General Harkan prefers not to get his own hands dirty—he employs the plentiful aid of mercenaries such as the Skyscourge Raiders to execute the less desired jobs. After establishing a healthy supply line of riches, he seeks to further expand mining operations into the mountain ranges, putting them at odds with many of the Dragonkin tribes.

Tale of Varenthus the Skyscourge

The air within Varenthus’s command cavern was thick with the scent of sulfur and the metallic tang of newly forged steel. The leaders of the Skyscourge Raiders gather under the mighty dragon’s command. Varenthus, an ancient red dragon with shimmering crimson scales, loomed over a massive strategy map, carved directly into the cavern’s stone floor in a size suitable for a dragon. His massive claw tapped impatiently on the contested border of the Republic of Concordia. “Lykos,” he rumbled, his voice a gravelly echo against the stone, “The report. Did the soft-skinned fools of the Republic weep enough to satisfy our current quota?”

Lykos, the brutal lieutenant in charge of the Skyscourge Raiders’ Fenrir division, stepped forward, unafraid of the dragon’s fiery disposition. “The border outpost is ashes, Warlord. Their local guard was a joke. Our mercenaries and your loyal kin fought shoulder-to-shoulder, just as you command. The payment from General Harkan—the usual shipment—has been secured. He is pleased with our progress.” Varenthus gave a short, sharp snort of amusement. "Pleased? Harkan is a worm who thinks he has bought a god. He bought me tools, Lykos. Tools and raw materials. Useless without our—my presence. Tell me you took more weapons than you needed; I dislike relying on others for my edge."

Varenthus turned away from the mundane details of the spoils, his blood-red eyes narrowing with ambition. “We skirmish for Harkan's trinkets only to build our strength. Do not mistake the means for the end.” He extended a claw, tracing a line from the desolate Wyrmscar Peaks to the prosperous lands beyond. “The warlords constantly warring over borders fight for meager scraps. I fight for everything. Concordia has order, stability, and wealth—that is the foundation for an empire. Harkan thinks I am his hired muscle, unaware I am merely testing the tensile strength of the Republic's neck before I snap it myself.”

His voice dropped, resonating with a final, terrifying authority that demanded total obedience. “Prepare the airships, Lykos. Re-equip every Raider with the captured weaponry. These border raids are finished. It is time we show them what a true 'Skyscourge' means.” He fixed his gaze on the lieutenant, the challenge of dominion etched in his expression. “When we descend, the sky will no longer belong to them, but to the dragon who knows no master.”