The Ashlands

The Ashlands is a province in the far west of Chilastra, that features large desert dunes known as the Dune Sea and arid, dry landscapes all around. The province covers a hot and dry climate.

Pre-Empire (year 0-282)
Many centuries before recorded history the Ashlands were known to be a green and lush landscape, however a volcano in the region erupted and spat out ash all across the land making the soil dark and black. Due to the smoke from the volcano, the sky was covered for a very long time and it caused nothing to grow. Decades later the lands became dry and heated due to continuous volcanic activity and as the climate around the world changed, the Ashlands became very warm and dry, and thus formed a giant landscape of desert.

Before the Empire arrived in Chilastra the Ashlands was home to a nomadic Vedalken tribe and were shared with the Loxodon, Genasi and Tiefling races.

Orcs also came to the Ashlands to pillage and murder to the north of the region and claim their own territory that became known as the Barrens, where the Orcs killed so many Vedalken and Genasi that the earth became red from the blood. Thus the Orcs set up camp there and were fairly ignored by the other races as they were living in fear, even the Tiefling societies were afraid of the menacing Orcs.

Agus Artelianus Prim. (year 282-308)
As the Empire arrived, with Emperor Martyn Artelius I at the helm, most of the Ashlands were ignored and left alone, and at times even seen as a threat to the rest of Chilastra. The Empire quickly made sure to build temporary barricades to block the Ashlands off from the rest of Chilastra.

Agus Artelianus Secon. (year 308-372)
As the Empire conquered more and more of Chilastra, the Ashlands were soon invaded by the Empire and many Vedalken were killed and enslaved. The Empire didn't stop at the Vedalken however, and made it their mission to also get rid of the Loxodon and Tiefling societies in the region. While the Imperials were successful, many of these endangered races fled to other areas in the world and some hid around the Ashlands. The most prominent of these races were all except for the Vedalken, as the Loxodon, Genasi and Tiefling societies were treated better by the Empire as time progressed, the Vedalken were expelled from regular societies.

Agus Artelianus Tert. (year 372-400)
Emperor Martyn Artelius the II was growing old and slowly dying, and started transitioning his responsibilities to his heir and son Lucien Artelius, who had different thoughts in mind for Chilastra. With Emperor Lucien Artelius succeeding his father, he wanted to rule and govern better, and thus started introducing systems for all regions, including the Ashlands.

He wanted to make the Ashlands a more habitable area and granted rights to the societies there to build their own independent region. This attracted many other races to the region and soon it was also home to many Tabaxi. The Tabaxi societies in the region flourished and soon set up a city state that came to be called Vasiir.

The Loxodon formed the city of Jubuwal while the Tieflings set up a growing city called Tarren Mill. The Genasi flocked to various areas around the region.

Not soon after, Leonin races were discovered to live as nomads in the Dune Sea and so they claimed it for themselves, however some remaining Vedalken also live a nomadic life in the Dune Sea at this point.

1E (year 400-500)
During the times of the First Era, the Ashlands were considered to be an official province of Chilastra and was to follow Imperial law, however they were exempt of taxation and given their own currency to trade amongst themselves.

2E (year 500-600)
This is where we are today, and the Ashlands are now known to be a mysterious land that spans wealthy societies of Loxodons, Tabaxis and Tieflings. It's often regarded as a province not many travel to for leisure, but has remained a home to the more mythical races of the world and thus has attracted societies of Yuan-ti Purebloods, Giths, Tortles, Lizardfolk, Goblins, Aarakocras, and Kobolds.

Geography & Features
The Ashlands is a very open region with arid landscapes, large desert dunes and steep, flat mountains along the coast.

The Ashlands neighbors to the Barrens, where once a great volcano erupted, giving the Ashlands its name.

Citizens
The people of the Ashlands are often considered mysterious, and so venturing out to the Ashlands can often be regarded as something dangerous and foolhardy, even if you are of any of the races that mostly inhabit the region. Humanoid races are often told to stay away, but many have also vouched for the region to be safe, generous and kind. With that said, there are stories of bandits, barbarians and feral creatures that roam the lands, looking for victims.