The Samurra Desert
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The Samurra is a vast desert extending for many leagues north of Ixoa. The desert's size and inhospitable environment present a natural barrier for trade and travel. Few Ixoians ever venture far into the sands and consequently not much is know of the desert or the lands beyond. Somewhere in the vast waste are the ruins to a once thriving civilization of the Gensai whose empire fell to the evil wizard Tharkun's armies centuries ago. Tharkun's great fortress Bat'la Rock also lies out amidst the sands, a silent reminder of the great evil that once rose from this place.The Samurra only borders the Iron Mountains region to the south, its other borders remain unknown, thought caravans from countries further out do occasionally arrive at Hightower. Rangers from the fortress do make regular patrols out into the desert, but never further then the outskirts of Bat'la Rock, checking to ensure that the fortress is has not been disturbed or resettled.
Flora in the region is sparse, relegated to whatever forms of planets and flowers can survive in the dry oppressive heat. Fauna in the region tend to be mostly desert living creatures such as reptiles, insects and various small mammals. Other less natural creatures call the desert sands home, but no much is known about these creatures.
Flora in the region is sparse, relegated to whatever forms of planets and flowers can survive in the dry oppressive heat. Fauna in the region tend to be mostly desert living creatures such as reptiles, insects and various small mammals. Other less natural creatures call the desert sands home, but no much is known about these creatures.
Major Landmarks
Angar Kut
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The capital city of the gensai lies somewhere in the eastern portion of the desert. The Gensai empire once stretchered to every corner of the Sumarra and many lands far beyond and it enjoyed great peace and prosperity with their neighbors to the south. The Gensai were reverted for their skill as mages and engineers, building many great works and artifacts. The mages of the high council bravely defended the city to the last but their combined power proved little match of the dark wizards legions.
Ba'tla Rock
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The great tower in the desert were Famgal raised his legions and began his great invasion. Little is know about the origins of this place and what is is deeply shrouded in mystery. It seems likely that the fortress was a relic from the old Eladrian empire that once spanned most of the world, but its purpose original name are unknown. Ba'tla Rock is the name the ancient Gensai empire gave this place and the name has stuck since. They held great respect for the tower, suspecting that the fortress had a deeper mystery, but despite the best efforts of the mages in Angar Kut, no great secret was ever discovered. After some time the human wizard Famgal came and petitioned the council of mages in Angar Kut to allow him to excavate and study the great structure. There deep in the desert the wizard uncovered some long lost power and forever changed the scape of the world.
Since the wizards defeat, the tower has been officall off limits to all with the Lord of Hightower charged with upholding this decree. However the harsness of the desert and the fear that many have over this place mean that few is any even dare to consider a trip to this relic of a darker age and the Lords of Hightower have traditionally taken the "venture at your own risk" stance on the matter.
Since the wizards defeat, the tower has been officall off limits to all with the Lord of Hightower charged with upholding this decree. However the harsness of the desert and the fear that many have over this place mean that few is any even dare to consider a trip to this relic of a darker age and the Lords of Hightower have traditionally taken the "venture at your own risk" stance on the matter.