Prior to the Cataclysm this dry and barren landscape was green and lush, with the ocean separating it from Icereach. Let’s learn more about the Plains of Dust. Buy War of the Lance: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/3164/War-of-the-Lance-35?affiliate_id=50797
Transcript
Cold Open
Other than Istar, Tarsis was the most decimated city from the Cataclysm.
Intro
Welcome to another DragonLance Saga episode. My name is Adam and today we are going to talk about the Plains of Dust in the War of the Lance Era. I would like to take a moment and thank the members of this channel, and invite you to consider becoming a member by visiting the link in the description below. You can even pick up Dragonlance gaming materials using my affiliate links. I am referencing the Tales of the Lance boxed set and War of the Lance sourcebook for this information. If I leave anything out or misspeak, please leave a comment below!
Discussion
The Cataclysm changed all life on Krynn, and as Istar sank creating the Blood Sea, Tarsis rose well above sea level, and the climate shifted, with its once warm currents shifting east toward the Blood Sea. The Plains of Dust were once fertile lands with plainsmen following animal herds across its grassy tundra. Now, only predators hunt the barren landscape. Sparse vegetation does dot the landscape. There is even a fruit that grows from the brush that is said to sustain an individual for an entire day, though it emits a pungent aroma and rots quickly after harvest. Barbarian and nomadic humans make up about eighty percent of its population, estimated at just under nineteen thousand. Centaurs make up nearly fifteen percent with goblins, gnolls and Thanoi making up the rest. The Plains of Dust are but a shadow of what they once were, but more, as the climate shifted, so too did the icy glaciers of Icereach. In just over three hundred years, they have been advancing on the Plains of Dust and now appear as if the continents were never seperate. The Plains begin at the edge of the Kharolis Mountains in the West, spreading east across the continent to the Silvanesti forests.
The climate in the Plains of Dust is cold. With its summer only lasting two scant months, it only eases the perpetual cold, rising to a tolerable level briefly. There is very little rain, and most moisture comes in the form of snow, drifting across the sandy expanse. Harsh winds batter the region year-round, throwing the fine sand and snow into the air, making visibility difficult. The once mighty river Torath which rivaled the Vingaard to the north, is now largely dry with turgid, dun-colored water. This runoff from the Icewall Glacier isn’t enough to sustain the native life, or make up for the lack of precipitation. Between Hiddumont and Chistlmont, the southern portions of this river freeze over so thick and consistently, that merchants will ride over the ice from Tarsis’ east road up to the Silvanesti road, reaching Waylorns Tower before it thaws!
Travelers are often prone to hallucinating. Mirages granting refuge from the bitter plains are only brief and maddening glimpses of hope. There is even legend of ancient armies composed of spectral minions endlessly battling one another across the plains. Trade in the Plains of Dust is sparse and isolated between communities. Tarsis will trade furs, horses and wagons to Thorbarden in return for dwarven steel, weapons and masonry tools. Many craftsmen have found work building bay road, with the hope of reaching Qualinesti. Tarsis also trades horses to the dispossessed Silvanesti elves.
Again, there is no active and thriving life in the Plains of Dust. The closest one gets to it is Tarsis the beautiful. Or once beautiful would be more appropriate as this once seaside port city was a massive center for trade and the arts. Now, its waterless bays are dotted with ocean-going vessels dotting the barren seafloor for a hundred miles before reaching the new coastline. This once sprawling city has shriveled and shrunk to a fraction of its size, and now appears to be more of a near-arctic outpost. It now has an estimated four thousand residents which are split between old city and new city regions. The residents hold great animosity for the Knights of Solamnia, as they are blamed for the Cataclysm, and devastation of their home. With seasonal Thanoi raids, adventurers need not look far for opportunities, and the ancient Library of Khrystann may hold untold knowledge from before the Cataclysm.
The next largest settlement is the walled town of Quindaras with just under three thousand residents. It resides within the largest fork of the Torath River. Its location on the King’s Highway made it an excellent location for trade, so this once modest human settlement grew exponentially. Prior to the Cataclysm the town was seized by a renegade black robed wizard named Aniirin the Wicked. His ancestor, Potentate niirin the fifth, oversees this wicked city’s six district overseers. Wallach is a small town of under two thousand. It was once a renowned city devoted to the god Zivilyn. Now, it features a lone Vallenwood sixty miles south. It is rumored that a relic of the god resides here. The small town of Hopeful has just over a thousand residents. They bar entry to all outsiders and believe monsters have taken to the skies.
South of Tarsis, deep in the tundra on the border of Icewall is Zeriak with under a thousand residents. This ice barbarian town does its best to placate the Dragon Highlord Feal-Thas, and offers furs and supplies to him and his army. Though they are raided regularly by the same troops. The centaur village of Willik has under a thousand residents. Located east of Hopeful, these centaurs trade regularly with the Plains Barbarians. Draconians have even been spotted in the village, and as long as you aren’t threatening to the locals, travelers may find them willing to trade. The last settlement of note is Stone Rose with under three hundred residents. It was once a farming community before the Cataclysm, and now features a petrified rose garden where humans and Centaurs meet to trade in peace.
While the Plains of Dust only have isolated settlements, it does have a few important sites of note. The Kings Road was a miracle of Silvanesti construction. It was a raised highway, held aloft by ornate pillars. It is believed to have stretched all the way to Sancrist in the west. It is now broken apart and staggered with many sections missing or swallowed by the land. The road now leads into Qualinesti. Purstal is a town believed to be cursed after the Cataclysm. Spectral lights shift through the ruined streets, disappearing upon investigation. Undead creatures of all varieties haunt this decrepit location. Finally, Torath River is fed from the Icewall glacier, and runs off into Newsea. In the long, cold winters, the river freezes over and can be used to travel the wastes, with ice so thick as to support the incredible weight of caravans.
While this unforgiving land is traditionally avoided by all, it is also an opportunity for incredible adventure. From buried ruins, to ancient sites featuring relics of the old gods. In this War of the Lance era, dragons can be seen in the skies to the north and south, and the residents are willing to hire mercenaries to investigate Icereach, fight off Thanoi or stop undead hordes that pass across the plains. The locals’ behaviors are influenced by this inhospitable land, but they can be very warm and inviting to those who earn their respect.
Outro
And that is all I have to say about the Plains of Dust in the War of the Lance Era. What do you think of this massive expanse? Have you largely avoided it in your games, or do you delve into its wilderness? Finally, would you ever investigate the Vallenwood tree that stands seemingly in the middle of nowhere? Leave a comment below.
I would like to take a moment and remind you to subscribe to this YouTube channel, ring the bell to get notified about upcoming videos and click the like button. This all goes to help other Dragonlance fans learn about this channel and its content. Thank you for watching, this has been Adam with DragonLance Saga and until next time, remember:
New roads demand a hoopak.
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