[Maplore] River's Expanse

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Tranquil lands of the west.

 

The River's Expanse

 

The River's Expanse is a vast region on the western side of Azuras, featuring a diverse range of temperatures and landscapes. From snowy mountain peaks to a debris-filled marsh, each traveler passing through can remember their favorite spot where the sun warmed their caravan or where they struggled to navigate the rugged mountains and loose rocky ground.

 

The wetland covers the easternmost part of the area, where the powerful waves of the inland sea are softened by intertwined roots of willow trees and muddy riverbanks. Here, within the bayou, leaves decay and fall into stagnant waters, transforming the land into a sludge and mud-filled barrier that challenges inexperienced travelers. Small fish swim among lily pads, while frogs jump on the surface, catching bugs and other small creatures. Floodplains border the north and south of the bayou, where semi-amphibious animals patrol the rising waters in search of prey.

 

To the west of the wetlands, the damp grasslands give way to drier terrain. This area features lightly forested plains and dry grasses, making it a popular travel route, and so it was settled long ago. A wide river flows from the southwest to the northeast, shaded by pink and green azalea trees that tower above. Scattered patches of forest contain small clearings from earlier times, allowing both big and small creatures to freely move and hunt.

 

A long mountain range runs through the center of the land, separating the forested east from the more open western region. Crossing the snow-capped peaks is dangerous, so most travelers detour around them from the north or south. However, it is within these mountains that an ancient civilization once made its home, feeding on the more timid wildlife of the west.

 

 

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The War between Calvessan and Druvasar

 

A depiction of Calvessan

 

 

The First Kingdom

 

Fleeing from Ramasar, a group of dark elves reached Azuras and established the Kingdom of Druvasar within a western mountain in the River’s Expanse. Utilizing a natural cave system within the mountain, the group was quickly able to establish an affluent and thriving community with little threat of danger. Here, they studied the regions around themselves with great intent, learning all they could about the creatures and whatever else lurked about. 
 
For some time, the Kingdom of Druvasar flourished while hidden in the mountains. The group was able to specialize, and so many of them began to devote large amounts of time to magical abilities instead of hand-to-hand combat. However, the period of peace and learning eventually ended when the Kingdom of Calvessan arrived on the continent, bringing conflict and ambition. As Calvessan established itself across the continent, Druvasar began to focus on improving and strengthening its defenses.
 

 

The Second Kingdom

 

The Kingdom of Calvessan’s expansion happened quickly after they arrived on Azuras from Berillia. Settling in the lower tranquil plains, near the floodplains, they utilized the large river and swiftly began building substantial infrastructure. Trees were cut down by soldiers and farmers alike, mines were established, and resources were quickly converted into tangible goods. The main kingdom grew rapidly, fortified with large stone walls, supported by the quarries and mines, guarded by watchtowers, and supplied by surrounding homes. With this infrastructure in place, their desire to expand grew, leading Calvessan to scout nearby lands.
 
Initially, their scouts looked eastward, where they encountered Ram and his battles, as well as the bayou. Exploring the bayou, they found only a few beings brave enough to endure the flooded lands and its scarce resources. To the east, they saw the destruction Ram wrought upon those lands and decided to shift their expansion westward, toward the nearby mountains and their resources.
 

 

The Dueling Kingdoms

 

As Calvessan’s scouts moved west, they encountered not only the Kingdom of Druvasar but also their hostility. The scouts were mercilessly hunted and slaughtered, never returning home. Despite this setback, Calvessan persisted. They continued their westward push, now deploying their entire army. However, even with abundant resources, they were ill-prepared. The magical expertise of Druvasar allowed them to win the initial battles.
 
Realizing that their vast supplies of ferrum and weapons weren’t enough, Calvessan sought other solutions. During their eastward scouting, they had learned of the bayou dwellers and their reputation for debauchery. Though hesitant at first, mounting losses forced Calvessan to consider turning to these swamp inhabitants for help.

 They eventually negotiated a deal in which Druvasar's people were cursed and their lands poisoned. Though costly, the deal proved effective, and Druvasar’s kingdom began to fall under Calvessan’s influence. Yet, it seemed there was more to the deal, as even after victory, Calvessan’s lands quickly began to fall into ruin.

 

 

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Wretched Creatures

A hag lurks.

 

 

Due to the unpleasant appearance of the Delta Bayou, it's no surprise that many descendants avoided its low-lying branches, muddy waters, and creature-infested lands. Despite this, a handful of descendants once fled into the swamp to avoid patrols of their once-kingdoms. This group lived here for many generations, often looting and killing unfortunate caravans that got stuck in the nearby floodplain mud.
 
This lawlessness was how the group sustained itself, but it did not go unnoticed. Mischievous fae who previously called the swamp home quickly grew interested in the group’s self-centered nature and began to observe them. After a while, the fae crept into the descendants’ camp and easily convinced them to sell parts of their souls to gain wicked powers. These new powers allowed the group to rule with an iron fist within the swamp, easily frightening those who ventured too close and cursing anyone who decided to stay too long.
 
The swamp inhabitants - now popularly called Hags - were skilled at offering ‘assistance’ to those unfortunate descendants, often taking a snip of hair or a few drops of blood from a fresh wound during their work. They would then take these ingredients back to their home, where they could use them to cast curses on their victims from afar.
 
Over time, these Hags became part of local legend, and the swamp was utterly avoided by those who could afford to do so on their journeys. However, there are instances in history when one or two powerful nations came to rely on their help, offering mountains of resources to the Hags in exchange for curses on their enemies. It should be known that these fae-tainted beings could never be fully trusted, and often both the ones providing the resources and the ones being cursed suffered in the process.
 
Today, only ruins of the Hags' homes remain, but the legends are still told around campfires late at night, and those especially superstitious continue to avoid the Bayou.

 

 

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