The Broken Lands are a blasted and desolate territory, a harsh wilderness that serves as the home to various humanoid tribes and monstrous creatures. Unlike the other nations of Mystara, it is not a unified kingdom or a cohesive society. It is a dangerous and anarchic collection of competing tribes of orcs, goblins, gnolls, and other humanoids. These tribes are constantly at war with each other and with the neighboring civilized nations. The Broken Lands are a lawless, treacherous region where only the strongest and most cunning survive.
The landscape of the Broken Lands is a testament to its name. It is a ravaged terrain of jagged peaks, deep chasms, and volcanic wastelands. The soil is often a dark, infertile mix of ash and rock. There is little vegetation and even less clean water. Settlements are crude and temporary, consisting of rough huts, caves, and fortified outposts. The humanoids themselves are a fearsome sight, often clad in crude armor and wielding primitive weapons. Their appearance is a reflection of the harsh, unforgiving environment they inhabit.
The culture of the Broken Lands is one of survival and dominance. There is no central religion or common belief system. Instead, each tribe worships its own deities, often Immortals of trickery, war, or chaos. There is no concept of honor or mercy. Strength is the only virtue, and the weak are either enslaved or killed. Inter-tribal warfare is a way of life, and raids on neighboring nations are a common and accepted practice. The art and music that exist are primitive and based on war chants and crude carvings.
Society in the Broken Lands is based on a brutal meritocracy. The leader of a tribe is the strongest or most cunning warrior, and their rule is often secured through a challenge of combat. There is no formalized government, only the will of the chieftain. While some larger tribes may form temporary alliances to raid a common enemy, these alliances are fragile and often fall apart in a moment of distrust or greed. Women are typically seen as property or slaves, and their role is relegated to child-rearing and manual labor.
The Broken Lands are located south of the Principalities of Glantri and north of the Grand Duchy of Darokin. The area is a barren, mountainous landscape with active volcanoes. It is bordered by the Darokin and Glantri, and it serves as a buffer zone between these nations. The territory is vast, but much of it is uninhabitable. The humanoids generally live in the more fertile areas near the borders of civilized nations, where they can more easily raid and plunder.
The Broken Lands are poor in natural resources. The soil is infertile, there are no large forests for wood, and metal ore is scarce. The humanoids survive primarily on what they can scavenge, or more often, what they can steal from their neighbors. They are also known to use the remains of fallen enemies for armor and weapons. Their greatest resource is their sheer numbers and their innate savagery, which they use to strike fear into the hearts of their enemies.
The military of the Broken Lands is not a formal army. It is a collection of brutal, undisciplined bands of warriors. They are master ambushers and use guerrilla tactics, striking quickly and without warning. While they may not have the training or discipline of a civilized army, their ferocity and numbers can overwhelm unprepared opponents. Each tribe has its own fighting style, from the savage berserkers of the orc clans to the cunning rogues of the goblins. The leaders of the military are the war chiefs, who are chosen for their ability to command in battle.
How the Broken Lands Feels about Others:
Glantri: The humanoids of the Broken Lands see Glantri as a land of rich plunder, filled with weak and cowardly sorcerers. They fear the Glantrians' magic but are also eager to find a way to defeat it.
Darokin: Darokin is viewed as a land of soft, fat merchants, ripe for a raid. The humanoids see the Darokinians as weak and easily intimidated.
Ethengar: The Ethengars are viewed as rivals. The two groups share a similar disregard for the civilized world, but their goals are often in conflict. The humanoids respect the Ethengars' fighting prowess but see them as competitors for territory and loot.
Karameikos: The humanoids see Karameikos as a relatively new kingdom and a prime target for raids. They view the Karameikans as an upstart nation with no right to the land they claim.
How Others Feel about the Broken Lands:
Glantri: Glantri views the Broken Lands as a constant nuisance and a source of monsters. They are often forced to use magical defenses and their powerful mages to keep the humanoids at bay.
Darokin: The Darokinians view the Broken Lands as a dangerous and uncivilized land. Their merchants and caravan guards are always on high alert when near the borders, and they often hire mercenaries to protect their trade routes.
Ethengar: The Ethengars view the humanoids as rivals and a source of conflict. They are constantly clashing with the tribes of the Broken Lands over territory and resources.
Karameikos: The Karameikans view the Broken Lands as a source of monsters and a constant threat to their borders. They are forced to maintain a strong military presence on their northern border to protect against raids.
The Broken Lands have a reputation as a lawless, dangerous, and inhospitable place. They are feared and despised by the civilized nations of Mystara, who see the humanoids as nothing more than savages and monsters. The humanoids of the Broken Lands are known for their savagery, their lack of honor, and their unrelenting brutality. While some may see them as a force of nature, most see them as a plague that must be contained or destroyed.