The Bronze

A collection of narrow, rocky hills and lowlands spanning along the Northwestern borders of the Outer Kingdoms.

It is separated from the more lush, swampy areas of The Veridian by the river Thase. The contrast between the two is often so noticeable that travelling merchants from the A'shad provinces gave the passageway the name "Vezera" - The Bronze.

The narrow passageway follows the borders of the Outer Kingdoms and then branches off in two directions, while the vast portion of the terrain remains impassable due to its unforgiving, unsteady terrain - making it a perfect base of operations for brigands and bandits alike.

A smaller, more narrow passageway leads down into the swamps of the Veridian, with the larger, less travelled branch leading up north and into Du'ur - one of the few natural entrances into the Fathom.

The Bronze itself does not have a local populace as it is mostly inhospitable, yet remains a location filled with bustling activity for western merchants and caravans, as it is - while not the safest - the shortest way to deliver goods into the territories of Pyre and the capital, where they are sold, usually, at considerably higher rates. The passage through the Bronze can often end up lethal because of its many dangers, and thus, it is considered courteous for travelers alike to wish one another a "long trip" rather than a short one, implying making both trips - to and fro.

Walls of the passageway are laden with natural cave systems that often descend deep into the ravine, which also often serve as homes for Krul hives. The Krul are enormous, roach-like creatures with long, hairy limbs and a thin body that is laden with scales all-around. Armour crafted from Krul scales are known to be both extremely heavy and close to impenetrable, making them a less favored, almost unused choice for the average warrior or knight.

The Krul themselves will usually conceal themselves in "dune fog", a type of constant sand cloud that hang in the air throughout the passage. As the Krul are extremely sensitive to noise and sound, marking this as their only weakness, they are not often found outside of their hives. Yet if they are - it only implies of their hunger. Krul also rarely ever approach running water because of its noise.

Caravan owners passing through the Bronze always make sure to have several clinging, clanking ornaments and accessories installed on their means of travel to keep the Krul at bay. More often than not - to stop means to die. Merchant groups will even sing loud songs or make constant noise as to keep away Krul hunters, yet this also makes them easy to spot, track down and harass for brigands.

Thus, travellers from A'shad will often pay hefty prices for troubadours, mercenaries and bodyguards who are willing to make the trip with them. These bodyguards are compensated per trip, and they travel along the two ends of the Bronze constantly with merchant groups.

The most well-known and celebrated of these bodyguards is Talyer Salos, The Bronze Knight.