Blistered beneath an unrelenting sun, Solmarith is a land of arid plains and endless deserts, where life clings to existence by sheer will. Rain is a rarity, and what little water remains is fiercely contested. The ruins of long-fallen civilizations stand as stark warnings to those who wander these lands—reminders that time and the elements show no mercy.
The people of Solmarith, the Solmarathi, are hardened survivors, shaped by their brutal homeland. Tribes roam the wastes, battling over scarce resources, their rivalries often spilling into bloodshed. To outsiders, they are seen as lawless and savage, their reputation stretching across Aeltharis like the desert winds.
In this article, we journey into the heart of Solmarith—through sun-scorched ruins, shifting dunes, and the lives of those who call this desolate expanse home.
Geography & Climate
North of the Spires of Aeltharis, Solmarith is a land of relentless heat and scarce water. With minimal rainfall, little vegetation survives, and the vast Whispering Expanse—a desert said to be haunted by the restless dead—dominates the province. Few dare to cross its treacherous dunes, and even the nomadic Solmarathi tribes avoid it whenever possible.
Beyond the desert’s borders, the landscape shifts. In the northern and western reaches, the climate is more temperate, with rugged hills and dry grasslands where life clings more tenaciously. Here, Solmarathi clans have adapted from their desert-roaming ancestors, settling into a way of life that offers more stability. Small villages and seasonal encampments dot the land, supported by trade, herding, and rare pockets of fertile soil. Though the region remains unforgiving, life here is a stark contrast to the desolation of the Whispering Expanse.
Culture & Society
For much of Solmarith’s history, survival has depended on constant movement. In the arid desert, where water is scarce and oases unreliable, the Solmarathi developed a nomadic and semi-nomadic way of life. Travel is often necessary at a moment’s notice, and without permanent settlements, history and law are passed down through oral traditions. These traditions, however, are not always consistent, and disputes over their interpretation have sparked great conflicts.
With survival hinging on access to resources, competition is fierce. Tribes raid one another for supplies, and a single successful strike can mean the difference between life and death. Over generations, this struggle has honed the Solmarathi into hardened warriors—skilled in both survival and combat, bound by necessity rather than luxury.
History & Government
Solmarith is a land without kings or central rule. Independent tribes govern themselves, each following their own laws and customs. With no unifying authority, intertribal politics are volatile, often descending into bloodshed when disputes arise. However, when faced with a common threat—be it a foreign invader or an opportunity to expand their reach—temporary alliances can form, though they rarely last beyond the immediate need.
Yet, the shifting sands of Solmarith tell of a different past. Long before the nomadic tribes, great civilizations once thrived here, their cities now reduced to crumbling ruins buried beneath the dunes of the Whispering Expanse. The remnants of these lost empires serve as a grim warning: no kingdom, no matter how powerful, can defy the desert forever. Some say the restless dead that haunt the Expanse are the remnants of these fallen peoples, cursed to wander the sands for eternity.
Economy & Trade
The nomadic lifestyle of the Solmarathi leaves little room for surplus, making large-scale trade uncommon. Most tribes rely on bartering, with livestock being their primary form of wealth. However, the desert is not without its own treasures—certain regions yield rare spices and exotic goods found nowhere else in Aeltharis, making them valuable trade commodities.
Trade routes serve as the lifeblood of Solmarith’s economy. Small settlements and trading posts dot these paths, acting as crucial hubs where traveling merchants and desert tribes exchange goods. Here, outsiders can acquire Solmarathi wares in exchange for water, tools, and other necessities. In the western reaches, where the Spires of Aeltharis loom, some tribes have developed mining expertise, extracting precious gems and metals from hidden veins. These rare materials, though difficult to transport, fetch a high price among foreign traders willing to brave the desert’s perils.
Conflicts & Intrigue
The Solmarathi are feared across Aeltharis, their reputation forged in blood and battle. Fierce raiders, they strike into Myrithis and Lyranthia with ruthless efficiency, fueling tales of their savagery and making diplomatic efforts all but impossible. This same warrior spirit extends to their own lands, where tribal warfare is an expected part of life. Resources are scarce, and when negotiation fails—as it often does—conflict is inevitable.
With no central authority to enforce order, lawlessness festers in the province’s scattered settlements. Smugglers and mercenaries thrive in the chaos, taking advantage of shifting tribal politics and the absence of oversight. In many settlements, the word of the ruling chieftain or local sultan is law, leaving visitors to tread carefully, unsure of the rules—or the price of breaking them.
Solmarith is a land of extremes—scorching deserts and temperate frontiers, ancient ruins and untamed wilderness, nomadic warriors and opportunistic traders. The harsh environment breeds an equally harsh people, where survival is earned through strength, cunning, and an unbreakable will. It is a land of forgotten empires and restless dead, of fierce raiders and lawless frontiers.
For those who can endure its trials, Solmarith offers not only danger but opportunity. Lost treasures lie buried beneath its shifting sands, and the fearless might carve their names into legend. But those who underestimate the province—its land, its people, or its past—will soon find themselves swallowed by the desert, just as countless others before them.