CASESBURN | THE BLACK DESERT

INTRODUCTION

Casesburn is an arid desert covered with obsidian sand. The exact reason behind the formation of such a strange biome is unknown, but it is known that, beneath the thick carpet of obsidian sand is a layer of golden sand - this was discovered when a large system of caves underneath the desert was explored.

THE CASESBURN BLACK DESERT

The civilizations in Casesburn are more plentiful than in Gyhenz due to the more bearable surface temperature, a result of the powerful winds which strike the lands.

GOLDENGUARD DESERT CITY

This city is the capital of Casesburn, built in the geological center of the desert. Boasting a rich architecture based on intricately carved and chiseled obsidian sandstone adorned with an abundance of gold, the towering city is an ominous sight to behold. Goldenguard specializes in mining gold due to its abundance beneath the land. As this is the only metal that ancient Goldenguard men have dealt with for the most part of its history, the people are extremely knowledgable and well-trained in their handling of gold in magical and non-magical ways. Although gold is a soft metal, reinforcing it by means of enchantment allows it to harden while keeping its high conductance of Mana. Goldsmiths of Goldenguard are well-known for their ability to sculpt this enchanted gold into powerful tools, weapons, and armor.

TEXWIND DESERT CITY

Texwind is the second city located in Casesburn, just north of Goldenguard. Texwind is a relatively new city established by a band of Wizards exiled from Goldenguard for teaching Magic to the Desert Imps. The Wizards believed that knowledge should be free and widespread, which was disagreed upon by the oppressive society at that time.

Texwind is built up mainly from an synthetic purple rock named Dauxite which contains a high proportion of chromium. The wood used by the land is of a muted orange color, harvested from the Haverlock trees cultivated in the area. The Grand Wizard Daurinx (then just an Archwizard), who is among the exiled, opened a link to the Underworld which he used to purchase a stylish maroon rock called Infernite. It used in the construction of the city as well. In the present, Texwind is a place of academic endeavors for those studying the Element of Aer from the ranks of Disciple III to Auror of Aer, Second Class. Texwind is also one of the most established link points between the Middle Lands of Elmguard and the Underworld of Elmguard.

TOWCREST BLACK VILLAGE

Towcrest is a small village in the outskirts of Texwind, built up with similar materials. It is mainly an agricultural village which houses various farmers and axemen who cultivate the Haverlock Tree for its wood and fruit; the Black Cactus for its fruit, spines, and water; the Casesburn Sweet Berrybush for its fruit and leaves. Of course, these are only the main outputs of this agricultural village. The village also cultivates a variety of magical plants which require its particular climate to grow.

MIGHTENDELL DESERT CITY

Mightendell is the third city built in Casesburn. It is a city-fortress - much like Witherflame in Gyhenz. Mightendell was the final stand against the Eldritch in Casesburn during the Eldritch War. Mightendell was constructed upon a plateau, which gives it strategic depth in defense. Reinforced with many layers of obsidian spikes, its walls were virtually impossible to breach. Mightendell consists of three main levels, each accessible only from specific guarded locations across the fortress. Each level is also interconnected with majestic bridges from building to building.

DUSTBALE VILLAGE

Dustbale is a sandy desert village located at the border between Casesburn and Gyhenz, where there is a brief region of golden sand. Dustbale is a key landmark for traders travelling between Gyhenz and Casesburn, and sometimes acts as an avenue for trader exchange since the equipment required to brave the strong winds and venture deeper into Casesburn can be difficult to come by, especially for those from other lands. Dustbale had a unique dueling culture to train its inhabitants to fend themselves. Well-trained fighters from Dustbale act as desert rangers to assist the many stragglers which find themselves lost at the desert. The desert is home to aggressive scorpions and Desert Imps, which may attack the stragglers for their valuables and food. Dustbale is reckoned as a superb combat training zone due to the structures and facilities built to support this tradition. As a result, there are several major combat tasks in the Aer Mastery Course which are conducted in Dustbale, including the Elder Aer Mage Defense Course that takes place in Dustbale Arena.

Dustbale Catacombs

Dustbale used to bury its defeated warriors in labyrinthine catacombs beneath its lands. Due to a structural collapse which closed off a few hallways, there was no longer sufficient space, causing the tradition to end. Stories and theories about these catacombs have built up over the years, and the Grand Wizard Daurinx eventually decided to open up the catacombs as a challenge dungeon for aspiring wizards. Those who conquer the dungeon are awarded with the Dustbale Catacombs Challenger Badge.

CASESBURN MOUNTAINS

Casesburn also contains a mountain range stretching towards Gyhenz, which shares a border with Casesburn. These mountains, although sandy and arid at the bottom layers, are quite extensive in height and is thus sufficiently cold enough to bear snow near the summit.

SHADOWINE TOWN

Shadowine is a mountainside town overlooking the Casesburn Desert. Despite its quaint appearance, it is the ancient hometown of many powerful wizards who have walked Elmguard. The most well-known is the Grand Wizard Daurinx, who spent his youthful years growing up in Shadowine before moving to Goldenguard. Even now, he contributes actively to the development of the town through philanthropy.

Shadowine Town Center

As a homage to Daurinx, the town center boasts a statue of the Grand Wizard within the town fountain. It is said that the statue is enchanted with a spell which makes it spring to life to defend Shadowine if the need arises.

BULLHOWLER Settlement

Bullhowler is a settlement further up the Casesburn Mountains, almost near the summit. It primarily serves as a supply point for adventurers who scale the mountains in search of the Bullhowler Dungeon. Mostly built from toughened lumber harvested from the mountainside, Bullhowler is home to some of the most hardy villagers, strong in physique and mind; afraid neither of cold nor height.

Bullhowler Dungeon

This dungeon is the task that advances Disciples of Aer to Third Class Aurors of Aer. Its entrance hidden in a cliff near the summit of the Casesburn Mountains, the Bullhowler Dungeon houses some extremely powerful Aer duelers. Conquering this dungeon grants the Bullhowler Challenger Badge.