Difference between revisions of "Barrens (range)"

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'''Barrens''' are dry grasslands with extant areas of sand, gravel or bare stone.  The soil is relatively dry and poor, though they support herds of grazing animals, both wild and domesticated.  They are widespread in cold climates and upon very high plateaus, where the vegetation growth period is not long enough to sustain trees.  Typically, they receive less than 18 in. of rain per year.  Agriculture is sparse and limited to river valleys and particular river deltas.
 
'''Barrens''' are dry grasslands with extant areas of sand, gravel or bare stone.  The soil is relatively dry and poor, though they support herds of grazing animals, both wild and domesticated.  They are widespread in cold climates and upon very high plateaus, where the vegetation growth period is not long enough to sustain trees.  Typically, they receive less than 18 in. of rain per year.  Agriculture is sparse and limited to river valleys and particular river deltas.
  
Grasses are able to survive in diverse climate conditions, so that they may grow in areas characterized by warm summers and bitterly cold winters, where most other plants could not thrive.  This allows large grazing animals to also thrive upon these grasses, though considerable migration is necessary because any part of the barrens cannot support these herds for long.  Herding is nomadic, with patterns of movement that range hundreds of miles, often moving from lowlands to highlands over ten thousand feet, to make best use of forage at different times of the year.
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Grasses are able to survive in diverse climate conditions, so they may grow in areas characterized by warm summers and bitterly cold winters, where most other plants could not thrive.  This allows large grazing [[Animal|animals]] to also thrive upon these grasses, though considerable migration is necessary because any part of the barrens cannot support these herds for long.  Herding is nomadic, with patterns of movement that range hundreds of miles, often moving from lowlands to highlands over ten thousand feet, to make best use of forage at different times of the year.
  
Barrens are especially vulnerable to attacks by large predators and beasts, who may strike from the air or conceal themselves by burrowing nearby herds.  Rodents proliferate, as huge underground warrens can be built, allowing populations of tens of thousands of these animals spread over hundreds of square miles.
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[[Travel|Travellers]] in barrens are especially vulnerable to attacks by large predators and [[Beast|beasts]], who may strike from the air or conceal themselves by [[Burrowing (trait)|burrowing]] nearby herds.  Rodents proliferate, as huge underground warrens can be built, allowing populations of tens of thousands of these animals spread over hundreds of square miles.
  
 
== Coastal Barrens ==
 
== Coastal Barrens ==
Often called "heathlands," '''barrens''' are characterized by short vegetation, sparse tree cover and exposed bedrock.  These are lands subjected to consistent windy conditions and salt-spray.  They are very damp and humid, with much rain and drizzle, but as the soil is infused with salt, little grows except heather and gorse. Mires may occur where the drainage is poor, but are usually only small in extent.  Birds are common.
+
Often called "heathlands," '''barrens''' are characterized by short vegetation, sparse tree cover and exposed bedrock.  These are lands subjected to consistent windy conditions and salt-spray.  They are very damp and humid, with much rain and drizzle, but as the soil is infused with salt, little grows except heather and gorse. Mires may occur where the drainage is poor, but are usually only small in extent.  [[Birds (sage study)|Birds]] are common.
  
 
== Major Barrens ==
 
== Major Barrens ==
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<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
 
<div style="column-count:3;-moz-column-count:3;-webkit-column-count:3">
* [[High Atlas Grassland]] - juniper steppe along the Atlas Mountains
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* [[High Atlas Grassland]] - juniper highland along the Atlas Mountains
 
* [[Outer Mongolia Grassland]] - north and west of [[The Gobi Desert|the Gobi Desert]]
 
* [[Outer Mongolia Grassland]] - north and west of [[The Gobi Desert|the Gobi Desert]]
 
* [[Persian-Turkestan Grassland]] - extending from central Persia to the Pamirs
 
* [[Persian-Turkestan Grassland]] - extending from central Persia to the Pamirs
* [[Sirtica]] - a transition between the Fezzan and [[The Sahara Desert|Sahara]]
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* [[Sirtica]] - a transition between [[The Fezzan|the Fezzan]] and [[The Sahara Desert|Sahara]]
* [[Tibet]] - high plateau north of the Himalayas
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* [[Tibet]] - high plateau north of the [[Himalaya Mountains|Himalayas]]
 
* [[Western Plateau]] - undiscovered Australia
 
* [[Western Plateau]] - undiscovered Australia
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
<br>
  
 
== Common Features ==
 
== Common Features ==
Below is a list of elements and features that are common to barrens ranges:
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The following is a list of elements and features common to barren ranges:
  
 
<div style="column-count:4;-moz-column-count:4;-webkit-column-count:4">
 
<div style="column-count:4;-moz-column-count:4;-webkit-column-count:4">
 +
* [[Alkali Grass]]
 +
* [[Badlands]]
 
* [[Berry Patch]]
 
* [[Berry Patch]]
 
* [[Bog]]
 
* [[Bog]]
 
* [[Briar Patch]]
 
* [[Briar Patch]]
 
* [[Camp]]
 
* [[Camp]]
 +
* [[Caravansary]]
 
* [[Chalk Grassland]]
 
* [[Chalk Grassland]]
 
* [[Cultivation]]
 
* [[Cultivation]]
 
* [[Dry Riverbed]]
 
* [[Dry Riverbed]]
 
* [[Gulley]]
 
* [[Gulley]]
 +
* [[Ferry]]
 +
* [[Ford]]
 +
* [[Hill Figure]]
 +
* [[Mine]]
 +
* [[Necropolis]]
 +
* [[Quarry]]
 
* [[Pond]]
 
* [[Pond]]
 
* [[River Rapids]]
 
* [[River Rapids]]
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* [[Ruin]]
 
* [[Ruin]]
 
* [[Salt Lake]]
 
* [[Salt Lake]]
 +
* [[Sand Grass]]
 +
* [[Spring]]
 +
* [[Stone Grass]]
 +
* [[Trading Post]]
 
* [[Treenut Orchard]]
 
* [[Treenut Orchard]]
 
* [[Village]]
 
* [[Village]]
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</div>
 
</div>
 
<br>
 
<br>
 +
 +
== Barrens Creatures ==
 +
The following monsters are common to barrens ranges:
  
 
<div style="column-count:4;-moz-column-count:4;-webkit-column-count:4">
 
<div style="column-count:4;-moz-column-count:4;-webkit-column-count:4">
* [[Giant Bat|Bat (giant)]]
+
* [[Bat (giant)]]
 
* [[Cougar]]
 
* [[Cougar]]
* [[Wild Dog|Dog (wild)]]
+
* [[Dog (wild)]]
 
* [[Dragonis Oxychalkos (copper dragon)]]
 
* [[Dragonis Oxychalkos (copper dragon)]]
* [[Giant Eagle|Eagle (giant)]]
+
* [[Eagle (giant)]]
 +
* [[African Elephant|Elephant (African)]]
 
* [[Ettin]]
 
* [[Ettin]]
 
* [[Hill Giant|Giant (hill)]]
 
* [[Hill Giant|Giant (hill)]]
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* [[Harpy]]
 
* [[Harpy]]
 
* [[Hobgoblin]]
 
* [[Hobgoblin]]
* [[Wild Horse|Horse (wild)]]
+
* [[Horse (wild)]]
 
* [[Hyena]]
 
* [[Hyena]]
 
* [[Golden Jackal|Jackal (golden)]]
 
* [[Golden Jackal|Jackal (golden)]]
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* [[Troll]]
 
* [[Troll]]
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
 +
 +
See Also,<br>
 +
[[Blightlander (sage study)]]<br>
 +
[[List of Ranges]]

Latest revision as of 04:48, 14 August 2023

Barrens (range).jpg

Barrens are dry grasslands with extant areas of sand, gravel or bare stone. The soil is relatively dry and poor, though they support herds of grazing animals, both wild and domesticated. They are widespread in cold climates and upon very high plateaus, where the vegetation growth period is not long enough to sustain trees. Typically, they receive less than 18 in. of rain per year. Agriculture is sparse and limited to river valleys and particular river deltas.

Grasses are able to survive in diverse climate conditions, so they may grow in areas characterized by warm summers and bitterly cold winters, where most other plants could not thrive. This allows large grazing animals to also thrive upon these grasses, though considerable migration is necessary because any part of the barrens cannot support these herds for long. Herding is nomadic, with patterns of movement that range hundreds of miles, often moving from lowlands to highlands over ten thousand feet, to make best use of forage at different times of the year.

Travellers in barrens are especially vulnerable to attacks by large predators and beasts, who may strike from the air or conceal themselves by burrowing nearby herds. Rodents proliferate, as huge underground warrens can be built, allowing populations of tens of thousands of these animals spread over hundreds of square miles.

Coastal Barrens

Often called "heathlands," barrens are characterized by short vegetation, sparse tree cover and exposed bedrock. These are lands subjected to consistent windy conditions and salt-spray. They are very damp and humid, with much rain and drizzle, but as the soil is infused with salt, little grows except heather and gorse. Mires may occur where the drainage is poor, but are usually only small in extent. Birds are common.

Major Barrens

Barrens can describe the edges of several major deserts, as they act as a transition zone between deserts and more fertile lands. Additionally, a large barren land may have one or more small deserts within its boundaries, where the soil is at its worst and even grass does not grow. Below is a list of the extensive barrens in the world:


Common Features

The following is a list of elements and features common to barren ranges:


Barrens Creatures

The following monsters are common to barrens ranges:


See Also,
Blightlander (sage study)
List of Ranges