The Heartlands

Also known as Inner Erebus was once home to valleys so fertile that centuries of wars were fought to claim them.

Now, after the Flood that ended the Third Era, the Heartland is home to an inner sea that hides beneath the old Empire.

Climate
The Heartlands are a gentle grassland with valleys carved by rivers that flow through sparse woodlands.

In the north green hills roll into alpine tundra, and eventually onto the Dragonsveil Fjord.

Cryptgarden, housed within the Aft Bends are a peculiar exception to the otherwise predictable climate of the Heartlands. It is a veiled wood of dead trees and heavy fog where summer never comes.

History
Once the Heartland (as per the name) of the Aeytheri Empire, Inner Erebus has always been host to conflicts and wars. Some waged with the Orcs of the Shadowfell, others with the Dwarves of Valfothr, and others still fought between brothers.

The city once at the center of the Heartlands, Aetheron, has in truth changed ownership many times: "Bones upon bones". Whether or not the Aeytheri were the original owners is only speculative, for much of Heartland history was destroyed during the razing of Aetheron at the hands of Emperor Trajan I.

The human Empire of Trajan that followed was structured largely feudally (as opposed to the absolute monarchy of the Aeytheri), and mankind blossomed under his rule.

The Second and Third era were host to many wars of conquest and annexation by the Empire who used the Heartlands as a staging point.

The Third Era ended with a devestating flood from the East that would sink much of the Heartland beneath a newborn sea. Now, warring lords vye for control of the Heartlands, and more specifically the Trajan Sea, which acts as a valuable port.