'Sudland' is the vast continent to the south of the
Blue Sea. No one knows its true extent and even the Elves only have accurate maps
of the western coast which extend south for about 1500 miles. According to Elvish legends, however, the continent
stretches at least another 3500 miles to the south.
The most widely known part of Sudland are
Miredor (just the other side of the Gate of the West from
Sambia) and the
Great Desert. Many, however, have heard tales (usually third or fourth hand) of the
Nubian Empire, a civilisation so wealthy that the streets are paved with gold, and said to be situated far to
the south. Gold indeed is one of the chief items of trade across the Great Desert along with ivory and salt. In
the great trading cities on the south side of the Blue Sea the
wealthy can also purchase exquisite and frequently magical carved items said to have been made in the depths
of the continent.
One of the reasons the continent has been so little mapped by northern explorers is the sheer difficulty of the
terrain. Once past the vast and forbidding Great Desert there is thick jungle inhabited by ferocious
creatures including huge carniverous lizards and snakes fifty foot in length. In addition many northerners fall prey to a variety of diseases
which, if not fatal, have long debilatating after effects. Explorers wishing to avoid the perils of the Great Desert
and travel down the western coast by sea have Ulborean pirates to contend with.
Another barrier to those wishing
to travel to the heart of the continent from the west is said to be a huge domain controlled by an evil sorceror who
can even animate the trees and vines to repel intruders. With so few northen adventurers returning alive from the
south, however, it is sometimes difficult to sort out what is true and what is exaggeration and myth.