Aether Wastes

The Aether Wastes is the southernmost region of eastern Terragard, filled with sandy dunes, rocky flatlands and towering cliffs. There is evidence that this region was once a verdant and lush oasis-like region filled with jungles and mossy valleys, and based on its current state it appears a cataclysmic event that desolated the entire region. The plants are gone due to the bad soil and stagnant water sources, the atmosphere is harsh and arid, and the whole region is filled with magical anomalies.

That's not to say nothing grows here, there are several types of cacti and thorny brush that can still survive on little to no water, and some plants seem to thrive on the latent magical energy in certain areas. There are no towns in this region, though there have been a couple outposts set up for research purposes, but supplies are spares and travel is harsh for anyone not suited to desert life and terrain.

History
The history of this realm is largely unknown.

There have been many suspicions as to what exactly happened here ages ago that caused the land to ruin, but the truth is that no one knows for sure. The region had large fertile areas ripe for farming and lush with plant diversity, a veritable garden of eden of its time, so some believe that the race that once inhabited the Flooded Plains had expanded here, and their technological and magical prowess collapsed in on itself or was let loose on the realm after a massive accident. If you look hard enough, stone foundations can be found beneath the sand, but not a single brick or wall remains.

Other theories include a war with Dragons, as there is certainly some compelling evidence in teh magical scarring prevalent across the region. Dragonglass has been found in the sand, and some fires still burn both above and below the dunes, some say possibly Dragonfire.

Patterns in the bottom of the Shimmering Expanse showing rapid freezing and thawing are everywhere, it is assumed that the entire Shimmering Expanse was at one point frozen, though some claim no dragon could accomplish this, so other theories are suggested, such as a magical war between armies of mages, or divine intervention by the Gods themselves in order to halt civilization's rapid ascent into the ranks of powerful beings such as the Gods themselves.

Whatever the reason, there are arcane rifts, portals, and various magical anomalies that can be found across the region, where magic has worn thin the veil separating the mortal plane from the other planes in existence.

Towns
None.