The setting is a thematic blend of Ancient Egypt , Arabian Nights , and sub-Saharan African kingdoms, prioritizing a "pulpy adventure" feel over traditional medieval tropes.
In the tabletop RPG world (notably for 5E and Pathfinder ), the Southlands Campaign Setting by Kobold Press offers a vastly different vision. For the Southlands
In J.R.R. Tolkien’s Second Age (as portrayed in The Rings of Power ), the Southlands was a lush, fertile region of plains east of the Anduin river. The setting is a thematic blend of Ancient
The human inhabitants were "Low Men" whose ancestors had sided with the dark lord Morgoth during the First Age. Because of this "blood oath," they were watched over for centuries by Silvan Elves, creating deep-seated resentment. Tolkien’s Second Age (as portrayed in The Rings
The storyline centers on the search for a "Rightful King" of the Southlands, a mantle eventually claimed by Halbrand, who is later revealed to be Sauron in disguise. Tabletop Gaming: The Southlands Campaign Setting