Thanks for lots of GREAT links and ideas! I'm going to read Dwellers in the Forbidden City tonight and see what it can inspire in me.
The climate/terrain is that of upstate New York and Pennsylvania - cool temperate hills and forest. I'm going to create random encounter tables, but I will also create a whole set of mini-encounters that showcase the flavors of the area.
This is the actual text that I had written, as much as 25 years ago, when i originally conceived of the Barrens:
Deadlands: The northeastern third of Umade's Barrens is the least damaged region, and is known as the Deadlands because while it is beginning to recover, that which dwells there is not healthy nor fertile. Many undead creatures walk here, the lingering remains of the ancient armies which fought so bitterly here. (This region is closest to a dwarf/human kingdom called Harothar, and sees some explorers and adventurers)
Umade's Barrens: This once fertile and rich land is now barren, nearly soil-less, blasted waste. The High-Priest Umade centered his Devastation spell here at the end of his war against the rebels. Now the land is slowly making a recovery. Gradually the mixed temperate deciduous and coniferous forest is returning to the edges of the blasted realm. But in the heart of the waste twisted plants and creatures still dwell. The ground around the very center of the blasted zone is always hot, a curious metallic odor hangs in the air, and sulfurous yellow fogs rise frequently from the otherwise dry soil. (Ruins 35 is the city of Edimal, and 36 is Kahakor, Umade's central stronghold. Ruin 54 is another lone tower of unknown feature).
What I imagine today is that there are several dozen smaller ruins scattered across the region, as well as the two city ruins. The center of the region, which is not far from the capitol city of the 2nd Empire - Kahakor - is indeed still a smoking, toxic ruin. Remaining in the city of Kahakor for more than a few days or at most a couple of weeks, would not be healthy for any creature not born there. But the wealth to be found could easily support a large group of adventurers for many decades.
I also will create a rival adventuring band, perhaps a couple of them, and at least 3 groups of "resident bad guys" who will be dwelling, scavenging, and defending, as well as perhaps raiding "outside" the Barrens.
