The Plains of Desolation are an area to the North of the River Ignis and the South of the River Orweed. Despite being fertile, nothing grows in this vast area other than grass, which covers the entire region. The grass has limited nutritional value and animals that stray into this region die of starvation, despite the apparent abundance of fresh food. The exception to this are the Ghurox, large thick skinned animals slow to anger but quick to stampede if scared.
The skeletons of huge beasts are dotted around the plains which show that at one time the plains were capable of supporting life.
The lack of human habitation allowed Orrucks to move into the area and establish a base from which to conduct the Waagh against anyone they could find. During the Age of Chaos the lack of sustenance prevented Khull’s chaos armies from destroying the Orrucks who simple withdrew into the heartlands of the Plains of Desolation and then attacked the Chaos hordes as they ran out of food. This simple tactic allowed the Orrucks to survive the Age of Chaos and when Vandus Hammerhand arrived with the Hammers of Sigmar, the Orrucks continued to use this tactic to maintain their stronghold.
Vandus realised quickly that the Plains of Desolation were unsuitable for occupation and moved on, leaving the problem of containing the Orrucks to the Gregorians Stormhost who were tasked with maintaining order in the area once civilisation returned.
