The lands are barren of their once luscious greenery and varied other ecosystems. The culprits are chaos storms--large random magic surges ravaging the lands like tornadoes. The deserts have spread as the storms continue to force the land to change. Purveyors of the magic arts have drawn together in hopes of discovering the cause of the storms.
Civilization has shrunk to the edges of the desert for the most part. Mangrove trees have been cultivated to stop the advent of the desert into the remaining waters. Druidic magic strengthens the trees and purifies the water so that life can be maintained. They also provide refuge for many of the creatures that have survived the changes.
The dragons have all but disappeared and the giants are ranging out once more leaving destruction and terror in their wake. Rumors of a cabal of wizards controlling the ravaging bands have begun to circulate among the rabble in the cities.
Sages and others of ancient lore whisper of a group tasked with keeping the ancients in line with nature and magic. Absence of these guardians could correspond with the giants raiding and the notable absence of the dragons.
Quinten Gladwell