The Solitary Plains are a series of desolate, near-barren grasslands that lie near to the Mountains of Rain and Night. Despite their desolate appearance, a scattering of villages lie across the plains. It is unknown whether they are hostile or peaceful. The Plains are characterized by the high winds that are near-constant in the area.
Appearances in the Series
The Solitary Plains first appear in Book 1 of the Ranger's Apprentice series, The Ruins of Gorlan. Halt, Gilan, and Will travel through this region with the intention of finding the Kalkara's lair, where they hope to intercept the beasts before they can be given new instructions by Morgarath's forces.
Location, Terrain, and Weather
A map of Araluen. Araluen is one of the three sovereign nations that inhabit the main island of Flanagan's world.
The Plains are located in the southwest portion of Araluen, helping form the border between the nation of Celtica and The Mountains of Rain and Night. Notable landmarks in the Plains include the Stone Flutes, located near the center of the Plains, and the Gorlan Ruins.
The Plains have tall, gray grasses and undulating hills that are difficult to see because of the grass. These hills can conceal a man and rider without their noticing, as shown when Halt and Will lose sight of Gilan for a short period of time when traveling the region. Another instance of the grasses being used for cover is when the trio encounters a Plainsman. The only other natural features are a few trees, bushes, and rock outcrops (Chapter 25, The Ruins of Gorlan). Movement can also be hidden by the sounds of the winds and the 'singing' of the Stone Flutes. Navigation is described as near-impossible at night, due to the lack of significant landmarks.
The wind blows continuously while the Rangers are in the Plains, first starting from the West, though it's unclear if it switches directions over the course of the journey.
Inhabitants
Only one inhabitant of the Plains is mentioned in the series; a male described as "small, dressed in gray rags with long hair hanging unkempt to his shoulders" and "mad eyes," who disappears shortly into the tall grass afterwards (Chapter 26, The Ruins of Gorlan). Halt refers to the inhabitants of this region as the "Plainspeople."
The Plainspeople keep sheep and goats for livestock, and live in villages. Their overall behavior to outsiders is described as "closemouthed at the best of times."
During the Ruins of Gorlan, the Plainspeople seem to be viewed with wariness by the Ranger Corps, due to their close proximity to the Kalkara - but more importantly to The Mountains of Rain and Night. Halt in particular mentions, during a discussion on whether or not to build a fire while traveling:
"[Kalkara], or the Plainspeople. We can't be sure that some of them aren't in league with the Kalkara. After all, living cheek by jowl with creatures like that, you might well end up cooperating with them, just to ensure your own safety." (pg 192, Chapter 25, The Ruins of Gorlan.)
It is unknown if the Plainspeople have any trade relations with the rest of Araluen, or if they leave their homeland to venture into the forests.
References
Flanagan, John. “25.” The Ruins of Gorlan, vol. 1, Random House, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, pp. 186–192. Ranger's Apprentice.
Flanagan, John. "26." The Ruins of Gorlan, vol. 1, Random House, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, pp. 193-200. Ranger's Apprentice.