The Territory of Pura Swampwood

Written by Commando Chipmunk

Description: Somewhere at the Southeast coast of Ashnuw lies a forgotten kingdom.
There are murmurs of it still, but the only name that keeps it truly alive is the Hood of Pura—a rumored cult that lives in a great underground city beneath the ocean, famed for their healing waters and the black and white colors of their dress.
But as for the stretch of swampwood above this city? It is now little more than a jungle. Barren, treacherous, inhabited by uncultured savages and vagabonds.
However, there are signs that this was not always the case.
Travelers who find the Pura Swampwoods, are met by the remains of a crumbling wall that only opens at one point. Here, two statues stand, two images of tall women. The first woman laughs, the seconds wails. Pass between them, and you are met instantly by the jungle. There seems to be no road, or if there was, it is long overcome by the forest.
Because so few find it, and even fewer venture in, not little is known about what lies behind the walls. But those who have come back, report islands covered in vast ruins. Towers and palaces and citadels—now gone and empty.
There is no record of what happened to the kingdom of this land.

Demography and Population

Peoples: The Pura Swampwoods is now primarily the pirate haunt of the Black Diamond Trade Federation. The pirates are human, human-elf hybrids, and every now and then, animaloid. These are the type of pirates that, if they were offered lifetime wealth and ease, they would jump at the opportunity—and then grow bored within a month. They love the risk and thrill of their “work,” and a big part of that pleasure comes from domineering and terrorizing those weaker than they. Yes, they do have a genuine love for the beauty of the land, an eye for excellence, and are somewhat decent businessmen, but they are also cruel and not to be trusted.
The pirates allow several small villages embedded in the swampwoods to exist, but only to serve as outposts for them. These are their prime headquarters. Here they can hide back behind the islands, protected by treacherous waterways only they can navigate.
There are a few who live in the islands in freedom, escaping their grasp. These are mostly daring humans, elf hybrids, and animaloids—walking, talking intelligent creatures, but still characterized by their animal traits.

Humans: There is much variation among the human population of Pura due to the pirate trade, but the majority human's lineage can be traced back to forgotten tribes of dark-skinned, dark-haired people. Unfortunately, nearly all their original culture is lost, including their language.
- Elfe Hybrids: Elfe hybrids are much like humans except that they possess some small gifts. Many of them are great healers and rangers because of their innate understanding of nature. They are good at hiding from the pirates. Elfe Hybrids can have the same dark skin as their fellow human counterparts, but there is also a strain of light skinned and red/blonde hair that occasionally pops up.
- Biped Animaloids: Animaloids fear humans in general (except those humans with Elfe blood), and spend most of their time hiding and on the run. If they are caught, they will face being eaten, skinned, or sold, so they have good reason to fear. On the other hand though, something in their nature almost enjoys the chase and the more daring of their kind can be found inciting the pirates to pursue them or attacking them outright.

Lastly, there are rumors of a hermit who lives on Eye Socket (as the pirates call it)/Ignace (as the oldest residents call it), but none has ever claimed to have actually seen him.

Territories

Terrain: A scattered cluster of islands and inlets breaking off a peninsula.

- Pura Mainland: There are many rivers and lakes dotting the peninsula, and what “dry” ground there is isn’t really that dry at all. The peninsula has a bedrock foundation, but it is buried beneath thick mosses and lush, mangled swamp trees. The “edge” of the peninsula is riddled with bays, coves and jutting rock formations.
Eye Socket/Ignace: Barren, black rock, remnants of ancient volcanic activity. Many caves.
- Ruin Island/Gloria: Island that juts off the head of the peninsula, of much the same terrain as the mainland.
- Lovers Isles/Jugia Major and Jugia Minor: (Jugia pronounced “Jhoo-jhee-uh) The larger of these islands is shaped like an upturned heart. The smaller island is barely connected to the larger by a treacherous canal and an ancient stone bridge. These islands are the smallest and also reflect the climate of the mainland.
- Alte Rynn: Alte Rynn is the largest island and is nestled in Pura’s largest bay. It is covered entirely in jungle swamp, except for the very middle, where a small range of hills rise above the island and are perfectly cleared.

Subsidiary Organizations

• The Privateer Revolutionaries of Pura Swampwood