Goldengrass Plains
The Goldengrass Plains are an enormous expanse of grasslands on the west coast of Chenravo. They generally reach over 1000 miles inland, and 1500 miles in some places. These vast lands produce a large portion of the food consumed in Chenravo. Grains and grain based products are the single largest export of the plains, and by no small margin. With the lack of trees and the generally flat geography, it is very easy for winds to pick up to truly powerful gales.
There are two major factions on the plains in terms of government. First is Mantowë and the Mantowëans. The second is Nanovë and the Nanovëans. Mantowë and Nanovë are three things at the same time: gods, trees, and cities. They are both Mantowë is in the south, and takes the form of a towering oak. The Mantowëans live in its boughs, with those of more means living on the lower, larger branches. Nanovë is a massive pine tree further to the north, with the Nanovëans living upon its branches, with some homes hanging from the branches. The Mantowëans and Nanovëans are halflings, and in a bitter war against each other. They are currently at something of a stalemate, with both sides turning to outside mercenaries, largely bugbears.
The grasslands are mostly populated by halflings, but there are some other races both fighting on and working in the fields of undulating grass. Some bird of prey based Aarakocra appreciate the wide open fields, while other less carniverous varieties enjoy the abundance of grasses and seeds. Bugbears make up the bulk of mercenary forces on the plains that are employed by the halflings. The cities and towns here have proven to be good places for changelings to create their signature covert communities. Air genasi find the expression of air in the unbroken winds to be a strong draw as well. Harengon also feel at home on the gently rolling hills of the plains. Leonin and many grassland Shifters are well camoflaged in the golden stalks of wheat. On the edges of the plains, there are some Tieflings near the Obsidian Strip, as well as Tortles and Yuan-Ti near the Marsh of Many Scales.
Geography
The grasslands are largely plains. While there are some gently rolling hills, there are no large changes in elevation. There are three major lakes regions: one in the northeast, one in the northwest, and one mest by northwest of Mantowë. Along the border with the Marsh of Many Scales, there are some low-lying wetlands, but not as severe as in the marsh proper.
Ecosystem Cycles
The Plains experience all four seasons. The winters are harsher with such a lack of wind breaks, and snow can create very large drifts against the sides of buildings and the god trees. In the worst years, people living on the lowest branches get snowed in under several feet of packed snow.
Summers are generally long, and farmers who are particularly skilled, or who have been blessed can expect two grain harvests a year. Others have turned to crops that mature quicker for their second harvest, even if that means lower profits.
Localized Phenomena
The god trees stand incredibly tall, each tall enough to support buildings on their boughs. The seeds that they produce, Acorns and pine nuts, are packed with nutrients and enormous, though when planted, they do not produce viable offspring. As a result, they are largely consumed as food by the inhabitants. The leaves and needles too, have many uses for the inhabitants of the god-tree-cities.
Natural Resources
The ground here is fertile, but repeated wheat harvests are slowly draining the nutrients form the soil. Ironically, the farmers that have to resort to different crops during the extended summers have healthier fields as they are more effective at rotating crops.
The resources gathered from the god trees are worth much more than similar resources from normal trees of the same variety. In general, they are more nutrient-rich, come in a much larger quantity, and are more durable. For example, many acorns from Mantowë, both fallen and still attached to the tree, have been converted into homes. The shells of the nuts are hardy, and provide solid protection from the wind, rain, and falling leaves.
Mantowë's leaves, when dried and treated, can be turned into a variety of armors and shields. Meanwhile, Nanovë's needles can be turned into a variety of weapons including bows, arrows, and swords of varying sizes, including rapiers.
History
While no one quite remembers the reason that the two factions of halflings went to war, there are now long lists of other wrongs and slights committed durnig their arboreal war to keep them going. At one point, Nanovëan forces gained a significant advantage, and managed to push through to Mantowë itself. They started to cut the tree down, and as they did, a wound started to appear on the left ankle of each Mantowëan halfling. They managed to cut through nearly a quarter of the tree before the wound appeared on their own right ankles. In the confusion, the Mantowëans managed to push them back and set up more defenses. When they learned that Nanovë had spontaneously suffered an identical wound, the Nanovëan forces retreated, and the two sides have been locked in a bitter stalemate ever since, each side worried about the repercussions of success.
Unfortunately, that has just led them to focusing their outling settlements. The resentment still exists, bubbling under the surface, looking for any outlet or reason to be let loose. As a result, many of these settlements have been wiped out, or captured as prisoners depending on the commander leading the assault.
Tourism
Several people come to see the god-tree-cities on the plains. These towering trees are among the largest things on the face of the planet. Some leave as new devotees, others with a story for their villages. Given that they are living gods, crime in the cities is incredibly low, with the worst limited to the top branches of the tree. Some people appreciate this, and decide to stay.
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