the Boundary Jungle*

Geography

This deep and ancient jungle seems to extend infinitely from the empire's western border. There are mountains on the far side but only a small handful of explorers have ever managed to see them and return to tell of it, those who do return half mad with hunger, thirst, and isolation. The trees are numerous and varied, the jungle floor alternating between foliage so thick you have to hack your way through in places where the canopy is thinner, to thinner ground cover in areas so dark you can't tell night from day, to the uncanny clearings of the Oasis trees.

Ecosystem

Walking into the Boundary Jungle* is almost like slowly falling into an alien world. Imperial logging has thinned out the area closest to the Great River. Sparse new growth with cart tracks weaving carefully through the saplings. Farther in, the older trees begin. The most recognizable tree seen first is the Robed* tree, so called because it's waxy bark grows in layers that start to sag and peel as they grow, giving it the impression of being loosely clothed. The underbrush starts around the same area with voluminous ferns that produce a furry seed that sticks to any fur that brushes against it. Pushing farther we get taller and woodier trees; their rough, moss covered bark wound with thick emerald vines. A new threat can be found starting in this layer of the undergrowth, a carnivorous bramble vine known colloquially as a Tripper*. True to their name they have the strange ability to twitch when they sense prey caught in the brambles, contracting into itself to ensnare smaller prey and trip larger folk. Farther still are reported even stranger sights though the sparsity of the reports makes them difficult to prove.

Fauna & Flora

I have said nothing yet of the fauna of the jungle, be assured it is equally diverse. The stunning variety of birds that call from seemingly every corner of the jungle is surpassed only by the excruciating variety of pests on which they presumably feed. Several sorts of deer and at least one species of boar feed on the ferns and other foliage. And then the Cats... if you should chance to see a lesser jungle cat you may live to tell about it. You may escape with only it's void-black fur and luminous green eyes seared into your nightmares. Should you however, by curse or chance, meet the Great Jungle Cat, the man-cats called Rashka, then your life, dear reader, is forfeit. These savage people of the jungle are the fiercest hunters known to our world, an ironic fancy of our Goddess Hania no doubt. They are the protectors and wardens of the jungle by her holy mandate.

-Sevysh Noc-Allom, Scholar of Rivermouth

*translated from Imperial

Type

Jungle