Sabara

Description

To the south of Middenland and the Gulf of Gaspari lies the desert continent of Sabara. The myths say that one day Alessar pulled near the sun to either display his enormous strength or to fight off the Elder Titans (this point is contested), and as a result burned down the entire region to the ground. And thanks to that, to this day, the region is still as hot as ever. The northern parts of the regions have large mountain ranges with some very dry valleys where rain has difficulty reaching. In the north, the parts where rain does fall have plenty of vegetation however. Further south, the region consists of dry and sandy dunes inland, due to rain rarely reaching here. Along the coastline and rivers there is more vegetation, and this is where the majority of large settlements are found. The ones that are inland are usually built around an oasis, and limited in size. The majority of the region falls under the rule of the Khuagawa Tetrarchy, a state split into four dominions that govern themselves more or less independently, allowing it to control such a large amount of land more easily. The tetrarchy employs a system of feudalism to stop overcentralization and keep the nobles from constantly plotting against each other within the four capitals.

While most of the region is a sprawling desert, there are structures and secrets to be found within it. Aside from the Khuagawan cities there are other structures, but none draw as much attention as the "Juzo Awad", the Scorched Statues. These large obsidian statues stand out, not just for their material, but also their size. This has lead to speculation as to what they could be. Sabarans have always had a tradition of treating their dead well and building large structures for them, so many theorize them to be memorials to people of a past civilization. One that has now collapsed. But that begs the question, why are there only these statues? Why did they build nothing else, or if they did, where did the rest go? And who made them?
Native Sabaran humans, generally with bronzed skin and cleanly shaven heads, make up a large portion of the population in the region. There are plenty of Lizardfolk as well, who are well-suited to this environment because they consume little energy in such a hot environment. They are dormant during the night however, and they are generally of a lower class than humans. There are also other species, such as the Minotaur raiders in the southern parts.

Unique Landmarks

Most of the region consists of dry and sandy dunes, with vegetation increasing the nearer to the coast you are. There are a few unique features within the region that stand out though.

Azcal Forest

In the center of the Sabaran desert lies a region known as the Azcal Forest. Based on old texts, it appears that there was once a large, endorheic lake here known colloquially as the Inland Sea. These histories also tell of an old and powerful civilization called the Azcal Kingdom located there below the waves, and the ruins found here seem to confirm that. Nowadays, there is no trace of either water or civilization anymore.

Geographical Features

The disappearance of the lake has left huge plains covered with salt and other minerals. There are also skeletons of great aquatic creatures that used to live here. The area is dotted with old ruins of unusual architecture. They are often open-roofed, and there is no sign of there ever having been doors built into the buildings. The walls are lined with battered frescoes of sea creatures and coral forests. There is no trace of the former inhabitants, and the ruins are nowadays inhabited by Goblins of the Deadclimber Clan. These desert-dwelling goblins are vicious creatures who have developed an almost monkey-like physique, allowing them to climb the dead forests. They make extensive use of necromancy to maintain their position here.

Flora and Fauna

The region is home to enormous "forests" of long-dead coral and fossils of a variety of creatures and plants. The former sea floor's sediment consists of large amounts of detritus, high in nitrogen and nutrients. This has led to a reasonably fertile soil, which means the older dead "forests" are interspersed with new heat-resistant vegetation such as cacti. The native Goblins have also tried to cultivate these lands, but with only limited success due to their lack of knowledge and the lack of rainfall in the area.

Jal'Tsuki Basins

The Jal'Tsuki Basins, or Three Moons Basins, is a group of three endorheic basins that lies in the western Dominion of Nigharb. These are three of the largest lakes in the region, and a major source of life in this part of the region. The basins are believed to have magical qualities, and they do indeed shine with a silvery glow when exposed to moonlight. It is said that if one bathes in them during a full moon, they will be cured of all curses, notably including lycanthropy.

Geographical Features

The three basins are nestled in a series of mountains, the ridges of which separate them and cut off egress towards the ocean. As the water can only evacuate through evaporation or seepage, there are large deposits of dried-up minerals in the region. Whether by chance or through some sort of magical influence, each basin appears to be surrounded by a particular type of mineral. The top lake is surrounded by mostly copper deposits, in the center there are lead-zinc ore deposits and the smallest basin to the south is surrounded by iron deposits.

Flora and Fauna

Being some of the largest water sources in the region, they are surrounded by plant and animal life. The region is known for its plentiful aloe vera in particular. It is a relatively cool part of the desert and as such there are few reptiles, but a large variety of birds, making it a colorful place. Humans have also been drawn to it of course and turned the region into a collection of oasis city states.

Tetsil Chain

There was once a very ambitious alchemist, who thought to not simply change the bounty of the earth, but the earth itself. He posed a critical question: what if, instead of changing rocks into minerals, we change the entire earth into minerals and metals to mine? Of course, as with all grand dreams involving the liberal application of magic, it resulted in disaster. An entire mountain range changed into an inhospitable, iron wasteland.

Geographical Features

The Tetsil, or Iron, Chain is a mountain range, no longer made of earth and rock. Instead it is entirely made of solid iron. As it is made of dense metal with a high heat capacity, the region is extremely hot and geologically active. There is little to no water available and the jagged ground is dangerous to tread.

Flora and Fauna

Without any water, and with extremely high temperatures, the land is uninhabitable for most common wildlife. What lives here are mostly elementals such as Ash Mephits, or undead who are impervious to these factors. A small group of Blue Dragons have also made their home here, enjoying the magnetic properties of the iron. They command most of the smaller, weaker creatures in the area and greatly benefit from the safety of a home where few could chase them to.

Tensama Highlands

The Tensama Highlands is a mountainous area in the northern Dominion of Kitamal. It lies between the dominion's capital and the coast, and it is surrounded by dry valley's on the inland side due to the rain shadow, while the coastline is home to varied vegetation.

Geographical Features

The area is home to many beautiful dry stream beds and canyons, that when flooded, flow into the Yuyakal River to the west. They cut through limestone which creates colorful, patterned gorges of white, cream and shades of red. Besides that, the area is known for its copper mines and its convoluted and treacherous cliff sides. Some of these copper mines lie in seasonal river valleys, which can flood in times of heavy rainfall.

Flora and Fauna

The mountains themselves are home to many a predator, from ankhegs, to giant antlions, to jackals and hyenas. But notably, the area is said to be home to roving packs of Chimaeras. Said to have escaped from the residence of the same alchemist responsible for the ferrification of the Tetsil Chain, they now roam the mountains here, preying on travelers. It is said that visibly carrying metal objects will scare them away however, as it reminds them of their former (ancestor's) master. Occasionally hunting parties are sent out by the Fuku-Almhari's office, officially to keep the roads safe for travelers, but unofficially they go out to hunt them for their intoxicant milk which is highly sought-after by the decadent nobility.

Silver Sands

While Sabara is rich in minerals, iron is actually relatively rare, which is why the Khuagawa Tetrarchy is eager to establish colonies or trade for iron with other nations. The low iron content in the soil also means the quartz sand is less yellow and a bit more silvery white in many places. The Sabaran desert is often called the Silver Desert, or the Silver Sands for this reason. When it is hot, this silvery shimmer gives the desert a strangely unnatural look and reports of mirages are more common here than in any other desert in the world.

Type

Desert

Included Organizations

• Khuagawa Tetrarchy

Related Ethnicities

• Sabarans
• Turval {Minotaurs}

Inhabiting Species

• Decoy Corpse
• Firebug
• Gensura
• Giants
• Goblins and Bugbears
• Monsoon Spirit
• Ravenfolk