The Twin Jungles
As she traveled the world in search of suitable hunting locations,
Seigna kept finding herself in the jungles beneath Nioyaathep and La Patria. The animals and Magickal Beasts that she created here exemplified all that she desired in living creatures; ferocity, fearlessness, and freedom. This section of the world was special to her and she was determined to make it her own. Seigna designated the twin jungles as her personal retreat and hunting grounds and blessed the earth and waters to provide ample sustenance and challenging terrain for its inhabitants. When the other gods encouraged her to create her own race of Risen, she decided that the
Ehrlen would call this area their home.
The Ehrlen split into a variety of tribes on both sides, developing settlements in the trees and by the waterside where they began to adapt into unique tribes. As they prospered, the Risen of Mahangangahere quickly outgrew their settlements and began feuding with their neighbors. Seigna encouraged the Ehrlen to remain autonomous and adapt; only the strong will survive. When a tribe reached capacity, they would declare war with the neighboring tribes. This served a dual purpose: the population would be reduced back to feasible limits, and the survivors would be all the stronger. Grudges were seldom to be found after the warpath was settled. The conflict was seen as natural and sanctioned by their creator. Whichever tribe could be declared the victors would help the defeated tribe rebuild, often mixing the bloodlines as they did.
Throughout recent years, the warlike nature of the tribes has been far more infrequent. As the Risen have developed and become more socially advanced, they have learned how to better control their population growth and feel they have outgrown the need for their traditional practices. Ngaherans have begun trading with outside countries for their styled textiles and leather goods. That is not to say they are without feuds. The Ehrlen have it in their very being to compete and overcome one another, and this has translated into the laws of their country.
Ngaheran Culture
Life in Mahangangahere is simple at first glance with a variety of ritualistic traditions and beliefs veiled behind what some criticize as a primitive lifestyle. Tribesmen rise early and begin work before the sun crests the horizon and begins filtering between the thick foliage. Tasks are usually assigned after puberty and seldom revised; hunters, gatherers, and producers all play vital roles in the tribe. No livestock or farms can be found in the jungle - all food must be sourced in the wild. Hunting and fishing are in their blood and encouraged by their divine creator. If an Ehrlen can not locate their own food from the bounties available in the jungle, they are viewed as unfit to eat.
Although individual strength is highly praised and sought after, the Ngaherans work together within their tribes. Hunting parties collaborate their efforts to seek greater prey, gatherers share their plundered spots, producers weave or sew in tandem with one another. Productivity is seen as power in and of itself. Excess food can be traded with other tribes for favors or other goods they may be running low on. Excess goods will be sold to outsiders to obtain luxury commodities unavailable within the jungle. Those within the tribe gifted with sufficient Magick can be elevated to the position of shamans, who join a unique leadership council for the tribe. Whereas the chieftain is the member who will make the actual decisions for the tribe, the Shamanic Council will advise him both mentally and spiritually.
Tribal life outside of daily duties is filled with ritual practice brought forth through the generations. Hunts begin with prayers to Seigna to dedicate their act to her and end with prayers to Seigna to thank her for their bounty. All patterns designed by tribal producers are meant to reflect previous events that were significant to the tribe, or future events that they desire to occur. Different dances are performed after dinner to seek good fortune in tomorrow's hunt or battle, though the individual dances vary by unique tribes. Milestones in life are highly celebrated; births are honored with gifts, puberty is established through a hunting, marriage is a feast throughout the tribe. All of these important life events are marked in the skin through the ritual of
Tao Mokoa.
Geography
The jungles of Mahangangahere are thick and vibrant. Most notably amongst the flora would be the Nga trees found exclusively within the country's borders often rise to two hundred feet or more above the ground, with large winding trunks that climb into the canopy. The branches are draped with vines large enough to support climbing and swinging; both from the beastly denizens as well as the Risen. The Ngaherans have built several settlements in these large trees using a variety of bridges and weaved vines to support and connect them. Great apes, monkeys, and big cats all call these trees home as well, provided they do not clash with the tribes.
A large variety of fruit-bearing and flowering bushes and ferns dot the jungle's floor. Fungi and mosses creep up the bottom of tree trunks and rocks, bearing both edible and highly poisonous varieties of each. The ground is extremely uneven, proving difficult travel for non-native Risen and animals. Several rivers flow through to the sea or settle in various ponds and lakes often hidden beneath the canopy. The large gap of water separating the jungles is referred to as '
Seigna Kupenga' or '
Seigna's Net' spans several miles dividing the two sections of the country. There are no mountains or plains in Mahangangahere, only the jungles and the waterways. The border of the country matches the natural borders of the jungles within.
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