Pridelands
Known as Anavhas by those who call it home, the region known to the rest of the world as the Pridelands is the original home of the Leonin and Rhox. The majority of the land is rolling hills and wide open savannah that stretches for hundreds of miles, broken up by forest and mountains. Leonin architecture is often open to the outside, and with the mild weather that blows in from the inner side it’s easy to see why. The provinces, or "prides", that make up the whole of the Pridelands are ruled by hereditary monarchs: the oldest child takes after the ruling parent. Other species are welcomed in, and both the leonin leadership and rhox nomads take great care to present themselves as open and inviting.
Natural Beauty
The Pridelands are a majestic landscape of sweeping open savannah, imposing peaks, rolling hills, and thickets of forest. There are countless rivers, lakes, and streams that bring life to the region, allowing beasts to roam wild and cities of sapient species to flourish. The rhox nomads who call this region home have little reason to settle into permanent towns when the land is so bountiful and can meet their evey need. Generally, the southerly lands are more savannah, while those to the north become more forested as they approach Shisama. The great natural beauty of the region is something the leonin leaders take great pride in, and try to emulate in their cities. Each pride invests heavily in public parks, gardens, lakes, and orchards, and it's common for a successor to add directly onto their predecessor's work in this regard.Heroic Heritage
The Pridelands was once a vast, untamed land, with small villages of leonin and nomadic rhox tribes living far across the savannahs from one another. The prides skirmished occasionally for prime hunting grounds or traded goods, but there was no shared identity. You belonged to your pride or tribe, and they were the only ones that mattered. This was the status quo until the arrival of The Diresaur. This fearsome beast ravaged the Pridelands, destroying village after village in an unstoppable rampage and forcing the people to flee. Brave warriors from eight leonin prides came together, trusting one another and fighting as one. After a long and terrible battle, they were victorious. Each warrior took a piece of the Diresaur's bones back to their tribe as proof, and each was crowned the new leader. The prides of these eight warriors quickly grew in territory and influence. Smaller prides pledged themselves to the heroes, and rhox tribes willingly shared their lands. Today, the prides that lead the Pridelands are the ones descended from these heroes. Smaller prides still exist, and many hold minor positions of influence, similar to dukes or mayors in other regions. The leaders of these great prides cooperate and come together to solve issues facing the whole region, but typically focus their efforts on their own domains.Divided by Pride
The eight great prides that rule over the Pridelands, and have divided its territory among them:- Pride Greymane: Ruling the southeastern corner of the Pridelands, Pride Greymane is seated in the capital city of Lyari. Their influence extends globally - most leaders across the World have met a Greymane or two.
- Pride Duskfang: The southern half of the central valleys belong to Pride Duskfang, the largest stretch of open savannah. They control the largest territory of any pride, though the population is much lower than others.
- Pride Brightclaw: Pride Brightclaw rules from Shokasha in the north, and their territory borders both Shisama and Tunasis. They've become quite wealthy facilitating trade into the rest of the Pridelands.
- Pride Violeteye: Pride Violeteye controls the only access to the Shallow Sea, giving them a prime location for sea-faring ships to unload for shallow-capable vessels, and spend plenty of coin the process.
- Pride Darksun: Pride Darksun rules over the northern central valleys, the most thickly forested part of the Pridelands. The roads that run through the forest are well patrolled to keep traders moving through happily.
- Pride Snowfoot: The beautiful Anashavi Peaks of the southwest fall under the rule of Pride Snowfoot. Theirs is the only region guaranteed to get snow in winter.
- Pride Spellpaw: Said to be a line of great magical talent, Pride Spellpaw's domain is the northwestern reach. Their ports have frequent trade and travel to Oroi.
- Pride Gloomtail: The westernmost reach of the Pridelands falls to Pride Gloomtail. The home of the Order of the Crescent Moonclaw is located here, the great monastery where all monks undergo initiation.
Notable Places:
Travel Tips:
This magnificent land is more than welcoming to travelers of all kinds. The locals take great pride in showcasing their culture, cuisine, and craft, and all seem to wish to show you why they love it here. It's hard not to be convinced! If you have the chance, it's worth spending the coin to travel the savannah on paracera - you can take in the landscape fully, in the company of others who wish to do the same. -Rodanté
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