Zhangi Region

The region known as the Zhangi Wilds consist of a vast cold steppe and a region covered in hills and pockets of forests that serve as refuges for the wildlife and villages scattered across the region. Much of the wilds are unknown and harsh, who is to tell what else might be lurking just around the corner.
It is primarily inhabited by nomadic tribes and families who wander the steppes from hunting ground to hunting ground, bringing with them their mobile homes and caravans. Some families even use the large elk-like Zibwaks as mounts and homes, attaching tents to the humped backs of the creature. Tribes often trade with passing tribes on good favor or direct skirmishes against other tribes who may have disrespected another. Within the hills and mountains are more established bands of dwarves and goliaths. These hardy folk often live at the whims of marauding ice giants, and hunt in the thick mountain woods and fish in the icy rivers and lakes. The region is also populated by other creatures, such as giang boars, Steppe trolls, giants and witches that are aggressive towards passing nomads.
The Zhangi are known, perhaps unfairly, as savages and barbarians for their customs and traditions. Since they rely on hunting and foraging, they have no permanent settlement that could be attacked by raiders and enemy armies. However, the lack of permanence leaves a wide area of vulnerability, both to nature and the creatures of the realm, and to those who would seek their inherited land, such as the Khan Horde or Xia Shogunate.
Many peoples of the Zhangi Wilds respect their ancestors, and the knowledge that they gathered across their lives, passing down the knowledge to each new generation. Thriving tribes are those who learn from the past. Additionally, the Zhangi embrace the idea that they are an animal like any other, surviving, eating, reproducing and returning to the earth, and their culture is very inspired in the life cycle of an animal, with more civilized aspects, they see each family and clan as packs, that must protect themselves and work with each other to hunt and obtain food. The most intelligent or the strongest usually leads, and every creature and plant is respected as it is used, with little to no waste on the land they inhabit, as everything is connected and everything serves a purpose.
Every year many of the nomadic tribes of all the different folk gather for a large tribunal where grievances are aired and deals are renewed for the year. During this time of peace many contests of wit, strength, and dexterity take place, with the winners gaining prestige and honor for their families. Additionally, elders will meet together to address issues and threats that persist in the region. A new mysterious and clanless individual has shown up recently. Calling himself Jaigo, this man prophecies of a coming danger and calls for unity among the tribes. His strength and ability has earned him a listening ear, but many simply brush the man off as a repeat of the many false prophets that have risen and fallen over the years.

Tribes:

While the wilds are home to dozens of tribes of various sizes, a few are more known and hold unique reputations. Below are a few notable tribes.
The Oron Tribe: This tribe consists of a group of nomadic goblins who have adapted to the harsh conditions of the Zhangi Wilds. They are known for their cunning and resourcefulness, and they are skilled at scavenging and foraging. They have a reputation as thieves and scavengers, but they are also fiercely loyal to their tribe and their kin.
The Kagan Tribe: This tribe is made up of shifters who have the features of deer, and they are known for their speed and agility. They are skilled hunters and trackers, and they are often hired by other tribes to hunt game and track down prey. They are also known for their beautiful singing voices, and their songs are said to have the power to soothe even the wildest of beasts.
The Khokhori Tribe: This tribe is made up of goliaths and firbolgs who hail from the northern reaches of the Zhangi Wilds. They are known for their strength and endurance, and they are often hired as bodyguards and guards by other tribes. They are also skilled craftsmen, and they are known for their beautiful and intricate carvings made from bone and stone.
The Dokhur Tribe: This tribe is made up of humans who have adapted to the harsh conditions of the Zhangi Wilds. They are known for their skill with horses, and they often trade with other tribes for the animals. They are also skilled archers, and their horse-mounted archers are feared by their enemies.
The Bori Tribe: This tribe is made up of dwarves who live in the hills and mountains of the Zhangi Wilds. They are known for their skill with metal and stone, and they are often hired by other tribes to forge weapons and armor. They are also skilled fighters, and they are known for their fierce loyalty to their kin and their tribe.
The Tsetseg Tribe: This tribe is made up of gnomes who are known for their skill with trade and commerce. They are often hired by other tribes to serve as intermediaries and brokers, and they are known for their ability to haggle and negotiate. They are also skilled musicians and entertainers, and they often perform at gatherings and feasts.

Geography

The Zhangi Wilds is a vast region of cold steppes and hilly forests. The steppes are characterized by flat, grassy plains that stretch for miles, punctuated by occasional hills and rocky outcroppings. The air is cold and dry, and strong winds blow across the open landscape. The forests are denser and more rugged, with steep hills and deep valleys. Thick stands of coniferous trees cover the hills, providing shelter for the wildlife that lives in the region. One notable area of the Zhangi Wilds is the Zibwak Valley. This valley is named after the elk-like Zibwak creatures that roam the region. The valley is home to several nomadic tribes who use the Zibwak as mounts and mobile homes. The valley is also home to a variety of other wildlife, such as Steppe trolls and giang boars.
Another notable area is the Riven Mountains. These mountains are tall and jagged, with steep slopes and deep ravines. The Riven Mountains are home to many dwarves and goliaths who live in small villages scattered throughout the hills. The mountains are also home to a variety of dangerous creatures, such as ice giants and witches.
The Zhangi Wilds also has several major rivers that flow through the region. The largest of these is the Frost River, which originates in the Riven Mountains and flows eastward through the steppes. The Frost River is a major source of water for the nomadic tribes and the wildlife of the region. It is also a popular fishing spot for the dwarves and goliaths who live in the mountains.
Overall, the Zhangi Wilds is a rugged and unforgiving land, but it is also home to many diverse and fascinating cultures and creatures.

Ecosystem

One of the main food sources for the inhabitants of the Zhangi Wilds is the Zibwak, a large elk-like creature that roams the steppes in herds. The nomadic tribes hunt the Zibwak for their meat, hides, and other resources. The dwarves and goliaths of the Riven Mountains also hunt the Zibwak, as well as other game animals such as giang boars and the shaggy Kui-Kui.
The forests of the Zhangi Wilds are denser and more rugged, with steep hills and deep valleys. The trees are mostly conifers, such as pine and spruce, which are adapted to the cold climate of the region. The forests are home to a variety of plant and animal life, including rabbits, lynx, and wolves. These animals are important sources of food for the predators of the region, such as the ice giants and witches. The forests are also home to a variety of birds, such as eagles and falcons, which are important to the food chain of the region. The rivers and lakes of the Zhangi Wilds are home to a variety of aquatic life, including fish and other aquatic animals. The Frost River, the largest river in the region, is a major source of water for the nomadic tribes and the wildlife of the Zhangi Wilds. It is also a popular fishing spot for the dwarves and goliaths who live in the Riven Mountains.
Overall, the ecosystem of the Zhangi Wilds is one of interdependence and balance. The various plant and animal species rely on each other for food and other resources, creating a complex and dynamic environment. The harsh conditions of the region have shaped the evolution of the plant and animal life, leading to the development of unique and adapted species that are well-suited to the cold and unforgiving landscape of the Zhangi Wilds.

Localized Phenomena

The Ghost Wind: This is a mysterious and powerful wind that blows across the steppes of the Zhangi Wilds, often appearing out of nowhere and disappearing just as quickly. The Ghost Wind is known for its icy cold temperature and its ability to cut through even the thickest of furs. Some say that the wind is the ghost of a powerful ice giant, haunting the region and seeking revenge for its death at the hands of the nomadic tribes. Others believe that the wind is a manifestation of the magic of the Dragonfall calamity, still lingering in the land after all these years.
The Jade Pools: These are a series of small, crystal-clear pools that can be found scattered throughout the forests of the Zhangi Wilds. The water of the Jade Pools is said to have magical properties, and it is believed to have the ability to cure ailments and restore vitality. Many of the nomadic tribes and the dwarves and goliaths of the Riven Mountains hold the Jade Pools in high regard, and they often make pilgrimages to them in search of healing and rejuvenation.
The Frost Giant's Bane: The Frost Giant's Bane is a rare plant that grows only in the coldest and most remote parts of the Zhangi Wilds. It is a hardy, evergreen shrub with small, white flowers that bloom in the winter months. The plant is prized for its medicinal properties, as it is said to have the ability to cure a variety of ailments and provide immunity to the cold. The Frost Giant's Bane is also believed to have magical powers, and it is said to be able to ward off the icy curses of the frost giants that dwell in the Riven Mountains.

Type

Region

Location under

Dragon Isles