Rusgan

An area of biodiversity as much as magic, this southeastern region of Arrboth is known for its mangrove swamps as much as the Rusgan people that historically live there. Waterlogged, relatively flat, and yet extremely difficult to traverse, the Rusgan coast has its own share of threats compared to traversing the steppes and deserts.

Geography

While the swamps make the coastline difficult to map, the western border with The Varulosph is fairly clear, as it is where the grasslands start giving way to bogs and the humidity spikes. The northern border has some salt flats and bogs of its own, which dry out and become The Midland Steppe and its accompanying deserts. One exception to this, however, is the eastern coast, which is typically considered part of The Rusgan purely due to the relative inability to reach it from elsewhere, with the Desert of Agonies to the west of the coast and the Beios Mountains to the north. Here, the raised land between the coastal swamps and the mountains forms a mesa, capped with the Lake of Storms. This lake sustains the ecosystems of the windswept grasslands atop it, and, as its name implies, results in very frequent storms in the region.

Fauna & Flora

The swamps are home to many prized species of bird, such as cranes, herons, and flamingos, along with turtles, frogs, and crocodiles. The strange natural magics of the region also have a tendency to cause native wildlife to grow to unusual sizes more commonly than other areas of the world, while imbuing others with uncanny ferocity. Giant frogs and turtles are not uncommon sights, nor, unfortunately, are giant leeches, slugs, or insects. The former, thankfully, still prefer to eat the latter to people.
The hippopotamus is endemic to the region, much to the chagrin of the empire. Despite being a large, fatty herbivore, all attempts to domesticate the creature have lead to failure, of the embarrassing or tragic variety. Even magic put to the task has only resulted in insights into the inherently irritable and territorial nature of the beasts. As such, they pose a continued threat to use of any rivers running through the region, sometimes more so than the crocodiles.
On the far supernatural end of the spectrum, ogres and less appealing-looking fey are present in the region, along with fungal or plant creatures similarly granted mobility by the same energies that strengthen fuana. Though many were slain in the early days of the empire, it is said that some hydra still dwell deep in the swamps as well. Thanks to the craft of the Rusgan people, some even stranger beings can be found in small number, beings of Yore that have little place in the natural world.
Despite being considered the same region, the mesa of the Lake of Storms is effectively a completely different ecosystem. From bobcats and squirrels to koalas and highly venomous snakes, the area's remoteness allows many forms of life to flourish that are not seen elsewhere. Only some migratory birds and other flying beasts leave the place regularly, though those that do often end up becoming invasive quickly. Some even theorize that the first dragons were born in this spot, though this theory seems more based in the venomous and violent nature of much of the local wildlife than in any factual evidence.

Natural Resources

With a high biodiversity in plants, fungi, and animal species, and a high concentration of natural magics, The Rusgan is one of the best places to find rare alchemical ingredients in The Eye. Any reagent that cannot be found in the swamps, some say, can be found on the plateau, and while this is hyperbole, the variety between the two regions is a true marvel. On the darker side, of course, this means that a variety of poisons and venoms are also available. The salt flats to the north of the region are a commonly tapped supply of salt for meat preservation, and bog iron in the region is a prized and useful commodity. Finally, the giant animals of the region can provide immense amounts of natural resources to any well-equipped hunter by their very nature, whether it's skins, bone, meat, shells, or something more niche.

Alternative Name(s)

Rusgan Coast, 'The Shedding'

Type

Wetland / Swamp

Location under

Arrboth

Owning Organization

Golden Empire of Arrboth

Related Ethnicities

• Rusgan