Stryt Region

Overview

The Stryt Region of the Sakilatian Empire is a vast, cold desert that, while part of the Empire, is largely lawless. It adheres to whatever tenets can be enforced by whatever powers may be - bandit leaders, sheriffs, and guard Captains. There isn't a lot of civilization that stretches into the desert nor are there many roads.

Though the Zhu'Shpazh family is rumored to have a hand in ruling the Sakilatian Empire, and thus preside over the Region, the family at large doesn't seem to have much interest in the desert. Rather, they've left the cold wastes to the brigands and the Pra'Daylwata.

Map A

Shows the extent of the cold biome as it covers the vast majority of the Stryt Region and dominates the interior of the Sakilatian Empire. It eventually gives way to grasslands in the south and east.

Map B

The light pink shows the recognized boundaries of the Stryt Region, where it runs into the southern countries of Watmelt, Klithor, and Charnorathos.

Map A

Map B

by Arto Marttinen

Pra'Daylwata at a Glance

by Céline Chamiot-Poncet

The wealthy, gold-wearing 'city-vnou' might have their name stamped on some documents, but they've no idea when it comes to actually dealing with the Stryt.

Pra'Daylwata is a matriarchal family based around horse breeding and ranching. Though they might be considered out of touch by some of the wealthier families because of their remote location, this particular family still weilds a fair amount of influence both because of it's wealth, historical impact, and military might. Since conflict between bloodlines is settled between the families themselves, having its own cavalry and 'armed force' is nothing to dismiss out of hand. Pra'Daylwata might not boast the strongest Shra but they are some of the most martially adept and strategic vnou. A step below the Pra'Viyk, who are known as knights of law, virtue, and judgement.

The common vnou regard Daylwata with a sort of awe tied to legends. Stories are told of their horse riders, their horses, and skill in combat. They've been romanticized as the saviors of the wastes, the law and safety to a land forgotten by many, and heralds of the weak. Even if that may not always be the case - as they are a 'family first' sort like any other - they are particularly benevelant to the common vnou under their jurisdiction. They are especially fearless when it comes to protecting their trade and any traveling to, or from, their fort-like cities. Pra'Daylwata have taken the law into their own hand out in Stryt and scoff at outsider authority, even that of Zhu'Shpazh.

by Vladimir Vujeva

Geography

Stryt is largely a flat, rough land with scrub and sparse, struggling vegetation. There is frequently a lot of rain during the short hot summers followed by extended, wet, cold winters. It's a harsh climate that may appear, at first glance, to be largely barren and berefit of life, though it is the favored territory of the Pra'Daylwata and their herds of horses.

Life in the Stryt Region is unforgiving, spaced with small shanty towns and the sporadic nomad tribes outside of the few family Pra'Daylwata strongholds. There are no roads to travel though there are a few paths to those in the know that make traversing the land easier, with choice safe places to stop. Trade is nigh unheard of unless it's headed toward one of the strongholds and then making an attempt on one of the caravans in often deadly and disasterous.

Given the lack of roads, travel by animal is the most common way to get around Stryt. It's one of the less technically inclined regions, where electricity is sparse, service is shoddy, and the only real sense of civilization or modernity is located around the bastions the family of Pra'Daylwata has established across the land - and it's something they're not entirely keen on sharing.

The nomads, bandits, and any others unfortunate enough to find themselves in the region scrape by with light travel equipment, fires, and more rustic means of survival - bows and traps for hunting, foraging for the select few edible plants. Pillaging is common enough for those that have the means to do so.

by Akn

Type

Desert

Contested By

• Pra'Daylwata

Ecosystem

by Casey Horner

For those who have grown up in the Stryt Region, there is plenty to survive on. From the smaller, burrowing animals to the songbirbs that make an appearance early in the morning or around sunset. It's all about knowing what to look for, what to stay away from, and not being too particular or choosey. There are people who make a living as guides through the Stryt Region, taking travelers to and from the Pra'Daylwata strongholds. Avoiding known trouble areas while steering them toward hotsprings and patches of favorable forage land.

For all the appearence of scrubland, many of the plants in the Stryt region are edible with proper preparation. Many of them have some sort of external skin/membrane to retain moisture or deter predators. Some are even poisonous if consumed without cooking. There are plenty of cautionary tales about travelers starving surrounded by plenty of plants they could have made a meal of, if only they'd known better.

"I can get ya where ya wanna go, but I can't promise you're gonna enjoy the travel. It be cold at night, hot at the day, and let me tell you about the jitters that crawl in your bed at night! Don't ya worry, though. We won't be starvin' and we won't get lost."

Stryt Guide

by Hugo Rolon