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{{NationInfobox | {{NationInfobox | ||
|name = Arrajan Wilds | |name = Arrajan Wilds | ||
|image = Flag_Arrajan_Wilds. | |image = Flag_Arrajan_Wilds.svg | ||
|capital = None | |capital = None | ||
|ruler = None | |ruler = None | ||
| Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
|adjective = Arrajan | |adjective = Arrajan | ||
|languages = [[Telan]], [[Common]] | |languages = [[Telan]], [[Common]] | ||
|religions = | |religions = [[Chaskan pantheon]]; irreligious | ||
}} | }} | ||
The '''Arrajan Wilds''' {{Pronounciation|ARR-ah-jon}} is a region covered by a persistent anti-magic field that prevents almost all use of spells or magical items | The '''Arrajan Wilds''' {{Pronounciation|ARR-ah-jon}} is a region covered by a persistent anti-magic field that prevents almost all use of spells or magical items, though the people who live there have instead learned other means of getting by. The anti-magic fields are better, however, than the intense storms that occur in their absence. | ||
== Geography, flora, and fauna == | == Geography, flora, and fauna == | ||
=== Anti-magic fields === | |||
The Arrajan Wilds are highly unique due to the presence of powerful anti-magic fields that hang over the region. The area is not defined by political, cultural, or historical boundaries, but rather by where these fields taper off and lose strength. This border is not fixed, and changes on perceptible scales, shifting sometimes by multiple miles per day. The general outline of the Wilds is fairly consistent on a year to year basis, however. In the west the fields rarely stretch past the [[Streko River]], while to the east and south the effect is solidly fixed at the edges of the dry regions of the [[Rharne Highlands]] and the [[Taizzan Expanse]]. The northern edge is more flexible, varying from the shores of [[Lake Ciuto]] all the way to only a hundred or so miles from [[River Qes]]. These changes take place on the scale of centuries. | The Arrajan Wilds are highly unique due to the presence of powerful anti-magic fields that hang over the region. The area is not defined by political, cultural, or historical boundaries, but rather by where these fields taper off and lose strength. This border is not fixed, and changes on perceptible scales, shifting sometimes by multiple miles per day. The general outline of the Wilds is fairly consistent on a year to year basis, however. In the west the fields rarely stretch past the [[Streko River]], while to the east and south the effect is solidly fixed at the edges of the dry regions of the [[Rharne Highlands]] and the [[Taizzan Expanse]]. The northern edge is more flexible, varying from the shores of [[Lake Ciuto]] all the way to only a hundred or so miles from [[River Qes]]. These changes take place on the scale of centuries. | ||
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These storms are not all negative to the Wildlanders, however. The rain they bring greatly accelerates plant growth, both wild and domesticated. If farm fields are not set ablaze by lightning strikes or drowned in the flooding, the crops will grow much more quickly until the water has evaporated or sunk into the earth. Seeds and pits dropped by trees and other plants in the wilderness germinate and grow extraordinarily quickly, sometimes seeming to skip months worth of growth overnight. | These storms are not all negative to the Wildlanders, however. The rain they bring greatly accelerates plant growth, both wild and domesticated. If farm fields are not set ablaze by lightning strikes or drowned in the flooding, the crops will grow much more quickly until the water has evaporated or sunk into the earth. Seeds and pits dropped by trees and other plants in the wilderness germinate and grow extraordinarily quickly, sometimes seeming to skip months worth of growth overnight. | ||
=== Geography === | |||
The geography of the Wilds is quite varied, ranging from the fertile flat plains of the west, to the shores of Lake Ciuto, to the dry hills to the east. In general, Arrajan is a temperate region of moderate seasonal variance, with warm summers and very mild winters. | The geography of the Wilds is quite varied, ranging from the fertile flat plains of the west, to the shores of Lake Ciuto, to the dry hills to the east. In general, Arrajan is a temperate region of moderate seasonal variance, with warm summers and very mild winters. | ||
A number of rivers feed into Lake Ciuto, carrying water from the surrounding hills. The [[Nestra River]] is the only outlet from the lake, eventually leading into the [[Chaska Sea]]. A great number of fish thrive in the waterways of the Wilds, particularly trout and salmon. There are rumors of powerful aquatic beasts that dwell in the depths of the lake, waiting for opportunities to flex their true strength when unhindered by the anti-magic fields. | |||
=== Flora === | |||
Low-density forests cover a large proportion of the land area of the Wilds. In particular, the [[Arrajan Forest]], in the western half of the region, boasts massive pine trees that often grow up to 250 feet tall. Needles from these trees blanket the ground, preventing many other plants from gaining a foothold. As such, travel through the forests of Arrajan is comparatively easy, as those who pass through enjoy easy terrain and a good degree of visibility. The forests have drastically shrunk from their boundaries centuries ago, as ever increasing amounts of wood are needed by the inhabitants of the Wilds, and the trees grow too slowly to replenish what is cut down. | |||
The rest of the surface area of Arrajan is mostly expansive arid grasslands and prairies, with tall grasses that a variety of creatures are known to hide in. Giant sunflowers grow above the grasses. | |||
=== Fauna === | |||
Mundane and magical creatures share the forests, plains, and waters, to a large degree equalized by the anti-magic field. The Wilds are well known for the sheer variety of creatures that live there, and some enterprising individuals use the field to their advantage to capture magical beasts that would otherwise pose too much of a threat. | |||
== History == | |||
Large settlements have only grown in the Arrajan Wilds within the last two millennia, a far cry from the many thousands of years of continuous habitation in the surrounding lands. The trials of life with no access to magic kept people out of the region for quite a long time, coupled with a widespread view of the Wilds as cursed and outside the influence of the gods. Many expeditions entered the anti-magic fields to explore but exceptionally few remained behind. At various points in history the Wilds were used by [[Dalbanu]] and [[Tamkaranu]] outlaws and rebels as a place to hide, but even so the population remained exceptionally low. | |||
Eventually a combination of curiosity, advancements in non-magical technology, and ever-growing populations in the nearby lands began to draw settlers into the Arrajan Wilds. By {{Year|4650}} multiple large towns existed in the region, the first of which were [[Arnun]], [[Hirmil]], and [[Caralis]]. From there the population of the Wilds slowly increased before accelerating in the last century of the tenth millennium. | |||
== Demographics == | == Demographics == | ||
Humans make up | Humans make up just under half of the population of Arrajan, with the rest split between large numbers of [[dwarf|dwarves]], catfolk, [[orc|orcs]], half-orcs, and half-elves. Individuals of ancestries with innate magical abilities often feel uncomfortable in the Wilds, almost like a core part of them has been removed, and do not commonly remain for long. | ||
Small numbers of kobolds are known to live in the Wilds, especially in the forests and hills north of [[Mayadun]] and [[Tanburit]]. | |||
== Culture == | == Culture == | ||
=== Religion === | === Religion === | ||
While religious life in the Arrajan Wilds is broadly similar to that of nearby Dalbanu and the coastal regions to the east, there are some notable differences. Worship of the deities of the [[Chaskan pantheon]] is the most common, yet the region also has a large population that is irreligious. The persistent lack of divine magic has led some inhabitants of the Wilds to conclusions that would be greatly frowned upon were it not for the number of others who had arrived at similar views. Whether or not gods are real, they reason, if it is possible to live a life untouched by divine magic, and therefore out of reach of the gods, can their veneration truly be so critical? These thoughts tend to take the form of apathy towards the divine rather than any sense of hostility. | |||
Still, the irreligious remain a minority in the Wilds, if a large one. Temples to Chaskan gods can be found across the region, though the influence of large churches and organized religion is effectively absent. Wildlanders occasionally but do not often worship the [[Dalbanu living saints|living saints]] of Dalbanu. | |||
=== Society === | |||
By and large, the culture of the Wildlanders is strongly influenced by that of Dalbanu and the [[Eastern Chaskan city-states]], from which most draw their ancestry. Ongoing trade and contact, particularly through travel along the Nestra River and north through [[Aspalis]] and [[Kotharat]], also keep these connections strong. | |||
=== Traditions === | === Traditions === | ||
Solstices and equinoxes are always cause for celebration in the Wilds. Many travelers to Arrajan have noted the practice of holding massive ceremonial bonfires on each occasion, upon which items with negative connections are thrown. These are viewed as a way for individuals and communities to release themselves from negative influences or memories and begin the next quarter of the year afresh. | |||
Special occasions are also marked with festivities, typically with competitions within the community. These take a range of forms, including archery competitions, races, and others more unique to the region. One of these involves Wildlanders taming the various beasts of the area with nothing more than their wit and brute strength | Special occasions are also marked with festivities, typically with competitions within the community. These take a range of forms, including archery competitions, races, and others more unique to the region. One of these involves Wildlanders taming the various beasts of the area with nothing more than their wit and brute strength. | ||
=== Languages === | === Languages === | ||
A mix of languages are spoken within Arrajan, both regional and racial. [[Telan]] | A mix of languages are spoken within Arrajan, both regional and racial. [[Telan]] and [[Dalbar]] are the most used languages, followed by [[Common]]. It is common for dwarves, orcs, catfolk, and kobolds to speak their ancestral tongues in addition to other languages. | ||
=== Occupations === | === Occupations === | ||
The adventurers and combat-inclined of the Wilds are usually (but not necessarily always) attracted to martial roles. In particular, the practical utility of skill with a bow has led many to continue this training into becoming highly skilled rangers. The Wilds are also known for having produced a number of expert brawlers who would later become famous for their adventuring exploits elsewhere | The adventurers and combat-inclined of the Wilds are usually (but not necessarily always) attracted to martial roles. In particular, the practical utility of skill with a bow has led many to continue this training into becoming highly skilled rangers. The Wilds are also known for having produced a number of expert brawlers who would later become famous for their adventuring exploits elsewhere. | ||
=== Technology === | === Technology === | ||
Though not particularly common | Though not particularly common owing to the expense of maintaining their equipment, some Wildlanders have become skilled with firelances. Born of necessity in a land where magical defenses fail, Wildlanders have slowly refined these inventions into reliable tools to protect themselves. Many Wildlander firelances are decorated and ornamented as they are not seen as simply weapons but also symbols of status and wealth. Due to the expertise required in their construction and use, as well as their slowness and inaccuracy compared to magic or even bows, these Wildlander weapons have not spread far outside Arrajan, though the nearby [[Ku-Hakkara]] [[Gnoll|gnolls]] have begun experimenting with their own variants. | ||
=== Food and cuisine === | === Food and cuisine === | ||
Food in Arrajan | Food in Arrajan varies significantly by region. Those living in settlements on the lakes or waterways tend to eat large amounts of fish, which is also salted or dried and traded to interior communities. Other sources of meat are also plentiful, and are supplemented with crops such as grapes, olives, barley, apricots, and more. | ||
=== Medicine === | === Medicine === | ||
| Line 68: | Line 77: | ||
=== Travel === | === Travel === | ||
Most travel throughout the Wilds is done on foot or by way of domesticated animals. As travel through the region can be particularly dangerous, it is not uncommon for those seeking to venture between settlements to join larger passing caravans, a way of banding together for defense. Still, the kobold tribes that regularly engage in banditry against passing journeyers are undaunted by the prospect of attacking these caravans - if anything, they have merely caused the kobolds to devise ever more clever traps. | |||
=== | Partially as a result of these persistent dangers, and partially to make up for not having any form of functioning magical transportation, a small number of clever Wildlander inventors have begun experimenting with a new method of traveling through Arrajan safely. Though the technology is still very much in its infancy, they have devised ramshackle steam engine-driven vehicles that can carry passengers and cargo along fixed tracks. At present these are largely limited to short routes between Mayadun and several outlying settlements, but work is underway to eventually expand the tracks across the WIlds. | ||
Nearly all settlements in the Wilds, both large and small, have some sort of defensive perimeter. Usually stone walls or wooden palisades, but sometimes also repurposed ancient structures, these protect the community from magical beasts that have been driven mad and made more powerful by the magical storms | |||
=== Architecture and urbanization === | |||
Nearly all settlements in the Wilds, both large and small, have some sort of defensive perimeter. Usually stone walls or wooden palisades, but sometimes also repurposed ancient structures, these protect the community from magical beasts that have been driven mad and made more powerful by the magical storms. While small gardens and animal pens may be located on the inside of these defenses, large scale agriculture is usually outside so as to keep the perimeter small. It is not uncommon for settlements past a certain size to use golems to help defend themselves as well. | |||
Wildlander architecture fits solidly within the traditions of the surrounding lands. Mud brick or stone structures are the most common. Residences are often large, designed to house multiple generations of a family, with living spaces and more around central courtyards. | |||
== Government == | == Government == | ||
The communities of the Wilds use a mix of governments. | The communities of the Wilds use a mix of governments. In the north temple-affiliated governors are typical, similar to those of the cities of Dalbanu, while in the south merchant republics, citizen's councils, or autocracies are widespread. | ||
== Economy == | == Economy == | ||
Arrajan has a vibrant economy, both between settlements and with outsiders. The region is largely self-sufficient, | Arrajan has a vibrant economy, both between settlements and with outsiders. The region is largely self-sufficient but does engage in trade with nearby Dalbanu, Tamkaranu, [[Amshan]], and occasionally even [[New Sotosa]]. | ||
{{CitiesArrajanWilds}} | {{CitiesArrajanWilds}} | ||
{{InspirationBox | {{InspirationBox | ||
|inspiration = Anti-magic fields | |inspiration = Anti-magic fields are neat. Also kobold train bandits because why not. | ||
|place_names = The Arrajan Wilds use place names taken from ancient Mesopotamia and the Levant | |place_names = The Arrajan Wilds use place names taken from ancient Mesopotamia and the Levant | ||
|character_names = | |character_names = | ||
}} | }} | ||
Latest revision as of 00:42, 10 October 2024
The Arrajan Wilds (pronounced ARR-ah-jon) is a region covered by a persistent anti-magic field that prevents almost all use of spells or magical items, though the people who live there have instead learned other means of getting by. The anti-magic fields are better, however, than the intense storms that occur in their absence.
Geography, flora, and fauna
Anti-magic fields
The Arrajan Wilds are highly unique due to the presence of powerful anti-magic fields that hang over the region. The area is not defined by political, cultural, or historical boundaries, but rather by where these fields taper off and lose strength. This border is not fixed, and changes on perceptible scales, shifting sometimes by multiple miles per day. The general outline of the Wilds is fairly consistent on a year to year basis, however. In the west the fields rarely stretch past the Streko River, while to the east and south the effect is solidly fixed at the edges of the dry regions of the Rharne Highlands and the Taizzan Expanse. The northern edge is more flexible, varying from the shores of Lake Ciuto all the way to only a hundred or so miles from River Qes. These changes take place on the scale of centuries.
The anti-magic fields are not consistent in strength. On the edges of the fields skilled mages can, with difficulty, still cast some spells, but these abilities are quickly lost as one ventures further into the Wilds.
While the residents of the Wilds can deal with the anti-magic field without too much difficulty, having adapted to the quirks of life without magic, on rare occasions the field will completely collapse as violent magical tempests descend on the land. Occurring simultaneously throughout the Wilds, these storms are usually characterized by shrieking gales, dark and ominous storm clouds, almost aurora borealis-like lights in the sky, and frequent lightning strikes. These events range in duration from an hour to multiple days. All magic becomes functional at this time, usually at increased strength. Dangerous magical beasts are known to emerge during these storms, driven into a violent frenzy and far more mighty than normal. While these storms are usually unpredictable, a storm will always coincide with an eclipse, either solar or lunar. When this occurs, the storm is even stronger than normal.
These storms are not all negative to the Wildlanders, however. The rain they bring greatly accelerates plant growth, both wild and domesticated. If farm fields are not set ablaze by lightning strikes or drowned in the flooding, the crops will grow much more quickly until the water has evaporated or sunk into the earth. Seeds and pits dropped by trees and other plants in the wilderness germinate and grow extraordinarily quickly, sometimes seeming to skip months worth of growth overnight.
Geography
The geography of the Wilds is quite varied, ranging from the fertile flat plains of the west, to the shores of Lake Ciuto, to the dry hills to the east. In general, Arrajan is a temperate region of moderate seasonal variance, with warm summers and very mild winters.
A number of rivers feed into Lake Ciuto, carrying water from the surrounding hills. The Nestra River is the only outlet from the lake, eventually leading into the Chaska Sea. A great number of fish thrive in the waterways of the Wilds, particularly trout and salmon. There are rumors of powerful aquatic beasts that dwell in the depths of the lake, waiting for opportunities to flex their true strength when unhindered by the anti-magic fields.
Flora
Low-density forests cover a large proportion of the land area of the Wilds. In particular, the Arrajan Forest, in the western half of the region, boasts massive pine trees that often grow up to 250 feet tall. Needles from these trees blanket the ground, preventing many other plants from gaining a foothold. As such, travel through the forests of Arrajan is comparatively easy, as those who pass through enjoy easy terrain and a good degree of visibility. The forests have drastically shrunk from their boundaries centuries ago, as ever increasing amounts of wood are needed by the inhabitants of the Wilds, and the trees grow too slowly to replenish what is cut down.
The rest of the surface area of Arrajan is mostly expansive arid grasslands and prairies, with tall grasses that a variety of creatures are known to hide in. Giant sunflowers grow above the grasses.
Fauna
Mundane and magical creatures share the forests, plains, and waters, to a large degree equalized by the anti-magic field. The Wilds are well known for the sheer variety of creatures that live there, and some enterprising individuals use the field to their advantage to capture magical beasts that would otherwise pose too much of a threat.
History
Large settlements have only grown in the Arrajan Wilds within the last two millennia, a far cry from the many thousands of years of continuous habitation in the surrounding lands. The trials of life with no access to magic kept people out of the region for quite a long time, coupled with a widespread view of the Wilds as cursed and outside the influence of the gods. Many expeditions entered the anti-magic fields to explore but exceptionally few remained behind. At various points in history the Wilds were used by Dalbanu and Tamkaranu outlaws and rebels as a place to hide, but even so the population remained exceptionally low.
Eventually a combination of curiosity, advancements in non-magical technology, and ever-growing populations in the nearby lands began to draw settlers into the Arrajan Wilds. By Y7650* multiple large towns existed in the region, the first of which were Arnun, Hirmil, and Caralis. From there the population of the Wilds slowly increased before accelerating in the last century of the tenth millennium.
Demographics
Humans make up just under half of the population of Arrajan, with the rest split between large numbers of dwarves, catfolk, orcs, half-orcs, and half-elves. Individuals of ancestries with innate magical abilities often feel uncomfortable in the Wilds, almost like a core part of them has been removed, and do not commonly remain for long.
Small numbers of kobolds are known to live in the Wilds, especially in the forests and hills north of Mayadun and Tanburit.
Culture
Religion
While religious life in the Arrajan Wilds is broadly similar to that of nearby Dalbanu and the coastal regions to the east, there are some notable differences. Worship of the deities of the Chaskan pantheon is the most common, yet the region also has a large population that is irreligious. The persistent lack of divine magic has led some inhabitants of the Wilds to conclusions that would be greatly frowned upon were it not for the number of others who had arrived at similar views. Whether or not gods are real, they reason, if it is possible to live a life untouched by divine magic, and therefore out of reach of the gods, can their veneration truly be so critical? These thoughts tend to take the form of apathy towards the divine rather than any sense of hostility.
Still, the irreligious remain a minority in the Wilds, if a large one. Temples to Chaskan gods can be found across the region, though the influence of large churches and organized religion is effectively absent. Wildlanders occasionally but do not often worship the living saints of Dalbanu.
Society
By and large, the culture of the Wildlanders is strongly influenced by that of Dalbanu and the Eastern Chaskan city-states, from which most draw their ancestry. Ongoing trade and contact, particularly through travel along the Nestra River and north through Aspalis and Kotharat, also keep these connections strong.
Traditions
Solstices and equinoxes are always cause for celebration in the Wilds. Many travelers to Arrajan have noted the practice of holding massive ceremonial bonfires on each occasion, upon which items with negative connections are thrown. These are viewed as a way for individuals and communities to release themselves from negative influences or memories and begin the next quarter of the year afresh.
Special occasions are also marked with festivities, typically with competitions within the community. These take a range of forms, including archery competitions, races, and others more unique to the region. One of these involves Wildlanders taming the various beasts of the area with nothing more than their wit and brute strength.
Languages
A mix of languages are spoken within Arrajan, both regional and racial. Telan and Dalbar are the most used languages, followed by Common. It is common for dwarves, orcs, catfolk, and kobolds to speak their ancestral tongues in addition to other languages.
Occupations
The adventurers and combat-inclined of the Wilds are usually (but not necessarily always) attracted to martial roles. In particular, the practical utility of skill with a bow has led many to continue this training into becoming highly skilled rangers. The Wilds are also known for having produced a number of expert brawlers who would later become famous for their adventuring exploits elsewhere.
Technology
Though not particularly common owing to the expense of maintaining their equipment, some Wildlanders have become skilled with firelances. Born of necessity in a land where magical defenses fail, Wildlanders have slowly refined these inventions into reliable tools to protect themselves. Many Wildlander firelances are decorated and ornamented as they are not seen as simply weapons but also symbols of status and wealth. Due to the expertise required in their construction and use, as well as their slowness and inaccuracy compared to magic or even bows, these Wildlander weapons have not spread far outside Arrajan, though the nearby Ku-Hakkara gnolls have begun experimenting with their own variants.
Food and cuisine
Food in Arrajan varies significantly by region. Those living in settlements on the lakes or waterways tend to eat large amounts of fish, which is also salted or dried and traded to interior communities. Other sources of meat are also plentiful, and are supplemented with crops such as grapes, olives, barley, apricots, and more.
Medicine
In the absence of restoration magic, healers of the Wilds have become adept at using a variety of salves, poultices, and tinctures to cure the ills of the populace. While not as effective as magical means of healing, this generally proves to be enough to treat most ailments. Adventurers are still advised to remain cautious, as serious injuries or even death are not as easily rectified as they may be elsewhere. It is common for clerics and others with magical healing capabilities to gather the sick and injured during the storms in order to treat as many people as possible before the storm passes. In desperation and looking for treatment, some in the Wilds have fallen victim to traveling merchants peddling nothing more than fraudulent “miracle cure-alls”. By the time the scheme is discovered, these salesmen are often long gone with their ill-gotten profits.
Travel
Most travel throughout the Wilds is done on foot or by way of domesticated animals. As travel through the region can be particularly dangerous, it is not uncommon for those seeking to venture between settlements to join larger passing caravans, a way of banding together for defense. Still, the kobold tribes that regularly engage in banditry against passing journeyers are undaunted by the prospect of attacking these caravans - if anything, they have merely caused the kobolds to devise ever more clever traps.
Partially as a result of these persistent dangers, and partially to make up for not having any form of functioning magical transportation, a small number of clever Wildlander inventors have begun experimenting with a new method of traveling through Arrajan safely. Though the technology is still very much in its infancy, they have devised ramshackle steam engine-driven vehicles that can carry passengers and cargo along fixed tracks. At present these are largely limited to short routes between Mayadun and several outlying settlements, but work is underway to eventually expand the tracks across the WIlds.
Architecture and urbanization
Nearly all settlements in the Wilds, both large and small, have some sort of defensive perimeter. Usually stone walls or wooden palisades, but sometimes also repurposed ancient structures, these protect the community from magical beasts that have been driven mad and made more powerful by the magical storms. While small gardens and animal pens may be located on the inside of these defenses, large scale agriculture is usually outside so as to keep the perimeter small. It is not uncommon for settlements past a certain size to use golems to help defend themselves as well.
Wildlander architecture fits solidly within the traditions of the surrounding lands. Mud brick or stone structures are the most common. Residences are often large, designed to house multiple generations of a family, with living spaces and more around central courtyards.
Government
The communities of the Wilds use a mix of governments. In the north temple-affiliated governors are typical, similar to those of the cities of Dalbanu, while in the south merchant republics, citizen's councils, or autocracies are widespread.
Economy
Arrajan has a vibrant economy, both between settlements and with outsiders. The region is largely self-sufficient but does engage in trade with nearby Dalbanu, Tamkaranu, Amshan, and occasionally even New Sotosa.