Jarohi Coast

Jarohi Coast
Capital	None
Ruler	Many
Government	Informal democracies
Demonym	Jarohi
Adjective	Jarohi
Languages	Aserdian; Sangiran
Religions	Aserdian pantheon; ancestor worship

The Jarohi Coast (pronounced jah-ROH-hee) refers both to a stretch of coastline in the eastern Laqto Rainforest as well as to a collection of loosely-connected settlements that can be found there. These communities are particularly infamous for their seasons of piracy, with corsairs who opportunistically strike at ships along the trade routes between Okoton and Kea Racha during the dry season. Though suppressed during the height of the Sangiran Empire, since the empire's collapse the Jarohi corsairs have resumed their activities with vigor.

Geography, flora, and fauna

The Jarohi Coast is a section of coastline where the Laqto Rainforest meets the Mhasmuth Ocean. Steep cliffs are common along most of the coast, rising high above the waters, broken by the valuable coves used as natural harbors. The weather is typically quite hot and humid year-round.

The region is widely considered to encompass not only the coast but also the handful of nearby islands.

History

Culturally, the Jarohi Coast has long been influenced by Kea Racha, owing primarily to its location between the island and the cities of the Okoton Estuary. In the days of the Sangiran Empire it was not uncommon for imperial ships to be found in the ports of the larger Jarohi cities, which were viewed by imperial advisor-priests as lawless havens to be watched and controlled for the benefit and protection of Sangiran trade. Though this direct influence has waned greatly following the Eternal Suzerain's last death, the cultural ties remain, as evidenced by Jarohi cuisine, language, ships, and for some even names.

Demographics

Most inhabitants of the Jarohi Coast are humans, elves, half-elves, and catfolk.

Culture

Architecture and urbanization

Most communities in the Jarohi Coast are quite small. The four cities of Port Jados, Tanso, Venom, and Yreddin are notable exceptions, yet their combined populations is still far less than those living in the many small villages of the region. Though always near the sea, these villages are almost never directly on the water, instead built at least half a mile or more inland in parts of the rainforest that are minimally cleared to have space to live and farm. The docks upon which most settlements rely are built within hidden coves, protected not only from the weather and any creatures out at sea but also from those who might seek an end to the Jarohi sea raiding.

Jarohi architecture varies somewhat by area, most notably between the mainland and the islands nearby, but typically takes the form of relatively small wood-framed thatch buildings, raised off the ground and connected by walkways. While living areas are private, buildings for cooking and other aspects tend to be communal.

Food and cuisine

Living close to the ocean has made seafood an important part of the Jarohi diet. Along with significant amounts of fish and shrimp, the cuisine of the Jarohi relies heavily on rice, farmed or foraged, tropical fruits, and pigs that are either domesticated or hunted wild. Agriculture tends to be small-scale and not intended to fully support a community, but rather supplement caught or foraged resources. Many families grow small vine gardens much alike those kept in Talmithe.

Government

Nearly all communities of the Jarohi Coast are informal democracies. Any positions of authority tend to be temporary and only given out of necessity, as familial relations and alliances are used to govern day to day activities. This holds even in the few larger cities of the coast, where political life can seem extremely chaotic to outsiders unfamiliar with the long-standing yet non-codified norms that govern it.