Physical Characteristics - Natural Resources,
Climate, Architecture and Inhabitants
The Palana Jungles
are the warmest area in the Throne of IIo region. Its chief characteristic is a
minor river extending from the Trikelas to the Estal Tablelands in the
southwest. The river, known by the same name as the jungles, is fed by many
underground reservoirs and has many branches across the Palana Jungles. The
river's temperature is typically hotter than the air, and it is believed that
the river is the source of the region's unnatural heat.
Ranines are the
dominant species of the jungle, and their communities are found throughout it.
They regularly police the areas in-between their homes, and so the Palana
Jungles are typically safe to any friend of the ranines.
Most buildings
follow the Ranian style--wood and grass huts either on the jungle floor or
amidst the canopy. Areas of strategic value are reinforced and built up with
other materials. Ranines are able to jump far distances, so in regions where
defense is an issue, their canopy homes may not have stairways or ladders.
The Palana Jungles
contain a wealth of resources, and the tunnels and mines belowground are
similarly rich. Gems, spices, metal ores, and a variety of plant and animal
life unique to the jungles can be found there.
The Palana Jungles
do contain some tar pits, but these areas are usually cleared by the native
ranines so they do not surprise travelers.
Borders and Surrounding Environs
The southeast of the
Palana Jungles borders the Marsh of Anosh, although relatively small, Ranian
patrols and excursions are regularly launched into the marsh. The marsh is also
the home of the dangerous lizardfolk, who rise up every couple of generations
to wage war against the ranines.
The Trikelas mark
the northeast border of the jungles, although they curve around the Marsh of
Anosh in a hook to border the jungles on the southwest as well. The southwest
mountains are usually inhabited with aviadins and lizardfolk, and so the
ranines have a strong presence here as well. The northeast on the other hand,
is home to small trading colonies of dwarves, who surface here to exchange
goods and services.
Past the southwest
mountains, the Palana Jungles extend to the Estal Tablelands, where the
majority of the lizardfolk living in the jungles make their home. Ranine
outposts are regularly overrun by the native lizardfolk here, and are
constantly in need of reinforcements.
The northern border
of the jungles are entirely composed of the Weald of Ealo. Although tensions
are regularly high with the animalistic laorcs of that region, ranines maintain
several outposts in the Weald of Ealo and are not openly hostile. Wild elves are
the most common go-between for the races, as many live within the Palana
Jungles, but most make their home in the weald.
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Power Schematic
Ranines are the
dominant force in the region, and they respond to any threat against their
people decisively. They have wasted a large amount of their forces in a
seemingly fruitless struggle with an ancient evil lurking deep in the Marsh of
Anosh, and so are weaker than they appear, but maintain their considerable
defenses within the jungles.
Unwilling to be an
aggressive party in their dealings with other races, the ranines have not been
able to uproot the population of lizardfolk, and so the lizardfolk continue to
be a thorn in their sides. Wild elves appear to be few and far between, and they
have no strong presence in the region, although they are able to call on allies
from the Weald of Ealo.
Civilizations and Organizations
The ranines are
highly civilized and regularly make trade with the peoples around the Throne of
IIo, but most find the jungles too uncomfortable and dangerous to live there.
Cults worshipping
the fallen paladin Anosh exist in the deepest parts of the jungle.
Defenses and Technology
The ranines nearly
always fight defensive battles, and so they have worked to make the natural
features of the Palana Jungles even more dangerous to their enemies. Outposts
are plentiful, and communication across the jungle is quick.
Because of trade,
the level of technology in the jungle is consistent with the regions nearby.
Ranines also are more than competent around a forge, and mine for their own
materials.
Known and Unknown History
The Palana River
attracted many ranines when they first came to the Throne of IIo. Already
warmer than the Sryfe River and the Sea of Trite, the Palana River was much
more appealing. Over the centuries, the ranines mined the tunnels and caverns
below the surface and the temperature of the river continued to increase. Over
time, the region around the river changed to jungle.
Beliefs, Legends, and Folklore
There are many
different theories on why the temperature of the Palana River continued to
increase. Some of the common theories include: a captured fire primal, an
ancient Saurian ceremony performed by the aviadins, natural geothermal
activity, and a crazed hume elementalist. The most believed by the ranines is
that their ancestors tied the waters of their honor pools to the river. When
the magickally imbued water from an honor pool is returned to the Palana River,
the magicks of the universe neutralize the magicks via long-term temperature
increase. Although there are many adherents to this belief, this is not the
natural order of things in other Ranian communities, and so many believe that
the truth is a combination of the different tales.
An unhealthy amount
of honorable ranines in the Palana Jungles have fallen from grace and worship
Anosh, an ancient undead Ranian blackguard. These ranines have forsaken the
natural belief that honor is the path to oneness with the universe, and instead
follow the path of dishonor and chaos. They believe that by doing so, the great
and terrible Anosh will allow them to exist independently from honor pools.
Relations, Alliances, and Vendettas
An uneasy peace
exists between ranines, laorcs, wild elves, and lizardfolk. This unfortunately
is shattered whenever an army of lizardfolk is ordered against one of their
neighbors. Unlike other races, the ranines do not hold the lizardfolk
accountable, and will meet with any of the folk that professes peace.
Related Places
The Marsh of Anosh
is the result of the waters of the Palana River intermingling with those
waterways flowing from the Trikelas. |
