Emankorrak
A land of rolling hills, warring tribes, beautiful music and the finest horses in all the East, Emankorrak is a land of crossings. Since the Mortal World was shaped from the dawn, Emankorrak has been inhabited by animal gods--the Emamu. Before the Sovereigns descended to the Mortal World to dwell among us and rule over us, the Beasts ran across the hills and steppes of Emankorrak. Killidar Cloudmane, the First Horse, left prints that became holy pools and springs of water. Nari the Ox dragged a mighty plow from the springs in the mountains to the north and east, dredging out the rivers that brought life to the land, and bringing Biblu, the Spirit of the Flood, to wash fertile silt over fields.
It is said that the Surka were the first people to dwell in Emankorrak. They followed the Emamu gods in their migration, gleaning from nature's bounty and tracking herds of deer, until the Death of Erecura. All the Emamu trembled and hid, fearful of the Infernals and their unrelenting servants. This forced the Surka to build fortified settlements atop hills. They turned to Vindur, Sovereign of the Skies, for protection, venerating the wind and listening to its whispers, warning them of fiends and infernals.
As this dark time went on, the Khummus people arrived. Driven here from some distant land by the Demonic Imperium, they quickly took to horseback. The Surka refused to domesticate horses, fearful of offending Killidar's Children, but the Khummus gathered up wild herds and learned to ride. They became fearsome warriors and brave traders, traveling the fiend-haunted fields of Emankorrak from one settlement to another, raiding or bringing supplies.
When at last the Demonic Imperium ended and Ramius, the Stern Lord banished the fiends to the Underworld, a group of refugees from the fallen empire of Ioth arrived, bringing with them advanced knowledge of agriculture and architecture. They built stone cities along the rivers and great barges, planting gardens and irrigating fields, and soon they became fantastically rich. Some of the Surka came to their stone cities for protection against the Gnoll warbands that survived the Apotheosis of Ramius.
These River Kings and Garden Queens called themselves the Emankor, and as their power spread they lent their name to all the lands from the mountains in the east to the ocean in the west: Emankorrak.
Geography
Emankorrak is a region of elevated steppes as well as grassy lowlands. While there is wide variation in terrain, there are few sharp changes in elevation. This gives rise to rolling hills and grasslands, broken up by a network of rivers.
To the east, Emankorrak is fenced in by imposing mountains--the Bulwarks to the north, beyond which lies the forbidden Caonach Vale of the Dusk Elves, and the Ring to the south, protecting the mysterious land of Kraius.
In the west, Emankorrak shares a hilly, forested border with the Fomhar Woods, home of the Autumn Court of Dusk Elves, and the Gullet, an inland ocean that brings fair breezes and warm rainstorms. Beyond the Gullet lies the peninsula of Lyteri and the shores of Bomeph, where the desert elves wage war over arable farmland and Zeilarian missionaries preach the good will of the Sun Rider.
Fauna & Flora
Numerous rivers, a temperate ocean, and sub-tropical latitude makes Emankorrak a warm, fertile and vibrant space. Most of the land is covered in rich grasses, with tropical trees growing by the warmest rivers and lakes.
Palms, date trees, short grasses, small woodlands, cedar trees and poplars, aspens and more sub-tropical tree species are frequent.
Many varieties of deer species roam the plains, feasting on the verdant grass. Wild sheep and goats, boars, and great herds of wild horses can also be found. Carrion birds circle overhead along with a number of raptor species--falcons and hawks in particular. Rodents scurry through the grasses, avoiding the eyes of predators above.
Near the forests, wolves, lynxes, foxes, and owls hunt. Over the wide plains there are hyenas, lions, and herds of elephants. Waterways may be home to angry hippopotamus or alligators.
Natural Resources
Hard wheat for breads, pastas, and similar dishes grows in the inland river areas, and in the ranges where the deltas first form.
Emankor cotton is particularly prized for making clothing.
Trees and flowers grow in great swathes along the rivers. Figs and dates are native to the region, and imported plants such as citrus fruits, grapes, and olives grow very well here.
Mineral wealth is relatively rare, mostly confined to specific river beds or the odd hill or mountain.
It's said that in all the Mortal World, you will not find finer horses than those that roam wild over the plains of Emankorrak.
Type
Grassland
Included Locations
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