The Grand Menagerie of Noatun

Artist - Ashil Shaji - Artstation.com

The world outside our walls is a dangerous one. Full of all manner of beast and plant that desires our destruction. However, it is not without beauty, in actuality these lands are home to creatures whose beauty is beyond imagination. In his wisdom and love for his people, Emperor Stygg the Forgiving, has commissioned what will be remembered as his greatest legacy. The Grand Menagerie of Noatun. He invites all of his people to come and witness the beauty of his lands from a place of safety, so that none shall have to break the law to lay eyes upon their splendor.
-Droll - orator of Emperor Stygg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/
The Grand Menagerie was built by Valsgard's 9th emperor Emperor Stygg in the 14th year of Ursa's Age. Stygg devoted a large section of land adjacent to his Royal Castle of Noatun in the capital of Ringvolstad. In the 270 years since its's creation, the Woodswalkers, and the Menageries Caretakers, have collected the most beautiful specimens of plant and animal from every corner of Valsgard and cultivated them for the glory of the empire, and the pleasure of the people. Since its creation, the Grand Menagerie has continuously been expanded to include vast botanical gardens recreating entire environments, and displaying the animals near their natural environments.
There is not a visitor that comes to Ringvolstad that does not attend the Grand Menagerie, and behold the wonders of these wild and dangerous lands.
The Grand Menagerie has become the pride jewel of the empire. Visitors to

Fauna & Flora

The Grand Menagerie is constantly evolving as the Woodswalkers and Caregivers are adding new plants and animals into the Menagerie. The first rule was that sapient species were not allowed to be captured, and all creatures must be treated with dignity and safety. They will be kept comfortable, among surroundings they are familiar with, as best as can be provided by the caretakers. Anyone caught mistreating them or attempting to will be punished.
The many animals are separated into their different ecosystems. The various halls designed to hold the different ecosystems creatures have all been given titles representative of their contents The animals from the Dark Forest of the Mazemakers are housed in the the Hall of Mazes, and the animals form the Badlands of Pel are housed within the Hall of Dust.
The gentler animals are kept in pens where citizens can walk freely among them, and even feed them from their hands. The most dangerous creatures are kept in caged enclosures where only the caretakers can approach them. The measures are taken to protect the animals and people both, however accidents do happen, and one must always keep their wits about them.

History

The Grand Menagerie was created in response to a group of citizens leaving the city to see the forests for themselves. They believed that the tales were exaggerated, and that it surely wasn't as dangerous as the Empire claimed. In their foolishness they did not believe the dangers as described by the Emperor, nor the warnings of the Woodswalkers.
Most of these poor souls perished in the wilds, but those that returned begged forgiveness. They asked to be allowed to return to the city, saying that their intentions were pure, and they now realize just how valuable the Emperor's love and protection are, promising never again to disobey.
Emperor Stygg earned his secondary title that day. Emperor Stygg, forgave the lawbreakers and ordered them to prove their devotion by dedicating their lives to the creation and upkeep of a Menagerie where all those who wished to see the wilds up close could do so in safety.
These were the first of the Caretakers, along with the builders, they planned and built the first version of the menagerie. The caretakers trained others to aid in the cultivation and care for the plants and animals, and thus created a noble profession within the empire. Afterwards, those citizens that had an affinity for the wilds and the animals within, would travel to Ringvolstad in hopes of becoming Caretakers themselves.

Tourism

One does not travel to Ringvolstad without visiting the Grand Menagerie of Noatun. The Grand Menagerie is open to the public at all times. It is considered to be among the safest places within Ringvolstad, as it is guarded by the Emperors own guard.

Fauna:

Moss Fox - Artist - Riker Creatures

Grimhog - Artist - Riker Creatures

Locynth - Artist - Greg 'Craola' Simpkins

Lyra Gliders - Artist - Riker Creatures

Gandelk - Artist - JB Delaune

Bristleback - Artist - Benjamin Laine

Myrkr - unsplash.com - black leopard
Fauna

Waggle Moss - Artist - Rayan Bouayx

Listeners of the Wood - Artist - Olesia Goiko

Watchers of the Wood - Artist - Olessia Goiko

Lace Petals - Artist - Olessia Goiko

Sunset Cap - Artist - Iver Snney Vega Junieles

Alternative Name(s)

The Gardens