Ugarra
"If the Dreddars wanted to cripple Rocturra, they would go for Ugarra first." - Bensinya Hadsrian, Roctane Explorer
Ugarra is one of the first regions to be explored by early elven migrants and the second region to become part of the nation of Rocturra. The province is home to Retkratora, a unique group of mages who have pioneered the study of Earthborn magic, bending nature to their will.
Geography
The northwestern province of Ugarra is dominated by dense forests to the east and grassy flatlands in the western regions. To the south by the border with Derraken, the landscape becomes more rugged and hilly the closer one gets to the border. The northeastern coast is often referred to as the Salt-Marsh Coast due to the massive mangrove forests and swamps that are peppered across the coastline. The Deparka River, the fifth largest river in Stelwen, runs through the eastern forests and deposits into the Ugarran Bay. Across the central and western parts of Ugarra, the river is vital to agriculture, with many communities using the river to create canals.Ecology
The flora and fauna of Ugarra are fairly similar to the other provinces of Rocturra, though it is still fascinating nevertheless. The common herbivores of the region include Wombats, the half a meter long Kalk Beetles, and Koalas. Unique to this region is the Tramr, a four-legged arthropod that stands at a meter tall and spends its days grazing on grass. These animals are completely docile and are quickly domesticated to be used as cattle for their meat and eggs. Along the eastern banks of the Deparka River, the fearsome Bunyip can be found defending its aquatic territory from intruders and potential rivals. These highly aggressive beasts and be found all across Stelwen, but the Deparka is where the largest population of the creatures can be found. While the Bunyip is undoubtedly the apex predator in Ugarra, they face competition from stealthy Aranmorta and the Goryi, a large monitor lizard with a venomous bite.Landmarks
On the tip of the Sasta Penninsula in the western parts of the province stand the Tar Dimkoll, a large tower built by the founder of the Retkratora, Grandmaster Dimkoll. The ancient wizard was the first to master the art of using Earthborn magic to create structures and started the trend of Retkratora towers being created this way. When it was first created, Dimkoll used it as a place of study as he perfected the methods that are still used today by his followers. After his passing in 921 1E, his tower was converted into a school for new members of the Retkratora seeking to learn the techniques of the late grandmaster. As Stelwen became more populated by the Roctane, more ships sailed through the Ugarran Bay. With the tower already being a prominent landmark for sailors, the members of the Retkratora choose to convert part of the tower into a lighthouse. In the south-central part of Ugarra, one may stumble across the Deathbed Abyss, a cave network uncovered by a meteor crashing through the hollowed earth. Much of the sprawling cave network remains uncharted to this day, for some of the underground paths can span miles. Many of these massive caves connect to the Putrid Depths, a massive cave system lined with the remains of creatures both fresh and ancient. Animals near death oftentimes make their way towards these dark caves to finally die. Within the Deathbed Abyss lies the colossal skull of an unknown titan that is believed to have lived during the Primeval Era. This cave system, along with the Putrid Depths it connects to, is extremely dangerous to explore due to the wildlife and treacherous underground terrain.Inhabitants
Ugarra is well known as the birthplace of the Retkratora, a group of mages who are the foremost experts on the Earthborn element. This group has been influential in a range of aspects of Ugarra, from the province's political landscape to providing services that have allowed agriculture to flourish and arming armed forces. Many smaller settlements within the province were constructed with hardened plantlife conjured by Retkratoran mages, which gives the region a distinct feel not found anywhere else on Nostrina. The group's presence has also influenced the local culture to some degree, as becoming a member of the organization is seen as a prestigious position. Beyond the walls of Ugarra's cities, the rural countryside is dotted with plantations that play a key part in Rocturra's agriculture. The flatlands in the western parts of the province are especially fertile and the perfect place to raise cattle. The Retkratora have also contributed to Ugarra's agricultural boom thanks to innovations and inventions by their members, which have made farmers more productive and harvests more bountiful. Within the Salt-Marsh Coast and along the edges of the dense forests in the east live Roctane degradingly named "Salties," poor fishermen and hunters who live relatively isolated in the swamps. The Rocturran government has all but forgotten about them, leaving the area somewhat cut off from the rest of the country, but the locals have made the best of their swampland home. In recent years, there have been attempts to build the area up, though there is still a long way to go along with a sense of contempt from the locals towards the government.Notable Settlements
The provincial capital of Ugarra is Mor Manibor, which is well known for its Retkratora District. This district is a chaotic but organized mix of plant and elven-made structures which serves as the primary headquarters for the organization. North of the provincial capital is the city of Mor Jalrek, a settlement built almost entirely by plants summoned with Earthborn magic. This settlement is treated as the organization's greatest achievement, a monument to the power the Retkratora are truly capable of. To the southwest of Mor Manibor is Tolmr Tulekra, a fortress with defenses bolstered by conjured plant growths, which serves as the testing groups for new weapons and magical techniques for the military forces of Rocturra.
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