The Sumi Tal-Sha'ba
"The Sumi Tal-Shaba"
The Sumi Tal-Sha’ba is a newly transformed area, located on the equator of the remote southern continent. It mainly consists of the cloud forest region known as The Shaba, its internal area of The Nest, and the surrounding locals of The Grey Crags, The Razil Forest, The Igapo Swamp, The Silt Slopes, and The Dusty Hills.
Before The Sundering this area was a gently sloping, low elevation, forested plain that supported many communities. After The Sundering and The Binding, the tremendous stresses changed the landscape and nature of the area forever. The land was violently uplifted, raising the plateau over 6,000 feet in elevation and splitting The Razil Forest in two. Volcanic forces built up the mountains of The Nest, and depressions filled with dark waters creating The Igapo Swamp. Prevailing wind patterns changed, bringing constant rainfall to The Razil Forest and turned The Shaba into a high altitude cloud forest. The descending winds, warmed and dried out the farmlands, covering them in silty dunes termed The Silt Slopes and windblown sand scoured and coated The Dusty Hills.
While each region has its own microclimate, the general belief is that the majority of The Sumi Tal-Sha'ba gets frequent, heavy rains in the spring and summer seasons and periodic, lighter rains in the fall and winter seasons. The exceptions would be The Silt Slopes, which get no measurable rain and The Dusty Hills, which receives extremely little rain. The Shaba, however receives daily rain and almost constant fog.
Geography
Fauna & Flora
Plants
The lands here are quite literally covered in infinite plants and not just on the ground but also in the waters, on the rocks, and even on each other. Species of significance are the Kapok Tree, Razil Nut Tree, Mountain Palm, Bronze Legume Trees, Soapberry Tree, Walking Palm, Strangler Fig, Poison Oak, Sumac, Dream Bushes, Verbena, Nightshade, Iceplant, Wild Oats, Mustard, Wild Rye, Spear Oracle, Strangler Vines, Fire Grape Vines, Parasitic Vines, Devil Clubs, Wood Ferns, Water Plants, Cattails, Bull Rush, Frog Rush, The Giant Lily, White Lotus, Star Grass, Bladder Weed, Air Plants, Epiphytes, Bromeliads, Orchids, and various grasses and mosses.
Fungi
With all of the life and death located here, nature has provided several ways to return the nutrients to the soil, some of those decomposers found here are Amanita Virosa, Death Cap, Honey Mushroom, Alcohol Inky Cap, Barometer Earthstar, Carbon Balls, Artist’s Conk, Puffball, Shaggy Parasol, Coral Fungi, The Sickener, Witch’s Butter, Fairy Bonnet, Gold Dust Lichen, Firedot Lichen, Pixie-cup Lichen, Wand Lichen, and Beard Lichen.
Insects
All environments have their “bugs” and this place is especially abundant. They range in all sizes, shapes, and colors, from those going unnoticed to those trying to kill you. Hundreds of species of each can be found here. Those of note include beetles, caterpillars, butterflies, moths, bees, wasps, dragonflies, spiders, Ants, flies, and mosquitos.
Birds
Although too many species to name, every ecological niche in the region is filled by a bird of some sort. A quick eye can often spot one of these major species, like vultures, falcons, macaws, toucans, quails, screech owls, flycatchers, finch, and an assortment of migratory birds perched in the branches.
Mammals
Mammals here that can’t escape into the trees, usually find themselves as either predators or prey items. Jaguars, Maned Wolves, Black Bears, Giant River Otters, Murk Monkeys, Howler Monkeys, Three-toed Sloths, Dwarf Red Deer, Dwarf Raccoons, Tapirs, Peccaries, and Rats call the wilds here their home.
Reptiles
Not all of the reptiles here will kill you, such as the turtles, tortoises, and iguanas, but those like the anacondas, boas, vipers, caiman, and tegu will try.
Amphibians
The high humidity and infinite pools of water allow tremendous species of frogs, toads, and salamanders to thrive in this environment.
Fish
Untold species of fish inhabit the many streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. Those most commonly seen are the Arapaima, Snakehead, Catfish, Pacu, Piranha, Electric Eel, and several sucker mouthed fish.
Invertebrate/Worms
Often left unnoticed in the vast wilderness are several species of crayfish, snails, leeches, and worms.
Humanoids
Confirmed local humanoids living in the regions include Orcs, Gnolls, and Newtonians.
Rumored humanoids living in the regions include mysterious witches and a particularly eccentric dwarf.
Rumored Organisms
Unconfirmed creatures of the areas include wyverns, green bears, shaggy men, walking trees, and faeries.
Natural Resources
Although several expeditions have successfully ventured into the wilds here, most of it remains very much unexplored. Given the extensive lands, diverse landscapes and ecosystems, the varieties of resources are innumerable and the application and refinement of those resources is unlimited.
Several known and rumored resources to ship from the area are lumber, hides, nuts, seeds, fruits, herbs & spices, incense, exotic birds and animals, rare flowers, Soapberry Tree soap, Verbena extract for malaria cure and cough suppressant, medicinal and hallucinogenic vine extracts, Lichen powders, Giant Land Snail facial lotion, Duskwing powder, Silk Moth eggs, Malachite, Cuprite minerals, Diamonds and Aquamarine gemstones, Tin, Lead, Copper, Silver, Gold, and various spell ingredients.
Maps
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Greve Vasco's Map Of The Sumi Tal-Sha'ba
The only known map of The Sumi Tal-Sha'ba was acquired from the fugitive Greve Vasco during his trial for grave robbing and smuggling. Despite it's questionable veracity, the The Sonians thought highly enough of it to pay for his fines and release.
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