Zultica GD

The Badlands

Zultica is located at the southernmost end of Semestria, south of the Maot Gurun desert. Despite being one of the earliest empires to flourish in the history of the continent, the region fell into turmoil, which, combined with the dangers found within the rainforest, has left the majority of the region isolated from the rest of the world.
Regardless of geographical status, Zultica has always been remote and isolated, forming a mountainous jungle of savage beasts, hulking dinosaurs, and disease-ridden swamps. Human tribes, goblins, and even stranger monstrous folk haunted the thick jungles. Nevertheless, Zultica has drawn adventurers who sought its legendary riches. The primordial Ubtao is primarily revered in the land, as well as various beasts of his menagerie that reflect different virtues of the land.

Geography

The Jungle

It is said by many that the jungles of Zultica are the most dangerous places in Semestria. The plants are intelligent predators, and the predators themselves are massive, armed with huge teeth and claws. Insects bite and sting travelers constantly, and the undergrowth contains a multitude of poisonous snakes.
The heat and humidity is almost unbearable, and disease runs rampant in the area. Most things in the jungle have some sort of illness or parasite that are easy to catch, and even the water is tainted and has to be boiled to drink. Intelligent creatures that eke out an existence in the dense foliage actively track and hunt down travelers, such as Yuan-Ti and Batiri.
Despite all this, adventurers keep coming to the Zultican jungles, chasing rumors of endless veins of gold, huge gems and ruined empires stuffed to the brim with magic and riches. Many who are willing to brave the jungle for a slice of the fabled wealth end up never returning.

Peaks of Flame

The abode of salamanders and other creatures of fire. The peaks are also said to sit over a pair of iron doors that lead to the Fugue plane and the world of the dead. Legend has it that at the end of the world Sendaris the Night Serpent would tear down these doors and break through into the world.

Valley of Lost Honor

In the thickest parts of the jungle lays this valley, once the last refuge of the Eshowe before they were destroyed. Legends say that all of their wealthe was left behind in caves in the valley, while more sinister legends claim that an evil deity resides there, recruiting followers and planning revenge.

Wild Coast

The jagged and treacherous coast of western Zultica creates a hazard for ships, and merchants from around Semestria give it a wide birth, save Xethian airships. Fearing not only the cliffs, sailors spoke of whirpools, freak storms, aquatic monsters, flying dinosaurs and giant eagles. A few brave (or foolish) fortune sought to explore the caves along the coast, hoping they would lead into rich mines under the jungle.

Life and Society

The peoples of Zultica lived in tribal communities, consisting of a dozen or so families, which moved from one area to the next when the poor soil of the largely-jungle covered peninsula becomes depleted. For hunting and defense they relied on non-metallic weapons like clubs, bows and shortspears. Harder metals like iron and steel were unavailable to them, and the few brought in by outsiders were nowhere near enough to sufficiently arm any significant number of people.
Magic is generally accepted, though much of Zulticans understanding of magic has been lost to time. Arcane casters typically perform hunting ceremonies and brew potions to aid the hunters. In ancient days, many traveled to study magic in Mezro
Aside from humans, wild dwarves, goblins, aldani, pterafolk, bullywugs, and lizardfolk also inhabited the land. Exotic creatures as chuuls, hydras, nagas, troglodytes, trolls, and wyverns existed in smaller numbers. The dominant predators of the land were the dinosaurs, who were worshiped by many of the natives as aspects of the primordial Ubtao.

Shared Cultural Ideas

Mana - Power and Prestige
Mana is a cultural concept meaning a sacred power or authority. bestowed by the gods, though it is a supernatural gift, with those who receive it are free to waste or magnify it. Maintaining and increasing the mana and loyalty within the group are at the heart of culture.
Utu - Balance and Harmony
Utu is often associated with the word 'revenge'. However, in a broader sense, "utu" is meant as the preservation of balance and harmony within a civilization. In the concept of "utu", a fault must always be corrected and a kindness repaid. However, the means by which this is accomplished may vary greatly by case.

Gods & Religion

Gods

Ubtao
Sendaris The Night Serpent
Axolotl

Influence of Outside Culture

"Zultican" is a collective term used by the natives used to describe themselves, the inhabitants of Zultica. When most folk talk of the Badlands, they call the natives the "Akhar", as that was the name given to them by Mira Jawan explorers when they were encountered. Most outsiders believe there is only one ethinicity in the Badlands, but in truth there were several.

Important Locations

Fort Beluarian
A small outpost that belonged to the Flaming Fists, a mercenary company based in the free city of Greyhawk. The troops would work with adventurers to promote the cause of good, and provide shelter to adventurers in dire need. In spite of this goodwill, the city had, over the Hundred Years of Chaos, been burnt to the ground twice by local inhabitants of Zulticans only to be rebuilt by the Free People. The colony is also in competition with the much larger Port Atahu Nui Kir Sabal

Mbala


Mezro
Mezro was one of the largest civilized areas in Zulticaand a holy city to the Zultican tribes. The city was generally peaceful and few people, except for outsider-adventurers, carried weapons. The city was protected by the undying baras of Ubtao and six paladin-like chosen A'Toa who ruled the city. For a time the city was a safe haven for explorers battered by the harsh jungle but after a disasterous battle against the batiri goblins it was surrounded by a magical wall, preventing it from being seen and causing confusion in those who approached too closely.
Nangalore
Omu
Orolunga

Port Atahu Nui
A harbor port settled by Mira Jawah, Port Nyanzaru was also a mighty fortress, built to withstand pirate attacks and the threats of the jungle itself. The city's Merchant Princes recently wrested control away from Mira Jawah, establishing themselves as the rulers of the city. However, the booming, densely populated community continues to bring in much wealth for its former parent state

Major Organizations

Batiri
Ytepka Society
Color Wizards
Flaming Fist
Tuhinga
Jade Claw
Alnswickian Army
The Enclave

Tribes

Azulca - Ubtao's original tribe

Nahua

Azuposi

Dog People

Green Folk

Payits

Tuhinga