Chikelu
Chikelu is one of the southernmost regions of Tuatha. It is occupied by the Wusiph^djibundi tribes, who view themselves as caretakers of the territory as opposed to owners. It is bordered by Ahagwuena to the west, Qamenkas to the north, and Tegeletan, of the Tavanuan Khaganate, to the east.
Geography
Chikelu is comprised of multiple ecosystems, including the Nyekomvu Desert, the Parched Veldt, the Ukando Outback, the Vyksum Highveld, the Chiamakre, Lake Ngai, and Msal^thi Kye Bainala. It also includes parts of the Santikash Sea, Mojika’s Chain, and the Chamaziph Bush. Prior to the Chikelan Crisis, Cape Oba-Ikahu was also considered part of Chikelu.
The Nyekomvu Desert is a hot semi-arid desert in the north of Chikelu. Its name comes from the Chikelan word for the reddish colour of an ochre found within the region. It is part of the Endless Deserts, along with Qamenkas, the Desert of Oromaal, Sara’Wahkan, the Cilio Desert, and the Khaspitara Desert. Anua elves and Kikanutian Goblinoids are the primary humanoid inhabitants of the desert. The largest settlement in the Nyekomvu Desert is Akachipha City, next to Akachipha Lake.
The Parched Veldt is a veldt in eastern Chikelu. A shrubland of burnt and ashy plants, it was incinerated by the armies of the Tavanuan Khaganate. Barely inhabited by animals or intelligent beings, the only settlement of note within the Parched Veldt is the Leonin village of Rukujo, who take it upon themselves to find a way to cure the scorched landscape.
The Ukando Outback is an arid shrubland within western Chikelu. It is mostly a veldt environment with the occasional solitary mesa placed throughout. In the west of the Ukando Outback is the Lumubu Lakes. The most well-known denizens of the Ukando Outback are the Harengon that make up the Mdkhavifa tribe of the Wusiph^djibundi.
The Vyksum Highveld is a dry area of small mountains in central Chikelu. It is named for the Chikelan human Vyksum tribe, one of the most populous tribes of the Wusiph^djibundi. On the northwestern border of the highveld is Lake !Hlushi, which, according to legend, was created when Osumare Vyksum tested the first Vyksum Steel blade. The highveld has plentiful high-quality iron deposits, which the Vyksum mine at the city of Vanjioto*koyani, and then forge into Vyksum steel at Barajoba.
The Chiamakre is a vast savanna in southwestern Chikelu. It is one of the most populous regions of Chikelu, in terms of both humanoid tribes and wildlife.
Lake Ngai is a culturally and spiritually important place to the Wusiph^djibundi. According to legend, it is where the gods (the specific one or ones depended on the tribe or clan telling it) came down to tell the Wusiph^djibundi to protect the land of Chikelu. The largest “settlement” in Chikelu, Godovamshiya I-Jiliwe, is located on the northern bank of Lake Ngai. Godovamshiya I-Jiliwe is used as the gathering place of all Khinlas, and is attended to at all other times by the Mginu tribe of Loxodon.
Msal^thi Kye Bainala is a massive tropical rainforest in southeastern Chikelu. Along with the Chiamakre, it is the most populous region in Chikelu. Winding through the entirety of Msal^thi Kye Bainala is the Man*gabijam River. The ancestral trees of the Awazjua, Mtu Khubaba and Mtu Khubibi, are located along the banks of the river. Mtu Khubibi was killed during the Chikelan Crisis, leading its nearby settlement, Ganwezi, to be nearly abandoned. As such, most Awazjua inhabit the city of Nayea near Mtu Khubaba. In the south of Msal^thi Kye Bainala is Kijuh Lake, and the Kuu^luxi Lizardfolk town of Tivirik.
