P̀ā p̄hī or Shadow Jungle
Geography
The P̀ā p̄hī is located on a landmass that resembles a peninsula, surrounded by water on three sides. The fourth side, to the east, is bordered by a large river that separates the jungle from the vast, inhospitable desert. The river is wide and treacherous, known locally as the Khetgao River, meaning "The Boundary River," believed to act as a natural barrier between the corruption of the jungle and the desolation of the desert beyond.
The jungle's atmosphere is dense, its canopy thick enough to blot out much of the sunlight, casting a perpetual twilight on the forest floor. The foliage appears unnaturally dark, with an almost black sheen, as if stained by the malevolent energy that courses through the region. The air is humid, the smell of decay and earth heavy, and the soundscape is filled with distant, echoing cries from unseen creatures. The lakes scattered throughout the jungle are vast, still, and often covered in thick mist, their waters rumored to be cursed.
While the P̀ā p̄hī was once a thriving, vibrant jungle, filled with the life and energy of southeastern tropical ecosystems, something has gone terribly wrong. Now it stands corrupted, a place where the natural and supernatural blend in disturbing ways. No rivers run through the jungle itself, leaving the area stagnant, suffocating, and isolated, with only the Xǔjié River marking its eastern boundary.
Fauna & Flora
Corruption of the Jungle
The P̀ā p̄hī is not merely a dangerous jungle; it is a place of deep corruption. Many believe that some ancient and powerful entity, perhaps a forgotten god or a cursed emperor, has tainted the jungle. The plants grow twisted, and the animals that once lived there have become monstrous versions of their former selves. Legends tell of old spirits that have gone mad, prowling the jungle, unable to escape but eager to trap any who enter.
One of the most common superstitions is that the jungle is alive, sentient in its desire to consume all life that ventures too deep within it. Explorers have reported feeling watched or hearing voices in the thickest parts of the jungle, and few who enter ever return.
The ancient cities buried within the jungle are another source of great mystery and fear. Built long before the founding of the Jade Mantis Empire, these lost civilizations have left behind only ruins, their names forgotten. Some believe the inhabitants were the first to fall victim to the jungle’s corruption, their souls forever trapped, haunting the decaying structures. Many of the buildings are overgrown, swallowed by the relentless vegetation, and home to terrifying creatures—some of them spirits, others physical beings mutated by the dark energy suffusing the jungle.
5. Creatures and Monsters
The P̀ā p̄hī is home to a wide array of monsters and spirits inspired by Eastern mythological creatures. These include:
Yaoguai (妖怪): Mischievous or malevolent spirits that take many forms, from animals to demonic apparitions. These creatures torment travelers, leading them astray, and feed on their fear.
Huli Jing (狐狸精): Fox spirits known for their cunning and shape-shifting abilities. While some are tricksters, others are far more dangerous, drawing people into the depths of the jungle with false promises of beauty or riches.
Nian (年兽): Massive beasts with horns and sharp teeth, capable of crushing entire trees in their path. These creatures are rarely seen, but their distant roars echo through the jungle, striking terror in the hearts of those who hear them.
Heiyan Serpent (黑眼蛇): A gigantic black snake with glowing eyes that hypnotizes its prey, said to be the guardian of one of the ancient cities.
Mogui (魔鬼): Demons that stalk the deeper parts of the jungle, twisted and malevolent beings born of the corruption itself. They can take the form of warriors, luring victims into false duels before revealing their true, horrific natures.
History
The Yinying Wall
The Yinying Wall is the Jade Mantis Empire’s last defense against the horrors of the Shadow Jungle. Stretching 180 miles from the Bay of Dancing Lights to the Xǔjié River, the wall is an impressive feat of engineering and artistry. Constructed centuries ago by the empire’s most skilled builders and enchanted by powerful spirit magicians, the wall is imbued with wards and charms designed to keep the evil of the jungle from spreading northward.
Unlike traditional fortifications meant for defense against other armies, the Yinying Wall serves only one purpose: to prevent the corrupted beings of the jungle from escaping into the rest of the empire. It is adorned with carvings and talismans, the stone etched with stories of the creatures the wall is meant to repel. Great watchtowers punctuate the length of the wall, each manned by a special order of spirit hunters, monks, and sorcerers tasked with keeping vigil over the dark jungle.
3. Yinying Dūn (影影墩)
Yinying Dūn is a small, fortified town located at the northwest corner of the Yinying Wall. Built originally as a base for the workers who constructed the wall, it has since become a permanent settlement, home to a hardened population of wardens, scholars, and traders. The town is surrounded by smaller farms and rice paddies, though these are constantly under threat from the encroaching darkness of the jungle.
Yinying Dūn’s population consists of skilled spirit hunters, mystics, and soldiers trained in combating the dangers of the Shadow Jungle. They are supported by a small community of farmers, artisans, and their families who maintain the supplies and logistics necessary for keeping the wall manned. The town is also a stop for brave traders who seek rare herbs and magical reagents rumored to grow only in the P̀ā p̄hī.
Despite the constant tension, the town maintains a semblance of normalcy, with its bustling marketplace, small temples dedicated to local protective deities, and homes built from sturdy wood and stone. The people of Yinying Dūn have a stoic resilience, living so close to such a perilous place. Many have lost family or friends to the jungle’s horrors, but they continue their work to keep the empire safe.
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6. Mystical Significance
The P̀ā p̄hī holds great significance in the folklore and spiritual practices of the Jade Mantis Empire. It is considered a cursed, but sacred place where the lines between the material world and the spirit realm blur. Shamans and spirit priests often travel to the jungle’s edge to perform rituals, hoping to appease the restless spirits or harness the jungle’s dark power for protective wards.
There are whispered rumors of an ancient sect that once thrived deep within the jungle, devoted to mastering the power of corruption itself. Some believe their descendants still live among the ruins, twisted into monstrous forms by the jungle’s evil, yet capable of wielding dark, forbidden magic.
Type
Forest, Jungle (Tropical)
Location under
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