Qutra (ˈqutˤra)
Qutra is the third largest island in the Sabaen Archipelago, and since the establishment of the Malikate of Saba, it has been the core of the Qutra Muhafazah, which also adminsters several other nearby islands for the Malikate. Before the rise of the Malika of Saba, Qutra was the territory of the Kingdom of Suhq which had been established after the fall of the Telmunic Empire. Qutra is inhabited primarily by Kikipua of the Taniyn ethnicity and humans of the Suhqatri ethnicity. During the formation of the Malikate, the Malika enabled the overthrow of the human-led Kingdom of Suhq by the oppressed Taniyn in order to secure the support of Qutra in the invasion of the Nagarajya and Saba. Once she had established the Malikate, she honored her allies on Qutra, and the Taniyn remain the most favored group of Kikipua within the nation.
The largest city on the island is Mehrida, on the northern coast of the island. It claims to be the oldest city in the Southeastern Region, predating even the great city of Tarshish. This claim is disputed by some scholars, but the city was considered old when the island was conquered by Hundaru of Telmun, and very well may date back to the days of Muria.
Notable Spirits
The highlands of the island are said to be the home of the Oontlok, a group of shapeshifting spirits who can look like either dark-skinned humans or camels with unusual coats. They consider many areas of the island to be their territory, and to pass through these regions safely requires that gifts be laid out for the Oontlok who claim them. Typical gifts are bread, honey, and the bones from roasted meat. The Ootlok are themselves ruled by a giant who can appear as a bright red camel, and who can command the stones of the island to do his bidding.
Geography
The center of Qutra is dominated by a series of high limestone plateaus which surround a central massif and the high point of the island, Jabal Muqasam. The coastline is mostly sandy beaches and narrow plains in the shadow of the highlands. There are only a few sources of fresh water on Qutra, and the population depends greatly on the rain that falls heavily during the wet season, and collects as much as they can for the rest of the year.
Ecosystem
The plant and animal life of Qutra is unique in the Great Ring, with many species that are found nowhere else. The most emblematic organism of the island is the magnificent Shajarat Altiniyn, a tree with blood-red sap and an umbrella-like canopy that can be found all over the island. According to legentd, the sap of the Shajarat Altiniyn has many special properties, including the ability to replace the blood of someone who is wounded. A tonic made from the sap causes the body to recover from blood loss that would be fatal (assuming their other wounds have been dealt with). Other unique species of Qutra include several trees such as the Qutran Pomegrante, and many species of birds and reptiles. There are almost no native mammals on the island, with the Qutran bat being the sole exception. The island is also known for having an unsually high number of spider species, mostly within the Ghabat al-Shabka.
Geographic Details
Location: Southeastern RegionLatitude: 12.13 degrees North
Longitude: 39.11 degrees East
Average Elevation: 39 ft
Highest Point: 4,931 ft (Jabal Muqasam)
Lowest Point: 0 ft
Area: 1,466 sq mi
Comments