Great Western Plains

A large expanse of grassland covering the west and southwest portion of the Demon Realm.

Geography

As the name expresses, the Great Western Plains are mostly flat high grasslands in the western region of the Demon Realm. Black Paw Lake, where the city of Gaevoyga sits near, is the main source of water for the Plains. Black Paw Lake got its name from its distinctive shape and the dark black coloration of its waters. It is the largest of the three major lakes found in the Demon Realm, and the only one with a distinctive dark coloring. This is believed to be caused by the soil of the Plains being dark brown, as opposed to the red soil found in the majority of the realm. The Plains are a beautiful sight to behold in the dry season, with wildflowers in full bloom across the plains.

Ecosystem

The Plains are home to a diverse range of demon plants and animals - large and small omnivores that eat primarily plants and the few demon herbivores make up most of the animal life, with more carnivorous leaning predators also in the mix. Small copses of wandering shrubs and small trees also dot the plains, though they are few and far between.

Ecosystem Cycles

The Plains go through three major seasons - the warm dry season, the cool dry season, and the wet season. In the warm dry season, the Plains often get much warmer than the rest of the Demon Realm. This is when the majority of the flowers found in the Plains are in bloom, and the herds of the Plains travel across the plains to gather at Black Paw for the cool season. In the cool dry season, most of the grasses die to their roots, and the herds remain near the lake due to the near drought conditions in the rest of the Plains. In the wet season, the herds migrate back out and away from the lake during the frequent rains. The Plains become marked by small pools and streams off the main river that flows out of Black Paw.

Localized Phenomena

In the warm dry season, extremely dense and heavy fog is a common sight on the Plains.

Climate

The Plains experience very little precipitation in both portions of the dry season - in the warm dry season, the Plains become extremely humid due to the evaporation of the water accumulated in the wet season. This creates the higher temperatures not experienced in the rest of the Demon Realm. The Black Paw Lake and its main river offshoot recede during this time. In the cool dry season, the humidity dissipates under further evaporation that rapidly cools the plains even as the grasses die due to the near drought conditions. Frost is a common sight in the season, but as it is a period of low precipitation, snowfall is extremely rare. In the wet season, the Plains return to the cool temperatures common to the rest of the realm. Rainfall is a near-daily occurrence. The rainfall refills the Black Paw Lake and its main river.

Fauna & Flora

Large herds of wuna and armored heavyhounds make the Plains home, migrating and often peacefully sharing territory as large plant-focused omnivores. Ringed Grassleapers, copper-throated callers, and kiln nesters make up the majority of other plant-focused omnivores found on the Plains. They are hunted by the deadly quad-sabered lionsnakes, clever ambush corpselions, and wild armored bristlespines. Wooly moss and burrowing spider trees are some of the few non-grass plants found in the Plains. The Plains are also home to a wealth of insects.

Natural Resources

Grasses are the primary resource from the Plains - textiles and other fiber arts, wild oats and grains, and fodder shipped to other cities through Gaevoyga are all made from the various grasses of the Plains. Lavven's human-demon hybrid grains were all Plains strains, including not just grains but flax, hemp, and cotton hybrids. Flowers from the Plains are often gathered for dye-making - many varieties found here are harmless, as they rely on animals to spread their seeds across the land.

History

The Plains were once home to many bands of nomadic wuna herders - living with the wuna they cared for. This was often a difficult life, even with the close access to fur and milk from the herd and the relative protection the wuna offered. As cities grew in size and prominence, many herders were invited to bring their wuna eastward - and others chose to do so on their own, hoping for an easier life under the protection of walls and a king. While there are still a handful of nomadic bands on the Plains in the current era, there are no large or even small settlements further west than Gaevoyga - and demon cities lay no claim to lands beyond their walls.

Tourism

During the cool dry season, many come to trade with the nomadic bands camped with their herds at Black Paw Lake. The Pharmacist Guild pays well for medicinal plants that are difficult or even impossible to come by elsewhere, while those with culinary interests trade rationable food supplies to try traditional fermented milk dishes and drinks. Plains clay goods - distinguished by their deep brown color - are another often sought commodity. Beast Hunter bands often traverse the Plains to seek out prey in the deadlier species found on the Plains, and have a good relationship with the herdspeople - often trading and gifting freely when they share a campsite. Herdspeople were also the ones who developed demon bagpipes, and the musically inclined enjoy both the playing and purchasing of traditional Plains pipes.

Type

Grassland

Location under

Demon Realm

Related Tradition (Primary)