The Kabesh

Upon a landmass of such gargantuan size it couldn't be described as merely a continent, an array of giant beasts reign supreme. From the depths of glimmering oceans to the skyscraping canopy of a rainforest, this is a land where height and might rule hand in hand for all but the the minute people of the Kabesh savannah. They carved out their own corner of the world and most prosper in the safe isolation of their capital, Hudalah.

Geography

At the foot of the towering Ugon Forest lies the vast rolling plains of a golden savannah. Known to its inhabitants as the Kabesh, the Light Lands, much of the grassland is parched and desolate but for when the annual rainfall comes each Spring. This creates a dependence on the great ocean to the South for water, or the few oasis wells hidden within the endless, swaying grass that were used by the early natives. Other than a maze of crystal caverns below the ocean cliffs, much of the Kabesh is just an endless expanse of the same dry grasses for as far as anyone can see, a golden bounty for those that know how to survive there.

Fauna & Flora

Due to the weak gravity of the planet, this has allowed many creatures to evolve into colossal megafauna that can be seen trudging across the Kabesh from miles away. The only native beasts that thrive in such arid conditions are the Fengdo, aggressive herbivores that live in herds of hundreds, migrating back and forth in their eternal graze upon the savannah. Their hide is thick and tougher than most rocks, a bald, dusty grey that darkens with age. Drooping so low their neck almost looks broken, the Fengdo's head dips close enough to the ground that its tusks leave grooves from where each creature has fed into the soil, slurping up buried moisture along with the tons of grass it needs to devour each day.
Despite its indomitable size, the Fengdo does have a predator capable of hunting it. Unable to slay the Fengdo on their own, the Kabeshi people sought another giant creature to do the work for them. Rukanines are intelligent, solitary beasts that hold strict territories within the Ugon Forest, yet have adapted to a new lifestyle since being brought to the savannah. Lithe and nimble for how huge they are, a Rukanine can easily pounce upon a Fengdo's back and wear at its throat with narrow, pointed teeth until its prey collapses. The Kabeshi people provide Rukanines with distilled water, and in return are left Fengdo carcasses to butcher for meat. As a result of moving to a warmer habitat, Rukanines of the Kabesh now only have thin patches of red fur across their body, their bare skin a pale brown. These ruffles of fur remain for attracting mates and display purposes.

Natural Resources

The process of distilling the ocean salt water is the only way that the Kabeshi people were able to develop and secure a successful existence upon the savannah.
Within the flooded caverns of the cliffs beside the ocean, iridescent gemstones were found embedded in the walls. Although originally judged as useless, they were eventually used as currency once the number of settlements and goods became too complicated for item trade to function effectively.
The waves of golden grass were believed to be a tasteless, unappealing source of food for centuries, until the paste it makes was seasoned and left to dry. Different flavours of grass cakes are now a frequent, enjoyed form of cuisine.
Fengdo provide a number of common goods. Other than their meat, their hide can be prepared in a number of ways to create armour, clothes, furniture covers and even a type of paper. Bones were often molded into swords and spears, but are now more often used as a substitute for wooden items since imports from the Ugon Forest are rare, such as tools and building supports. Fengdo milk sacs are too bitter to be enjoyed by most, but can be altered to make perfume and paint.
Rukanine fur was once a product of incomparable value but fell out of favour as the respect for their animal companion grew. They are now carefully laid to rest on the outskirts, it beyond taboo to harvest their bodies for materials.

Alternative Name(s)

The Light Lands

Type

Savannah

Included Locations

• Hudalah