The World
Tendaji
Tendaji is the entire area of land in the world including the small island chains surrounding the general land mass. Tendaji houses a complete set of ecosystems from rainforest to savannah to icy mountains and plains. The inhabitants of Tendaji generally live together peacefully with minor situations between sectors.
Dahoma
Dahoma is the title for the general sea. Tendaji is surrounded by water on all sides, and Dahoma is the location of the Sentients. The name Dahoma typically is associated with the deep sea, where the water is murky and dark and nothing can be seen. The Sentients live on the ocean’s floor and the waters are filled with other perilous beasts.
Tendaji Locations
Jauhar
Tendaji’s rainforest is teeming with evolved flora and fauna. The trunks of trees and other plant species that grow near the forest floor are dark shades of blue, purple, and red. The myriad fungi, however, have a tendency to glow, throwing small patches of the constantly dark world into pools of soft, neon light. Colorful crystal formations can be found just about everywhere, clinging to trees, the undersides of mushrooms, and, occasionally, sprouting straight up from the hard, black soil.
At the top of the canopy, where the sun still shines, brightness reigns. Leaves of various sizes and shapes blend together in a photosynthesizing swirl of breath-taking blues, greens, pinks, and lavenders. Here, bright, juicy berries and hard, meaty nuts grow in extraordinary abundance. The explosion of color and nutrition is due, undoubtedly, to the one or two inches of pure, clean rain that falls on the region on a weekly basis. The downside, of course, to the abundance of life-giving rain, is the unwavering blanket of heat and humidity.
Insects comprise the largest percentage of non-plant life in Jauhar. Giant, colorful descendents of butterflies and moths fill the air. Large, branch-sized creatures blend in with the plants on which they live. Bugs flourish in the moist environment. Of course, small mammals can be seen on occasion as well, scampering from branch to branch or skittering across the forest floor.
Tendaji’s rainforest is teeming with evolved flora and fauna. The trunks of trees and other plant species that grow near the forest floor are dark shades of blue, purple, and red. The myriad fungi, however, have a tendency to glow, throwing small patches of the constantly dark world into pools of soft, neon light. Colorful crystal formations can be found just about everywhere, clinging to trees, the undersides of mushrooms, and, occasionally, sprouting straight up from the hard, black soil.
At the top of the canopy, where the sun still shines, brightness reigns. Leaves of various sizes and shapes blend together in a photosynthesizing swirl of breath-taking blues, greens, pinks, and lavenders. Here, bright, juicy berries and hard, meaty nuts grow in extraordinary abundance. The explosion of color and nutrition is due, undoubtedly, to the one or two inches of pure, clean rain that falls on the region on a weekly basis. The downside, of course, to the abundance of life-giving rain, is the unwavering blanket of heat and humidity.
Insects comprise the largest percentage of non-plant life in Jauhar. Giant, colorful descendents of butterflies and moths fill the air. Large, branch-sized creatures blend in with the plants on which they live. Bugs flourish in the moist environment. Of course, small mammals can be seen on occasion as well, scampering from branch to branch or skittering across the forest floor.
Tale
The Savanna region in Tendaji is composed primarily of dirt and soft, off-white sand. The earth is extraordinary cushioned here, like a bird’s down to the touch. All of the plants, grasses and trees alike, have incredibly deep roots in order to reach water hidden underground.
The primary plants that grow in Tale are sharp, crystallized, blue-hued grasses. Many of the living crystals produce strange, liquid-filled pods in order to store water during the dry season. The translucent bulbs are rich in nutrients and provide the Leaf Tribe with their main source of food.
Thick, strangely twisted trees grow in a variety of green and yellow hues. They dot the landscape sparsely, but where they do manage to grow, they grow in thick clusters, indicative of the underground spring lying somewhere hundreds of feet below the earth’s surface.
Half of the year sees a good amount of rain, the sweet, warm showers lasting sometimes for hours at a time. The other half of the year, however, is a hot, moisture-deprived drought. Thus, the few, large animals that live here have evolved in such a way that allows their bodies to effectively store water for months at a time.
The Savanna region in Tendaji is composed primarily of dirt and soft, off-white sand. The earth is extraordinary cushioned here, like a bird’s down to the touch. All of the plants, grasses and trees alike, have incredibly deep roots in order to reach water hidden underground.
The primary plants that grow in Tale are sharp, crystallized, blue-hued grasses. Many of the living crystals produce strange, liquid-filled pods in order to store water during the dry season. The translucent bulbs are rich in nutrients and provide the Leaf Tribe with their main source of food.
Thick, strangely twisted trees grow in a variety of green and yellow hues. They dot the landscape sparsely, but where they do manage to grow, they grow in thick clusters, indicative of the underground spring lying somewhere hundreds of feet below the earth’s surface.
Half of the year sees a good amount of rain, the sweet, warm showers lasting sometimes for hours at a time. The other half of the year, however, is a hot, moisture-deprived drought. Thus, the few, large animals that live here have evolved in such a way that allows their bodies to effectively store water for months at a time.
Sauti
Sauti is an expansive and mountainous region inundated with purple, grey, and mossy green hues. The air here is cool compared to the regions of the southwest. The air itself seems to take on a golden hue, as though the sun is being filtered through a sort of mist. The earth itself is dense and craggy, unfit to support a large variety of life.
Pools of water can be found throughout the region. The most common water bodies are puddle-sized, settled within the bottom of the rocky valleys. However,
there are some areas in this region that support water bodies the size of small lakes. Around these areas, food can be found in the greatest abundance. The protein-packed fauna often visit these watering holes. Roots and other such vegetation can also be found, but it is sparse, so it is of utmost importance to be wary of how much you take.
It is nearly impossible to create a stable settlement in the mountainous region, due to the sparsity of food sources and the difficult terrain. A few, small locations have managed to support settlements. However, for the most part, those who live in Sauti have taken up a nomadic style of life.
Sauti is an expansive and mountainous region inundated with purple, grey, and mossy green hues. The air here is cool compared to the regions of the southwest. The air itself seems to take on a golden hue, as though the sun is being filtered through a sort of mist. The earth itself is dense and craggy, unfit to support a large variety of life.
Pools of water can be found throughout the region. The most common water bodies are puddle-sized, settled within the bottom of the rocky valleys. However,
there are some areas in this region that support water bodies the size of small lakes. Around these areas, food can be found in the greatest abundance. The protein-packed fauna often visit these watering holes. Roots and other such vegetation can also be found, but it is sparse, so it is of utmost importance to be wary of how much you take.
It is nearly impossible to create a stable settlement in the mountainous region, due to the sparsity of food sources and the difficult terrain. A few, small locations have managed to support settlements. However, for the most part, those who live in Sauti have taken up a nomadic style of life.
Zena
The region of Zena occupies the north-eastern most part of Tendaji. As such, it is undeniably the coldest area in the land. The rocky, mountainous terrain is almost always covered in a thick layer of ice and snow, making it a beautiful, yet treacherous place in which to live.
Greys and blues are the dominant hues in Zena, and all of it glitters spectacularly whenever the sun shines through to hit the frozen landscape. However, as often as it is sunny, it is windy; fierce, cold air that is capable of piercing through even the thickest fur. Thankfully, there are plenty of shallow caves in which to take shelter, should such a storm hit, but there are not too many creatures who live in Zena. Only the most well-adapted make this land their home.
Surprisingly, the animals that do dwell in the region provide a large amount of food, and water is never in short supply, but people must work together to survive; there are very few nomads here. Zena has more settlements than its neighbor, Sauti, but the people are protective of their resources; they do what they can to survive.
Zena Caves
Zena caves are a treasure hunter’s dream, filled with treasures of all sorts, but also with powerful enemies. The caves can be entered at the base of the mountains and different pathways lead out to different areas of the mountains.
Mount Xi’i
Mount Xi’I is a monumental icon for the inhaitants of Zena. It is the largest peak in Tendaji and an area of ritual secluded from most of the inhabitants of the world.
The region of Zena occupies the north-eastern most part of Tendaji. As such, it is undeniably the coldest area in the land. The rocky, mountainous terrain is almost always covered in a thick layer of ice and snow, making it a beautiful, yet treacherous place in which to live.
Greys and blues are the dominant hues in Zena, and all of it glitters spectacularly whenever the sun shines through to hit the frozen landscape. However, as often as it is sunny, it is windy; fierce, cold air that is capable of piercing through even the thickest fur. Thankfully, there are plenty of shallow caves in which to take shelter, should such a storm hit, but there are not too many creatures who live in Zena. Only the most well-adapted make this land their home.
Surprisingly, the animals that do dwell in the region provide a large amount of food, and water is never in short supply, but people must work together to survive; there are very few nomads here. Zena has more settlements than its neighbor, Sauti, but the people are protective of their resources; they do what they can to survive.
Zena Caves
Zena caves are a treasure hunter’s dream, filled with treasures of all sorts, but also with powerful enemies. The caves can be entered at the base of the mountains and different pathways lead out to different areas of the mountains.
Mount Xi’i
Mount Xi’I is a monumental icon for the inhaitants of Zena. It is the largest peak in Tendaji and an area of ritual secluded from most of the inhabitants of the world.
Oba
The nation of Oba holds the largest amount of inhabitants not just in ratio to its size, but in raw numbers as well. Oba holds more than half of Tendaji's total inhabitants, its cities large and well equipped to handle the massive amounts that reside there. Their buildings are very seldom one story, many in the largest cities stretching toward the sky enough to hold ten to fifteen families per building. Their homes are mainly made with clay packed together, but it is reinforced with wood in order to sustain the growing upward habits of the cities.
Oba as a terrain is hot and sweltering, their water supplies located in springs and lakes bubbling from two general areas. The farther from a water source, the more like desert the terrain becomes. Trees are seldom found in Oba, instead replaced by hardy, dry grass and brush that can survive the desert environment. The lands are sweltering hot in the day and drop to low temperatures in the night, the sand not retaining any of the heat of the day.
The south of Oba consists entirely of beach, allowing for a prosperous fishing community to the south, and the west of Oba boarders Tendaji, allowing for the supply of lumber to the rest of Oba.
Matori
Matori is the smallest area in Tendaji, surrounding a large inlet in the south-eastern end of Tendaji. The entire nation is nearly all coastline and beach, leading to tropical lives and culture. The buildings of Matori are small and clustered together, with breezeways and open designs to allow for airflow, but can be closed up when the rains come.
Matori endures rains on almost a daily basis, ranging from half an hour to (rarely) all day, but provide the people with drinkable water to store and use. Since Matori's entire land lines coasts and beaches, fresh water is hard to come by and typically takes a trip of three to four hours to reach the nearest stream or brook. Cliffs line the northern edge of Matori, becoming a natural border to their nation, but also cuts them off from Sauti and most of Tendaji. Usually along this cliff face is where most freshwater can be found through the waterfalls leaving Sauti and entering Matori. The land is sandy to say the least, with patches of dry grass and sparse trees popping up randomly on the land, and farther back towards the northern and western edge jungle-like forests rooting themselves in to secure a source of lumber and vegetation to survive on. In these jungles, the people of Matori have managed to introduce animal farming.
The island chain to the south of Matori is known as the Market Isles and is the main source of trading in Matori and to Oba.
Matori is the smallest area in Tendaji, surrounding a large inlet in the south-eastern end of Tendaji. The entire nation is nearly all coastline and beach, leading to tropical lives and culture. The buildings of Matori are small and clustered together, with breezeways and open designs to allow for airflow, but can be closed up when the rains come.
Matori endures rains on almost a daily basis, ranging from half an hour to (rarely) all day, but provide the people with drinkable water to store and use. Since Matori's entire land lines coasts and beaches, fresh water is hard to come by and typically takes a trip of three to four hours to reach the nearest stream or brook. Cliffs line the northern edge of Matori, becoming a natural border to their nation, but also cuts them off from Sauti and most of Tendaji. Usually along this cliff face is where most freshwater can be found through the waterfalls leaving Sauti and entering Matori. The land is sandy to say the least, with patches of dry grass and sparse trees popping up randomly on the land, and farther back towards the northern and western edge jungle-like forests rooting themselves in to secure a source of lumber and vegetation to survive on. In these jungles, the people of Matori have managed to introduce animal farming.
The island chain to the south of Matori is known as the Market Isles and is the main source of trading in Matori and to Oba.
Yael
The Island of Yael is the largest island known to Tendaji, reaching about a quarter of the size of the mainland. Not having known the detoxifying qualities of the Alkidikes' mother tree Aisha, the soil of Yael is dangerously full of toxins and chemicals. The yaeli seem to have adapted biologically to the toxins, but have left them with odd physical traits in the process.
The land is covered in tropical forests, releasing enough oxygen into the air that the humidity is seen as a mist through most of the day on the island. The ground underfoot is made of a close relative to limestone, creating a very porous terrain with fully developed underground caves and rivers. Opening to these cave systems are deep chasms in the ground, usually filled with fresh water. The foliage on Yael has learned to live with the rocky ground and can commonly be seen wrapping around the large rock formations, creating a false idea of ruins throughout Yael.
At the southern end of the island is a large volcano. There are no accounts of the volcano ever becoming active, but when the earthlings that were to become the Yaeli first were dumped on the island there were no traces of previous inhabitants to ask or learn from.
The Island of Yael is the largest island known to Tendaji, reaching about a quarter of the size of the mainland. Not having known the detoxifying qualities of the Alkidikes' mother tree Aisha, the soil of Yael is dangerously full of toxins and chemicals. The yaeli seem to have adapted biologically to the toxins, but have left them with odd physical traits in the process.
The land is covered in tropical forests, releasing enough oxygen into the air that the humidity is seen as a mist through most of the day on the island. The ground underfoot is made of a close relative to limestone, creating a very porous terrain with fully developed underground caves and rivers. Opening to these cave systems are deep chasms in the ground, usually filled with fresh water. The foliage on Yael has learned to live with the rocky ground and can commonly be seen wrapping around the large rock formations, creating a false idea of ruins throughout Yael.
At the southern end of the island is a large volcano. There are no accounts of the volcano ever becoming active, but when the earthlings that were to become the Yaeli first were dumped on the island there were no traces of previous inhabitants to ask or learn from.
Chibale Isle
Located on the two islands west of Jauhar, Chibale is the home of all Alkidike. Their grounds are firmly protected and house the sacred Tree of Aisha, the birthplace of this strange species. Alkidike that have moved off Chibale return once a year for the sacred ritual of Creation, such a heavily kept secret that no one knows what goes on during this time.
This area of Tendaji is restricted to members of the Alkidike only. It is in this area that breeding little ones take place.
Tree of Aisha
The Tree of Aisha is the sacred landmark to the Alkidike and the birthplace of all of their people. Only a special few can enter the area in general and even fewer watch over the birthing process.
Located on the two islands west of Jauhar, Chibale is the home of all Alkidike. Their grounds are firmly protected and house the sacred Tree of Aisha, the birthplace of this strange species. Alkidike that have moved off Chibale return once a year for the sacred ritual of Creation, such a heavily kept secret that no one knows what goes on during this time.
This area of Tendaji is restricted to members of the Alkidike only. It is in this area that breeding little ones take place.
Tree of Aisha
The Tree of Aisha is the sacred landmark to the Alkidike and the birthplace of all of their people. Only a special few can enter the area in general and even fewer watch over the birthing process.