Western Lowlands: Difference between revisions

|Image=[[File:Great Reden Swamp.jpg|center|frameless|Ginquil Swamp]]

{{center|The Ginquil Swamp in the Western Lowlands}}

|Size=136,720 mi² (354,103 km²)

|Introduction=The '''Western Lowlands''' are a geographic region of [[Balúrail]] covering more than half of it. They are known for their vast swamps and peat bogs and are the center of [[Tuzquão]] civilization. Most of the people of the [[League of Balúrail]] live there, including in its capital and largest city, [[Têr]].

|History==== Formation ===

During the [[Great Erosion]], [[Aahi]] forced her way into [[Dalel]], and the western lowlands of Balúrail were inundated. [[Yairan]] hardened the earth to halt the erosion, but the water was left with no path to escape. The region became a vast mudflat, which over time divided into the network of swamps, bogs and lakes that remains today.

 

=== Human settlement ===

The Tuzquão first landed at [[Saindo]], in present-day [[Gostiria]], in 201 ME. From there they spread across most of the Western Lowlands, settling on the drier ground and the coast and learning to build on the uneven, waterlogged terrain. They also came under the influence of the Ascendant Spirit [[Mavai]], who has been their main spiritual influence since then. As the Tuzquão expanded, the Mifajene were displaced from most of the lowlands and are now largely confined to the [[Mifajene Reservation]] in the northwest.

 

In recent years Tahami has grown hostile to Tuzquão expansion, and the wetlands have begun to encroach on settled land.

|Geography=The Western Lowlands occupy the west and south of Balúrail: the land from the western coast east to the [[Diate River]] and its tributaries, and, east of the Diate, the coastal plain along the south coast of [[Gostiria]], which takes in the [[Egoaldigo Swamp]] and reaches north to just south of the Itanha Forest, where the [[Eastern Highlands]] begin. They include the peninsula of [[Ivaiê]] in the southwest and the [[Mifajene Reservation]] in the northwest. The land is largely peat bog, with patches of solid ground between the bogs and light forests scattered across the region. The drier ground is fertile and supports Tuzquão agriculture. Most of the rivers of the lowlands rise in the highlands and flow west and south to the sea.

 

 

Ezinco holds three large lakes, [[Lake Arco]], [[Lake Onzirro]] and [[Lake Lebolur]], and the [[Onzirro River]] and [[Minope River]]. In Ivaiê are [[Lake Tatube]] and [[Lake Donal]], from which the [[Gal River|Gal]] flows. [[Lake Urdim]] lies north of [[Lusbá]] in Gostiria.

Most of the League's cities lie in the lowlands, on dry ground or on the coast. Têr is by far the largest, with about 300,000 people, followed by Ivaiê (94,000), Lusbá (55,000), [[Banim]] (48,000) and [[Ezinco (City)|Ezinco]] (30,000). Saindo, in Gostiria, was the first human settlement in Balúrail.

Balúrail is the coldest region of [[Méniail]], and the Western Lowlands have long, cold winters with extended freezing periods and short, warm summers. Mist is frequent. Ezinco receives the most rainfall in the League of Balúrail.

* [[Porondo]] – a fungus that grows on the borders of swamps. Its spores can invade a victim and kill them slowly. It is often cultivated for poison.

* [[Sejene]] – the peat moss that makes up most of the swamps in the Western Lowlands.

* [[Sendive]] – a valuable fruit known for its healing properties.

* [[Lersum|Lersuns]] – a large bird that can swim rapidly underwater.

* [[Oimão|Oimãos]] – a lizard with a venomous bite.

* [[Quelotoxe|Quelotoxes]] – a large insect, territorial and known to attack people.

* [[Aerbicar|Aerbicars]] – large, peaceful mammals that live in the swamps. Their wide hooves let them walk on peat bogs.

|Government and Politics=The Western Lowlands are governed by the League of Balúrail.

|Economy=The economy of the Western Lowlands rests on the swamps and the coast. Peat cutting is a common occupation, and the swamps yield valuable medicinal herbs and berries. Farming is carried out on the drier, fertile ground, and the light forests supply timber. Shipbuilding and sea trade are centered on the ports of Têr, Gostiria, Ivaiê and Ezinco. Pilgrims to the House of Tahami often set out from the port of Ezinco.

|Demographics=The Western Lowlands have about 1.7 million inhabitants, about 85 percent of the population of the League. The great majority are Tuzquão. About 60,000 Mifajene live on the Mifajene Reservation. Immigrants from other regions make up a small part of the population of the larger port cities. Because the swamps leave little usable land, settlement is concentrated on dry ground and along the coast, and nearly two-thirds of the people live in towns and cities.

|Transportation=Transportation in the Western Lowlands relies on a patchwork network of roads and on boats. Because of the swampy ground and frequently impassable terrain, travel between divisions is often difficult. The only railways in the lowlands are in Gostiria and the District of Têr. Roads are often flooded or washed out. The deepwater ports of Têr, Ezinco and the coast of Gostiria connect the lowlands with the rest of Balúrail and beyond.

Mavai's influence is held to shape the Tuzquão character, which is widely described as secretive and conspiratorial but driven to seek out answers. The Mifajene revere Tahami as father and god, build their settlements with his [[Osia]], and hold a yearly festival in his honor. Most Tuzquão regard the swamps as obstacles to be overcome.