Geography
A. Plain of FireThe Plain of Fire is the home of the capital city of the Cruor, Tanglisha. The plain itself is what some might describe as a wasteland. The land is barren, save for the banks of one river that cuts through the middle of the area. Along the banks of this river there are certain species of plants that have learnt to survive through the fire storms that give the plain its name.
The fire strikes across the area used to cause wildfires that extinguished nearly all of the life around. These wildfires have died with the majority of the life, but some creatures can still be found near the banks or under the water of the Zankrek River. The Tresh, for example, is a simple grazing creature that feeds off of the incredibly tough plant life on the banks. These attract many dangerous predators to the river, some even capable of killing an unaware Cruor. This is no easy task.
It is the river that manages to bring a strange beauty to the area. Perhaps it is the fact that life can still thrive in even the most desolate of places that brings hope to many. Or perhaps they just delight in the thrill of the hunt. I am drawn to the area to attempt to discover how it is that these creatures can live.
There is something else of great importance along the banks of the Zankrek River: Tanglisha. The city that the Cruor call home.
1. Cruor Capital City (Tanglisha)Unfortunately, and to my great dismay, there is much I will not be able to tell you of the home of the Cruor. The tensions between our two races are much too great for a Despidon to ever be allowed inside the center of the city, or to unlock the secrets of the ancient ruins surrounding a section of the city. I shall do the best that I can, and hope you shall forgive me for the briefness of this section.
Tanglisha is a wondrous city, even by Despidon standards. The architecture of its most splendid districts is able to make one stand in awe and just observe. Like any city of its size, Tanglisha too has slums, but somehow even those slums manage to at least look nice. It is a true marvel of Jaipel, and something that anyone should take the time to see if they can.
Tanglisha is a large city and split into several districts. The largest and most important of these districts is where the leaders of the Cruor population are housed. It is entirely covered in a large metal dome, blocked off from the eyes of us Despidons. The Cruor seem to delight in keeping their secrets from us. This is all I myself know about this district, I am ashamed to say.
The second largest of the districts is where the most powerful Cruor are held, though not those integral to society within the city. They have the most money, or are the most popular among the citizens. Religious leaders can also be found within this district. The homes of these Cruor are large and some of the most beautiful in the city. Perhaps the most splendid home belongs to Ziedag, the religious leader of all Cruor. His home can be found in the center of the district, taller than all the rest. It is made of some strange kind of sheer black stone, and shines when the light reflects off of it. Pillars stand in the front and hold up a small balcony overlooking the entire district. This is just one of the many examples of the wonderful buildings across Tanglisha.
Next is the district where the general population resides. It is what most would describe as a slum, though I use that term lightly since they do not live in horrid conditions. These Cruor are not considered as important to their leaders as the powerful and as such are often overlooked when it seems they have a problem. Here many Cruor could end up living in the same small building, or very rarely, be forced to live on the streets. The government of Tanglisha prefers to ignore these conditions, but does keep the streets clean and enforces the law very well for their citizens. Crime is almost non-existent.
There is a district in the middle of all three that all come to. It is here where trade takes place, where Cruor come to worship, and where the majority of all money is kept. Cruor from all three districts can be spotted here at all times going about their business. Many keep to themselves, save for one buying necessities. This is also where nearly all of the small amount of crime takes place within the city. The Cruor government has attempted to stomp it out completely, but has yet to succeed in doing so.
Finally, there is the Pens. It is the only district with a given name, but also the only district that the Cruor pretend does not exist. It is here where the Cruor keep their captives. They have taken many a prisoner in the wars held against us Despidons or the Ouwolt, and use them as slaves. It is a horrible thing to do, as many of the Cruor populace realize, but still they ignore it. The conditions here are absolutely horrid. Nothing is cleaned, including the corpses. There is an acrid smell in the air at all times, and the captives are obviously underfed. I wish that my people would free our own kind kept here, but realize that no one wishes to ignite another war.
This is all that I am able to inform you of about Jaipel. The rest you will have to attempt to discover on your own. Best of luck in that regard.
2. Zankrek RiverThe Zankrek River is the sole body of water running through the Plain. It starts at the base of the mountains to the west, fed by the water running down after the snow melts, as well as the usual rainfall of the area, and continues throughout the entire plain and beyond, eventually turning north and feeding into the seas. This river is the sole provider of life throughout the entire plain.
Small plants grow alongside the river, providing food for the very few grazers that survive the fires. These grazers in turn provide food for the predators both in the river and on the banks. Perhaps the most deadly of these creatures is something known as the tresh. The tresh is the size of a full-grown male Cruor and covered in scales from head to tail. It walks on four legs, but can also swim quite well. On its head is a single small horn that many a Cruor and other creatures have fallen to.
The river begins in a place that should be looked upon with shame by all people of the Cruor and Despidon races: the Satid.
B. The SatidThe Satid is perhaps the largest territory in the western half of Jaipel, and it is not under the control of any in particular race. My Despidons and the Cruor fight for control of this place in a shameful display of just how deep our biases against each other run. If only I had more power within the Despidon government, I would attempt to stop this unnecessary war. I do all I can already, but it is nowhere near enough.
It is imperative that people understand why it is we fight here, though it is no excuse for our actions. This territory, the Satid, is the ancestral grounds of both of our races. It is where the first Yunot stepped foot on the mainland of Jaipel and how both the Cruor and Despidon came to be. The Yunot colonized this land, and remnants of their traces can still be found.
Certain sections of the Yunot broke off from the main tribes and moved out of the Satid. One took up residence in the Plain of Fire and evolved into the tough Cruor. Another moved farther east and took up residence within the forests there. This group evolved into my race.
It is still unknown to us what happened to the Yunot who chose to remain in the Satid. All we know is that they eventually disappeared off the face of Jaipel. But now, their children have returned to the land that they once flourished in. And their children fight to claim this land in the name of their own respective races. I wonder what the Yunot would think of us fighting today, especially on their ground. Perhaps they would look upon us with disgust, or perhaps they themselves would join in the fight. One can only imagine what they would be like.
It is one of the worst things I can imagine. How can the two groups still fight, seeing what they have done not only to our world, but to other worlds throughout the galaxy? It is a testament, an unfortunate one, to our races abilities to carry a grudge. I hope that one day others will dare to stand against this war and eventually end it, leaving the ands of our ancestors to their spirits.
