Eastern Jungle
The Jungle itself is full of hatred...
The smallest of Thanged's major biomes but also the most mysterious and forboding, this incredibly dense forest is crowned by a nearly impregnable canopy. Precious little sunlight filters through, yet the ground teems with all manner of vegetation. Home to the treacherous Natives and a mysterious sect of reclusive warrior-women, no city-born or freelander would dare set foot within unless incredibly desperate or incredibly foolish. Within the shadowy depths lie the ruins of a vast sophisticated complex that point to the existance of something far more powerful and ancient than even the gods. Despite being seasonally battered by powerful storms that can topple trees the size of skyscrapers, the Jungle never seems to shrink or lose acerage. In fact trees that take centuries to grow seem to keep cropping up overnight. Filled with horrifying beauty and the source of so much sorrow from the First Contact to Vthia's Vengeance, as of late King Torke of Bainshaebo has placed a permanent interdict on the region for freelanding youths. Brash warriors who disregard these warnings and venture within are not expected to be seen again.
Geography
Precious little is known of the Jungle, even to this day. Pegacorns in their heyday were loathe to approach the region unless expressly ordered to and the sophisticated Pegasi care even less to explore its depths without sufficient numbers and a great purpose. The region occupies roughly one fourth of the northern hemisphere with an incredibly ancient mountain range nestled within. Despite the tempting promises of untold wealth and resources, the risk always outweighs the rewards. The halfway point between the eastern-most wall of Bainshaebo and the Jungle itself serves as the line of demarcation between territory claimed by city-born Thangiens and territory ceded to the Natives.
Ecosystem
Vthia had every intention of studying the flora and fauna of the region, from the constant battles between gherfen and Pei to the multitudes of insects which call the towering trees and rotting trunks home. Sadly her expedition was derailed with the senseless murder of her daughter and many of her company.
Ecosystem Cycles
The Jungle guards its prized hardwoods jealously, but only a force mightier than itself can wrest free precious trunks each season. Roth's Edict forbids the plundering of the land, even the hateful forest, but caevas claws can fell several trees in a single pass. During the chaotic Storm Season, lumberjacks from Bainshaebo eagerly await such fellings and make haste to harvest and transport the bounty before insects (or worse) can claim it.
Localized Phenomena
Storms frequently batter the fringes but have never been observed to strike at its heart, almost as if repelled by some unknown force, or perhaps the canopy's sheer density prevents localized storms from forming directly overhead.
Climate
Even with the light of the Twin Suns, sections of interior seem cool and damp, almost chilling. This is strongly attributed to its proximity to the Northern Ring and the dense canopy shunting off a great deal of heat. On rare occasions explorers could even see their breath fogging, leading to wild beliefs that such cold indicates the presence of vengeful spirits. Areas closest to the fringe tend to be very humid due to more sunlight.
Fauna & Flora
Aside from the endlessly bickering gherfen and Pei, scholars have yet to identify newer species unique to the region. Tree bears, despite their name, prowl the circumference of the Jungle, but do not dwell within. The Richtho plant, which seems to prosper everywhere else in Kundain, cannot be found growing natively and must be carried in bundles if a traveller requires access to healing. Loggers have noticed Pei and gherfen seem to be actively fleeing the area of the Jungle closest to the infamous Lost City, but from what they cannot say for certain. The remnants of the embittered Natives have never regained sufficient numbers to pose a real threat to any save the unlucky traveller.
Perhaps the most well-known and dangerous denizen of the Jungle is the hulking Pegotaur, a territorial beast of immense strength. Erroneously believed to be a "missing link" preceding the Grand Cresta, scholars believe Pegotaur are remnants of a far more ancient and mysterious Power. While observed to be primarily herbivorous, Pegotaur have been known to slice entire trunks through with a swipe of their long digits when pursuing targets. They seem more interested in chasing away trespassers to their territory than actually harming them.
Natural Resources
Ore
-Unknown. Deeper surveys have never been conducted, though the presence of the Lost City indicates a hidden source for so much infrastructure.Minerals
-Unknown. The rampant failure of expeditions has yielded at best inconclusive data.Oil
-Unknown. The plethora of biodiversity indicates the potential for vast resevoirs, but unlike the Southern Salt, such deposits have not been observed to be naturally occuring near the surface nor readily accesible.Sulfur
-Unknown. If the Jungle boasted a volcanic hotspot it has long since cooled. Any deposits-crystalline or otherwise- likely remain buried deep under twining roots.Precious and Semiprecious Gems
-Unknown. The lack of any new mining endeavours in recent ages leaves much potential untapped, and the great quarries have not yielded much by way of samples. The idea of an ancient gemstone mine has percolated in adventurers, likely spurred by myths from the Oldworld.Biomass
-Extremely Abundant. The Jungle boasts such density researchers suspect both Kundain and Southern Salt regions compressed together could barely match its biodiversity.Hardwoods
- Extremely Abundant. SOME good seems to come from the Eastern Jungle it seems when it comes to very expensive wooden furniture. The scraggly trees of Kundain or spongy stands of the Salt do not compare to the immense trunks yielded from seasonal storms. A single trunk can furnish an entire mansion with leftovers to spare.Stone
-Extremely Abundant. The builders of the Lost City had to have sourced their material from somewhere, and it wasn't until Roth herself toured the interior did she find out from where. White stone formed much of Thananagreia, and in recent years Roth has let stoneworkers in on her little secret, permitting small harvesting teams with heavy Pegasi support to extract stone since the quarries existed many eons prior.Water
-Extremely Abundant. It is suspected a colossal reservoir sourced by the Northern Ring or multiple underground springs keeps the Jungle constantly nourished, as rainfall alone-however generous- could not explain such lush vegetation. Vthia made note of freshwater springs in her initial venture, but did not properly map them before being sidetracked.History
Bainshae and Kundai mused in their earliest writings that the Jungle held untapped potential, but the tantalizing mystery and hope of discovery quickly turned sour with the assault on the architects' camps and their horrific murder. Ritho, or Rihyo as she was known back then, laid waste to vast swathes of the region, pancaking the majority of the Lost City in her fury, but even the wrath of a God could barely dent the forest. Eons later Deres' clever but impulsive granddaughter Vthia led a well-equipped expedition to peel away the mystery surrounding the Jungle only to encounter untold sorrow, costing Vthia her youngest daughter and several strong men and permanently destroying any hope of reconciliation between Natives and city-born.
City-born had gotten so accustomed to the ill-repute of the Jungle it came as a genuine shock when a Oldworlder arrived claiming to have crash-landed his vintage aircraft in the canopy and only narrowly escaped thanks to the intervention of a Pegotaur. What was initially dismissed as dumb luck quickly turned to divine favor as this Man from the Oldworld quickly became one of Thanged's most popularized heroes, immortalized alongside the likes of Das Anazhar and Queen Danaetanera III.
The Far Star Traveller
Aleksander slowly came to, opening leaden eyelids to a blurry palette of muted greens. He shook his head and twitched his arms, feeling the uncomfortable pinch of his harness about his waist: he'd slipped out so much the shoulder straps bit into his hips. His fingertips tingled as he wriggled them to get the blood circulating once more. How long had he hung like this?
He snapped his gaze up when he heard a creak and saw the Silver Archangel shift ever so slightly. A network of scrawny branches and vines held it above the ground, but for how much longer with all his squirming about? He hurriedly fumbled with the clasps to the harness and undid them, clinging to the straps as he flipped backwards and dangled above the ground. Could he land safely? The drop didn't look too great, and the ground looked soft enough. Only one way to find out. He released his grip and plunged, bending his knees and rolling forward the second his toes touched the floor. He scrambled to his feet and stepped out from under the precariously dangling craft.
He sucked air through his teeth when he saw it slip just a bit more and raised his hands as if by force of will he could keep it from falling. The Curtiss seemed to have stablized and remained still before slipping another inch and once more Aleksander winced and raised his hands, hoping the plane would not fall. The vines and branches creaked softly, seeming to tease him with their prize. Aleksander held his breath several moments before letting out a sigh. If he could lash together a crude pulley system he could safely lower the plane intact...
All of a sudden the vines and branches snapped and the Silver Archangel spilled onto the ground, bending the right wing in half and nearly jolting the left out of socket before it settled onto its belly. "No! Nononononooooo!" Aleksander moaned in protest and wiped a palm against his forehead, a sigh of frustration sending his moustache fluttering. He shook his head and stepped forward to examine the cockpit. Thankfully his rucksack and emergency provisions remained intact. He glanced about his surroundings, wondering where the hell he'd landed. It looked like no forest he'd seen. He frowned and turned about in place. He couldn't even hear birds chirping or calling. Where had he landed? He fished about the cockpit for his map and compass.
Events of Fight Alone
In Chapter 15 "The Black Unicorn", the team flies over the Winding White and flies far enough west to come within sight of the easternmost fringe of the Jungle. Although they make camp within sight, their accompanying Pegasi set up a defensive perimeter as a precaution from unspecified terrors such as Pegotaur. The following morning they awaken to see a huge chunk of forest has vanished overnight because of the Black Unicorn created by Phitdaitiarona. Although the local unicorn population arrive to repair the damage done to Kundain, it is unknown whether even they ventured near the Jungle. Cye of the Torrent detected the presence of a colossal reservoir and nearly tapped into it when he attempted to channel the Panthalassa Wave, but Roth disguised as Aurora quickly intervened and prevented him, as such a Power could have had catastrophic repercussions.Tourism
It is a commonly-uttered phrase: "No good comes from the Eastern Jungle". City-born Thangiens are content to leave the Natives in peace, already viewing the region as the source of much woe. Oldworlders might absently inquire but never venture alone, even out of scientific curiosity. Particularly ballsy Freelanders might plumb its depths out of sport or in the aftermath of caevas storms to recover an exposed curiosity. Due to reports from the plains nomads, the region has been deemed too hazardous for scientific study or habitation by city-born.
With the exception of loggers on the outskirts and stonecutter teams sanctioned by Roth herself to operate in the quarries, King Torke of the House of Taurit has placed a permanent interdict on the Jungle. The decree is intended to dissuade youths from choosing it for their tours or thrill-seeking Oldworlders, but it does not always work. It is not uncommon for youths to dare each other to venture within despite none in recent memory returning to tell the tale. It is relatively safer to brave the frigid Northern Ring than the malevolent depths of the Eastern Jungle. Only two Oldworlders are known to have emerged safely from the Jungle.
The Far Star Traveller
Alexander's heart leapt when he thought he spotted something familiar through the brush: the metallic hull of an aircraft. He hastily looked over his shoulder to see if the black beast still dogged his steps but he did not spot it immediately. Surely it wouldn't take offense to him taking a gander. He scrambled forward, watching his step, hoping against hope he'd find one of the others, perhaps even Gage....
Aleksander emerged into the scarred clearing to see not the Silver Seraph, but a demonic black maw painted on the nose and swastikas emblazoned on the wings. The Messerschmidt looked like it'd plunged through the canopy at an angle until it skidded on its belly, only stopped when close-standing trees had sheared the wings clean off the chassis. He stared at the wreck several moments as hope quickly ebbed before jumping with a start and glancing about, wondering if the pilot lurked nearby. The harness looked unbuckled, not torn, and the cockpit looked completely empty, no supplies left to salvage.
Bullet holes riddled most of the chassis, but oddly enough the seat remained intact, and Aleksander knew for a fact he'd turned the Black Maw into Swiss cheese in his fit of grief. The pilot must have the Devils own luck to have survived after all that, or all this for that matter. Aleksander glanced about nervously, worried that each snap of a twig or scrape of dirt would signal his mortal foe springing out to attack at any moment. He wiped his palm over his mouth, knowing that wicked man might still be out there.
He looked up sharply when he heard the rustle of leaves and crack of branches and saw the black beast once more. It snorted and regarded him with its coal-dark eyes in an almost admonishing way. Aleksander's hope had turned into disappointment upon finding the wreck. Now the beast seemed to be saying he needed to keep moving. Aleksander relented and gathered his things, trudging towards the promising tendrils of sunlight. He might never see Gage or the rest of the squadron again, but something in his gut told him he would one day encounter the pilot of the Black Maw.
All artwork used is self-made and belongs to me unless otherwise stated, such as kitbashes and commissions. Age of Defiance does not and will not use or feature RW/YST original artwork out of consideration for the OAS creators