Gauntlet of Green
The Gauntlet of Green is a foreign name for the isthmus connecting Larazel to the continental body of Avetem (which contains Samvara and North Sonev). The region has no "true" local name, as the multiple local cultures and languages all conceptualize and name the region differently.
The Gauntlet is covered in dense tropical rainforest, regularly rained on from storms on both sides of the isthmus. The region is essentially equatorial and is known for its year-round warm and humid climate.
While the Gauntlet's jungles are dense and difficult to navigate, roads across the isthmus have become increasingly reliable for international shipping. More and more merchants have begun to take the shortcut across the Gauntlet rather than circumnavigate all of Larazel. Many local communities have attached themselves to these trade networks, with varying consequences.
Geography
The Gauntlet of Green is a tropical isthmus 176 miles across (around the average width of Nicaragua or Honduras in Central America in our world).
There are a number of sub-regions within the Gauntlet worth noting.
The sections in color represent semi-centralized sedentary states with formal territorial boundaries, as recognized by Orchid of Blue. The black sections contain numerous people and communities, just not in globally recognized state groups.
This map also represents outsider perspectives. There may be territorial kingdoms or federations there that are unmarked on this map.
Ecosystem
The Gauntlet is known for its extreme biodiversity. No scholar or school has yet to even attempt a full catalogue of all the region's plants and animals. The bug variety here alone is astounding. Hundreds of species of butterfly, moth, beetle, bee, and ant all live here - many of them unique to the region. 'Sweat bees', which are low-aggression bees known to be attracted to and drink sweat off of living creatures, are considered a particular nuisance for visiting Humans.
Capucins, sloths, howler monkeys, and big cats all live here. Primates and elephants from Sumaren often pass through here as well, and live here in some numbers. Local communities of humanoids have close relationships with the local elephant populations, living more cooperatively than just about anywhere else.
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