The Clay Region - Yorn

Overview

Yorn is a waterlogged region on the eastern side of Eren, where winding waterways flow into the Frail Ocean, home to Suna. The terrain is difficult to navigate, with land scattered between massive rivers—some calm and meandering, others rushing fiercely. Bogs and swamps are scattered throughout, and the solid ground that exists is often unstable, made of sediment and peat that can collapse underfoot.

Throughout this cradle of life lies a rich and diverse ecosystem of plants and animals. In the deepest parts of Yorn, hidden secrets await those brave and skilled enough to reach them.

At the heart of Yorn stands a sacred grove hidden out of site and difficult to get to, dominated by the towering "Tree of Life." This legendary tree is not only the centerpiece of Yorn but, according to some shamans, the origin of complex life itself, a being more ancient than all other life in which the Clay Gate dwells.

Climate

Yorn is known for its high humidity, thanks to its abundant water bodies, dense vegetation, and limited airflow. This humidity supports lush plant growth and diverse ecosystems in the swamp. The region stays warm year-round, with consistently high temperatures typical of tropical and subtropical areas, showing little seasonal variation. Yorn also gets plenty of rain, including remnants of Suna's monsoon storms that fade out over the area. The combination of rain and warmth creates a persistent mist or fog that blankets the region.

Natural Resources

Yorn's swamps are rich, unique ecosystems that support many valuable resources. However, their difficult terrain and environmental sensitivity make them hard to access and exploit economically. The Clay Region is filled with trees like cypress, tupelo, and mangrove, which are useful for construction. Many swamps also contain peat, a partially decomposed plant material that can be used as fuel or as a soil enhancer in farming and gardening.

These swamps are home to a wide variety of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. They also provide essential services like water filtration, flood control, and replenishing groundwater. Most notably, Yorn's swamps are known for their rare and valuable medicinal and magical plants, hidden deep within. These plants are highly sought after and command high prices as exports, while also holding cultural and societal significance for the local villages.

Society

Yorn's culture is incredibly diverse, with over a hundred distinct tribes and subcultures across the region. To outsiders, Yorn is often divided into two main areas: North Yorn (Grotague) and South Yorn (Riverlant).

Grotague lies closer to the equator, characterized by harsh swamplands and steamy temperatures year-round. Its tribes are hardy, isolated, and often face conflicts with hostile insectoid hives. These towns remain on guard, but some insectoids break free from hive influence and assimilate into local cultures.

Riverlant, the southern region, is more accessible to foreign visitors, especially Eren merchants and explorers. Its navigable marshes and wetlands lack the choking and harsh tangles of trees and vinefilled waterways foster sociable and diverse communities with cultures more familiar to the outside world.

In both the north and south eastern parts of Yorn is where you can find the saurian kingdoms of the lizardfolk. Detoya, a hidden community where Defleo thrive in a close-knit, communal lifestyle is also found in the south east, a haven for these spurned and still to this day misunderstood souls.

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