Mangrovia

»I've never seen an ecosystem as diverse as the mangrove islands«

– Godon, famous explorer

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Map of Mangrovia

Introduction

Mangrovia (Fäbäǵig [ˈfabaˌʁig]) is an important ecological and cultural region in the Medan archipelago. Located in the center of the continent, it's overgrown with thick mangrove forests and endemic sea trees that span oceanic distances. It is characterized by many dense islands, which often form clusters covering several square kilometers. This density made the transitional mangrove forests possible, as seen in the name Sea of Trees.The Ribangese people are the biggest ethnic group of this region.

Since Mangrovia is located in the center of Meda, it has long been influenced by wide array of ethnic, cultural and religious factors. It has seen the large migration of nomadic sea peoples in the east, the introduction of Lusho faith in the north, and years of caste conflict in the polities of the Ribangese peoples.

(Yes, the name of the region is also spelled in my conscript at the top :)

Languages

Mangrovian branch

• Archaic Ribangese
• Classical Ribangese
• Mangi
• Kangan

Nomadic branch

• Kèni
• Rinukapa

Arthropod corpse

The arthropod corpse is located in the middle of the Sea of Trees in Mangrovia, also known under native u-rä-äräǵiz. It is the remains of an enormous dead beetle from prehistoric times, originally engulfed in a large vulcanic outbreak that caused the exoskeleton to be petrified. In the popular belief of the Ribangese and the Ávabuz religion, this is the corpse of the Rábtirif, the great beetle god from which the world was made. The city Qaduga developed near the remains as a popular pilgrim town.

An esoteric festival is held here every year to symbolically bend and reduce the power of the beetle demons. For example, a play is held in which the events of the slaughter are re-enacted. This is performed by professional Ägbänb.

This place is also one of the largest meeting spots of the Beetle Covens, Ribangese cults that worship the Beetle Gods, even though this is heresy and a criminal offense.

Arhi disease

The a̋rhí disease is found in all of Mangrovia. It is spread through the bite of a type of mosquito and particularly affects children, which is why the child mortality rate of Mangrovia is so high. This disease is one of the reasons why the Ribangese are less developed in technology compared to the western archipelago and its cultures.

During the age of expeditions, it became known as the most dangerous disease of all Omoha. It presents with fever, spherical ulcers, and a state of delirium. Those affected secrete a contagious mucus/sweat that requires extreme caution during treatment. Trained shamans, particularly Igbänb, know how to deal with this disease: special masks, suits made of herbs and leaves, and healing pastes applied to the skin with wooden splinters alleviate the fever and secretions. The survival rate is nevertheless very low.

Survivors are often said to have received special protection from the ancestors and to possess a great deal of accumulated good fortune. To protect against such epdidemics, the sick are confined to special "bunkers" where they do not disturb anyone, usually demanded by the nobility in each civilized settlements. When children are born, who cannot defend themselves against crawling insects, a smoke ritual is performed to protect them from mosquitoes. Fine nets woven and consecrated by shamans, traditionally told to be invented by Lagutwa, also help: they are usually hung over windows and doorways.

Coral Pyramids

These ancient pyramids are located north of Libäǵig in the Coral Sea and are part of the Central Empire. Their origin is uncertain, but many believe them to be old Ribangese monuments from a lost time where the Beetle Gods roamed the earth and humans lived in water, surrounded by underwater trees. Back then, Ítmibugwa has not yet defeated the beetle gods and they were given regular sacrifice, most likely on a large scale in these pyramids.

Countries

The biggest country of this region is the Central Empire. There are many other minor countries on the islands too though.

• Central Empire / Rupangri
• Anubsig
• Kupút
• Mamuw
• Qadúga
• Qaqutu
• Taqit
• Tatuhu
• Tiripti
• Warmi
• Xarmuw