Iénemora

General introduction

Far to the Northeast of the Confederation of Tarrabaenia lies the province Iénemora, the most forested and least densely settled region of the ten making up this polity. While only few live here, the region is of paramount importance for the self image of the Tarrabaenians, considering it was through the mountain passes here, that Tarrabaenians first set foot on the land, that is now theirs.

Before that, the region was likewise revered by the Duiniken, albeit in another shape and for other reasons. This region also seems to have been inhabited by a population of Joun, which have left some traces on the land. It is for the most part covered with deep forests, more conifers in the North and along the slopes of the Sévo Mountains and more deciduous trees further to the South and West.

Climate and natural resources

The local climate is continental like in the adjacent region Nel Farmilitis. A striking difference, though, is the amount of precipitation, which blesses Iénemora with sufficient water almost all year long. Humid air brought here by winds from the Gray Sea rise on the sides of the Sévo Mountians to the North and the East, causing rain or, high up or during winter, even snow. All the rainfall leads to many small creeks forming and flowing down, mostly in the direction of Nel Farmilitis, leading to a constant supply of water all year round. Even in summer, those small rivulets water the lush forests, although rainfall is more scarce then.

While wood is an important material for building and crafting, most of the forests of Iénemora are considered sacred, so Iénemora wood is only seldomly found outside of the province and if, mostly for construction of religious architecture or implements for rituals. Equally, what could harm the sacred forests, is forbidden, so there is not much mining done, except for a short stretch of the Sévo Mountains close to Tebrina. Here ores of iron and copper as well as garnets and emeralds, making it the only known spot in Tarrabaenia, where emeralds can be mined. Probably the most important goods to come out of the region are the creeks and rivers and the treasures they carry: clay and fertile water for agriculture and pottery.

Flora and fauna

Most of the region is covered in forests, though in some places, deep corridors of rocky ravines and gorges funneling crystal clear waters through the landscape cut through the blankets of green. Where the mountains are not too high in the North and East, larks and pines as well as firs make up the majority of the trees. Further down, spruces, birches and maples come into the mix. In the lower stretches of the region, one can find maple, beeches, oaks and all kinds of shrubs like elderberry, sea bucktrhorn, brambles, bracken and other ferns, primrose, ramsoms and cowberries, hazelnuts and so on. The diversity is immense, also because of the many small or smallish subdivisions set by the structure of the landscape.

With the population being small and mostly restricted to the fringes of the region, wildlife is thriving. Of course deers and stags live here, but also giant newts called motula, which resemble the giant newts of the Moiyeli Swamplands, which in turn prey on the deer drinking from the rivers. Interestingly there are creeks and rivers, where rather fish dominate and others, where rather amphibians dominate. Especially the combination of species living here, make the place an interesting one for alchemists. Mushrooms and slime moulds abound, yet at the same time Iénemora is not nearly as dangerous as the Moiyeli Swamplands. The older trees often carry lichen or epiphytic plants on them, which also led to the name selva venúta (Tarrabaenian for 'veiled forest').

Even though less dangerous, there are predators and other aggressive animals around. While elsewhere in Tarrabaenia regular boars live, Iénemora is the only region to have a population of Geltr boar. These are hunted by the woodland sabretooth tiger, the only predator that can overwhelm them. Other predators found here are the cinigó and the shag wolf. Around the waterways, the aformentioned motula poses a threat even for humans. Local áscen hunt especially for cranes and herons here, as they are the birds least likely to find places to hide during the night.

History and culture

Iénemora mainly is so important to and revered by the Tarrabaenians, as through the mountain passes of the Sévo Mountains they here for the first time set foot in Tarrabaenia. For a short time they made a living here, until, after a transitional period, scouts found the more open landscapes further south and west. This drew the early Tarrabaenians out of the forest into the more hospitable parts of the big basin between the Central Erana Mountain Range and the Sévo Mountains. The foundations for worship of gods were already laid by then, so people returned in annual tracks for certain rituals. This became more standardised and ritualised over time, especially with the contribution of Nónius Verimus to the Tarrabaenians concepts of religion and religious identity. The sanctuaries were extended and maintained as service to the deites worshiped and Iénemora turned from a first foothold to a sacred ground of the Tarrabaenian people.

Otherwise the cultural impact of the area is quite low. Only the mines of precious stones, especially the emeralds, contribute something to the crafts of the Tarrabaenians. The high esteem for these bright green stones was inherited from the Duiniken, for whom silver and green are the most important colours. While Tarrabaenians don't cherish silver as much, they love emeralds and adorn especially luxurious items with them as well as grinding them to a powder for use as a pigment in painting.

Noteworthy individuals

Type

Geopolitical, Province