The Amapaba Basin, also known as Pwani ya Karibu (Sauti: The Close Coast) by the Zangvebarians, the Obsidiyen Sahili (Common Ofieri: The Obsidian Coast) by the Ofiris, and Tendadi (Hannuan: The Country of Coconuts) by the Hannuans, and since the late 14th century more commonly known as the Apumayu Basin, is a region of the Old Continent located in what the Nordlings call the Far South or "Beyond the Seas." It is primarily known through the tales of Zangvebarian, Hannuan, and Ofieri traders, as well as the exotic products from the region that they bring. Separated by the Apamaban Bay and two mountain ranges, the people of the Apamaba have remained distinct from both the Zangvebari and Ofieri peoples.
Geography[]
A city in the mountains
The Amapaba Basin borders the Zangvebarian Peninsula to the north, through the strait at the end of the Zangvebar region known as Bonde la Nyoka (Sauti: The Valley of the Serpents). At the end of Bonde la Nyoka, the valley opens into a coastal expanse where the strait connecting Zangvebar with the Apamaba Basin becomes visible. This strait, known for its ever-changing width and depth due to the tides, serves as a vital conduit between the peninsula and the larger basin. During low tide, the strait widens, facilitating easier navigation and trade, while during high tide, it becomes narrower and more challenging to traverse. The strait leads to the Apamaban delta, characterized by a labyrinthine network of channels and estuaries fed by rivers originating in the southern mountains, with the Amapaba River being the most significant and the namesake of the region.
To the west, the area near the strait borders the Great Sea, while the rest of the basin adjoins the inland sea known to the Zangvebarians as Bahari ya Biashara (Sauti: The Sea of Trade) or the Sea of Zang to the Apamabans. To the south, the Apamaba Basin is bordered by the Tonati Mountains (Common Amapaban: Sun Mountains), which serve as a natural barrier separating the basin from the rest of the Continent. To the east, the basin is flanked by the Kopili Mountains (Common Amapaban: Crown Mountains), creating a natural enclosure that makes the Amapaba Basin a geographically distinct region. These mountains are rich in mineral deposits, including precious metals and gemstones, which have been historically significant to the city-states within the basin. This abundance of resources has enabled these civilizations to develop technologically to a level comparable to that of the Nordlings and Nilfgaardians.
Climate[]
The Amapaba Basin experiences a predominantly tropical monsoon climate, characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season, typically from November to April, is marked by heavy rainfall, often in the form of intense thunderstorms and downpours. This abundant precipitation nourishes the numerous rivers that crisscross the basin, creating fertile floodplains and lush vegetation.
The dry season, from May to October, brings hot and humid conditions with minimal rainfall. Rivers and waterways often recede during this period, and some areas of the landscape can become parched. Despite this aridity, the basin's proximity to the Great Sea and the inland sea moderates the temperature, preventing extreme heat. Coastal regions of the basin experience a more maritime climate, with milder temperatures and higher humidity throughout the year due to the influence of the seas. Inland areas, particularly those sheltered by the mountains, tend to have a more continental climate with greater temperature fluctuations between day and night.
Demographics[]
The Amapaba people share a similar ancestry with the Skrælings from the Far North but have developed entirely distinct societies over the ages. As the Amapaba River flows into the Sea of Zang, Apamabans are occasionally seen in the ports of the Nilfgaardian Empire and Ofir, although less frequently than Zangvebarian traders. They are known for trading exotic wares such as cocoa and obsidian, which are highly sought after in distant markets.
History[]
Origins[]
TBA
The Amapaban Revolutions (12th century)[]
A rebel warlord during that period
In the 12th century most of the Amapaban city states faced socialist revolutions against the tyranny of the antherion-worshipping priests and puppet rulers. While empowering for the society, the revolutions were not without an unnecessary bloodshed and cruelties. One of the results was the initial blockade of the Amapaban delta by Ofieri and Hannuan fleets, as the rulers of these countries wanted to punish the Amapaban for the problems in trade. The Zangvebari in turn sided with the Apamaba, seeing the similarity with their own fate during the Aen Nílfe occupation, though disapproved the new "dwarf-like" socialist economics of the Basin.
Notable City-States[]
- Kamuljuyu
- Lakmul
- Umarkaj
- Vei'can
- Ximke
Notes[]
- Feel free to edit, for now without removing the existing info.
Gallery[]
Image Credits[]
- Apamaban Jaguar Knight by Manuel Castañón
Trivia[]
- The name Apumayu comes from Quechua apu "divinity" and mayu "river".
- The socialist revolts are a nod to those in South America over the course of the previous century, as well as to the pre-Columbian Inca economics.