Aldah Blackwater River

Place

Place Name:

Aldah Blackwater River

Biome:

Aldah Blackwater River

Size:

Unknown

Continent:

Unknown

Subcontinent

Unknown

History

Historical Overview

The Aldah Blackwater River region once was the home of a great shipping and trading outpost that resided in the zu'aan city that straddled the flowing water. They used the rushing river to transport goods to many different places on the continent. The trading company’s wealth made the city a very desirable place to live for those not a part of the mighty Xerea Empire’s upper echelons. Along the river, there were several small towns and fishing villages that fed goods to and from the city and made the entire region very profitable to those in control of the import and export trade.

When the empire fell and the kin'toni plague swept through the lands, the city shut its gates and prepared for the coming siege. The towns and villages were abandoned for the city or for other territories still untouched by the spreading plague. But once the gates and waterways were shut no one was allowed in. The screams of the abandoned echoed through the minds of those tasked with holding the gates closed. The kin'toni ravaged the surrounding forests while seeking a way to get into the cloistered city. To the horror of the city inhabitants, there was one waterway whose gate did not completely seal.

It was through there that the multitude of kin'toni clans slipped into the city and began feeding and turning all the zu'aan starting with the guards. Once the guards were turned, the gates were opened and the entire city fell to the plague. Many kin'toni decided to stay in the city while the rest continued their conquest elsewhere. Clans were formed and fought for control of the region. Over time some of the clans left to settle in the abandoned towns and villages and rebuilt them in their own style. In the desiccated forest surrounding the vast river several zu'aan sought safety in the trees.

They built small settlements and attempted to make new lives for themselves as they adjust to the new world. The two separated groups were unawared of the existence of the other at first. However once while the two groups were hunting, they both discovered the settlements of their enemies. The clans began hunting the zu'aan settlers and fighting with each other for the right to hunt. The region was poised to break out into all out war, but then the Parakk Kin'toni Clan took control of the city and the region and forced a treaty amongst the warring clans.

Under their reign, the region has begun to flourish and thrading began to resume. However now the trade was in zu'aan slaves being send to different clan controlled regions. The city worked with the other towns and villages to repair the damage to the forest and protect the captured zu'aan settlements near the outer borders of their home. Through their trade they gained access to many new materials and plants and animals. Some began planting gardens of flowers and vegetables, while others trained animals to use in the hunts.

Geography

Before the fall of the Empire, the region was a lush forest surrounding a wide fast moving river that cuts through the entire region from north to south. Along the river there were several small towns and fishing villages leads to and away from a bustling city. The forest rested on the slants of several small hills separated by the mighty Blackwater River. Several rough paths weaved through the dense trees and connected to the wider well maintained road that led to the trading city from east to west. Tiny settlements dotted the roadside to allow travellers to rest during their journey.

In the direct aftermath of the Empire’s fall, most of the settlements in the region were abandoned. The city closed itself off and the region fell into disrepair as they prepared for a siege. The forest began to show signs of overgrowth and several paths disappeared in the face of the expanding vegetation. Even the wide road began to show signs of wear. The banks near the vast river grew steeper and more jagged, When the kin'toni finally came to this region they tore up many of the trees and burned the forest to root out any zu'aan that may have been hidden in the trees.

They ripped apart the riverside towns and villages and cast much of the remnants into the river as they laid siege to the city. When the city finally fell the landscape had become a burn husk of its former glory. Many of the animals that had escaped the destruction of their home did not return. Those that did were the smallest and those that burrowed. They dug new homes in the burnt ground and the remaining trees. Over time the land began to heal as the kin'toni clans that remained in the region built new villages and settlements and repair the damage to the conquered city.

The forest grew some of its lost trees, and drew back the larger creatures. The river was cleared of the largest debris from when the towns had been sacked, which brought more fresh water fish. Eventually several small zu'aan settlements began popping up closer to the borders of the region. The short turmoil over control of the region left minimal lasting damage to the land however it did wipe out a few zu'aan settlements and kin'toni villages before the fighting was finally halted. Under the guidance of the Parakk clan, the region returned to its former glory as a lush forest surrounding the vast river.

While the settlements outside of the city are now lesser in number than before, they are larger to house the numerous kin'toni that live there. Also along the riverbank are several guard posts to monitor the river boats that carry zu'aan slaves in and out of the region. The small zu'aan settlements near the forest borders now act like pens with kin'toni encampments surrounding the entire section to prevent a single zu'aan from ever escaping. Only the main road was restored though without repairs to the paving stones.

Plants

The forest surrounding the Blackwater River was home to many different types of trees, shrubs, bushes, and flowers when it was a trading region for the Xerea Empire. The river often carried water lilies in the spring. Long water grasses and cattails burst from the surface of the rushing river and along the shore line. Dozens of types of moss and algae covered the rocks and trees. The desolation of the kin'toni attack on the region destroyed much of the original plant life except for a few aksa and vahik trees, some shrubs and bushes deep in the forest, and much of the water plants that were saved by the flowing waters.

As the region settled and began healing the trees and bushes and shrubs and moss started to grow again. The clans and settlers brought and cultivated several types of fruit trees and vegetables as they tried to rebuild the region’s agriculture. But it was only after the Parakk clan took control and returned the region to being a trading post that they were able to really restore the plant life that had been lost with some unique variations of trees and vegetables that can grow well in their climate. One of the new plants that the settlers brought into the region was the frtagia tree.

These trees are large and tall with six-petalled flowers of dark crimson in the spring and blood red fruit that is fully ripe in the late autumn. The fruit has several tiny seeds at the core that are barbed and dangerous to ingest, but the red veined pink “flesh” in between the core and the crimson skin is said to be wonderfully crisp and juicy and slightly sweet if eaten once it’s ripe enough to pick. The frtagia are often used in spiced jams and pies that have become a staple of the regional supply trade. An import from the coastal regions that has become a local favourite is the shekoa, jokingly referred to as the koa fruit.

Being a vegetable, these skoa is usually planted in saturated ground near the river banks. The stems are curled and looking like ground bound vines. The bulbous body of the koa is light purple in colour with a thick skin and a pulpy black centre. The pulp and its seeds are edible if a bit bland in taste. It is usually cooked and seasoned to go with a sauce to add flavour. The pulp must be handled carefully to make sure the person doesn’t accidentally dye their hands or clothes and leave them smelling of rotted vegetables. Another import, this one from the mountains, that is popular in the region is the iivora.

Much like the frtagia, the iivora is large and tall with flowers in the spring. The flowers have three petals of lilac blue tinged that fades into white and its fruit is a deep blue with a juicy sweet taste and a heavy solid bulb of a core.

Animals

The wildlife of the region once included a variety of woodland animals and freshwater fish. The zu'aan often hunted animals for their pelts to trade, as well as a myriad of insects for their venom, and even smaller animals for meat and as tracking practice. Kaltr and ika and do'haar and kattia were some of the commonly found fish that were caught and sold by the towns and villages bordering the vast river. Occasionally someone found a water snake wriggling in amongst the net’s haul. When the empire fell and the kin'toni first swept into the region and laid waste to the land.

It sent the majority of the wildlife out of the area in fear of the burning trees and rampant destruction. As the land settle some of the smaller land animals returned and made homes in the remaining trees or burrowed into the ground. Once the clans and settlers began regrowing the region many of the fish and larger animals returned as the forest returned and the river was cleared of debris. When the Parakk clan brought back the trading business, it brought new animals and fish to the region though mainly to be more domestically used or for hunting purposes.

One such domestic animal that is often seen wandering the streets of the city and even in the river towns and villages is the the morthi. These medium sized thi are too wild to be tamed by zu'aan, but the kin'toni are often more capable at earning the respect necessary for these carnivores to listen. They have light brown fur with black stripes and white markings on their face and paws. Their primary source of food is the fresh water fish they can find in the river. They fish them out using their long claws from the shoreline and docks, or swim in the river after any escaping prey.

One of the hunting animals that has been bred specifically for the forests of this region is the canari. Larger than the common daari, the direhound has bicoloured black and burgundy fur with brown marking on the elongated snout and the pointed ears. These hounds are bred for their heightened sense of smell and quick running speed so they can track down their prey quickly and pounce if none of their owners are around. Some have been left to roam the woods to help keep the captured zu'aan from escaping. Another domesticated animal that is kept in the city and used by any patrolling guards is the yoka.

These large cat-like lifeforms are jet black with a blue sheen and hidden spots of less lustrous black amongst their soft fur. They are trained to be docile unless ordered by an imprinted owner to attack. With large sharp fangs and retractable claws these cats are capable of fending off a fit kin'toni if absolutely necessary.

Historical Timeline of Ages

Age Name	Dates	Controller
Stone Age	Before 1E 0	Unknown
Copper Age	1E 1–1E 2200	Unknown
Bronze Age	1E 2200–1E 4400	Unknown
Iron Age	2E 0–2E 700	Unknown
Ancient Age	2E 700–2E 2200	Unknown
Middle Age	3E 0–3E 2050	Unknown
Early Modern Age	3E 2050–3E 2600	Unknown
Industrial Age	3E 2600–3E 2700	Unknown
Machine Age	3E 2700–3E 2800	Unknown
Atomic Age	3E 2800–3E 2850	Unknown
Space Age	3E 2850–3E 2875	Unknown
Information Age	3E 2875–3E 2900	Unknown
Genetic Age	3E 2950–3E 3000	Unknown
Awakening Age	3E 3000–3E 3415	Unknown
Twilight Age	4E 0–4E 500	Parakk Kin'toni Clan

Place

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Aldah Blackwater River

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This article is written by xoishtar. Copyright 2026 xoishtar. All rights reserved.