Zarebur Springs

Place

Place Name:

Zarebur Springs

Biome:

Springs

Size:

1700 km2

Continent:

Unknown

Subcontinent

Unknown

Geography

The Zarebu Desert is made up of a mixture of sand and stone, as well as some rocky mountains in the distance. There are many impressive structures that were once magnificent buildings, but are now crumbling due to the sandstorms that hit the desert every so often.There is one large body of water in the desert that acts more as a giant swamp due to how shallow it is. This is where you will find the famous Springs. They are thermally active from underground vulcanism. The springs are renowned for their rejuvenating effects. As well, there are several oasis scattered across the desert that serve as nice day-stops for travellers.

The zu'aan people near the spring live in a city called Fal'ofas, which is built into and underneath large mesas. The city is only accessible by a spiral stone staircase that leads deep underground. Why they have chosen to live in a place like this is unknown, but it's not uncommon for the zu'aan to do things in such a manner. It is rather likely the underground location is to defend themselves from kin'toni raids, as well as desert storms. The Zar-rynrak kin'toni Clan is settled in several small villages across the desert, most of them near the Springs themselves.

They live simple lives, raiding nearby caravans for supplies and food. They are kept in check by the zu'aan Fal'ofas guards. The Fal'ofas guards keep them from attacking most travellers on their way to or from the Springs. The zu'aan city guards keep them from raiding the Fal'ofa city itself. The reason why most villages do not directly fight the nearby zu'aan is that the zu'aan provide them with provisions as well as having a non-aggression pact. The springs are named after their ancient chieftain, Zarebur, who was most generous to the original settlers of the desert eons ago.

They in return built many bathhouses around the springs for them to use. Since then, other cultures have also made use of the springs. It's considered to be one of the more popular and worthwhile places to go in the desert.These are the only permanent inhabitants in the desert. Travellers will sometimes stay in temporary dwellings that they bring with them while visiting the Springs. There is also a small island in the middle of the swampy spring that nobody has set foot on. Some superstitions say these islands are surrounded by an invisible field that causes most projectiles to veer away from it.

And not be able to touch them at all. Of course those tales are only believed by the uneducated. There are several locations of interest within the Zarebur Springs, however, only two of the most notable are listed here.

-Refugee Camp: This is just an area where people come to live temporarily while they wait for help or transport.

-Zu’aan Fal’ofas Outpost: An outpost where zu'aan soldiers watch the desert for any dangers or disturbances.

Plants

The plants in the Zarebur Springs are adapted to the high temperatures and strange mineral contents. Most of them are green and photosynthetic. Various types of moss grow all around the swamp, they seem to thrive on anything. They're not delicious but they do keep people alive. There's also a strange vine that grows around the islands; this is called the Gyara Vine and is the only thing that can be effectively used to cross over to the other side of the islands. There are also large mushrooms that grow around the area, they are edible and provide a nice snack for most travellers.

Of particular note are the taredos, which grow near the shores of the lake. They are slightly toxic to most people, but provide a nice buzz to those who can safely eat them. Taredo grow mainly on the small islands in the middle of the Zarebur springs. They resemble large, fleshy mushrooms and grow in a large cluster. These mushrooms can be eaten, however most people feel sick after consuming just a little bit of them. The desert is host to all manner of cacti. These plants provide a good source of water as well as edible berries and fruit, assuming you have a way of getting to them.

In the swamps you'll find ferns, lily pads and similar plants that thrive in wet, dark places. The Sorenson Lily Pad is a large plant that grows in the swampy areas of the Zarebur Springs. They have a very short stem with a thick, green round leaf, and grow in clusters near the shores of the island chain. The lily pads are very safe to eat and are usually free from dangerous effects that other plants may carry. The Sotakian tribe of Zar-rynrak kin'toni is known to use these plants quite frequently in their cooking, though they are perfectly edible for zu'aan as well.

The ikty is a very large, beautiful flower that grows in the swampy areas of the Zarebur Springs. They grow in clusters near the shores of the island chain. Most flowers are purple or blue, however on rare occasions red ones can be found. These flowers can be eaten and taste slightly sweet, and have a cool, refreshing texture. They are said to be very nutritious and give people traveling through the desert a renewed sense of energy and vigor. These plants are not native to the area and have most likely been brought in by travellers or zu'aan looking to make a quick profit. They grow very tall, with a thick green stem and leaves, and large purple flowers at the top.

Although they are not very common, they are easy to spot due to their size. The fruit itself does not taste very good raw, but when cooked the juice makes an excellent substitute for milk or cream in many desserts. The fruit itself can also be made into wine. Finally, the Nalin Bean is a small bean that can be grown in most flooded-field farms. It is not native to Zarebur, but it is cultivated by both Kin’toni and zu’aan settlers. They are a primary export to the Nusuqua Confederation, who once imported them primarily from the now extinct nation of Nalin.

They are then shipped to many different nations on the continent. The Nalin bean has a great many different uses and can be eaten cooked or raw.

Animals

Dangerous and predatory animals roam the desert sands, finding their way through the oases and preying upon anything smaller than them. They're mostly nocturnal and will usually try to avoid anything bigger than themselves, though occasionally they do get a little over-zealous and require extermination.

• The Zarebur Springs are home to an odd subspecies of crayfish. The crayfish here are very large, several times bigger than average ones. They live in the waters of the lake and come out at night to hunt for food, which consists mainly of algae and whatever vegetation they can find on the bottom of the swamp. These odd little creatures native to the desert sands can come in handy as treats when lost in the desert, since they keep a high moisture and water content.

The Zarebur swamps are home to a wide variety of reptilian creatures. In the desert, the heat can be quite oppressive and thankfully these creatures help keep the population under control. These large, carnivorous beasts prowl the dunes looking for food. They can grow up to be larger than an average horse and are known to travel in small packs. The Lurkers may look a bit clumsy at first, but they can outrun a man on foot when they want to. Near the desert sands you'll find a large amount of pests and other disease-ridden animals.

• The yamathi is a very large scorpion-like lifeform that makes its home in the desert sands of Zarebur. The creature is violet and has a bright yellow underbelly with black spots. The creature is not very fast, but they can easily overpower an unsuspecting victim, due to their sheer size.

• The nalin is a large, black vulture that makes its home in the desert. The nalin has a sharp beak and talons, as well as impressive eyesight which allows it to spot animals from very far away. It is a scavenger and makes its living off of the carcasses of dead animals, but will attack weak or dying ones as well.

• The axi-toor is a small spider that makes its home out in the sands of Zarebur. They have very long, thin legs and a large, round body. They are generally a light brown color and hide underground or in small caves during the day to avoid being eaten. At night, they come out to feed on insects, scorpions, and other small prey.

The iuviartor is a small lizard that makes its home in the desert sands of Zarebur. It gets this name from the green shell that covers its back. They are generally a light brown color and are primarily nocturnal, hunting at night for insects, small rodents, and other small prey.

• The Zarebur makivia is a large fly that makes its home in the desert along the shores of the Zarebur Springs. It is named as such due to its massive size, as well as its unique ability to travel long distances with ease. They are generally a dark blue color with bright orange stripes. The Zarebur makivia will often be the first insects to return when a spring dies and reappears.

• The ukkanavi is a small lizard that makes its home in the desert sands of Zarebur. It gets this name from its ability to shoot out small sparks of electricity to ward off predators. The ukkanavi is generally a dark blue color with two orange stripes going down its side. It has small, black eyes and generally walks around with its tail raised in the air.

• The mathria is a medium-sized winged insect that makes its home in the desert sands of Zarebur. It gets this name from the fact that it has a wind-catching tail, which propels it through the air. The tail can be folded in against its hindquarters and its wings can be covered by its hard shell-like back to prevent it from being lost in high winds.

• The Zarebur toriki is a medium-sized insect that makes its home in the desert sands of Zarebur. It gets this name from its large horns and tough hide. The Zarebur toriki is generally a light brown coloration with two black stripes going down its side and scythe-like mandibles.

In short, most of the animals near the Springs are considered either dangerous or disgusting; if it were not for the mystical reputation of the waters in the place, it would definitely not be a popular spot to travel to.

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	Zar-rynrak Kin'toni Clan

Place

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Zarebur Springs

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This article is written by Anima U. Copyright 2026 Anima U. All rights reserved.