Nînglu: Brackish Waters
The Nînglu, or Brackish Waters region, is the name for the densely-forested land in the southwest of Garmadh, that stretches from the foothills of the Ash Mountains to the silty Nînglu Bay. Four great rivers cut swaths through the marshes and forests:
- The Sâr Hul, or Bitter River is the most eastern river, and the second longest in the region. It begins at the base of the volcanoes in the shadow lands to the north, courses through the Sea of Ash, and all the way down to Nînglu bay.
- The shortest and swiftest river is called Mât Hul, or Death River. It is named such because it flows out of a cave on the southernmost tip of the Ash Mountains to the west and takes a rather straight course to the sea.
- The Ronkûrz Hul, or the Deep River is always cold, and it is the widest river in Garmadh.
- The longest river is Glokûrrshum Hul, or Eel River. Its width and winding course through Taushau forest makes it an excellent trading route river. It is on this river that the growing Dalgathu sits, called Jackals Town by those who speak the common creole of man. This is the only thing resembling an uruk city inon the entire continent. Dalgathu is known for its ships and its steel, and often trades with the human city of Iz to the south or raids settlements all across the sea.
Between the Bitter and Death rivers is a land of tall grass, which fades into the Sea of Ash to the west. The nomadic Horseskull tribe– whom the Many Lashes clan of the Ash Tribe often clash with over territorial disputes– traverse this grassland on the back of dire boars. To the east, on the other side of the Death river, the Taushau forest begins.
The Taushau forest stretches from the western side of the Death River, across the Deep River, past the Eel River, and begins to thin out less than a day’s journey on the other side. Taushau is a forest that grows in volcanic soil, which makes this a frustrating forest for a few reasons. First, the rocky forest floor is hard and uneven, making it difficult to traverse with any speed, and near impossible to break ground with pick or shovel. Second, the mineral-rich soil feeds the thick moss that covers the forest floor, smothering out the sound and giving the forest its Uruk name—Taushau translates to Silent Trees. Third, the rich deposits of magnetic iron in the volcanic soil render compasses useless, making it incredibly easy to get lost in. The tattooed and hostile Stained tribe camp in this forest, raiding caravans and waging war on other tribes.
Taushau forest and the foothills of the Ash Mountains are also riddled with caves. In fact, the geologists of Bright Mountain claim that the largest natural cave systems in the known world stretch beneath Garmadh. The Pale tribe dwell deep within these labyrinthine caves.
Closer to Nînglu Bay, there is a stretching expanse of marsh. These marshes trickle in towards the mainland, especially along the Eel River. The Stench tribe, who cover themselves in the marsh mud to engage in guerilla warfare, live on stilt-homes in the lonely marshes.