Sea of Grass

From Mizahar Lore

This article is about a location with its own forum to roleplay in. You can find it here.

The wilderness of Cyphrus is an endless sea of tall grass that rolls just like the oceans themselves. Geysers kiss the sky with their steamy breath, and mysterious craters create microworlds all their own. But the greatest dangers live here in the tall grass in the form of fierce, wild creatures: elegant serpents that swim through the land like whales through the ocean and fierce groups of glassbeaks that hunt in packs and are only kept at bay by fires. Traverse the Sea of Grass carefully, with a guide if possible, for those that venture alone endanger themselves in countless ways.

The Sea of Grass is simply not safe. It is abundantly rich in food and water, but the wilderness owns it. The only people that thrive within it are those that live as part of its greater ecosystem.

In fact, the people known as the Drykas thrive on the grasslands, protecting it almost fanatically. Considered some of the world's finest horsemen, they fiercely guard their territory and are known to kill anyone that traverses the Sea of Grass if they stray from megalith-marked grassland highways that have been negotiated by caravans who tithe part of their goods for safe passage. Others are free to use the caravan route and its smaller branches, which is a southward extension of the Kabrin Road in the north. There are very rarely any people found outside the caravan routes, including slavers and criminals. It is simply too dangerous. If the native peoples don't discover and kill them, most certainly the native flora and fauna will. The natives' knowledge of and sense for trespassers might seem almost mystical in its sensitivity and accuracy, but the truth is the entire region is protected by an ancient magic known as Webbing that crisscrosses the Sea of Grass. This webbing recognizes bloodlines and affiliations. It also allows the Cyphrus Striders to travel at incredible speeds unhindered by the natives. A non-native astride a Cyphrus Strider may make it further in than most people, but they will be eventually intercepted by one of the Drykas to question how they came about the horse.

Out of character note: Unless you are a Drykas PC, affiliated with the Drykas, know Webbing or are otherwised experienced IC with The Sea of Grass, you should not attempt to cross it on your own without a Moderator's assistance unless you stick to the caravan route which is clearly marked by large stone markers and worn wagon-trails through the grass.