Zhosarik
Zhosarik
Zhosarik, known as the Land of the War Bear, stretches from the shores of Vaheem: The Western Reach in the west to the high plateaus of Parika in the east, and from the Salt River and The Vast in the south to the lands of Ragnar in the north.
It is a harsh, rugged, hilly, and rocky region roamed by several nomadic tribes known for riding large, heavy white, brown, black, and golden war bears. These riders prefer a simple, rustic life lived from the saddle.
Along the western edge of the region, situated along the shores of the Vaheem, stand the cities of Quan, Ankphar, Shelmuth, and Inquar.
Climate and Weather
Like most of the Ice Kingdoms, Zhosarik is cold and dry. It is buffeted by steady cold winds from across Vaheem: The Western Reach, which bring some moisture into the region.
During the winter months, Zhosarik and Ragnar are pounded by powerful storms coming from the Vaheem. These storms are known to cause severe coastal flooding, coastal erosion, hurricane-force winds, blizzard conditions, and very heavy rain or snow depending on the season.
Summers are mild but humid, with less bitter winds blowing in from the Vaheem. Autumn is the saving season. As the cold begins to roll in, the hot humidity tapers off, and for a few months the land is neither too hot nor too cold.
Geography
The land itself is rolling and rocky. Each of the cities along the Vaheem is built upon the highest ground nearest the shore.
Moving inland eastward, the ground begins to rise. Large hillocks loom like small mountains, becoming steeper as ravines begin to open. The cold streams run deeper and faster, and the ground becomes covered in thick peat moss and rocky, hard soil.
Thorny scrub bushes, wind-carved rock faces, and tors make up many of the barren patches. Scattered here and there, lone copses of pine trees stand against the open land and provide some protection during the harsh winter months.
During summer and autumn, insects and small creatures thrive. Vast swarms of biting insects, like small black clouds, can be seen hovering above thawed carcasses and dark pools of water as they breed and prepare for the cold months.
Wildlife and Monsters
Zhosarik is home to many large animals and monsters.
The most significant of these are the cave bears that inhabit the region and its islands of trees. Zhosarik is also home to large marmot-like creatures that live beneath the frozen surface.
The region is well known for large hordes of dark albs and a species of cold-adapted basilisk.
Zhournas
The Zhournas are the people who dwell in the coastal cities along the shores of the Vaheem. Their cities are filled with tall, many-spired, crowded, walled homes for the thousands who have found this more civilized portion of the Ice Kingdoms.
Zhournians do not follow the typical class divisions of many larger realms or cities. Nearly all the cities along the shores of the Vaheem were once military posts and settlements, and some were built upon ancient ruins of the Kishian Empire.
In terms of social values and laws, many customs from the south have taken hold within the cities, including slavery, racism, debt-servitude, and similar conventions. However, not everyone in the cities supports these views. Many adhere to the belief that every man and woman should be allowed to pursue their fate without interference.
Jultul’ar Nomads
The second dominant culture in Zhosarik is that of the nomadic tribes. The Ezuma, Brugah-din, Tulmar, and Shasulan are the four largest tribes and refer to themselves collectively as the Jultul’ar.
The Jultul’ar live and die across the open range of wild Zhosarik. They stress self-reliance as a way of life. In such a harsh and unforgiving region, even the slightest weakness can doom more than the frail.
Like many cultures of the Ice Kingdoms, survival skills are taught nearly from birth. By the time a War Bear Rider reaches their teens, they are able to live alone in the wilds of Zhosarik with only their wits and survival training.
To be recognized as an adult and warrior, a youth must survive without water, war bear, or food; locate, subdue, and master their own war bear; and then track down and return to their tribe. Those who survive and return with their war bear are heralded as adults and warriors of the tribe.
Tribal Life
Each tribe considers itself a single family group made up of blood and marital relationships that link nearly every member with one another. Within each tribe are numerous extended families.
Each tribe has at least a dozen families, and the largest boast nearly three times that number. Family groups may range from 10 or 12 individuals to 30 or 50. Smaller families also exist within each tribe and remain independent and fiercely proud of their specific family identities.
The tribes roam loosely defined territories, moving with their herds of elk, deer, goats, and sheep. During winter, they seek shelter in foothill caves and forests. During summer and autumn, they wander the length and breadth of the land.
The tribes survive in the cold, rocky, hilly country by herding elk, deer, and sheep and by making use of milk, meat, hides, and wool. Where possible, they gather vegetables and tubers that grow in the rocky soil.
Tribal Ethics and Slavers
The tribes have a strong ethical outlook. Regardless of feuds or differences, they have never failed to unite against a common threat or mutual hardship.
No tribesman would willingly betray another, not even one from another tribe. Even the most corrupt member would not betray another tribesman. It is believed that doing so would bring a horrible curse not only upon the traitor, but upon their tribe as well. Those who betray another tribesman are executed.
The tribes of the wilds are particularly sensitive to the slave trade. Many times in Zhosarik, the tribes have been targets of slavers and raiders. Because of this, they are known to slaughter every member of any slaving caravan they encounter.
| Zhosarik Information | |
|---|---|
| Type | Ice Kingdom region; coastal realm; nomadic war bear country |
| Region | Ice Kingdoms |
| Also Known As | The Land of the War Bear |
| Borders | Vaheem: The Western Reach to the west; Parika to the east; Salt River and The Vast to the south; Ragnar to the north |
| Major Cities | Quan, Ankphar, Shelmuth, Inquar |
| Major Cultures | Zhournas, Jultul’ar Nomads |
| Major Tribes | Ezuma, Brugah-din, Tulmar, Shasulan |
| Terrain | Rocky hills, high coastal cities, ravines, peat moss, hard soil, thorn scrub, pine copses, cold streams |
| Known For | War bear riders, coastal cities, nomadic tribes, cave bears, cold storms, anti-slaver tribes |
| Major Threats | Cave bears, dark albs, cold-adapted basilisks, slavers, raiders, winter storms, biting insect swarms |
