U’lar-kweja Ui’stgai’ya Tjau’bi—The Southern Pole
OVERVIEW
•The southern pole of Yautja Prime, this is a place where almost no light reaches. With the planets orbit rotating sideways, U’lar-kweja Ui’stgai’ya Tjau’bi remains entirely at the bottom. As a result, the continent is plunged into near total-darkness, with the exception of bioluminescence illuminating certain regions, plants, and creatures. Only a few subspecies of Yautja live here, as it is extremely hard to adapt to the abyss-like environment.
YAUTJA
•Three main subspecies of Yautja coexist among the dark surface of the continent, collectively known as Arragj-Moun Yautja, or “Southern Pole Yautja.” These would be the Translucent/Ihryi Yautja, the Crystal/Huan-thachak'ah Yautja, and the Star/Aloung-yi Yautja.
Each possess the ability to produce bioluminescence, with the brightness and intensity varied throughout each subspecies. Ihryi Yautja illuminate the brightest, typically living within the darkest parts of the continent. Both Aloung-yi Yautja and Huan-thachak'ah Yautja live within caverns—the main difference being that the Aloung-yi Yautja take an aquatic approach and stay within the pitch black; while Huan-thachak'ah Yautja remain within the brightest areas of the continent, the Crystal Caverns, being the least vibrant with their bioluminescence.
Smaller clans of Jungle/Yinkilohnn-dqi Yautja & Deep Sea/Ka’jutorag-hte Yautja live on the lighter, greener sides of the continent, but they don’t interact with the Arragj-Moun Yautja unless neccessary.
REGIONS & ENVIRONMENTS
•Some areas of the continent are home to an extreme amount of underground volcanic activity, which leads to many areas of the continent being warm and humid to allow resistance from the cold. Several craters and crevices within the ground are sheathed by a naturally occurring bioluminescent webbing, which prevent various fauna from falling inside the holes but still illuminates a bountiful amount of warmth. Due to this, the natural flora of the darkness crowd and grow around these blooms of heat, being a source of light within the eternal night. Some can even be hidden beneath the water, and will occasionally create geysers that can be mistaken for beacons. These areas are often bases for Ihryi Yautja villages, as well as an equivalent of a “watering hole” for the native creatures. Typically, these are known as a “Beaconed Oasis.” A particular grand, uniquely shaped crater found in the northeast island within the watery center is called “Nekyrii’ru R’khi-’yta.”
•In the southern regions, the infamous “Crystal Caverns” are most bountiful. Several tunnels twist through an underground network almost entirely interconnected, with the system earning its name by the large number of crystals, ores, and other unique stones that grow within. The underground volcanic activity is just as abundant here, allowing the birth of an entire new ecosystem beneath the surface. Many of the Huan-thachak'ah Yautja who live in these caves only rise to the surface for mating season, as they are completely capable of surviving without the need to. The biggest section of the cavern deep underground is called “Vakchi Lar’nrach-ku,” which is able to host a livable atmosphere for a variety of flora, fauna, and clans. (Inspired by the Hidden World from HTTYD3).
•The “Rocky Plains” on the black surface are the largest and most common biome in all of U’lar-kweja Ui’stgai’ya Tjau’bi. Like the name suggests, there is miles upon miles of twisted rock and hardened dirt, with many stone formations rising up from the ground like the bones of giants, but due to the constant pitch-black, they’re difficult to make out. Beaconed Oasis’s hosting heat blooms can be found throughout one's journey through the plains. It is not only a prime hunting ground for several Ihryi Yautja clans in search of food, but also a vital region that an abundance of fauna pass over daily. The largest stretch of the Rocky Plains is located in the northwest region, known as “Burag-goss Pithyo.”
•The “Flooded Caves” are a series of caverns flooded by either the sea or some other body of water, typically located in the Northern Islands or the edges of the continent, but can also be found in a surplus on the mainland. The largest of these caverns is inhabited by the Aloung-yi Clan, nicknamed to be “Dahnn Lar’nrach-ku.” Typically these caves, especially the deeper they go, are lifeless and dark, with several stalactites and trenches hidden within. Sometimes they will be filled with bioluminescence at the roof, so much so that they’ll be mistaken for stars.
•There are several bodies of water scattered across the continent—rivers, lakes, coves, geysers, all of which are inhabited and/or visited by the local fauna. Much like its neighboring ocean, Vor'muan-Thwei Ju'dha, bioluminescence can be found in craters beneath the water that will illuminate the surface. But some bodies of water lack any bioluminescence, especially ones in the colder, more desolate regions of the continent, such as the eastern frontier. A famous one would be the “Ju’dha s’ Than-guan,” a completely still lake that reflects the night sky perfectly. Many Arraj-Moun Yautja use this lake as a ritual site, especially for honorable funerals.
•On the western frontier of the continent, the only mountain range bordering the ocean can be found. “Kanihkou'tra N’ithjau’krarh” is almost too small to even be considered mountains, with thin, fang-like formations of rock rising out from the ground. They hug a river flowing out to the sea, with several canyons and crevices rippling nearby in response to the mountains geography. While there are other “mountains,” they are more so considered a wide stretch of hills.
•On the furthest possible edges of the continent, life grows and flourishes in the dim sparks of the suns. These areas are called the “Distant Woodlands,” as most Arraj-Moun don’t dare enter anywhere on the continent possibly touched by the light. The eastern edge, tilted “Z’kuk Dto,” recieves the most amount of sunlight, with at least 9 hours each day where the suns can appear on the horizon. And on the west edge, which receives only 6 hours, is called “Uraja-syra Dto.” Both sides live in a constant sunset.
•Within the Flooded Caves of the Northern Islands—the Elders, Ancients, and Matriarch of the Aloung-yi Yautja thrive. Unlike several other tribes on Yautja Prime, this subspecies is only found belonging to one singular Clan. The entire population consists of hundreds of individuals, all of which are tasked to roam the stars in order to hunt and collect data. Due to this, the only period of time in which the caverns are active and full is during mating season, when the Blooded warriors return home. The entrance to the “Dahnn Lar’nrach-ku” is blocked by water and only accessible through a series of diving and swimming. There is a particular cavern in which the Elders and Ancients guard with their lives yearly, rumors saying that it leads to the bottom of the world—as of what’s truly down there is unknown.
•The territory of the Night Hunter Clan of Ihryi Yautja stretches across the Rocky Plains near the eastern side of the continent, where the least amount of Beaconed Oasis’s can be found. Many members of the clan possess night-vision technology which enhances their abilities to hunt, though typically they hunt for survival rather than sport. They live beside a gorge with tall rock formations surrounding their camp, with common blooms of bioluminescence in the river. The Clan itself is particularly large, so almost the entire flat space they’ve inhabited is full. (Based on the NECA Stalker Predator lore).
•The Yollzanjrr Clan territory is found deep within the central network of the Crystal Caverns, within the belly of Vakchi Lar’nrach-ku. This tribe lives within the gapped walls and among the array of ores, building their hanging village from stone and vines of the underground biome. The Huan-thachak'ah Yautja often hunt through the tunnels in groups that aim to corner an animal, and the Yollzanjrr Clan is no different, despite the game in the Crystal Caverns typically being smaller with the exception of them being faster. And as some of the most peaceful Yautja, they honor their kills before death.
FUANA
•The Akrei-‘var-de is a small, round, frog-like creature that grazes in the Crystal Caverns of the continent, primarily eating mosses and lichens. It has an inflatable, bioluminescent sac around its neck, which it uses to ward off predators by puffing it up. On its back, it carries a shell resembling shards of crystals, coming in a variety of pigmentations. Many Arragj-Moun Yautja keep this creature as a pet, as it’s relatively harmless despite the fact that, if its sac is popped, a poisonous fluid will spew onto its opponent.
•The Than’ritja Mei-jadhi is a large carnivore that roams the Rocky Plains on two extremely tall legs, using its elongated claws to swipe at unsuspecting prey from above. Its bioluminescence is very faint, making it near invisible within the darkness as its pigmentation is completely melanistic, though an advantage to avoiding this beast is its blindness. Many young Arragj-Moun pups straying too far from their clan often get picked off by this creature looking for an easy meal, as it only eats small and medium-sized game.
•The Te’rauta’dqi is a medium-sized flier almost resembling a facehugger, possessing long, wing-like tendrils and an inflated body full of bioluminescence that helps it to float midair, glowing colors of green, blue, and purple. They float above bodies of water in search of small fish to feast on, using an elongated tongue to quickly snatch prey from the surface. They use their tendrils as a sensory organ, as they are also blind and unable to navigate without them. Most Arragj-Moun Yautja hunt them as a delicacy, using their bioluminescent blood for paint, food, dyes, and more.
•The L’hiju-bqe is an herbivorous, primate-like animal found in the Z’kuk Dto, swinging through the branches with their four arms and “false wings,” which help them glide longer distances. They possess two, whip-thin tails and six tresses/frills on the back of its head, used as a sensory organ during the night. Unlike the other creatures of the continent, it doesn't have bioluminescence, as it sees peeks of the sunlight each day, their scales coming in colors of blue, orange, green, and red. Many Arragj-Moun Yautja don’t ever witness this creature in their lifetime, but small clans of Yinkilohnn-dqi/Ka’jutorag-hte Yautja may be visited by the curious animals.
• The Kv’vamedha is a blind, large, low-walking beast with six limbs and a stocky body, possessing split-hooves to help it cross through the Kanihkou'tra N’ithjau’krarh and Rocky Plains of the continent. It resembles a beetle with its thick exoskeleton and large horn front of it’s short snout, using thin whiskers along the lower side of its body as a sensory organ. Its bioluminescence comes in various patterns on its underside, and its shell is pigmented black, dark purple, blue, and red. As they move in herds, many Arragj-Moun Yautja clans will compete against each other so they may claim it as their meal, due to the abundant amount of meat it produces and the properties of its exoskeleton being used for both armor and tools.
FLORA
•The Ell-oain Nahd’dto-di is a small moss-like plant found in the Flooded Caves near and within Aloung-yi Clan territory. Despite its toxic properties, it’s boiled and consumed as an herb to help with headaches and migraines.
•The Lar'tauk Drok'tekai is a large flower that specifically grows beside Beaconed Oasis’s with high volcanic activity, blooming only once a year—where it’s sharp, white petals will branch out and curl like a saluting gesture. During this time, harvesting the seeds of the flower, Shadrokrr-S’pkyuh’ta, is essential for the Arragj-Moun Yautja as they can boost both health and strength, especially for sick children.
•The Al'nagitis-pa-Kiloun is the biggest tree on Yautja Prime, with some being able to reach about 700 feet tall, while its younger counterparts typically reach about 200 feet in the first five hundred years of its long lifespan. They are distributed throughout the Distant Woodlands, more so Z’kuk Dto than Uraja-syra Dto, as conditions must be suitable. Many Yinkilohnn-dqi Yautja consider these trees to be sacred, and often live within and carve their weapons from its wood. It earns its nutrients from other plants and trees, attaching its roots and essentially stealing the energy—the bigger they are, the further out they spread.
ADDITIONAL
•A shrine for Guan Nrak'ytara, the Yautja Goddess of Dreams, is built very close to the Ju’dha s’ Than-guan. This is where most Arraj-Moun Yautja Clans gather peacefully to commence the mating season. Yautja shuttles as well as tents are set up in an array beneath the grand statue, and many young Yautja will go to the starry lake and drop a bone in it for good luck as well as fertility during this time. Yautja of the Distant Woodlands will travel to their respective shrines on other regions of their homeworld in order to find mates of their own subspecies, though some may instead breed beneath Guan Nrak'ytara‘s shrine instead.
•This is one of the two continents that possesses absolutely no city nor major temple. Due to its unsavory conditions, it’s typically left alone by the Yautja government. However, U’lar-kweja Ui’stgai’ya Tjau’bi has the most ritualistic sites out of any continent, and is considered an extremely spiritual, mysterious, and sacred place amongst other Yautja.
•The “Luar-ke s’ Thwei,” or “Blood of the Moon,” is a landmark on the southwest coast of the continent. It is an ancient structure that perfectly traps the image of Yautja Prime’s two moons when they rise over the horizon. For five days at the beginning of each month, when the tides rise and flood the insides of the monument, a green, bioluminescent water resembling Yautja blood will be poured down from the rings and block the image of the moons. This is particularly aligning with females of the Arraj-Moun Yautja, who associate it with the menstrual cycle and birth. The creator of this structure was U'kuand, an ancient Aloung-yi Hish-qu-Ten who built it right after the freedom of their species and the annihilation of the Amengi for reasons unknown.
•The temperatures within the continent, naturally, are balanced between freezing and an autumn coolness. It is not uncommon to receive the occasional amount of snow in certain areas, or even ice in bodies of waters or in the sea. However, what keeps U’lar-kweja Ui’stgai’ya Tjau’bi from becoming a tundra is the amount of Beaconed Oasis’ and heat blooms on the surface as well as underground.
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