Kûtu

Kûtu

• Detailed maps in the works

The Continent of Kûtu can be broken into three geographic regions, Northern, Central and Southern, which are easily discernible by the “hourglass” shape of the continent. Despite evidence suggesting that Kûtu and Sutân were once part of a larger body of land, they are very dissimilar. Where Sutân is dominated by steamy jungles, Kûtu's Southern and Central regions are open rolling hills more suited to agriculture. The Southern and Central regions are also where the Kêanth, a human culture, has cleared additional lands to make a living from various agricultural ventures, ranging from grains and grapes to sheep and Kutun cattle. The Northern region becomes mountainous, cold and sparsely populated by civilized peoples.

Many have suggested that the Kêanth are a remnant of whatever empire ruled both Kûtu and Sutân in ages past but their architecture, art and traditions dissuade most scholars of this notion. The Kêanth certainly are benefactors of this past civilization, as they have taken advantage of fertile lands previously cleared of jungle by their predecessors and by restoring ancient structures for their own uses. Because of the reclamation of these locations there are fewer ruins upon Kûtu than there are on Sutân, but the Kêanth rarely fully understand these places in which they live.

The wilder areas of Kûtu, remaining forest on the East Coast and the northern region in particular are quite dangerous with Îgœ tribes, amongst other more brutal creatures, dominating where man does not. One particularly nasty, but small, animal that gives everyone pause is the tiny Kîmu frog, whose poison assures the victim of an agonizing death: rapid swelling and a hardening of the skin, the combination of which causes ruptures and bleeding.

Kubanxê are also known to frequent the continent, this trader people doing a steady business with the Kêanth of the Central region where many wines are made from the multitude of vineyards in the area. The persistent presence of the Kubanxê traders indicates that it is a robust and profitable trade partnership.

A diminutive people known as the Œkêtu also dwell in Southern Kûtu in small tight knit communities. They and the Kêanth mostly stay out of the other’s way, as both are settled agricultural peoples with little need for expansion. Conflicts between the two tend to favor the Œkêtu as they are quick and deadly with the Atlatl, and their combination above and below ground dwellings are difficult and dangerous to attack. Most disputes are settled peaceably in consensual trials headed by regional leaders of both peoples, and by 300 F.E. this has developed into a formal and effective dispute resolution system.