I have been living in poverty because I could not see my wealth.
~ Inscription above the door to House of Ceiba's Great Temple
The Land of Gambéywa
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Gambéywa is Lîramor's richest realm, and also its poorest. Plenty of gold can be found in its jungles, and some prospectors have made their fortune uncovering it. Now these rich families form the Great Houses, which control the flow of gold and commerce in the region. By holding onto ownership over the mines, temples, and arable land, the Proprietors of Gambéywa's Great Houses are able to keep power over the poorer masses which support them with labor.
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The original tribes of Gambéywa's plains and forests were known as the Omozí-Zíyébé, or People of the Earth, by the settlers who enslaved them. Today they are free, and wish to be called Earthers since they no longer have cultural ties to the remaining Omozí. Now these Earthers use their colorful textiles, vibrant music, and spicy cooking to distinguish themselves from the conquering Sun Skins.
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The people of Gambéywa are very devout, believing that Yanga, the Goddess of the Earth and Forest, only shows her gold to those she blesses. Even the poorest have faith that with enough prayer and offerings, Yanga may one day bestow prosperity onto them.
The Goddess Yanga was first worshiped by the Omozí who depicted her as a fanged and feathered lizard, but the Sun Skins prefer to present her as a beautiful young woman in prayer. Today, this is how she is most often represented, but her original form can still be seen in more traditional temples. |
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Outside of the cultivated areas, the Gambéyan jungle is thick and remains mostly unexplored. Since there are areas rumored to still hold hidden treasure, untapped mines, and lost cities, more people might venture into these forests if it weren't for the tribes of native Omozí who are said to hunt and eat anyone they come across. It is the feared Ashka'anga tribe of Ishkalpa Forest that keeps the entire area unsettled, wild, and mysterious.
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Cultivating, harvesting, and cooking food is an essential part of Gambéyan life, and even the poorest of families will take great pride in the food they cook. Gambéyan dishes feature fruits, vegetables, grains, and spices, and because many people don't believe in the slaughter of animals, meat is rarely served. |
The Gambéyan people live very closely with nature, and they see themselves as a part of the balance of the earth. They have a prayer that says, "From the earth we have sprouted, and to the earth we will decay, for the touch of our existence is are no greater than the dust created by a falling leaf."
Important Locations in Gambéywa:
Íchaní
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Great House: House of Coconut Palm
Íchaní is the closest port city to the Realm of Bakíra, and therefore a lot of trade takes place at its harbors. Precious metals and gems mined in Gambéywa are shipped across the Gulf of Gold, as well as lumber, spices, and sugar cane. |
Grasslands of Gyúna
These grasslands extend from Gambéywa's Gulf of Gold coast all the way to the Lakes District at Engíwa. It's a wild and unsettled area that is home to savannah-dwelling tribes of Omozí, as well as an assortment of potentially dangerous wildlife. The Golden Road is known to be the only safe way for merchant caravans to pass through.
Engíwa
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Great House: House of Citrus
Engíwa marks the end of the Grasslands of Gyúna and the beginning of Gambéywa's central Lakes District. It's a small town that deals in trade of all sorts and it serves as an ideal rest stop for caravans headed across the savannah. |
Zongo
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Great Houses: House of Ceiba, House of Baobab, House of Banyan
Zongo is the capital city of Gambéywa, and is the most populous city in all of Lîramor. Known for both its lavish Great Houses and its destitute slums, Zongo is at the heart of trade, and gains its wealth from its fertile fields and its emerald mines. |
Monastery of the Witch Priestess
Subscribing to its own version of the common faith, the Monastery of the Witch Priestess is famous for taking a more traditional and sometimes mystical path to salvation. Located just outside of the capital city of Zongo, the faithful of the Witch Priestess practice gardening, charity, and will offer their spiritual services for the right price.
Twé Nyaví
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Great House: House of Fern
Twé Nyaví is the last outpost before the impenetrable unknowns of Ishkalpa Forest. The town is gritty and is a favorite hangout for outcasts, thieves, and those looking to find their fortune in the jungle. |
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Ishkalpa Forest
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Vast and wild, Ishkalpa Forest is not only the home of jaguars and poisonous snakes, but it's still inhabited by the cannibalistic Ashka'anga people. This jungle is also the location of the lost golden city of Ishkalpa founded by a Magician in centuries past. Due to its excessive opulence, the city was said to have made the Goddess Yanga jealous, so she cursed it, and it later fell into ruin.
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Books based in Gambéywa:
The Terra Trilogy
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Terra Trilogy Book I
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Terra Trilogy Book II
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Terra Trilogy Book III
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Other Realms of Lîramor ~
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