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The Mayhar Peninsula is a vast region of the Known World, roughly the size of Europe, that straddles the Twilight Reaches. It is largely tropical in climate, warm and wet, save for the regions in the shadow of the Great Ring. Most of the peninsula is well watered by seven major rivers, and countless smaller tributaries. The coastal areas are settled by pirates and a few Keller colonists, but by and large the jungles are inhabited by the Montoc peoples. The Mayhar Peninsula is dotted with the ruins of previous cultures, including ones predating humanity. In addition to the human presence, the mayhar Peninsula is home to vast numbers of Goblinoids of all sorts, especially hobgoblins. Likewise, large numbers of Orcs and ogres call this region home. The entire peninsula is divided into several climate zones, running east to west in distinct bands, all of which are further split by the last 1500 miles of the FarSpar Mountains. Running from North to South, the major regions include:
Southern Marshes - Ironically named since they are in fact the northern edge of the peninsula, the Southern Marshes represent the limits of both Keller and Pershamon civilizations. Before the Keller Civil War, the nation of Terathmin considered this the edge of it's territory. Beyond the marshes lie only deadly wilderness unsuitable for conquest of colonization. The Pershamon also saw no gain to further expansion, and chose instead to build fortifications along a low mountain range to discourage slave revolts and Goblin invasions. Before the actual marshes begin, a small region of productive land populated largely by dissidents and escapees make their homes in small, well hidden villages and caves. The actual marshes follow the course of two large rivers that sit nearly on the edge of the shadows of the Great Ring. This makes the weather somewhat unpredictable, but rain is reliable. The marshlands are rich in life, but travelers and explorers will be most concerned by the large numbers of dinosaurs and orc tribes that can be found here. In fact, some sages describe this area as the "Orc Swamps", saying that it belongs to them outright.
Shadow Steppe - As the sun gives out behind the Great Ring, so do the rains. The rolling plains of the Shadow Steppe receive dim, intermittent light during the day, but most nights are dimly lit due to the presence of the Great Ring. The plants that can be found resemble those of the tundra in some ways, but adapted more to the tropical heat. Some plants have adapted by becoming carnivorous... trapper plants which sit and wait long periods for prey are not uncommon. Most of the Shadow Steppe is covered in rolling grasslands, low scrubby forests of shade-tolerant trees and long stretches of heavily eroded, inhospitable terrain. Much like the Southern Marshes, the main denizens of the Shadow Steppe are Orcish nomads, who travel in groups from water source to water source, hunting the various animals that make their way across the Shadow Steppe from time to time. Several orcish kingdoms have sprung up along the border between marsh and steppe - the hunting is better in the marsh, but conditions are more comfortable in the steppe lands. Great Hellmarsh - Another transition zone between light and shadow, the Great Hellmarsh is named for its masters, the Hobgoblins who dwell in the mountains in the center of the peninsula. The Hellmarsh is dotted with small fortified goblin towns, built on rock pilings above the waters. Several small kingdoms are thought to exist, all paying fealty to a central kingdom located in the mountains. It is believed that the hobgoblins are advanced enough to maintain a civilization, while goblins are used as slaves or pests. Bugbears fill the role of "barbarians", representing either a threat or a source of muscle depending on the situation. Scholars of the region believe that the goblinoid incursions that spill out of mountainous areas throughout the Known World originate from this region, via hidden pathways along the FarSpar Mountains. Many sages also believe that the Hobgoblins are benefiting from or perhaps are led by something dwelling in the Mayhar Peninsula, something older even than the elves.
Mayhar Jungles - Roughly half of the Mayhar Peninsula is occupied by the Mayhar Jungles, a vast region of tropical rainforests covering millions of square miles. Crossed by countless rivers large and small, the Mayhar Jungles are dotted with the innumerable vine-covered ruins of fallen civilization, both human and otherwise. Currently inhabited mainly by humans of Montoc origin, the Mayhar Jungles teem with life in all forms and variety. Most of the Montoc here, unlike their more advanced cousins across the seas, are fairly primitive tribesmen who distrust all outsiders.They are willing to conduct trade with Montoc from the Savage Lands. Goblinoids from the north frequently raid and even invade the jungles, but rarely remain longer than necessary to capture slaves. Keller and Pershamon voyagers have established a few small outposts along the coasts, but these tend to be miserable places with a small population, devoted to refit and resupply of seagoing merchant ships, as well as supplementary slave trade. All of them are heavily fortified, facing threats from both land and sea. Visitors to the jungles are advised to bring strong curative magic, as the jungles are home to many diseases to which outsiders have no resistance.
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