Valashmai Jungle

Update needed This article should be updated to reflect canon changes noted in Tian Xia World Guide. The specific problem is: separate nation of Valash Raj carved out of the eastern end; many details, new locations, history. Please help improve it if you can; the talk page might contain suggestions.

Valashmai Jungle

(Nation)

Titles

Here There be Monsters

Alignment

Chaotic neutral

Capital

None

Ruler

None

Government

None

Languages

Chthonian, Catfolk, Diabolic, Draconic, Grippli, pidgin Tien

Religions

Lamashtu, numerous demigods and forgotten cults

Images of Valashmai Jungle

Source: Dragon Empires Gazetteer, pg(s). 40

The Valashmai Jungle is a vast rainforest that dominates the southernmost quarter of the continent of Tian Xia, it is filled with jagged volcanic mountains and seemingly endless swamps, and is a place of danger and mystery.

Geography

Few who set out to explore the Valashmai Jungle ever return as it is downright deadly to non-native life. Its depths are dominated by two enormous mountain ranges, the larger and still volcanically active Chenlun Mountains and the smaller, but even more inhospitable, Sudisan Peaks. At its eastern border, the Valashmai peninsula connects with the Wandering Isles of Minata, while to the north lies the naga realm of Nagajor and the human nation of Xa Hoi.

History

During the Age of Serpents, the Valashmai Jungle was ruled by an empire of elementals led by the mythical Jade Hegemon; it fell for unknown reasons, but its survivors are thought to have migrated into the Chenlun Mountains. After them rose the Valashmaians, a reptilian people who gathered slaves from across countless planes and worlds, believed to be the ancestors of the region's many animal-like folk. The catfolk matriarch Rubble Dancer led a slave revolt that overthrew the empire.

In -44 AR, the otherworldly being known as Agamazar crashed into the eastern portion of the Valashmai Jungle. It was subsequently slain by the kaiju King Mogaru but rose again in its present, undead state. The specific location of its landing has yet to be discovered.

Inhabitants

A catfolk kaiju caller of the Valashmai Jungle.

The Valashmai Jungle is home to numerous intimidating monsters of vast power including colossal kaiju, rogue dragons, mu spores, and exiled outsiders. More mundane, but no less deadly, inhabitants of Valashmai include carnivorous plants, hungry dinosaurs, and enormous vermin. Hardy tribes of tripkees, lizardfolk, and vanaras live within the Valashmai Jungle. Lyashtaki catfolk also call the region home, occasionally allying with local anadi and iruxi tribes, but few others; they resist efforts by fire yai to conquer the Chenlun Mountains and hunt the jungle's infamous kaiju. Most unusually, the jungle is home to tribes of xill who normally are only encountered ravaging the Ethereal Plane.

Kaiju

The largest, most powerful inhabitants of the Valashmai Jungle are the kaiju, vast semi-intelligent magical beasts that dwarf almost every other lifeform on Golarion. The jungle is home to not one, but at least four of these colossal monsters including Agamazar the Star Titan, Mantraska, the World Talon, Lord Varklops, the Thrice-Headed Fiend, and Mogaru, the Final King.

References

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.