Ethengar Seasonal Lakes
by Robin
As my research continues I discovered that the Description of the Chagon-Nah and Sea of Flowers region vary Greatly per season,
Here the Quotes from the Gaz 10 Golden Khan of Ethengar I used to determine the seasonal effects on this series of maps (hexes are here 8 mile)
The high altitude of the steppes subjects them to extremes of temperature. In the sun withers the grass and the winds whip stinging dust into the air. In winter, snow and ice are common companions and fierce, icy winds howl across the land.
For the four months of winter, the steppes are swept by cold, byting winds that blow of the Colossuss Mounts in Glantri, threatening to throw riders from their mounts and send Yurts tumbling across the icy wastes.
In spring, the ice melts and flowers and new shoots poke through the ground. It is with the Spring Thaw that the ethengars resume their nomadic wandering after settling in one Place to wait out the deprivations of winter.
Summer brings four months of an intense sweltering heat that withers the grasses and causes the rivers and ponds to grow shallow. It is during summer that the Ethengars are forced to travel almost constantly in search of grazing lands to keep their herds fed. summertime temperatures rarely fall below 70degrees F, except during the night when clear skies, altitude, and biting winds combine to cause the temperature to plummet.
During autumn, the summer heat slowly gives way to frequent rainstorms that enable the parched grasses to push up new shoots before finally being covereed by the winter frosts. During the first month of autumn, the Ethengars gather their herds, and clans join together5 to prepare for the approaching winter (Gaz 12 page 6)
Sea of Flowers
Here the steppes enter a sheltered depression from the worst ravages of the winds. The Sea of Flowers is is the most fertile part of the steppes as this area is well irrigated by water flowing from the higher land surrounding it.
In spring, this reggion is covered with the many colorful flowers that give it its name. Lake Talkai forms in the Spring Months from Water flowing into the Sea of Flowers and attracts large numbers of birds and game.
In summer the grasses, although protected from the scorching winds, are subjected to high temperatures that turn the Sea of Flowers into a land of Yellow Grass. Lake Talkai dries up and fine grasses grow on its damp bed.
In Spring and Autumn, the Court of the Golden Kahn van be seen stretching across the southern part of the Sea of Flowers.
In winter the Court is in Bargha.
Chagon-Nah
Around the junction of the Hrap and
Krandai river, the land is wet and waterlogged, with large expanses of water lying between the confluence of the three(not two) rivers.
In spring (three) large lakes (and waterlogged wetlands) form here from the meltwaters cascading down from the Makkres Mountains.
As spring gives way to summer, the lakes begin to dry up, leaving many small lands surrounded by small lakes and ponds. Great Numbers of Trees and Bushes grow here in the fertile soil, making it and the surrounding plains a popular place for birds and other animals to gather. The normal wetness of the climate helps to keep Chagon-Nah cool and full of wildlife of all descriptions.
The Great Khan's court arrives in the summer, and the pavilions of the Golden Khan are pitched on a few selected islands, and craftsmen
construct bridges over the lakes and
ponds to connect the islands of the court together.
The Rivers
...Shallow, Broad, and Slow flowing ...follow the downward tilt of the land to join the Streel River before turning south into the Broken Lands.
Summer travel; Shallow-bottom barges propelled by sails ar by paddles at the stern of the barge.
In winter the rivers freeze over , transforming them into natural highways for the Ethengars. Do not expects flat ice planes....as a frozen river is breaking and refreezing continuously until it is an irregular top layer over the still flowing water underneath. any travel over it must be done with care, until a vast layer of snow covers it.
Court
After wintering at Bargha with the Murkit tribe, the court moves to Xantha on the Sea of Flowers. The majority of the Murkitt clans begin to follow their herds moving away from the court at this point. 96 mile trip takes 9 to 10 days of travel(in book 70 miles which after measauring is incorrect--even the shortest route is longer=12 hexes)
The court stays at Xantha for two months before moving southeast to Chago-Nah. 130 mile trip takes 12 to 13 days of travel
Not all the court moves during this journey, for the Golden Khan returns to Xantha in the Autumn. The Golden Khan stays at Chagon-Nah until the beginning of Autumn when he returns to Xantha.130 mile trip takes 12 to 13 days of travel
After spending autumn at Xantha, the Golden Khan travels to Bargha where the power of the Hakomons make it a pleasant place to reside in winter.96 mile trip takes 1 week of travel(in book 70 miles which after measauring is incorrect--even the shortest route is longer=12 hexes)
Sviftmont1 Autumn (new Year6)
SV15-22 move to winter site tribe court at Bargha
1 Kaldmont Winter court to Bargha 15 court at bargha
Flaurmont 1 Spring 16 court to Xantha
1 Yartmont(court at Xantha
Klarmont 1 court to Chagon-Nah Summer 15 court at Chagon-Nah
Ambyrmont26 Court to Xantha