NORTH MIDBELT SECTIONS EAST AND WEST (NIVARI AND YEDARI)

The North Midbelt Sections are Twin Sections in the Habitual Belt of VOI 700 D. They are located north of the Equatorial Sections and south of the North Pole Section, which are their neighboring sections.

Like other sections of the Habitual Belt, the North Midbelt Sections remain largely unexplored by Exohumans, but there is a significant difference between the Eastern Section (Nivari) and the Western Section (Yedari) in terms of exploration.

During the Beta Age, Exohuman expeditions prioritized the Eastern Equatorial Section, focusing on habitable zones and resource-rich areas. Nivari received some attention due to its proximity to Asari, while Yedari remained almost entirely unknown. In the Gamma Age, the restrictions imposed by the Peace Treaty further limited Exohuman expansion, halting any further exploration.

• Nivari (Eastern North Midbelt Section): Three Exohuman expeditions were conducted here, but much of what is known comes from interviews with members of the Vandana and Taranas tribes, rather than firsthand exploration. Scientists believe the region may still hold undiscovered species, hidden settlements, and uncharted landscapes.

• Yedari (Western North Midbelt Section): Only one Exohuman expedition ever crossed Yedari — the Westward Passage Expedition (2626–2628). This was a march-through exploration, meaning no in-depth studies were conducted, and only two tribes were encountered (Berani and Nalvar). The region remains almost entirely unexplored, and any further discoveries would rely on indirect information or future explorations — if permitted.

Since no permanent Exohuman settlements exist in either section, and the Peace Treaty prevents further exploration, both Nivari and Yedari remain regions of mystery — with Nivari being partially known through Native accounts, while Yedari is almost entirely uncharted.

Although closer to the colder North Pole Section, the North Midbelt Sections benefit from a temperate climate, with temperatures remaining relatively stable between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius. However, unlike the Asari Region, where the Tijonara Mountains shield the landscape from Desert Side winds, the North Midbelt Sections experience stronger wind currents that influence their ecosystems.

The wind patterns in Nivari and Yedari are shaped by their respective positions between the Habitual Belt and the Dark Side:

• Nivari (Eastern North Midbelt Section): Exposed to cold winds from the Dark Side (East) and humid air currents from the Desert Side (West), creating a mix of dense forests, marshlands, and open steppes.
• Yedari (Western North Midbelt Section): Influenced by drier winds from the Dark Side (West) and occasional storm surges from the Desert Side (East), resulting in wider grasslands, lower humidity, and harsher weather shifts.

Both sections feature rolling hills, rivers, and large lakes that serve as natural water sources. However, their geography differs significantly:

• Nivari is characterized by vast grasslands, forests, and scattered highlands, but no major documented mountains have been recorded in Exohuman surveys.
• Yedari, in contrast, features a massive, uncharted mountain known as Yedari, which remains completely unexplored by Exohumans.

The North Midbelt Sections are rich in diverse plant life, varying from the dense equatorial forests to temperate grasslands:

• Grasslands and Steppes – Dominated by robust grasses adapted to withstand temperature fluctuations.
• Mixed Forests – A blend of coniferous and deciduous trees, providing shelter for numerous species.
• Marshlands and Wetlands – Found along major riverbanks and lakes, supporting aquatic vegetation.

The fauna of the North Midbelt Sections includes:

• Grazing Mammals – Large, herd-based creatures roam the steppes and highlands, forming the foundation of native hunting and predator food chains.
• Aerial Predators – Raptors dominate the skies over the grasslands and forests, using heightened vision and agile flight patterns to track prey.
• Non-Predatory Birds – A wide variety of songbirds, migratory species, and waterfowl inhabit forests, wetlands, and grasslands. Some species exhibit highly specialized beak structures for feeding on particular plant species or insect populations.
• Stealthy Hunters – Feline-like predators lurk in the dense woodlands, relying on camouflage and ambush tactics to hunt small to mid-sized mammals and birds.
• Reptiles and Cold-Blooded Species – Various snake, lizard, and amphibian species inhabit the forests, wetlands, and rocky highlands. Some snakes are venomous ambush predators, while others are constrictors feeding on small mammals and birds.
• Aquatic Species – Rivers and lakes sustain a variety of fish, amphibians, and semi-aquatic predators adapted to cool, temperate waters. Some species are capable of brief land excursions, suggesting evolutionary adaptations for both aquatic and terrestrial survival.
• Insects and Invertebrates – Pollinators, burrowing species, and scavengers play a crucial role in forest and wetland ecosystems. Some possess reflective or light-diffusing carapaces, likely an adaptation to twilight conditions.

The combination of grasslands, forests, and freshwater sources creates a balanced ecosystem that supports both herbivores and predators.

The North Midbelt Sections are home to approximately 2.25 million Natives, making up around 15% of the total Native population.

Observations from expeditions have revealed a recurring pattern among Native Tribes:

• The known tribes of the North Midbelt Sections share the same creation stories and core beliefs as other documented Native societies across VOI 700 D.
• They speak Shang Telu, the common indigenous language, though with distinct regional dialects.
• Despite this linguistic and cultural connection, most tribes have no awareness of other tribes beyond their immediate surroundings.

Through three extensive Exohuman expeditions (2627–2629), researchers were able to document four major tribes in Nivari. These tribes have distinct cultures and subsistence strategies, ranging from agriculture and fishing to nomadic herding and forest-based craftsmanship.

• VANDANA (Sedentary):
• Population: Approximately 90.000
• Settlement Area: Along the Vandana River and Orivan River.
• Short Description: The Vandana are arable farmers who have settled along the fertile banks of rivers. They have developed complex irrigation systems and grow various types of grain.
• More information: The Vandana

• TARANAS (Nomads):
• Population: Approximately 80.000
• Settlement Area: Across the Taranas Steppes and near the Taranas Stream.
• Short Description: The Taranas are nomads who roam the vast grasslands of Nivari. They are known for their riding skills and breed a special kind of robust, fast animals for transportation and hunting.
• More information: The Taranas

• ORIVAN (Sedentary):
• Population: Approximately 55,000
• Settlement Area: Near the Orivan Floodplains and Lake Vandari.
• Short Description: The Orivan dwell in the fertile lowlands near seasonal floodplains. They are experts in water management, using intricate canal systems to cultivate rice-like grains and aquatic plants. The Orivan are skilled artisans, creating vibrant textiles dyed with pigments from local plants.
• More Information: The Orivan

• ZILVANI (Sedentary):
• Population: Approximately 50.000
• Settlement Area: Deep within the Zilvani Forests, near Lake Taran.
• Short Description: Deep in the forests of Nivari live the Zilvani, who use the wood and fruit of the forest. They build tree houses and are excellent archers.
• More information: The Zilvani

Only two tribes were encountered during the Westward Passage Expedition:

• BERANI (Nomads):
• Population: Approximately 55.000
• Short Description: The Berani are wanderers who move between the grasslands and the forests. They are gatherers and hunters, feeding on both flora and fauna.
• More information: The Berani

• NALVAR (Nomads):
• Population: Approximately 45,000
• Short Description: The Nalvar are nomadic hunters who traverse the rugged foothills of Yedari. They are masters of stealth and are often hired by other tribes to track elusive game. Their storytelling is an oral art form, recounting tales of legendary hunts.
• More Information: The Nalvar

During the Beta Age, Exohuman scouts and settlers began exploring the Eastern North Midbelt Section (Nivari), searching for resources and potential allies among the Native Tribes. Meanwhile, the Westward Passage Expedition made a single crossing of the Western North Midbelt Section (Yedari), documenting only brief encounters along their route before pressing onward.

• “The Lost Caravan” – A merchant group traveling between Nivari and Asari has vanished. Was it an ambush, a natural disaster, or something else lurking in the wilderness?
• “Echoes in the Fog” – As the Westward Passage Expedition marches across Yedari, they encounter an unexplained phenomenon near the foothills of Yedari Mountain. A thick, unnatural fog rolls in, accompanied by strange fluctuations in radio signals and distorted echoes — voices that seem to call out in unknown tongues. Flickering lights appear and vanish across the ridgelines, behaving unlike any known natural phenomenon. Some speculate it could be a result of an unknown atmospheric condition, while others wonder whether a forgotten piece of technology—perhaps of Native or even extraterrestrial origin — is causing the disturbance. The team must decide whether to investigate further or press on through the unknown.

By the Gamma Age, the Peace Treaty limits Exohuman expansion into the North Midbelt Sections, but Deputies of the Federal Sheriff and Outlaws still operate in the area.

• “The Hidden Shrine” – A sacred Native site deep in the forests of Nivari is rumored to contain lost knowledge. Players must navigate tribal customs to gain access.
• “The Whispering Highlands” – A Native Tribe supposedly possesses technology that defies Exohuman understanding—a development far beyond what has been seen among the Natives of the Habitual Belt. Some claim they have seen glimpses of machines that hover without propulsion, while others speak of metal structures hidden in the mountains, pulsing with energy. The source of this technology remains unknown—was it left behind by an unknown extraterrestrial civilization? Was it unearthed from a hidden ruin? Or is it simply an illusion created by an advanced Native engineering technique? Various factions — Deputies of the Federal Sheriff, Outlaws, and Soldiers of Fortune — seek to uncover the truth … but they are not the only ones searching.

• VOI 700 D
• Habitual Belt
• Dark Side
• Desert Side

The Regions of the North Midbelt Sections (East and West):

• Nivari
• Yedari

The (Twin) Sections of the Habitual Belt:

• North Pole section
• North Midbelt Sections East and West
• Equator Sections East and West
• South Midbelt Sections East and West
• South Pole Section