TROPICAL FOREST OF ASARI

• Type: Geographical Feature
• Location: Habitual Belt, Eastern Equatorial Section, Asari Region

The Tropical Forest of Asari spans a vast stretch of the region's central zone, forming a dense and biodiverse belt of woodland from the northern Orlanda Marshes to the southern border of Asari. The forest is often compared to the rainforests of South America on Earth due to their humidity, layered vegetation, and unparalleled richness in life forms. They provide not only ecological stability and climatic regulation but also cultural depth, particularly for the Trando and Honga Tribes, whose spiritual and practical lives are deeply intertwined with the forest ecosystem.

The Tropical Forest thrives in a hot and humid climate with heavy rainfall cycles regulated by the region’s lakes and rivers, especially the Arla River and Orlanda River. The terrain is marked by towering canopies, steep ravines, and river gorges, which contribute to its maze-like quality and make navigation challenging.

• High humidity and year-round rainfall
• Dense canopy layers creating micro-ecosystems
• Varying altitudes and steep inclines
• Abundant river-fed basins and floodplains

All known Exohuman data on the flora of the Tropical Forest of Asari was collected during the brief exploration window in the early Beta Age. Since the enforcement of the Peace Treaty, further Exohuman expeditions have been strictly prohibited. It is highly probable that the full range of plant life remains undocumented by Exohuman science.

The flora within the Tropical Forest of Asari is richly layered and complex, providing medicine, shelter, and sustenance to the native tribes and forest creatures. Some known species include:

• Giant Shroud Trees – massive, canopy-forming trees reaching over 60 meters in height.
• Trando Orchid – vibrant, rare orchid sacred to the Trando Tribe, found high in the canopy.
• Whisperleaf Ferns – sensitive ferns that fold inward at sound, used in stealth rituals.
• Rainblood Vines – red-sapped vines used in both medicine and ritual combat.
• Glowmoss – spreads into the forest’s darker underbrush.
• Stormvine – grows near forest cliffs and clearings, linked to seasonal rituals.
• Spear Palm – thick-barked palms whose leaves are fashioned into tribal weapons.

Like the Flora, all known Exohuman data on the fauna of the Tropical Forest of Asari was collected during a limited exploration window in the early Beta Age. Since the Peace Treaty came into effect, further Exohuman access has been prohibited. It is highly likely that many species remain undocumented by Exohuman science.

The forest hosts a vibrant range of fauna, many of which have evolved to thrive in the dense, humid environment and low-light conditions. Known species include:

• Naka Tula – Low, winged cave predator native to both the karst systems of the Asari Region and the volcanic tunnel networks of the Ralar Region.
• Kaon Loper – Long-legged amphibian with a translucent skin. Leaps between tree branches and emits luminous pulses to communicate.
• Razorfrill Gecko – Small, arboreal predator with extendable frills used to startle prey. Known to cling to the underside of branches and leap onto targets.

• Bluestrike Heron – Electric blue plumage, excellent precision hunter, camouflages in water reflections.
• Flutterwing – Brightly colored, fast-moving bird that nests high in the canopy.

• Shellmire Crab – Armored forest-floor scavenger that uses fallen bark as natural camouflage.
• Rattleback Crawler – Soft-bodied arthropod known for its vibration-based warning system and rhythmic defensive movement.

• Croplight Lemur – Agile, tree-dwelling mammal that feeds on fruits and glowlily nectar; active during twilight.
• Hoo – Herbivorous mammal also seen around the lakes, travels in herds through forest paths.
• Nokari Mouse – Small, fur-insulated rodent.

• Bero Hiki – Small omnivorous worm with tough, rubber-like skin. Has a mouth at both ends.
• Cockroach (Earth) – Introduced by Exohumans aboard the Last Frontier. Adapted to the Asari climate.
• Iri-Tenu – Small beetle with a color-changing exoskeleton for camouflage. Uses chemical signals to detect threats.
• Lumivai Sari – Mimic beetle that imitates the Iri-Tenu to get close before attacking. Hunts using pheromone deception.
• Miregnats – Tiny bioluminescent mosquitoes, that form glowing clouds; irritating but non-lethal.

The Trando Tribe is native to the Tropical Forest and at home around the shores of Lake Arla, where their major settlement Trandon is located. These tree-bound villages are suspended in the forest canopy and constructed from biodegradable materials designed to leave minimal impact on the land. While the Trando are closely connected to the forest and protect large areas of it, they are not spread throughout its entirety.

The Honga Tribe is the largest tribe within the Tropical Forest. Their nomadic tradition, called Shai Zaong (“Cycle of Life”), leads them along the entire course of the Arla River from its source in the Atrana Mountains to its mouth at Lake Arla. While the Honga pass through other territories, they spend the majority of their nomadic lives within the boundaries of the Tropical Forest. Their spiritual and cultural identity is deeply rooted in its cycles and habitats.

Exohuman presence in the forest began after the crash landing of the starship Last Frontier in the early Beta Age, which brought the first exohuman settlers to VOI 700 D. In the years following the crash, the survivors began exploring the region, conducting scientific surveys, and attempting to understand the native ecosystems. These efforts continued until the enactment of the Peace Treaty, which restricted further exploration in tribal territories. Despite these limitations, two major Exohuman settlements were established within or near the Tropical Forest:

• Hope, founded in 2627, became a major agricultural hub. With a population of 4,000 Exohumans (as of the 2635 census), it is the oldest and most productive Exohuman community in the forest. The development of surrounding farmland led to early conflicts with the Honga, as some cultivated areas encroached on sacred sites or disrupted traditional migration routes.

• New Kourou, the administrative capital of the Free State of Settlers and it's successor the Federal Confederation, is located at the western fringe of the Tropical Forest, where dense jungle transitions into open savannah. While the settlement's core is more urban, sections of the forest still extend into its outskirts. New Kourou plays a key role in governance, diplomacy, and scientific advancement.

The Tropical Forest of Asari provides ideal conditions for stealth, survivalist, and diplomacy-based missions. The layered terrain and thick vegetation allow for surprise encounters, hidden settlements, and lost relics of Beta Age expeditions. The presence of sacred sites and ancestral paths can spark tribal storylines with high narrative impact.

• “Cries in the Canopy” – An Exohuman botanist disappears during a sacred Trando flowering ritual. Players must navigate cultural misunderstandings and escalating tensions to recover her safely.

“The Grove of Echoes” – A sacred grove, believed to house ancestral spirits, becomes disturbed by a mysterious tremor. The players are tasked by the Trando to investigate without violating the grove’s sanctity.

• Habitual Belt
• Asari Region
• Arla River
• Orlanda River
• Lake Arla
• Lake Orlanda
• Lake Tijonara
• Trandon
• New Kourou
• Hope