GEOGRAPHY
The Duqan archipelago is a horseshoe-shaped arc made up of thousands
of tiny islands, sharing a rich history and cultural heritage. The Duqan
islands share a unique location at the fringes of other world powers'
spheres of influence from the ancient elven Empire of Esselia
to the modern Empire of Ataqim. Throughout history, the archipelago
has rarely been united politically for a long period of time, but its
people share a cultural identity which may bind them more closely than
they realize.
About a third of the archipelago remains under the control of the Empire
of Ataqim. The rest is dominated by the four Duqan'n city-states of
Girvet, Sedreq, Tremed, and Qarennia, as well as the Eastern city-state
of Isrei. In addition to these human realms, tribal nations of elves,
lizard men, tabaxi, tasloi, alaghi, and broken ones control many of
the Duqan islands.
Duqan has a slightly cooler climate than Ataqim, best described as
subtropical. . . .
FLORA AND FAUNA
Flora
Most of the Duqan archipelago remains covered with dense rainforest.
A tremendous variety of plant life is found in these areas, from towering
kapok trees to tiny plants that grow in their branches to shrubs which
grow in their shadows, struggling for light.
Fauna
One of the most easily recognizable and well-known animal species in
the Duqan archipelago is the orangutan. Their hooting calls are familiar
sounds on the islands, though they are rarely seen. A number of legends
in the region describe T'qan's relations with these apes, and they are
respected, if not revered, by the people of the archipelago.
An astonishing variety of insect and other animal life dwells in the
rainforests as well, though not in such great numbers as one might expect.
Evening brings swarms of biting insects out from their rest, making
venturing into the forest at such times a generally unpleasant experience.
Beetles, ants, flies, spiders, centipedes, and countless other types
of insects and arachnids teem in the forest.
Small monkeys are common mammals, as are tapirs, sloths, and carnivores
such as jaguars and civets. Snakes and lizards abound, with some lizard
species reaching enormous size.
