Forest

Africa's rainforests are second in size only to the Amazon rainforest and is the most species rich place in Africa.

The forest in the Democratic Republic of Congo alone is home to over 1,000 species of birds and more than 400 species of mammals, many of which are not found anywhere else on Earth. The African Forest of the Great Apes is critical to the survival of three of our closest animal relatives; the gorilla, the chimpanzee and the bonobo are all dependent on this ancient African forest.

The forest is also home to magnificent forest elephants and other animals such as the okapi and Congo Peacock which are barely known to science.

Though a much smaller version of Africa's greater forests, this particular area of the Island is important to all of the occupants within its expanses. The Makunguru often gather here in the Treetops in a sort of parliment on a nightly basis to share their stories, tales from afar and other endeavors of interest.

Although it technically exists in the more tropical area of the jungle, the lake that holds Kuakisi Wallow is generally accessed through the north-western forest.

Difficult to navigate, though the Forests may be, it is not uncommon to see swarms of Ahadi members trekking into its walls of trees to get some business done.

Makunguru Treetops

The Makunguru have a legend about them on the island neither mysterious or brain-wracking, it's quite simple, in-fact: They can't keep their mouths shut. It is because of this that the Makunguru have been granted a second area on the island for them to roost. Here, in the Makunguru Treetops, the white-necked ravens can unite and tells stories all night long- without so much as disturbing the other occupants at the lodge who have very important duties.. such as sleeping.

The Treetops are made up of an impressive canopy with a few small openings that have been hand-weaved by the Makunguru themselves in order to let Helios shine through. It is also rumored that Raven requested these proverbial peep-holes so that he could look in on his followers from time to time. Noticeably there isn't a lot on the ground, seeing as how these birds prefer the sanctuary of trees that surround them. This is, indeed, the perfect spot for a Parliment and it is often used as such. A few small glyphs have been carved here and there stating that this is a safe place. The only other serious extension of note are the holes within the circle of trees-- several of them containing priceless (or worthless) articles of shiny clothing, jewelry, trinkets and knick knacks.

Visitors be warned, the Makunguru are often so busy chattering away, they rarely notice their guests.

Fishermen's Villages

Located on the far northeastern shores of the Island and the only area visible to the Physical world lays perhaps one of the strangest oddities of all. Here, on the outer ring of the island there are several villages that hold some of the Mokole's most prized kinfolk. These villages are made up of simple men and women who tend to their duties of catching fish for the island and they take pride in their community. There are rumors surrounding these mysterious peoples, however, some Bastet whisper that the Mokole kin hold mysteries of the dark arts. Moreover, the Bastet have accused these individuals of being hedge mages much like many of the Bubasti in Egypt. The villagers only laugh at accusations, blaming their abilities on Gaia's will and claiming such inclinations could not possibly be serious, for they are far too a simple folk.

The villages consist of mud and straw huts that are lined in rows along the banks of the river where the fishermen wake daily to make their catches. Their women, of course, see to the netting and cooking of the fish, and they often bring the Mokole offerings- traveling the distance on foot to Kuakisi Wallow to bring their brethren food and drink. They seem simple indigenous folk, if not a little strange in their simple practices.

This is a first stop for all members of the Ahadi, mainly because they are brought over on boat by either Kamau Juawamba or a mysterious robed figure who doesn't speak. Rumor has it that this mysterious ferryman's name is Nuka, though most occupants are uncertain as to whether he is a member of the Ahadi or a Kinfolk to the Mokole. Like most fishermen on the lake, the villagers fish through the nights because of the fog rolls in the wee hours of the morning stretching into the afternoons. Often times, Ahadi hopefuls are brought here before they are allowed onto the island in order to secure their interest in the East African force. Mchaji is often a part of the welcoming committee because of the previous security breech of two unfaithful Simba brothers.

It is also within one of the villages that Sera Clutches-the-Concept makes her home, having lived here before the Ahadi was even formed.