[ WP ] We 've seen epic fantasy worlds based on historical Europe ( i.e . LotR ) and historical East Asia ( i.e . Avatar ) . Write about an epic fantasy world based on historical Africa .

There was a land that they world liked best. It was in the center, closer to the origins of life. It was the oldest land, where it all began. In the north deserts spread harsh and vast, covering the earth in endless sand. South came the jungles and the wetlands that gave life and water to the world. Even further were plains with lakes and hills, and a great mountain. It was sacred and old, and some said if you looked inside you would see the dawning of all life before it burned your eyes in your skull. Next to the mountain was a deep crater so wide it would take a day ’ s walk to go from one edge to the other. In the crater and around it they built a city, invisible to the untrained eye, but if you knew the path the sight of it was breathtaking. Tan stone rose from the ground, becoming an extension of the world and not an enemy. This was where the palace lay, ruled by its king. 
 
 He was tall and strong, with skin as black as wet soil that was smooth and flawless. He was beautiful in his terrible power, so one with the elements that he controlled that he flitted in and out of the world, never quite there, and always out of focus when you looked upon him. The sides of his head were hairless and shined in the sun, but on top in a long strip thick black cords were woven rightly to his scalp and fell down his back in an inky river. There were feathers and bones tied into the hair, trinkets to show off his experiences. He was neither cruel nor kind, but his love for his people ran deep, a primal need to protect and serve. His people thrived. 
 
 The capital city was vast and sprawling, tall thick trees created a natural barricade outside the crater and defined the edges of the city they were twisted and large, as old as the mountain with all the knowledge of the world. There was more wildlife there, the ground was saturated with magic and life bloomed with its ministrations. Trees and vines grew in any available space, on the side of buildings and huts reaching up towards the heavens. They held the magic of the world, and they practically glowed in the dark bringing the people power and peace. The market stretched lazily around the circular city offering foods, clothing, riches and a riot of color and noise. Children would play between the alleyways while the adults meandered, never in a hurry but always busy. 
 
 Woman could be seen bartering for vegetables in their colorful pieces of fabric wrapped around their waists and draped over their shoulders. Their hair when not tied tightly in fabric had intricate braids that held the dark locks in place. They were mighty and strong, warriors in their own right. The men wore wraps and had no hair upon their heads, many carried knives made from bone to display their prowess. The city was alive in the day, and in that life there was magic. Potion shops dotted the market, promising love and wealth and anything else a person could want for. Elementals with pink eyes held green fire in their palms and watched it dance to the rhythm of the world. Shaman blew powder into the air that turned into sparks and colors, making pictures of the future or the past. 
 
 Beasts would prowl, left alone and respected by the people. They were great and terrible beats, some huge and feline, they had gnashing teeth and thick armored skin, their eyes glowed orange like demon fire, but they left well enough alone if they weren ’ t disturbed. Some said the king controlled them as he did all things, they were all connected, and a part of each other, and the king would never bring harm to his people. Other creatures roamed the land outside the crater, spreading out in the flat plains. Huge furry monsters with long powerful legs like elephants but twice the size rose from the ground, they were scaly with long snouts and longer flitting purple tongues that would taste the air for their small slits for eyes brought no real awareness. They breathed fire on occasion when the moon was just right, and their cries were heartbreaking in their loveliness. There were strange birds with feathers as sharp as knives that filled the air in great numbers. Their cries were painful and their spit burned. With unpleasant temperaments they were often part of the stories parents told children to frighten them into behaving. 
 
 The kingdom was vast, and not without violence, yet it was well established on the continent and usually on good terms with the neighboring lands. They were a mecca for animals that provided tasty meat, and the magical gemstones that lay under the earth made them profitable to trade with. The jungles to the west provided them with wood and plants when it was needed, and deserts brought strange power that was found need under the sand. Everyone provided a function, and often rulers would become jealous and greedy, starting wars for land and prestige. The king was always reluctant to send his people to battle without reason, but when they fought they were a sight to behold. Long legs and strong arms would deal devastating blows to opponents as they bathed in the bloodlust, destroying their enemies. They had no had war in a long while. 
 On this day an emissary from north region traveled through the streets, down into the crater and into the palace. He looked upon the King and trembled at the sheer force of wild power that pressed into his skin, taking the breath from his lungs. 
 
 “ There is trouble in the far north. ” He begins simply. These people were never ones for fanfare or unneeded formalities. He had been advised that the King did not enjoy wasting his time. “ They grow more aggressive, sending scouting parties into our lands. Their water leviathans attack our boats and dry up the rivers. ” His tone was slightly desperate as he thought of the people of in his land slowly wasting away from dehydration. “ Our Queen sends her love and asks for your warriors. Too long has this enemy coveted our lands, long ago our ancestors agreed they would have the far north, free to explore the new lands, and yet they move south. They pray to wicked gods of wrath and destruction and they will not stop until the world is theirs, even if it burns as they take it. ” 
 
 The king sits upon his throne, made of ice and stone. His eyes are black and bottomless, overly wide and eerie. He sits in silence, only tapping his finger against the arm of his chair rhythmically to a beat only he could hear. Suddenly his eyes fall closed and his head tilts to the sky. He breathes in a deep breath and holds it in his lungs. The air around him vibrates and everyone in the vicinity clutches their heads as their skin grows too tight. It was an eternity in a moment before he opened his eyes and smiled a crooked dark smile that promised death and darkness. His calm spoke volumes and the emissary knew that this man, if he was even a man had just communicated with the earth itself. 
 
 “ I know this enemy. We have aided your Queen before and our love runs deep and strong. ” He stands to an impossible height and his blood red wrap crosses his shoulder and trails onto the ground. His steps make the stone quake and the vines crawling over the throne reach out desperately towards him, beckoning their king back. 
 
 He lays a hand on the emissary ’ s shoulder and forces him to rise. He looks into his eyes, still smiling a terrible smile, and the man was afraid. “ I have thought long of this even before your arrival. ” The king says softly, yet it seems his voice comes from all corners of the room. “ I am not rash. ” A murmur of arrogance rumbles from the other elders. 
 
 “ Tell your queen we will go to war. ” 

