The Wilds

The wilds are a dangerous yet beautiful place, filled with threats both alien and man-made. The region encompasses sprawling hills that gradually flatten the closer they come to the coast. Plains and small forested areas cover most of it. It's about thirty kilometres from east to west and twenty kilometres from north to south.

The region is fairly self-contained, being closed off by the Woodlands in the north and south, the Howling Mountains to the west, and the Violet Sea in the east. This means that it's relatively safe compared to the rest of Izuno VI because fewer threats can come in. Still, it's far from safe, and both raiders and beasts can make their way through the Woodlands.



Danger ratings
Each area has its own dangers, yet some are more dangerous than others. For that reason, every location has been given a danger rating. This rating goes from one star (*), which means relatively safe, to five stars (*****), which means almost-certain death. Keep this rating in mind when roleplaying going to these areas.

For your convenience, there's a table below where you can see which location has which danger rating, so you can roleplay accordingly.

The Abandoned Base (****)
Nestled against the coast of the Violet Sea just south of the northern Woodlands is a collection of old, abandoned buildings. They were built by the original survivors of the Disaster, but Izuno VI proved to be too dangerous. Despite their military-like setup, they got overrun by the same scaleclaws that now make it their home. Hundreds of the genetically modified ferret-like beasts now nest there, unknowingly guarding the treasures. Weapons and supplies are all right there, but so are grotesque semi-sentient machines called spectres. Their metallic forms are honed to kill any who trespass.

The Ancient Ruins (****)
The creature-infested remains of the Precursors, leaving nothing but some walls and relics. Dangerous beasts lurk within the jagged walls that are still standing, but the promise of stasis boxes filled with the incredible technology from the Precursors lures in greedy survivors. If one is lucky, they might find a piece of cursortech to call their own. But if they aren't careful, one of the spectres or the hydras that prowl around the ruins might put a swift end to their life. Blood from previous victims still stains the intricately carved walls.

The Blooming Meadows (**)
Countless flowers cover these sprawling meadows, painting the landscape in a breathtaking range of colours. The Blooming Meadows provide a calm atmosphere with their entrancing scenery, serving as the perfect place for peace and rest. Docile creatures such as wild rabbits and deers graze in the fields, and insects buzz around peacefully, while songbirds provide a chorus. However, humanoids should tread with care, for the flowers have various effects -- including ones with pollen that put those who inhale it to sleep.

The Cove of Sanctuary (*)
The Cove of Sanctuary is a hidden underground paradise, with a small stream feeding much of the flora and fauna a special blend of minerals and nutrients. It's a small, contained ecosystem with some of the smallest and most docile creatures on Izuno VI. The small cave is safe from dangers such as predators and the Candlewind, making it a true sanctuary, as per its name. The only dangerous thing are the mysterious mushrooms that only seem to grow within the cave. The small orange fungi have the ability to age and decompose organisms that come in contact with it.

The Crystalline Caverns (***)
The Crystalline Caverns are an intricate cave system filled with shimmering, precious crystals. However, the tunnels are as beautiful as they are dangerous. Valorans and magmabacks, reptilian beasts with crystals growing on their backs, make these caverns their home, and they are carnivores always looking for their next meal. Due to them and a variety of other dangers such as gas, lack of oxygen, and suffocating warmth, many people who brave the darkness in search of the valuable gemstones never come back out alive, if they come out at all.

The Floodplains (*)
During the wet season, the Floodplains are little more than an extension of the Lilac River, sometimes for weeks or months at a time. However, when the water finally dries up and the river returns to its normal course, fertile fields with lush vegetation are uncovered. The area is one of the safest in the region, and most of the creatures living there are small mammals, birds, and reptiles, with most predators equally small and of little threat to humanoids. It is the perfect place to hunt, forage, and let domesticated animals graze.

The Forsaken Field (***)
A field where everything is stained a bloody red

The Glowing Canyon (***)
Just east of the Howling Mountains, a thirty-metre deep ravine is gauged out the earth, running over hundred metres long. Its steep, near-vertical sides are covered in glowing lichen, which the gray vultures use to build their nests out of. The bottom of the ravine is covered in countless bones and skulls, courtesy of the large birds rousting above, who pick the bones of their kills clean before throwing them into the depths. At night, the vines and lichen glow an eerie blueish-purple, and the glow bats awake, filling the night sky with their shrill cries.

The Grasslands (*)
The Grasslands are sprawling fields that make up most of the wilds around Skyfall, starting at the rolling hills in the west and reaching all the way to the plains to the coast. They're lush and green, with woodland glades, wildflower meadow, natural ponds and streams, and more. A large variety of flora and fauna can be found there - most peaceful and even useful, some dangerous and toxic. It can get quite cool at night sometimes, and in the rainy season, hypothermia can be a real issue. Still, it's one of the safer regions of Skyfall.

The Heaven's Fang (**)
One of the most iconic landmarks in the region is the Heaven's Fang, a tall rock shaped like a giant, sharp tooth. Over a dozen different species have made their nests along the stone's surface, including the highly desired golden vultures and infamous silent raptors. The further up the rock, the more dangerous and special the birds, and those who try to climb it will be attacked by increasing amounts of furious avians. Still, the place is a poacher's dream, as many of the birds are stunningly beautiful and highly desired, and many will happily brave the dangers.

The Howling Mountains (*****)
Kilometres-tall mountains divide the land, running from south to north and dividing east from west. Their spires are often touching the clouds, and snow caps their peaks. When one of the regular harsh storms passes through, the wind raging between the peaks sounds like howling, which is what earned the Howling Mountains their name. If the weather and the temperature alone wasn't enough to deter travellers, the mountains are also home to the infamous steelfeather gryphons, which nest there and then scour the nearby lands for food. They'll happily devour people who wander too close to their home.

The Lilac Lake (**)
A few kilometres east of the Howling Mountains lies a reflective, purple mirror: the Lilac Lake. The large body of fresh water that stretches four kilometres across and is two kilometres wide is home to a plethora of different fish. It's fed by the various rivers coming in from the mountains, leaving its waters icy cold and prone to flooding during the rainy season. Still, the creatures living within don't mind the cold, and it's a great fishing location, so long as you stay on the gravel beaches.

The Lilac River (**)
The Lilac River cuts a ribbon through the land, running from the Howling Mountains to the Violet Sea. As its name suggests, its frigid waters are a lilac colour. Although it's a safe source of drinking water, it's best to filter it first. Plants and vegetation border the riverbanks - which flood every rainy season - offering a source of food in the form of berries and seeds. A plethora of fish lives in the river, although mudgators are happy to devour those who walk in and around the water.

The Rainbow Beaches (***)
The Rainbow Beaches are as beautiful as they are mysterious. gravel beaches are along the shore of the Violet Sea, and almost every stone is made out of a different colour and material, making the coast look almost iridescent. The uncanny beauty of the beaches is enhanced by the cold, violet water, giving it all a magical aura. However, frequent storms batter the coast, and swift-footed litorans scour the shore in search of a meal -- and they'd happily devour colonists.

The Violet Sea (*****)
One of the largest inland seas on Izuno VI is such a vibrant violet colour that it can even be seen from space, which is what earns the Violet Sea its name. Even though a combination of minerals and alien microorganisms cause the water to turn an unusual colour, it's still safe to drink once boiled and de-salted. The sea is a dangerous one, however. Storms regularly rage above, with metres-tall waves smashing into ships. Ginormous monsters lurk within the water: deep leviathans, giant sea serpents, ready to gobble up whatever comes on their path.

The Woodlands (****)
Cutting off the north and south of the wilds, the Woodlands are dense forests, with towering trees that cast a collective shadow over the land. Although plenty of wild fruits, nuts, game, and even shimmering trees made of metals and minerals can be found within, it's also home to countless dangers such as snakes, poisonous frogs, flesh-eating plants, and sathols. The further you go into the Woodlands, the more dangerous they become. If one goes too far, they are near-certain to die, be it to the flora or fauna.