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starseedmods) wrote2023-05-01 10:51 am
starseedmods) wrote2023-05-01 10:51 am
The Azure
In the far South of Abystine is the Azure. It is a sea of sparkling sand where the sun always seems of prominent focus. Here, most of the land consists of barren sand dunes and only the occasional city will provide respite from the outside heat. Scattered amidst the sand will be a vast variety of metal machines in various states of disrepair. They are so common that many locals will call the sandy dunes outside of cities “junkyards”. It is an affectionate term as the larger metal monstrosities provide a welcome amount of shade.
The Azure is isolated from the rest of the world in all the ways that matter. Its terrain makes travelers few and far between while making outside invasion nearly impossible - or at least vastly unappealing. That has given in a rather unique culture and system of government. Mainly, that it doesn’t seem to have one! Areas down here consist of very small villages who operate on their own local rules. It can vary slightly from place to place, but one rule that seems to unite them is the concept of fairness. “Trade true” or you are liable to make eternal enemies of the people down here.
There are only two prominent locations of note in this area: The Outpost and Elta’s Cradle. These are the largest population centers in the Azure and are the only places that could be considered “towns”.
Here is where the technological prowess of Abystine is at its infancy, as people will come here from all around to use the scrap from the surrounding desert to create machines of various kinds. Each tent in the area serves as a workshop for some aspiring machinist. Therefore, each tent will have some unique flair to it.
Exploring will yield some who specialize in machines to do chores, some who have tried to cultivate hunting tools, and others who have simply fashioned the metal into jewelry. If you’re looking for someone who has tried to build a certain kind of machine, you may find them after a little searching.
However, not much by way of impressive advancements have been made. It is why you’ll find that machinists in the Azure have a reputation for being “time wasting kooks”. The people here noticeably lack the tools to make anything advanced and make due with whatever they find. Every machine will be archaic and most will not function well at all. Players May help machinists obtain supplies if they would like to help cultivate the advancements of certain machines.
Middie’s Rocket - There is a large rocket that Dwarfs the town called “Middie’s Rocket”, named after the large M and D that are painted on the side. The rocket has long since been stripped of useful parts, but now it is used as a watchtower so that people can observe the area. Inside is a large spiral staircase that leads to the top. People can sit here and see for miles around. Beware! Given that the Rocket’s exterior is made of metal, it can get lethally hot during the day. It’s advised that you only visit at night.
As one proceeds down into the caverns though, they will find a small city that busily goes about its business. This is home to the “Era”, a people with almost completely black skin, clawed hands, and dragon-like facial features. (You’ll find other people as well, as they will welcome strangers of all kinds into their midst!)
The Era spend their days digging deeper into the land to cultivate water for the people’s survival. As such, this underground is designed around countless numbers of waterfalls and underground rivers. While traversing the Cradle, people will travel through various water-based structures. How unexpected for being in the middle of the dessert!
The success of their people is attributed to the Precursor “Eltanin”, who the Era claim to be descendents of. There will be several statues of this Precursor strewn around the caverns - largely carved from Black Obsidian. Her interpretations vary slightly, but she appears as a black being with four arms, clawed hands, long black legs, and a cape of starlight.
The Hexsprings - While searching for water, the Era have dug deep enough that they have revealed a pond of dark water. This is a glimpse of the Ebony Sea that writhes on the furthest outskirts of the world. This is extremely dangerous to players and will result in permadeath if they happen to fall in! With that said, it is constantly guarded by the Era and will need special permission to visit.
The Temple of Sandsea - This temple is built on top of the Southern Gate. Inside boasts carvings that illustrate the history of the Era, along with various artistic sculptures. Visitors are allowed to enter and roam at will. Lucky visitors may find themselves in the good graces of a bat guardian, who may decide to perch on their shoulder and wander with them throughout the grounds. It’s considered quite the blessing!
Outside of the general districts and locations, there are a couple other items that may be of interest! That information is organized below.
The fashion here is tailor-made with the heat in mind. Lots of white and light colored clothing, hats to keep the sun away, and people are not shy about putting skin out in the open. Modesty be damned! They also stay away from wearing jewelry or anything that can potentially be made “hot” by continued exposure to the sun.
At night, people will usually put on long robes that will keep the cold at bay. Most of these robes are tattered, dusty, and made with rather unimpressive patterns. Fabric here is hard to come by so most clothing is hand-made from items that have been found or imported. The fashion here is very humble and practical - not lavish in the least.
The Azure is an extremely volatile environment with hot days and cold nights. This means that all the food emphasizes preservation of water and longevity. Meaning the food here does not emphasize taste, but practicality.
Food will often taste awful, be dry, or nigh inedible for the sake of survival. This means dried bread, strange blobulous concoctions, or special rations which are affectionately called “Junkmate”. Junkmate boxes are distributed anywhere one can look for food.
Thankfully(?), the wildlife in the Azure is not too dangerous. Most creatures are small and will not harm those who come across them unless provoked - like mice, foxes, birds, and desert cats. That said, there are a few rare animals that will pick off solo travelers if they seem to be carrying food.
One potential concern for travelers is the legend of “The Mirage”. The Mirage is a popular myth to the people in this region, and will vary in description and function depending on who you talk to. In some cases it's a shadowy figure who will bring travelers to safety, in another it's a fanged beast that devoured someone, and in others it could take a form of something completely different. One thing is clear: This monster will appear to those who have been stricken by the sun.
The Azure is isolated from the rest of the world in all the ways that matter. Its terrain makes travelers few and far between while making outside invasion nearly impossible - or at least vastly unappealing. That has given in a rather unique culture and system of government. Mainly, that it doesn’t seem to have one! Areas down here consist of very small villages who operate on their own local rules. It can vary slightly from place to place, but one rule that seems to unite them is the concept of fairness. “Trade true” or you are liable to make eternal enemies of the people down here.
There are only two prominent locations of note in this area: The Outpost and Elta’s Cradle. These are the largest population centers in the Azure and are the only places that could be considered “towns”.
[ More about The Outpost...]
The Outpost
The Outpost Is a colorful assortment of tents that are situated around a bright blue Oasis. Tall palm trees provide some semblance of relief from the sun, and notably there is a metal structure reminiscent of a large rocket poking up from the ground (at a precarious angle, no less).Here is where the technological prowess of Abystine is at its infancy, as people will come here from all around to use the scrap from the surrounding desert to create machines of various kinds. Each tent in the area serves as a workshop for some aspiring machinist. Therefore, each tent will have some unique flair to it.
Exploring will yield some who specialize in machines to do chores, some who have tried to cultivate hunting tools, and others who have simply fashioned the metal into jewelry. If you’re looking for someone who has tried to build a certain kind of machine, you may find them after a little searching.
However, not much by way of impressive advancements have been made. It is why you’ll find that machinists in the Azure have a reputation for being “time wasting kooks”. The people here noticeably lack the tools to make anything advanced and make due with whatever they find. Every machine will be archaic and most will not function well at all. Players May help machinists obtain supplies if they would like to help cultivate the advancements of certain machines.
Specific Locations
The Oasis - It’s not a glamorous name, but the Oasis is the pool of water in the middle of the town. Its waters are bright turquoise and crystal clear. Anyone who looks into its depths will clearly see the rather large fish that swim around, the debris of age-old metal sitting at the bottom, and what looks like the entrance to a cavern near the east end of it. Who knows what mysteries lie within?Middie’s Rocket - There is a large rocket that Dwarfs the town called “Middie’s Rocket”, named after the large M and D that are painted on the side. The rocket has long since been stripped of useful parts, but now it is used as a watchtower so that people can observe the area. Inside is a large spiral staircase that leads to the top. People can sit here and see for miles around. Beware! Given that the Rocket’s exterior is made of metal, it can get lethally hot during the day. It’s advised that you only visit at night.
[ More on Elta’s Cradle...]
Elta’s Cradle
is the name of a rather unimpressive cave entrance to the West of the Azure. Its opening boasts broken obsidian columns whose surely impressive artistry has been weathered by the desert. The cave itself is dry and dusty and may seem like a small refuge to any bypasser who does not venture further.As one proceeds down into the caverns though, they will find a small city that busily goes about its business. This is home to the “Era”, a people with almost completely black skin, clawed hands, and dragon-like facial features. (You’ll find other people as well, as they will welcome strangers of all kinds into their midst!)
The Era spend their days digging deeper into the land to cultivate water for the people’s survival. As such, this underground is designed around countless numbers of waterfalls and underground rivers. While traversing the Cradle, people will travel through various water-based structures. How unexpected for being in the middle of the dessert!
The success of their people is attributed to the Precursor “Eltanin”, who the Era claim to be descendents of. There will be several statues of this Precursor strewn around the caverns - largely carved from Black Obsidian. Her interpretations vary slightly, but she appears as a black being with four arms, clawed hands, long black legs, and a cape of starlight.
Specific Locations
The Wellsprings - These set of waterfalls are treated and said to hold medicinal properties. People use these waters for healing wounds, curing stomach aches, and anything else you could imagine.Visitors are welcome to take what they need but it will be intensely frowned on if anyone enters the waters. (They drink from that, thank you!)The Hexsprings - While searching for water, the Era have dug deep enough that they have revealed a pond of dark water. This is a glimpse of the Ebony Sea that writhes on the furthest outskirts of the world. This is extremely dangerous to players and will result in permadeath if they happen to fall in! With that said, it is constantly guarded by the Era and will need special permission to visit.
The Temple of Sandsea - This temple is built on top of the Southern Gate. Inside boasts carvings that illustrate the history of the Era, along with various artistic sculptures. Visitors are allowed to enter and roam at will. Lucky visitors may find themselves in the good graces of a bat guardian, who may decide to perch on their shoulder and wander with them throughout the grounds. It’s considered quite the blessing!
Outside of the general districts and locations, there are a couple other items that may be of interest! That information is organized below.
[ Fashion...]
The fashion here is tailor-made with the heat in mind. Lots of white and light colored clothing, hats to keep the sun away, and people are not shy about putting skin out in the open. Modesty be damned! They also stay away from wearing jewelry or anything that can potentially be made “hot” by continued exposure to the sun.
At night, people will usually put on long robes that will keep the cold at bay. Most of these robes are tattered, dusty, and made with rather unimpressive patterns. Fabric here is hard to come by so most clothing is hand-made from items that have been found or imported. The fashion here is very humble and practical - not lavish in the least.
[ Food...]
The Azure is an extremely volatile environment with hot days and cold nights. This means that all the food emphasizes preservation of water and longevity. Meaning the food here does not emphasize taste, but practicality.
Food will often taste awful, be dry, or nigh inedible for the sake of survival. This means dried bread, strange blobulous concoctions, or special rations which are affectionately called “Junkmate”. Junkmate boxes are distributed anywhere one can look for food.
[ A note on Wildlife...]
Thankfully(?), the wildlife in the Azure is not too dangerous. Most creatures are small and will not harm those who come across them unless provoked - like mice, foxes, birds, and desert cats. That said, there are a few rare animals that will pick off solo travelers if they seem to be carrying food.
One potential concern for travelers is the legend of “The Mirage”. The Mirage is a popular myth to the people in this region, and will vary in description and function depending on who you talk to. In some cases it's a shadowy figure who will bring travelers to safety, in another it's a fanged beast that devoured someone, and in others it could take a form of something completely different. One thing is clear: This monster will appear to those who have been stricken by the sun.