Blue Marshes

The Blue Marshes is a large area of wetland which has an abundance of unique and weird fauna and flora. It is situated east of Akkash, the only inland city of West Eghea. The region is popular with scientists because inflicted creatures don't go into the marshes. That does not mean the area is completely safe, but not having to worry about being eaten alive by an Oghwen is always a good thing. Many of the plants and animals in this region have been studied, but many more are left to be discovered. A small selection can be found below.

Fauna

Wing Ray

Wing rays are a species of flying animals who resemble a sea ray. Yet these creatures do not live in water, they fly through the air. Wing rays come in a variety of different sizes and colors. Their wings are longer than the pectoral fins of a sea ray presumably to help with flying. It still baffles scientists however that these rays can fly. They have no feathers, instead their bodies are covered in small scales which is only noticeable up close. Wing rays have a very thin tail that varies in length depending on the species.

Long-tailed Wing Ray

The long-tailed wing ray is the largest species of flying rays. They feed on insects and plants. Their coloration is blue on top and a lighter blue on the bottom. Their tail is very long, about four times the length of their body.

Spotted Wing Ray

The spotted wing ray is the smallest flying ray species. They have a light purple color on top which has a spotted pattern after which this species is named. On its bottom it is white. Their tail is much shorter than those of other wing rays. They can often be found flying over the edges of the pools in the marshes where they feast on the insects which live near the water.

Chittertail

Chittertails are a peculiar species. They have two long birdlike legs and feet, a fluffy round body and tiny wings which are useless for flying. They have no beak like a normal bird, instead their head looks more like that of a rabbit, albeit with a flatter snout. They have a plume like tail which fans out towards the end. This creates a beautiful waterfall of long fluffy hair because chittertails have no feathers. Instead they are covered in a long soft taupe colored fur. They are about one meter tall and can often be found wading through the shallow waters of the marsh. Their diet consists of grasses and herbs.

Flora

The Grey Marshes are home to some of the most bizarre plants on Ealdwyll. Many species are unique to this area.

White-capped Stoln

The white-capped stoln is a bizarre plant which can best be described as a mix between a mushroom, a flower and an insect. They have a long green stem with a flower on top which looks like a white mushroom hat. This hat protects the flowers underneath, which sit on short stems along the main stem which becomes thicker in the middle. The flowers are of a white color as well. What makes this species even weirder is that they have insect like legs which can sprout roots in a matter of minutes. When they want to move to a different area they can release their roots. Once it got rid of its roots the stoln can jump across the ground, but also skate across the surface of the ponds. Stoln live from the nutrients they suck from the ground through their roots. They have no eyes or ears, it remains unknown how they manage to find their way around.

Type

Wetland / Swamp

Location under

West Eghea

Photography of sunset by Monika Ludvigsen

Wandering Wisps

Wandering wisps are not unique to the blue marshes. They are very common in this region though. Scholars have tried for centuries to determine what these wisps are. One theory claims they are build up luminescent gasses from the pools of water in the marsh. Those who have come in close contact with them do not always agree to this. For one it does not explain why they make a soft humming noise, nor does it explain why they flock towards people who visit the blue marshes. Some obscurists claim the wisps show a certain form of curiosity and can be communicated with. Hence they are sentient lifeforms according to them. Obviously this leads to heated debates between scientists and obscurists.