Abatesh Island (æˈbətɛʃ)
Located near the equator of Eivrall, Abatesh Island is a challenging place to live due to its tropical climate, high levels of precipitation, and powerful storms characterized by dark clouds, lightning, and strong winds. Despite the danger these storms pose and the barren land that makes it difficult for plant life to survive, Abatesh Island is rich in natural resources such as geothermal energy, wind energy, and geysers - resources that can potentially provide the island with a sustainable source of energy. Governed by the Tempest Group in the most inhabited districts, travelling to this isolated island requires traditional means as no Gate has been able to successfully be installed due to the high levels of numen present.
There is no official ruler of Abatesh, although the Tempest Group oversees many of the affairs in the most inhabited districts. Due to the high levels of numen present on the island, it has been impossible to install a Gate, so travelling to the island, should one dare to, would have to be done traditionally.
Geography
Darkin Abyss lies to the west, and the Glassy Deep is to the south of the island nation of Abatesh. It lies between Linve (to the west) and Ranse (to the east). The land of harsh mountains, rocky shores, steep slopes, and virtually no plant growth, not to mention the perpetual animus that rampage most of the time, makes up one of the tiniest nations on the planet.
Located near the equator of Eivrall, Abatesh Island experiences higher average annual temperatures, with a range from warm to hot throughout the year. The island experiences high levels of precipitation, with an average of 1,357 millimeters of rain per year. This, combined with the humid climate, makes for a damp and muggy environment. Average winds are around 30 km/h, with sudden gusts and squalls reaching over 100 km/h at any time of year. Cloud cover is substantial and fluctuates from season to season, with particularly high visibility in the summer months and low visibility in the winter. Strong, high-velocity winds are common, especially during the hotter months, and gale-force winds can occur frequently, particularly during the rainy season.
Localized Phenomena
Predominant on Abatesh Island, animus make it virtually uninhabitable, especially to humans. Additionally, high winds in the Glassy Deep cause waves that can reach great heights as they drift over the ocean unimpeded by land. At Abatesh, however, these waves encounter shallow water to the south of the island, causing the waves to become shorter and steeper and posing a far greater threat to passing ships. The waves may be pushed even higher when a powerful current from the steppes of Ranse collides with the opposing southern wind.
Fauna & Flora
Abatesh does not hold much in the way of native life. The frequent storms make it difficult for foliage to take root; if any seeds do manage to germinate, they are usually killed off by lightning strikes or ripped from the ground by the wind. Some small animals and birds have adapted to the turbulent weather, but they are typically mutated by the numen in the storms.
As with the island's natural small animals, some plants have adapted to the stormy weather, although they have been altered by the number of storms. Among these include the Skylight, Bleeding Nightstrike, and Sterling mushrooms.
The Skylight mushroom has a spongy and inflated appearance that may look alarming to the untrained eye. It is commonly found in storm-damaged areas where lightning has struck and thrives in damp, humid environments. Brewing it correctly can produce a tea that has the ability to build up a resistance to electric-related injury. However, if the tea is not prepared properly, it can lead to temporary deafness for up to 10 days.
Bleeding Nightstrike is a rare species of pink oyster mushroom with a velvety texture. It secretes a bright crimson liquid when damaged or broken, creating the appearance of bleeding. It grows from fallen trees in wooded areas and trees infected with this fungus are given new life and are completely restored after three months, as the Bleeding Nightstrike breaks down dead organic matter and returns valuable nutrients to the soil.
Sterling is an unassuming gray mushroom that is known for its properties that induce color blindness and heighten the senses, particularly the ability to perceive movement. It grows in various habitats and is not considered poisonous, but its consumption should be done with caution and under guidance from a knowledgeable professional.
Natural Resources
- Geothermal Energy: Abatesh Island is one of the few places in the world where geothermal energy is abundant. The frequent storms and the presence of numen make it an ideal place for geothermal energy production. The island has several geothermal power plants, which provide a significant portion of its energy needs.
- Wind Energy: Abatesh Island is renowned for its high winds, which can reach over 100 km/h at any time of year. The winds provide a valuable source of energy, and the island has several wind turbines that capture the energy and generate electricity.
- Manganese: The island is also rich in manganese, a vital ingredient in the production of steel. Manganese deposits can be found in the mountains and rocky shores of Abatesh. The manganese industry is one of the largest sources of employment on the island, and it provides valuable resources to the world.
- Meteoric Iron: With the frequent storms and animus', it is not uncommon for meteors to fall on the island. Some of these meteorites contain valuable iron deposits, which have been harvested by miners for centuries. The iron is sought after for its strength and durability, and it is used in many industrial applications.
- Thermal Springs: The geothermal energy on the island has also created several thermal springs. The springs are believed to have therapeutic properties, and they are often used for relaxation and healing.
History
Abatesh Island was formed by a massive meteor strike, which caused massive volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and a shift in tectonic plates, which separated the island from the main continent. Located between the Linvean kingdom to the northeast and the highlands to the west, the island is uninhabitable for most due to powerful magical storms caused by the destabilization of a rich vein of magical ore that existed on the island at the time of the meteor impact.
A group of Krudh, driven by desperation as a result of a combination of war and natural disasters, were the first to settle on the island, despite the dangerous storms. They were able to survive and even thrive in the harsh conditions by adapting, eventually evolving into the Grirk.
Because the island was uninhabitable for most other species, the Thyselie were the next to arrive. Forced to flee the Linvean Kingdom due to disease and famine, the Thyselie evolved to adapt to the island, giving rise to what is now known as the Nerthach. They founded a new community on Abatesh with the Grirk, deep beneath the surface among the island's expansive cavern systems.
Tourism
Abatesh could easily be crowned the least desirable tourist attraction on Eivrall, aside from the polar region of Yudhelm. Humans are virtually incapable of lasting more than a few minutes during an animus, as they have lower levels of numen than the other species. The Nerthach and Grirk have made Abatesh their homeland, and have evolved to survive the conditions.
Because Abatesh is not a likely destination for travelers, any outsiders to the island are often met skeptically and thoroughly questioned for malicious intentions.
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