Black Alder Wetlands

Excerpt from 'Interesting Marvels of Kawa, a Tourist's Guide'

A swamp discovered beyond the town of Goyonofu, by following the Dhirn River to its end, during the time of the Virtous-Sin War. There are numerous oral accounts that this swamp was once a large forest, but aside from the occasional rumor - there is no written record of its existence. And while we're all about mystery, we'd caution you against adventuring on your own! Not only is this Marvel difficult to get to, it's not even the Marvel we're talking about.

There is an infamous ruined citadel in the center of the swamp! Of the released records from Goyonofu's military days, we do know that they had a building in that area; backing this up a few curious and (thankfully for them) competent adventures that have told us whatever building was once stood, now lays in ruin. And who doesn't like rubble with a history?

These Ruins and the surrounding swamp land are under sanctioned protection of The Kawa Republic, so we don't recommend heading that way without an escort. The Town of Goyonofu takes care of the escort and touring services of the old military training grounds and defenses that appear along route to the swamp!

Please be advised that the Black Alder Wetlands are marked as potentially dangerous and while we have yet to see any health issues caused by the swamp it is reported to display slight levels of toxicity and it is quite the dangerous area. Be sure to listen and adhere to you escort's rules.

Geography

This permanently flooded forest lays at the end of the stream that passes through the cities of: Haha, Oga, and Goyonofu.
The wetlands actually form a sunken crater. The depth filled with overflowing water and mangrove trees as the only form of solid passage. For the accessible wetland, the water levels vary between 6 to 10 meters during The Festival of the Dancing Spirits to around when The Maiden Calls the Sun to Rest. During the rest of the cycle, the height remains around 3 meters.

Fauna & Flora

The wetlands are almost completely surrounded by interlinking trees. The canopy of plants below spreads to 15 meters in height, abundant in plants such as cool matt, mango pine, and enchanted calamus tenuis.

Snakes, more so in the wet seasons, and Mongoose, in dry season, can be seen within the watered forests. Heron, Egret, Kingfisher, Bulbul, and Kite Bird can be spotted flying among the trees. And aquatic life such as Batasio, Rita, Pabda, Rohu and even crocodiles are easily found by locals.

Natural Resources

Considering how abundant cool matt, mango pine, and enchanted calamus tenuis are along the wet land borders they are harvested as one of Goyonofu main sources used in many of the products the town uses in trade: Cool Matt, Mango Pine, and Enchanted Calamus Tenuis!

The Black Alder Wetlands has very little recorded history beyond its initial discovery. Some conspiracies state that the swamp was once a testing ground for some war weapon government experiment, given that Kawa Republic's versatile trade economy does include weaponry. After all, who builds a citadel in a swamp?

What an interesting origin story. Wouldn't that be grand if it were true?

Alternative Name(s)

The Glow, Swamp, Fallen Symbol or Symbol

Type

Wetland / Swamp