The Starkland

The Starkland is a volcanic, fissured, and rocky shrubland in southern Kurh-Kada. Over half of its eastern portion lies in Kadatama, while the rest is in Kurhkametz. Control over of the Starkland played a major role in the two countries' unification. It is currently home to the Cnu'un, An'tan-Ei, and An'tan-An peoples. These groups are known for their adaptation to the unique features of the Starklands; So much, in fact, that living outside the region is uncomfortable. Their survival has always been contested by the two countries who vie over control of the land's exotic resources.

Geography

Many of the Starkland's features were formed over several centuries of volcanic activity. Such features include lava fields, plugs, domes, craters, calderas, acidpools, geysers, and the volcanoes themselves. The land is riddled with large formations such as mesas, mountains, plateaus, canyons, with dry grasslands or bramble forests inbetween. Buttes, hoodoos, and monadnocks are smaller features that can also be found here. There are many highly acidic hot springs and crater lakes in the Starkland.

Localized Phenomena

Volcanoes erupt frequently, and earthquakes occur semi-frequently. In spring, tectonic activity temporially and drastically increases, causing more large-scale earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The reason for this is not yet known. In summer and spring, the atmosphere in the Starkland is known to rise drastically in acidity as the temperature also rises. Extreme summer heat vaporizes the water in acidpools and crater lakes. This, as well as increased eruptions of gysers during spring, causes the air to become dense and almost corrosive. This turns any rain acidic. In cooler seasons, acidic steam fog rises from the hot springs and lakes.

Fauna & Flora

Despite its volatile nature, the land is not as barren as the myth claims. The Starkland boasts several unique species of plant and animal. Driabrl is a family of huge thorny vine that is native to the region and forms its sprawling, dry, brambly forests. These forests are home to the Thorn-tailed Thinlark - a beast that camoflagues with the vines and impales ambushed prey on the thorns of its tail. During hot seasons, native vegetation utlilize the increased acidity in the air by asborbing it. This temporarily improves functions like defense in brambles by making thorn wounds more painful, or makes the carnivorous species' juices extra potent.

Natural Resources

In native species, flowers will not fruit or even bloom without the vernal acidity. Native fruit reacts with positive effects such as juicier flesh, but non-native fruits will rot away faster. This makes overall plant imports and exports difficult, but also demanding.

Tourism

So dangerous are the Starkland's every aspect that it sees virtually no tourists, at least those who want to return with their lives. Thrillseekers and exotic hunters visit more often than scientists.

Type

Badlands

Inhabiting Species