Ringing Glades
Geography
The Ringing Glades are situated amongst the gentle lowlands that dominate the Distal F6 face between the cube layer's edge and vertex mountain ranges. While the region is not directly related to the geologically quiescent Dorsal Tesseract, the adjoining face in Distal G3 is, meaning that seismic activity is not a strong factor in determining the shape of the terrain here. Erosion due to circumvection is checked and directed by the presence of extensive root systems - both live and petrified - that stabilize portions of the terrain. Small ponds of water, hazardous to the health of most creatures due to dhardleaf dross and other radioactive bioaccumulations (see Ecosystem), gather in the low spots and rise during the rainy season.
Over time, the alkalinity of the soil has decreased as the petrified trees and logs scattered through the landscape provided places for salt crystals to nucleate. As a result, interspersed with the thickets of stumps and huge shardleaf growths are massive crystalline structures. These crystals form spires if grown around standing trees, boulder-sized cuboids if grown around stumps, and hollow spheres if grown around partial or intact gas spores. When the wind blows through, the clattering of shardleaf fronds against these crystals creates a tinkling sound not unlike that of windchimes which, when combined with the whisling and howls created by hollow formations (see above), creates a ghostly auditory ambiance.
Ecosystem
The Ringing Glades were not always as unusual or dangerous as they are now. A dense prehistoric forest of gas spore plants and sessile jet meantwigs once dominated the landscape. Shardleaf began to proliferate in the area due to the close availabiliy of water and radioactive isotopes in the soil, creating competition by irradiating the gas spores and piercing their pods prematurely. While many meantwigs were able to flee the area, the gas spores eventually died out and, as the influence of the shardleaf arrested normal decay processes, became broken, petrified stumps.
Natural Resources
They crystalline structures found in the Ringing Glade are of interest for mineral exploration, as they represent surface deposits of potentially valuable alkali metals. However, the biological and radiological dangers of working in the region make extended mining operations unfavorable, and the forest is so densely overgrown that clearing paths to the best deposits would take an extended period of time. As such, the mineral wealth of the Ringing Glade remains comparatively untapped for the time being.
Tourism
The Ringing Glades are visually spectacular but dangerous to visit. While verdials are naturally resistant to the usual Distal threats, such as Distal polyps, their resistance to radiation and slashing is little better than that of ovinex. Nevertheless, the crystals in the region draw the attention of explorers and scientists alike, and some accept the risks for an opportunity to take in the unique view. Visitors frequently employ HC-1 "Meantwig" Hazardous Condition Auto-Armor with protective lead or gold foil lining to resist the various environmental hazards presented by the unique geobiology of the place.
Type
Forest, Temperate (Seasonal)
Location under
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