Ringshadow
Darkness of the World's Arch
The World of Matelo Kaloje is surrounded by vast planetary rings, called the World's Arch. Starting on the fall equinox, maximizing on the winter solstice, and ending on the spring equinox, the rings partially block out the sun in the temperate regions. This creates constant, cloudy-like locations on even the brightest of days, darkening the world and making temperatures drop considerably.
Geography
Ringshadow stretches from about 35 degrees North (and South) to the arctic and antarctic circles, at 71 degrees North (and South). This falls in the northernmost (and southernmost) parts of the temperate zone, which is dominated by temperate forests and cold steppe, with arctic climates having increased range, especially in the winter.
Ecosystem
The ringshadow has immense effects on the ecosystem. Because these regions recieve less of The Sun's orange light, plants must adapt alternate colors to recieve more solar radiation when it is avaliable. This makes almost all plants, especially the vast forests of evergreen trees in tiagas and temperate rainforests, bluish-green to dark blue in coloration, as opposed to the olive greens and autumnal colors more common of fauna in the more tropical regions (or the more vibrant or dark greens of Earth's fauna). Plants must make a surplus of energy and glucose in the summer and sequest it for the long winter months, while animals and people too must adapt to this environment.
The rings also have gaps created by moons and the different densitites of debris, allows some regions to receive more sunlight. These sunbands are hotbeds of organic activity.
Ecosystem Cycles
Ringshadow exacerbates the winter/summer cycle, shortening autumn and spring. This causes the migration of animals and people (and some plants!) and greatly affects agricutlure of all kinds in the affected areas. Planting must be done with enough sunlight to prevent the seed's deaths, but also with enough time left for them to fully grow. Many animals and monsters hybernate for longer periods of time, and the darkness of winter allows the activity of spirtual beings and dark forces to increase in some regions.
Localized Phenomena
Ringshadow increases snowfall in areas where precipitation would otherwise be rain. Additionally, due to a lack of light rainbows cannot form in the winter. Magical phenomena, such as eldrtich storms and wild magic area, are actually weakened due to the restorative powers of sunrise - but this also opens more crossings to the spirit plane, especially regions of shadow and unseelie power, and can increase the proliferation of undead.
History
Ringshadow has existed since light has, and many cultures have rich mythological traditions explaining how the World's Arch came to be and why it casts a shadow on the world for so long. Sometimes, rainbows are presented as an opposing arch, guarding summer and light. Ringshadow also heightens the dire season of winter, bringing a greater need for hope and winter celebrations, but also increased risk of famine and undead hordes. The Kor celebrate Peakarch during this time, and past civilations have been brought low by the forces of darkness. Some groups migrate south, such as the dwellers of the eastern plane and some underwater societies in the Cobalt Sea, while others move to the spirit realm for the season or follow sunbands.
Ringshadow historically seperated civilizations, but advancements in arcanomechanics have allowed the Empire to push into the shadowy lands of winter and establish permanent colonies, letting dwarves and humans - initially confined to underground and sunny spaces - to expand into the dark lands of orcs, haflings, and elves.
Alternative Name(s)
Shadowlands, Winter Darkness, The North's Curse
Type
Natural Wonder
Location under
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