Regions

Most maps of Obojima divide the island into six regions that are widely recognized by the islanders. The regions are not political divisions, but rather, they describe larger geographical areas that share certain characteristics. A seventh region describes the submerged landscape that surrounds the island. It is known as the @shallo Shallows. Beyond the shelf of the Shallows is the vast expanse of ocean that the islanders refer to as the Deep.

The Gift of Shuritashi

Also known as the Gift, the westernmost and largest region is named after a great spirit that once roamed the western forests of the island. The land is a patchwork of idyllic landscapes that include rolling hills, lush forests, and sandy beaches. Most of its scattered villages and towns are home to farmers and craftspeople.

The Land of Hot Water

Natural hot springs dot an otherwise arid landscape that stretches between the northern slope of Mount Arbora and the sea. The people who live here enjoy a culture that balances industry and relaxation. Of late, a fad of flight has spread among the engineers and tinkerers who live here.

Mount Arbora

The looming peak of this ancient mountain can be seen from every corner of Obojima. Meltwater from its snowy slopes feed the island’s rivers, so some of the island’s residents regard Mount Arbora as Obojima’s beating heart. Though majestic, the mountain is treacherous. The terrain can be unforgiving, and some of the island’s largest monsters dwell here.

The Gale Fields

The center of the island is a vast, sweeping plain—a wilderness of uncommonly tall grass. Crossing the Gale Fields is no easy task, but it’s the quickest way to travel from one end of the island to the other. The honorable Courier Brigade maintains the major roads that crisscross the Gale Fields, though the nomadic communities who call the area home know its secret paths for good reason: this is the domain of the howlers.

The Brackwater Wetlands

Aside from the peak of Mount Arbora, the soggy Brackwater Wetlands in the east of Obojima are the island’s most sparsely populated region. The people here are accustomed to a hardscrabble life, and they have adapted to the swamp by building entire settlements on stilts. The region is known for its time honored tradition of mud eel fishing, though its greatest point of pride is that it is the home of the island-famous Hakumon’s Ramen Shop. Of late, the treacherous wetlands have become even more dangerous, as a large swathe of it has been overrun by the mysterious Corruption that came from the sea only months ago.

The Coastal Highlands

The land in the southeastern corner of Obojima rises sharply from the Gale Fields and Brackwater Wetlands, forming a plateau of craggy rock that ends at the sea as a dramatic, sheer cliff. Within the cliff face are several sprawling networks of caves that open out over the sea.

The Shallows

Obojima is ringed by a reef known as the Shallows. The beach drops under the surf creating a sandy bottom that stretches out several miles offshore and can get to a depth of 200 feet before the reef rises up, creating a coral wonderland around Obojima. Beyond, a steep shelf gives way to the deep waters of the open ocean. Aside from being home to all kinds of sea creatures, a portion of the Shallows is also claimed by the Lionfish King, who has become increasingly agitated and belligerent since the Corruption arrived on the island.