The Levin Mires

The Levin Mires are a vast marshland located within the True Democracy of Arcadia.

Geography

The Levin Mires are on a mostly flat plane in a temperate environment. Puddles of stagnant water cover the terrain and nurture the few deciduous trees that call the swamps home. Remains of old traveling paths long since abandoned wind through the muddy terrain, with old dilapidated huts dotting the trail. The soil of the levin swamps contains an abnormally high amount of metal and can conduct electricity very well.
The northern area of the swamp is populated with moist caverns where moss nearly covers the ceilings and floor in their entirety. Inside these caves are massive levinsgall crystal growths that are constantly growing back after harvest.

Localized Phenomena

Due to the conductivity of its soil, the mire is a site of constant lightning strikes. The standing water and general moisture content of the marsh creates a very real electrocution hazard; many travelers will wear insulating rubber shoes to prevent the electricity from entering their bodies.

Climate

The Levin Mires are temperate in climate. Inhabitants identify two distinct seasons: "warm" and "cold". These terms are somewhat of a misnomer, as the ambient temperature does not change--rather, the humidity of the area changes.
The warm season is marked by an increase in humidity but a decrease in rain, while the cold season is its inversion. The cold season is marked by sinus irritation and a faster loss of body heat, while the warm season bolsters mold growth and promotes excessive sweating.

Natural Resources

Crystals growing inside the mire caves are known as "levinsgall", and are a popular material for Arcadian jewelry. Levinsgall is one of Arcadia's most prominent exports, necessitating their harvest by brave souls who dare to face the storm. 
Aside from levinsgall, patches of grass scattered across the marshlands are known to be able to cure various diseases both locally endemic and widespread over Sulheim.

History

The Levin Mires were first discovered during a great trade boom in the region that would become Arcadia. Merchants were looking for a faster route to major hubs at any cost, and initially were thrilled to discover it. However, they quickly discovered that the metallic soil promoted constant lightning strikes and made this new shortcut incredibly dangerous.
Before the advent of carriages and convoys, merchants would simply strap on rubber boots and travel the mire on foot. However, as technology improved and horses became an integral part of merchant convoys, it became clear that the animals did not travel well through the mires--especially with metal horseshoes. The mire trade route would dry up quickly as the use of horses became much more popular, and nowadays it is rarely used for trade routes.

Alternative Name(s)

Thundermarsh

Type

Wetland / Swamp

Owning Organization

True Democracy of Arcadia

Inhabiting Species

• Lizardfolk