Tubu (ˈtubu)

"hu, Tubu is strangely empty."

— Tyrdal

Tubu is the largest of the Mbaru Islands, and a part of the Mangimoi Archipelago. It was the center of the Kingdom of Gailo until three years ago, when every animal on the island suddenly vanished without warning. This disappearance included everything from the smallest insects to the largest beast, and did not spare the human population. The Kingdom of Gailo was thrown into chaos, and is still weak and recovering from this terrible blow. Meanwhile, the island itself has undergone a strange transformation in the absence of all animal life.

An Ecological Nightmare

Those who have explored Tubu since the incident have found it eerie and strange. The island is quieter than any place should be; no birds sing in the trees, and no insects chirp or buzz to fill the stillness. In the fields and forests, there is a mixture of life and death, as some species thrive in the absence of animals, while others have begun to perish without them.

The most visible effect is the massive proliferation of fungus and algae. The streams are choked with slime, as the algae grows unchecked and covers the water. In the forest, fungal species have flourished, especially in the mangrove swamps where the trees are rapidly dying. Plants that relied upon animals to pollinate or spread their seeds are no longer reproducing, and fast-growing weeds have taken over the fields once dedicated to agriculture.

In the city of Kota Daya, once the capital of Gailo, mold and mildew have coated the buildings. Strange jelly-like fungus is also common, sapping the strength of the walls and causing them to collapse. The explorers have brought back tales of spore-laden winds that can choke the unwary, and of waking up to find fuzzy patches of fungus growing on their clothes and skin.

Metaphysical Emptiness

Not only are the animals gone, but the gods of Tubu have also vanished. Those who have investigated the island within the Dream have found that it has become wrapped up in the very idea of "emptiness" and that no trace of the island's Numina remain. Instead, the echo of Tubu in the Dream seems to drive Dreamwalkers away with a pervasive sense that they do not belong, and an underlying threat that those who do are also in danger of vanishing quietly away. Those who visit the physical island also seem to experience this sensation, and it may be why no animals from nearby islands have migrated to Tubu in the years since the incident occurred.

Geography

Tubu is a crescent shaped island, extending about 93 miles from north to south and about 25 miles across at its widest point. The coast has several small inlets framed by mangrove swamps, and a tall ridge dominates the island's central area. Several streams descend the ridge to the sea, fed mostly by seasonal rains. The south and western areas are more rugged and hilly, while the north and eastern areas feature plains where nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon were once cultivated.

Type

Island

Location under

Mbaru Islands

Included Locations

• Kota Daya

Geographic Details

Location: Southern Region
Latitude: 5.91 degrees South
Longitude: 14.06 degrees West
Average Elevation: 66 ft
Highest Point: 997 ft
Lowest Point: -3 ft
Area: 1,151 sq mi

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