Rusted Sea

Once a vast inland ocean, the Rusted Sea is now a toxic wasteland filled with pools of acidic water and rusting shipwrecks. Located in the central regions of Acheron Prime , the Rusted Sea has been heavily polluted by centuries of industrial runoff, rendering the water hazardous to all life. The shoreline is marked by the skeletons of old refineries and abandoned cargo ships that have corroded in the poisonous environment.


The Rusted Sea is an environmental disaster zone, but it still holds strategic importance. Several derelict vessels and old industrial rigs float in the toxic waters, some of which are believed to contain valuable materials or ancient technology. Few dare venture into the depths due to the highly corrosive nature of the water and the risk of mechanical failure in the harsh environment.

Geography

The Rusted Sea is a vast, toxic inland body of water located in the central region of Acheron Prime. Once a thriving inland sea, it is now a highly polluted, acidic wasteland due to centuries of industrial runoff and mining operations. The terrain surrounding the Rusted Sea is barren and rocky, with the shoreline covered in rusted industrial debris, crumbling refineries, and the skeletal remains of derelict ships. The sea itself is filled with thick, corrosive waters that have taken on a murky, reddish-brown hue, the result of heavy iron and chemical contamination.

• Terrain Features: The Rusted Sea is surrounded by jagged hills and craters formed by both natural erosion and industrial exploitation. The shoreline is uneven, with sharp rock outcroppings and treacherous drop-offs. There are no significant freshwater sources in the region, and the few remaining streams and rivers that once fed the sea are now equally polluted. The Rusted Sea is cut off from larger bodies of water, existing as an isolated environmental disaster zone.

Ecosystem

The ecosystem of the Rusted Sea is almost entirely lifeless, with only a few highly specialized and mutated organisms capable of surviving in such a toxic environment. The waters are largely devoid of life, poisoned by the high concentrations of heavy metals, acids, and industrial chemicals. However, the surrounding area supports a limited ecosystem adapted to the extreme conditions.

• Biological Dynamics: The few living organisms in the region have evolved to tolerate high levels of pollution and radiation. Small, insect-like creatures burrow into the rusted remains of old ships, feeding on organic residue that has somehow persisted in the hostile environment. Algae-like formations, tinged with orange and brown, cling to rusted metal and rocky shorelines, thriving in the acidic waters. Some fish species, long mutated by exposure to the toxins, can occasionally be seen in the depths, their scales thickened to withstand the corrosive waters.
• Industrial Remnants: The ecosystem is dominated by the remnants of past industrial endeavors, with rusted machinery, decaying pipelines, and half-sunken vessels scattered throughout the sea and along the shore. These decaying structures have become part of the environment itself, acting as habitats for the few organisms that survive there.

Ecosystem Cycles

The ecosystem cycles of the Rusted Sea are primarily dictated by the planet’s industrial activity and its polluted atmosphere, rather than natural seasonal changes. The environment remains largely unchanged throughout the year due to the constant presence of toxic chemicals and pollutants.

• Pollution Fluctuations: Occasionally, industrial activity in nearby regions causes shifts in pollution levels. During periods of intense manufacturing or mining in surrounding areas, the water levels in the Rusted Sea drop further, as more waste is dumped into the basin, affecting the fragile organisms that have adapted to its harsh conditions.
• Acid Rain Cycles: The Rusted Sea experiences cycles of acid rain, particularly during periods of high industrial output. This acid rain worsens the toxicity of the water, killing off any new or migrating organisms that might otherwise attempt to settle. The acid rains also corrode the structures that line the sea, accelerating the decay of the old refineries and ships.

Localized Phenomena

The Rusted Sea is home to several dangerous and unique localized phenomena that make the area especially hazardous:

• Metal Lightning: Due to the high concentration of iron and other metals in the sea, the region experiences a rare phenomenon known as metal lightning. During storms, the high metal content in the water attracts powerful lightning strikes, which light up the sky in violent flashes. These storms can cause surges of electromagnetic energy that interfere with electronics and machinery, and the lightning can ignite pockets of toxic gas near the shorelines, causing small but intense explosions.
• Toxic Fog: On particularly cool mornings, a thick fog of toxic gases rises from the surface of the Rusted Sea. This fog can spread across the surrounding region, suffocating any unprotected lifeforms and corroding exposed metal structures. The fog is composed of volatile chemicals that are released from the water when it is agitated by wind or storms.
• Sinking Wrecks: The old, decaying ships and industrial platforms scattered across the Rusted Sea are prone to collapsing into the depths without warning. Over time, the corrosive environment eats away at these structures, causing them to suddenly give way and sink into the sea, creating dangerous whirlpools and waves that pull in anything nearby.

Climate

The climate of the Rusted Sea region is harsh and dominated by pollution.

• Extreme Heat and Cold: The region experiences extreme temperature variations, with blistering heat during the day and freezing cold at night. The metal-rich water absorbs and retains heat, causing the air around the Rusted Sea to be hotter than other parts of Acheron Prime . At night, the lack of vegetation and open skies lead to a rapid loss of heat, making the area frigid.
• Acid Rain: The region is prone to frequent acid rain, a byproduct of the nearby industrial complexes and mining facilities. This acidic precipitation is highly corrosive and exacerbates the decay of any structures exposed to the elements. The acid rain also contributes to the toxic conditions of the Rusted Sea’s waters.
• Unpredictable Storms: Violent storms occasionally sweep across the Rusted Sea, fueled by the planet’s erratic weather patterns. These storms bring with them high winds, acid rain, and the dangerous phenomenon of metal lightning.

Fauna & Flora

The flora and fauna of the Rusted Sea are minimal, as few organisms can survive in such a hostile environment. However, there are some lifeforms that have adapted to the region's extreme conditions.

• Mutated Algae: The only plant-like organism that thrives in the Rusted Sea is a mutated form of algae. This algae clings to the rusting hulls of old ships and the shoreline, absorbing nutrients from the polluted water. It has a sickly brown or orange hue and has developed a resistance to the acidic environment.
• Corroded Fish: Deep within the Rusted Sea, a few species of fish have adapted to survive in the corrosive waters. These fish have thickened, armor-like scales that protect them from the acidity of the water, and they feed on the few organisms that still exist in the depths. Over time, their appearances have become twisted, with many showing deformities such as extra fins or glowing eyes.
• Scrap Mites: Tiny, insect-like creatures known as scrap mites inhabit the rusted wrecks and decaying machinery that line the sea. These mites feed on the remnants of organic material and corroded metal, breaking down the wreckage over time. They play a vital role in the slow reclamation of the industrial debris.

Natural Resources

Despite its barren and polluted state, the Rusted Sea holds a few valuable natural resources that continue to attract scavengers and corporations.

• Scrap Metal: The wrecks of old ships and industrial rigs littering the Rusted Sea are valuable sources of scrap metal. Scavengers often risk their lives to salvage usable materials from the rusting remains, though the dangers of the sea and its toxic waters make this a perilous occupation.
• Rare Minerals: Beneath the sea’s surface, deposits of rare and valuable minerals can still be found. Some corporations continue to send expeditions to mine the deeper parts of the sea, using specialized equipment to withstand the corrosive environment.
• Toxic Chemicals: The toxic water of the Rusted Sea contains a variety of volatile chemicals that can be harvested and refined for industrial use. These chemicals are used in manufacturing and mining processes, though they are dangerous to extract.

History

The history of the Rusted Sea is one of environmental devastation. Originally, it was a large inland sea that supported life and acted as a natural barrier between early settlements. However, as Acheron Prime ’s industrialization expanded, the Rusted Sea became a dumping ground for industrial waste, pollutants, and chemicals from nearby mining operations.

Over the centuries, the sea was gradually poisoned, with the water turning a reddish-brown hue due to the high concentration of iron and other metals. The once-thriving ecosystem collapsed, leaving behind a barren wasteland of toxic water and rusting industrial remnants. Attempts to reverse the damage have failed, and the Rusted Sea now stands as a reminder of the planet’s environmental decline.

Tourism

Tourism to the Rusted Sea is rare due to the hazardous environment, but it still attracts certain types of visitors:

• Scrappers and Scavengers: The Rusted Sea is a haven for scavengers looking to salvage scrap metal and valuable materials from the wrecks scattered along its shores. These individuals often form temporary camps near the sea, braving the toxic conditions to make a living.
• Adventurers and Explorers: A small number of adventurers and explorers visit the Rusted Sea in search of hidden treasures or ancient technologies believed to be buried beneath the wreckage. These expeditions are dangerous, but the lure of discovering valuable artifacts drives many to take the risk.
• Corporate Expeditions: Some corporations send teams to the Rusted Sea to harvest rare chemicals or mine the depths for valuable minerals. These teams are heavily equipped and often escorted by security forces to protect them from the dangers of the region.

Type

Inland Sea

Location under

Hestia

Included Locations

• Blackwater

Included Organizations

• Rusted Syndicate