Emerald Tide Wetlands
"The Emerald Tide is flooded a good portion of the spring months, but the floods bring with them a bountiful planting season for the farms that supply Belrynna. The beautiful emerald colored grass and the calm, still water of the marshlands make for a perfect spring day."
The Emerald Tide Wetlands lie on the western coast of Vanigraad along the Sapphire Serpent's long journey toward the Irristal Ocean. Along it's overflowing banks reside the carefully tended fields, livestock, and rice patties of Belrynd's farmers and ranchers. Cattle, domesticated deer, sheep, and other various types of animals are raised here due to the welcoming climate. During the Spring and Summer storm season the Serpent overflows to become the Emerald Delta. Forming a vast array of estuaries that span 150 miles of Irristal coastlines to the north and south. Crops are protected from these unpredictable water levels by sturdy, tightly packed stone walls. Nourished by the silt that washes down river to form the fertile soil used to produce all manner of fruits and vegetables. Each plot in the Wetlands is leased out and irrigated by a brilliant combination of steam driven pumps and gravity fed aqueducts built and maintained by the Artificers of Belrynna using the modest taxes garnered by the Brass Conglomerate.
The people of Belrynd that live along in the Wetlands do so on floating houses set on sturdy timber. So as to live in harmony with the rise and fall of water levels in the area. The Wetlands also serve as their primary method of gathering food. As living on the water allows them easy fishing access to the annual migrations of fish that make their way west toward the ocean. This annual migration brings with it a fair share of danger however, as Owlbear, Displacer Beasts, and even local Goblin tribes want their piece of the bounty the migrations provide. As such, the Sheriffs of Belrynna show in force during this time, monitoring and protecting citizens through use of airship and water skiff alike. Since the Calamity of the Confluence however, fish that were once common place have become more and more scare, leading some to worry that the migrations will soon cease all together, causing the creatures that show during these months to turn their attention away from the fish and to the farmers and fishers themselves.
Despite the fears, various races call the the Delta and the Wetlands home. The area has a large Halfilng population, to include a settlement founded by Halflings, for Halflings. Cedarbrooke thrives on the peaceful nature of its residents, welcoming travelers from all walks of life to trade and rest their weary bones. Triton, orcs, and many other races work the farms in the region and it is easy to find work for many. As all the farms need strong hands during the harvest season. Much of the racism and misunderstanding that is common to the East, is not tolerated within Belrynd's borders. Some of the most notable ranches in the region are run by Goblin families that wished to separate themselves from the more irascible kin.
Since the Confluence, the Wetlands have seen more than their far share of the creatures of Chaos. Though Belrynd's standing army, and the Sheriffs of the Belrynna do their best to protect the borders, creatures do slip through the cracks. Especially since the tensions between the Empire and Belrynd are starting to worsen, resulting in the Bronze Legion to be stretched thin to protect their forts to the north. As such, individual farms or settlements will often pool their coin and hire outside mercenaries, Seekers, or even the Black Sentinels for protection during surges of monster activity. While this does serve to keep the peace to some degree, most citizens of the Wetlands are accustomed to defending themselves and many have basic training in some form of weaponry should the need arise.
Alternative Name(s)
The Emerald Delta, the Wetlands
Type
Wetland / Swamp
Location under
Comments