The Winding White Source
They entered Humans, they emerged Thangiens...
In order to escape the sickness gripping the verdant plains, the ancient Men fled North seeking refuge in the vast icy cliffs and the many caves nestled within. The cold seemed to keep the sickness at bay, and the waters of the great river ran clear from its source in the face of the mighty glacier. While the people hunkered down with only their strongest and bravest hunters venturing abroad, the mouth of the river remained readily accessible to provide life-giving water without the mess of waiting for ice to melt. When the Twin Suns at last returned to their rightful places, the people emerged from their caves and followed the river back south, much stronger than they'd ever been.
Geography
The Source is observed as a trio of large waterfalls originating from deep within the glacier. It is NOT solely produced by constantly melting ice, but a combination of subterranean springs, supercondensation of steam, and glacial melt through geothermal activity due to the proximity of the Basek de Rhakka supervolcano.
Ecosystem
Virtually no noteworthy wildlife has been observed calling the river mouth home, though some Freelanders claim they can occasionally see giant bones entombed in the neighboring ice cliffs. Perhaps belonging to the fabled plains dragons of eons past.
Ecosystem Cycles
The Storm Season sees the slowest flow with two thirds of water supplying the Source diverted into precipitation throughout Kundain, but as the Flood Season draws nigh, the Northern Ring slowly starts to reclaim its water and the Source flows unfettered once more.
Localized Phenomena
Solar particle storms are a frequent sight and the region is viewed as a hotspot for formation of caevas storms.
Climate
The region is extremely cold but moist with the source itself just barely above freezing.
Fauna & Flora
Hardy lichens and stringy bushes are the most common forms of vegetation, but of Thanged's iconic mammalian or avian species, none are found around the Source or the Northern Ring itself for that matter.
Natural Resources
Roth's Edict forbids unrestricted exploitation of natural resources, and perhaps most guarded of all is the Source since the Winding White is the literal beating heart of the Plains and the farms supplying the city. Even though it is protected from tampering, it is possible to pan precious dererium from the waters, though miners see greater yields braving the Basilica of Flame.
History
See Thangien History and the Dread Winter
Deres famously followed the Great River all the way to its Source in the North, first exploring the many caves scattered throughout the Ring before scaling the cliff and venturing beyond. He wrote of coming upon the Source, struggling to put to words the sight of the three waterfalls cascading down as if colossal beings had upended immense ewers of pristine water.Tourism
Freelanders don't exactly frequent the area: they endured centuries of cold in eons past, they're not exactly eager to relive it, and they prefer the more temperate, bountiful climes of Kundain. Youths venturing abroad however have recently taken to visiting the Source as a pilgrimage of sorts, viewing it as the place everything began for the Thangien people. Newer relaxed rules concerning freelanding and the sophisticated Pegasi make traversing the terrain a great deal easier.
All artwork used is self-made and belongs to me unless otherwise stated, such as kitbashes and commissions. Age of Defiance does not and will not use or feature RW/YST original artwork out of consideration for the OAS creators
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