The Great Takla
The Great Takla is an extensive hyperarid region in a landlocked area of Iscarion to the west of the Nas Ashca. During the Five Empires period, it took up the northern portion of badlands between Keshwar and Basat, and the territories of their respective empires. To the south, The City of the White Tree ostensibly controlled the area, but due to the harsh nature of the physical environment, it was widely considered to be impassable with the technology of the period (up until the development of The Black Widow by the Empire of Basat).
Geography
As a result of its location atop a series of intersecting continental tectonic plates, the Great Takla is prone to extreme earthquake events. These also trigger extreme storm weather conditions, and have made the area almost impossible to settle long-term. Although there have been trading routes established by the various ethnic groups living in the area (who have little or no relationship with the empires ostensibly controlling their land), these have always been difficult to maintain, even into the late Amnari Alliance period. As such, the only possible settlements are small in scale and shift frequently to follow access to water via temporary oases.
Of particular note are the Imrir Hot Springs, where groundwater circulates within areas of high volcanic activity and dissolved abundant unstable ana and kata, with deep heka in places. The waters in this area are also particularly toxic for Humans, but much more appealing to Ashcan Draegunim and related species.
Localized Phenomena
As a result of the fragility of the environment and underlying tectonic activity, the Great Takla is subject to frequent earthquakes. Some of these are magnified by the high presence of background Kata and even deeper Heka quakes that open up low-lying volcanic activity. The intersection of the underlying plates have created Cycling Heka Quakes, evidenced in the landscape by unusual 'circular' volcanic pits.
Climate
As a hyperarid environment, the area receives on average between 10–12mm precipitation each year. Most of the area is a hot desert, with temperatures ranging from the low 30Cs up to maximums of 51.3C in particularly hot years. Although some areas are considered unliveable for humans, it is frequently used as a relief site for Ashcan Draegunim, especially those dragons involved in long flights between Nas Isca and the Nas Ashca.
Fauna & Flora
The Great Takla is a site of special scientific interest at present due to the presence of cycling heka quakes, particularly for the communities of extremophile microorganisms that act as intense heka sinks. Aside from intensely varied micro-ecosystems, the Great Takla is home to a range of small arid-adapted flora and fauna. It is also home to small populations of Geidan of less aggressive species.
History
The Great Takla is most noted for having maintained a boundary between the Empire of Basat and the Empire of Keshwar during the interwar period or "Age of the White Tree". In approximately -50 FEA, the Empire of Basat finally developed various war machines, including The Black Widow, that were capable of coping with the hostilities of the environment. This first expedition led to the outbreak of The Rending War.
Since then, the Great Takla has remained mostly untouched, except for its popularity with dragons and related species. Amnari Alliance has established a number of transit and scientific stations to research the unusual tectonic and hektonic activity. More recently, it is believed to be the site of the rediscovery of The Bone Moth.
Type
Desert
Vehicles Present
Location under
Owning Organization
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