The Sisters Marsh
Nestled on the western coast of the Centric Sea, the Sisters Marsh is a stretch of wetland based around four large islands that makes up the elongated delta region of the River Arcas. Though they are termed islands, each of the four major landmasses in this region are in fact crisscrossed with innumerable rivers, streams and water channels, making them difficult to traverse and even more difficult to live in for those not adapted to such an environment, or without the willpower, time and resources to shape the landscape to their liking.
Geography
When viewed from above, the Sisters Marsh, which makes up the delta region of the River Arcas, ostensibly looks like four large islands. However, on closer inspection it quickly becomes apparent that there is little continuous solid landmass, with each island being split and bisected by innumerable streams, rivers and pools of standing water. Dominating these waterways are thick groves of mangrove trees, which quickly choke up any solid ground and make navigating the waterways of the marshes confusing and difficult.
Of the four islands, three, Zita, Doto and Kyra are wild and for the most part uninhabited. The fourth island, Acte is entirely different, not due to a fluke of nature however, but due to the landscaping and terraforming of the Archduchy of Vesta, who have created a network of formal canals and reclaimed large swathes of the islands both for the city of Vesterella and its satellite villages, but also for many hundreds of acres of farmland.
Whether the more planned and tamed Acte, or its wild sisters, all of the Sister Marshes have a hot, humid climate, which is oppressive to those not used to it, especially on days when no breeze blows across the region from the Centric Sea to the east.
Fauna & Flora
Like many areas of marshland and swamp, the Sisters Marsh is home to a great many species of amphibians, fish and insects, but relatively few mammals dwell within the area, save for capybaras, whose semi-aquatic life-style allows them to move easily across the various river, streams and other bodies of water in the environment. The capybaras of the Sisters Marsh travel in large herds, which attract and are preyed on by the numerous crocodiles who dwell in the marsh. Some of these crocodiles are said to grow to enormous sizes, far larger than they do in other parts of Kelbonnar.
However, more broadly, the Sisters Marsh has an unusually large number of dryads, nymphs and other fae-creatures with strong connections to natural environments. This concentration is said to stem from the area’s mythological origins (see side bar)
Natural Resources
As well as abundant populations of fish and the meat and skins that can be harvested from the many crocodiles and capybaras, the Sisters Marsh is also abundant with pearl bearing shellfish, whose pearls are highly prized for their size and purity.
Type
Wetland / Swamp
Location under
Included Locations
Contested By
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