Riftlands
An ugly scar left on our world...
Great chasms ripped into the earth. For millennia, the Rifts have stood as barriers between the known world and the land beyond. Traversing these stretches of no man's land has been an impossible task due to the alien landscape and creatures found within. Though the effect these places have on the surrounding land may be even more peculiar. Forests, mountains, oceans, and plains all warped into alien landscapes with beasts, while no match to those found within the Rifts themselves, confuse even the most knowledgable of Scholars with their peculiarities.
Climate
In the surrounding lands, the temperature remains cold. No matter where on Qerth the Rift may run through, the temperature is always the same. Scholars from various cities throughout the world all speculate widely on what the cause of this may be but one idea that stands out from others is the possibility of this land being in some way, shape or form detached from the rest of Qerth. A concept that explores the possibility of these lands having their own space and time as though they were a separate dimension of sorts. Though this is entirely unfunded and as of yet has received no evidence to back it up. Other theories allude to it being the work of a darker force. Some even believe them to be portals to another realm and possibly even the underworld. Though once again, these theories are no more than just that. Theories. Theses, conjured in an attempt to explain the unexplainable.I have never known a man mad enough to venture even close to those lands...Furthermore, the sky remains a constant astronomical twilight. Whether the Rift is facing its planet's saffron-coloured star or not, the skies above are constantly dark. This stands as yet another mystery to the scholars of the world. From Tyraq to Mak-Ifrin, there is no argument with enough evidence to explain the phenomena that occur here...
Ecosystem
Within this frigid, dark landscape, however, lives a unique ecosystem. With conditions unlike any other, the fauna and flora here have grown to co-exist in all manner of peculiar ways. Throughout these Rift ecosystems (as they are referred to throughout the common tongue), many forms of life thrive.The things that exist beyond those walls- the creatures that lurk behind those walls! They are not meant for the eyes of mortal men.
Fungi
Within the Riftlands, there are vast forests of fungi that grow to great heights. It would appear that here, Fungi thrive more than any other lifeform. This has led to a vast array of unique fungal species emerging within this ecosystem alone.Flora
Little sunlight reaches the floor of the Riftlands and it is because of this, much of the flora here is adapted to find sustenance through other means. For example, the aptly named Stomach Plant draws in its prey via an odour it secretes that resembles that of rotting fruit. It does this to attract not only insects but also bats and even birds. Once the animal brushes against their tiny sensory hairs the plant closes up around them and proceeds to fill up with digestive acid which begins to break down the animal.Fauna
While the floral and fungal species of the Riftlands are peculiar, some may argue that the animal life that resides in this utterly bizarre world is perhaps even more so. For example, the Mantaere. A species of aerial reptile (known by science as pterosaurs) that spend their lives primarily soaring through the skies of the Riftlands using their huge fin-like wings to keep them high above the ground. This is possible partly due to the high winds that are present in certain sub-biomes within the Riftlands.Type
FrontierPseudonyms
No Man's LandAverage Width
65kmAverage Temperature
4°CSub-Biomes
Agarn ForestsThe Underbelly
Twilight Plains
Inhabiting Species
MantaereFaerwin
Stomach Plant
The Underbelly
It is a place alien to much of Qerth. Overflowing with beasts of a terrible nature filled with malcontent and evil...though these are just the words from the mouths of fools and storytellers. In truth, the creatures that reside here are no less natural than ones found across the globe...though slightly more peculiar. That being said, there are many other ecosystems teeming with beasts that are just as strange.Natural Resources
The Riftlands are widely considered to be both highly dangerous and largely uncharted territory by much of humanity. And with the relatively poor technology available to mankind, these dangers are amplified greatly. Though despite this, some civilisations have been able to venture into these lands and harvest goods that can be found only here.
It would seem even the darkest of places offer gifts if you look hard enough...Within the forests that grow across some stretches of the Riftlands, herbs and plants can be found that offer extraordinary properties to those able to use them. Some of the strongest poisons known to man have been sourced from these lands.
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