The Grasslands

Endless Plains

Vast stretches of tall, dense grasses form the majority of the terrain, interrupted only by sporadic groves of gnarled, withered trees - remnants of the ancient woodlands that once blanketed the region. These trees, mostly stunted and twisted, serve as silent witnesses to the deforestation that ravaged the land.

Salt Flats and Deposits

In parts of the Grasslands, the earth is crusted with salt deposits that shimmer in the sunlight. These salt flats, formed from evaporated ancient seas, create a surreal, almost alien landscape where the soil is too mineral-rich to support much beyond salt-tolerant shrubs and grasses. The salt flats are a major part of the ecosystem, attracting trade and industry, as well as the creatures that have adapted to survive in the harsh conditions.

The Coastline

Along the western edge of Berthe, where the Grasslands meet the sea, lies the coastal duchy of Camille. Here, the landscape is more complex, with salt marshes and coastal wetlands sprawling outward. The land gently slopes toward the sea, creating natural harbors that have been long cultivated by the people of Berthe. The shores are often jagged, with exposed cliffs and rocky outcrops, where waves crash and saltwater mist rises into the air. However, much of the coast is given over to human ingenuity, with the canal systems extending all the way to the docks of Camille’s harbors, facilitating trade.

Berthe’s weather is shaped by its broad, deforested plains and its orientation toward the sunlit edge of the habitable twilight band. While it’s not on the full sun-facing side, it lies close enough to experience intense solar exposure during its half of the day-moon cycle. Its flat topography allows winds from nearby regions—especially cooler Nikolic highland air and dry gusts from Urtz—to sweep across uninterrupted.

Prevailing Winds

• Flow eastward from Nikolic, carrying dry, cool air.
• Occasional dry downdrafts from Urtz disrupt local air pressure, kicking up dust.
• Stronger weather fronts may cross diagonally, following the arc of the long moon.

Wind Effects

• Winds are steady and often fierce across the grasslands, due to flat terrain.
• Winds help cool the land but also strip moisture, especially across the salt flats and deforested zones.

Clouds & Rain

• Cloud cover is moderate—low fogs and high, slow-moving stratiform clouds.
• Rain is uncommon but not absent. When it comes, it's often brief and hard, driven by long-moon tidal air cycles or rare storms from the north.

Salt Flat Heat Flares

Solar concentration and mineral surface glare create visible heat shimmer zones, often causing mirage-like effects. Localized “heat domes” can form above large flat areas, driving convection cells and whirlwinds.

Dry Thunderstorms

Sometimes lightning arcs through cloudless skies—a result of static buildup over mineral plains. These are dramatic but rarely deliver rain. They can ignite grass fires in the dry season.

Moon-Driven Gust Lines

As the long moon arcs overhead, subtle gravitational effects induce atmospheric shifts—wind reversals, low-pressure troughs, and sometimes “moon squalls” that pass like ghost storms across the plains.

Residual Forest Fog

Rare pockets of surviving forest create microclimates. In these spots, morning fog may linger, a holdover from older moisture cycles when the region was forested.

Golden-Hour All Day

The sun remains in place, meaning Berthe has a permanent light gradient, creating long shadows and golden-hued landscapes during its active cycle.

Nightglow and Moonbeams

With the long moon regularly overhead and the short moon tracking the calendar, double-moonlight can create surreal lighting conditions—pale silver light rippling across the grass while the salt flats glisten faintly.

Dust Veils & Glare

Winds often lift fine dust into the air, which combines with salt particles to create a low haze. Sunlight filtering through this haze gives Berthe an ethereal glow, especially when viewed from elevated terrain or airships.