The Hills
Geography
Despite the extensive deforestation, The Hills are a picturesque landscape of rolling green hills, punctuated by occasional rocky outcrops and deep valleys. The absence of the once-great forest has allowed the natural beauty of the land to become more prominent, with expansive grasslands stretching as far as the eye can see.
The Coast
Sandy Beaches
The coastal area is defined by long stretches of soft, pale sand. The beaches are wide, flat, and relatively smooth, often backed by low dunes that provide some shelter from the wind. In some places, these beaches stretch for miles, offering expansive views of the horizon. The sand here is fine, and the beach is dotted with tide pools and small shells, creating a serene atmosphere, but also a landscape vulnerable to shifting tides and coastal erosion.
Tidal Flats and Mudflats
Just beyond the beaches, large swaths of tidal flats extend into the sea. These areas are exposed at low tide and covered by water at high tide, revealing an intricate network of channels and mudflats. The mud is soft and gooey, and it's easy to get stuck in places. These tidal flats are rich with life, home to crabs, mollusks, and various seabirds, but they can also be dangerous for those unfamiliar with the tides.
Salt Marshes and Wetlands
The Geftan Coast is crisscrossed by salt marshes and wetlands, where brackish water mixes with seawater in sprawling, flat areas. These marshes are rich ecosystems, full of reeds, grasses, and wildlife. The waters here are often still and slow-moving, with wide stretches of shallow pools. In some places, the marshlands rise into small, meandering rivers that empty into the sea. These marshes are a haven for migratory birds, and local fishermen use the gentle estuaries for their catch.
Low, Rolling Dunes
Behind the beaches, a series of low dunes form a natural barrier between the coastal region and the inland areas. These dunes are shaped by the wind and are covered in sparse, salt-resistant grasses. Some dunes are tall enough to offer panoramic views of the coast and sea, while others are low and gentle. The shifting sands and occasional coastal storms can reshape these dunes over time, creating unpredictable changes in the landscape.
Coastal Cliffs
While the majority of the coastline is flat, there are some scattered, jagged cliffs that rise steeply from the sea in certain areas. These cliffs are worn down by the constant battering of the waves, yet they still offer dramatic, breathtaking views over the waters below. The cliffs are often topped with sparse vegetation and occasional caves that house sea creatures or serve as temporary shelters for sailors.
Estuaries and River Mouths
Several rivers and smaller streams flow from the inland regions and meet the sea along the Geftan Coast, creating wide estuaries. These areas are incredibly fertile and serve as important hubs for trade and transport. The waters are often calm and brackish, making them ideal for fishing boats and small craft. These estuarine areas are also prone to flooding, particularly after heavy rains or during high spring tides, and the mouths of the rivers sometimes shift with the seasons.
Climate
Gefter sits near the cooler edge of the twilight zone, further from the sun than Camille or Berthe, but still within the range of stable light and livable temperature. This transitional placement, combined with its exposed grasslands and extensive coast, gives Gefter a cool, maritime-temperate climate, prone to wind, seasonal flooding, and thick coastal mists.
Temperature & Light
- Gefter exists under a soft, low-angled twilight sun, resulting in cooler temperatures than Berthe or Camille, with a muted golden tone to the light.
- There is no true night, but areas under denser fog or weather cloud layers can feel dim, especially during long moon phases.
- The land maintains a chilly equilibrium—never freezing like the far night side, but too cool for most tropical or heat-loving crops.
- Temperatures are mild to cold year-round, especially in the inland hills and higher ground. The coastal regions are more temperate due to oceanic influence.
Wind & Airflow
- Wind is constant and influential in Gefter’s landscape. The region channels atmospheric currents from both the high plains inland and the cool, stable ocean air offshore.
- These winds are cool, briny, and often strong, especially along the dunes and cliffs. In some areas they are fierce enough to shape vegetation and shift sandy dunes over time.
- Inland, gusts race across open hills and valleys, giving rise to a famously “restless” landscape—ideal for wind power and sailing culture.
Moisture & Rain
- Gefter’s position encourages frequent mist and fog, especially in the early phases of the short moon cycle, when temperatures dip briefly as the long moon begins to crest.
- Rainfall is light to moderate but frequent, often arriving as long drizzles or sweeping mists rather than thunderstorms.
- Heavy rains occur irregularly, typically when shifting air pressure over the ocean coincides with long moon gravitational effects—leading to coastal floods and estuary surges.
- The inland hills are less rainy but catch low, damp clouds that feed into the river systems.
Coastal Effects
- Gefter’s wetlands and tidal flats act as climate stabilizers—releasing moisture into the air, softening temperature swings, and helping buffer inland flooding.
- Storm surges and flooding are a seasonal risk, especially around estuaries and low-lying marshes, where rivers swell and saltwater intrudes inland.
- The coast is vulnerable to erosion and dune migration, shaped continually by wind and wave action.
Ecological and Cultural Impact
- Agriculture is shaped by the land: grain, tubers, salt-tolerant crops, and sea-derived resources dominate.
- Wind, salt, and moisture are daily facts of life—reflected in architecture (low, thick-walled homes), dress (waterproof cloaks), and traditions (weather-watching, tidal almanacs).
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