Night Islands
The pristine nights of Hothiri is one of the most mysterious times. The Night Islands are a collective group of islands that only manifest during the dark. Each island is unique in its own right, with exclusive lifeforms and rare artifacts of a world long lost.
These islands emerge thanks to the massive shifts in tides on Hothiri. The three moons orbit the planet at the same speed and position, dragging the planet's ocean towards them. As a result the majority of the islands on Hothiri are submerged during high tides.
Geography, Location & Climate
I've been staring at that island for half an hour now. Its got eyes. Its following me. Watching me. Is it... moving?
All but three of these islands are found in shallow waters, seabed no more than fifty metres below the surface. Every single island is encircled by a perpetual tropical reef, a marking of where these islands reveal themselves.
Larger islands are covered in thick algal forest. These marine forests are littered with bioluminescent appendages that seem to follow your movement, even from miles away. While these bright lights are not discernable from such distance, one can feel their presence as if they were right behind you.
Algal blooms cause the sea around the Night Islands to glow a vivid blue. These waves weave and ripple around the island, stroking the coastline as they glide past. Those that have travelled to the Night Islands claimed to have met a higher presence after ingesting this glowing water.
Those that have stepped foot on these islands talk of a quiet, melodic hummming ringing through the atmosphere. Many have attempted to recreate these tunes, but the otherworldly harmonies have yet to be perfectly mimicked.
In Culture
Workers of the submerged factories around Hothiri often speak about visiting the Night Islands. They have become somewhat of a legend, the majority claiming the islands do not exist.
The few that have travelled beyond the industrial canyons have all disappeared alongside the islands themselves, swallowed up in the inevitable life cycle the Night Islands endure.
Findan's Diaries features a chapter focused on the Night Islands. Findan Saodoa, author of the diaries, claims to have visited Night Islands on his voyages past the secluded reefs and factory wastelands.
These diary entries would settle on the beaches of the few permanent islands in gilded bottles, each one detailing more concerning adventures than the last. The latest diary entry, uncovered two months ago, was written in an unrecognisable language, splattered with blue blood and manic scribbles.
Ecology
Every night these ephemeral islands bring about rare plants and animals found nowhere else on the planet. Like the islands themselves, the inhabiting organisms are bright and colourful. Glowing insects infest the forests, swarming larger creatures unable to fight back against venom-tipped barbs and fangs.
The howls and echoes of giant creatures lurking deep within the forests can be heard from miles away, even from other islands. Few have been recorded, the rest have wild speculations surrounding their nature and origins. Inanimals are common around the Night Islands, phasing out of existence as the islands disappear every morning.
The tropical reefs surrounding each island are full of life. Blue-eyed deepsquid are species slowly decreasing in population, as industrial trawling is destroying benthic ecosystems. Strange orb-like inanimals float through the reefs, guarding the Night Islands. They swarm boats and submarines that dock, attempting to drag them down and capsize them. Despite their swarming nature, the guardians are useless.
10/10 would and would not visit this place XD Once again, stunning art! The biolumenscent green is super striking! :O
Thank you so much!! <3