Uraliwa Island
Table of Contents
Uraliwa is the initial setting of Our Earthly Stars. It is an island located next to the Lower Continent and the current residence of the Hap'ti and Liyap'ti.
History
There are signs that at least two ancient civilization lived in Uraliwa before the arrival of the Hap'ti and Liyap'ti. One of them is unknown and their artifacts are all buried deep inside the Niku'an Mountains. It is also believe that the strange phenomena that strike the Chaliwa islet at night are somehow connected to this same civilization. The other is thought to have been made up of ancestors of the Hap'ti and Liyap'ti who temporarily settled on the island and left behind a number of ruined structures.
The Liyap'ti were the first to arrive at the island about a year before the arrival at the Hap'ti, fleeing from the horde of Umbrages that were slowly consuming all of the Lower Continent. The Liyap'ti settled to the east of the mountain range due to it resembling their homeland, though some moved to the shores after the arrival of the Hap'ti to learn more about their culture.
The Hap'ti initially settled to the south of the grasslands region on a piece of land between two branches of the Niku'an river. Once tin was discovered in the mountain range, a settlement formed around Hapuri Lake. There are currently a few smaller settlements bordering the Niku'an River.
A few years before present day, plans were formed to build a capital city around the Niku'an Mountains. The mountains themselves would serve as a central place of worship to all Hap'ti, with chambers on the inside and hanging structures clinging to the mountain walls. However, a chamber was found inside of the mountains which contained what looked like artifacts of an ancient civilization. The uncovering of this site caused Umbrages to appear around the area and kill most of the workers. A landslide also caused the passage to the mountains to get blocked, stranding visiting Liyap'ti away from the mountains. The project is currently on hold until the area can be rid of Umbrages.
Geography
Regions
Uraliwa Island.
Click to enlarge.
Uraliwa is characterized by three distinct regions: a grasslands region to the east, a semi-arid shrublands region to the west, and a lush mountains region further west. The island features a large river named the Niku'an River which originates from Liyapuri Lake high in the mountains and is fed by springs in the Niku'an Mountains at the center of the island. The shrublands and the lush mountains are separated by a large mountain chain which traps moisture and feeds rivers to its west as well as Hapuri Lake to its east.
The grasslands region contains a large variety of grass species and some trees scattered along the Niku'an river. The western edges of this region are prone to natural wildfires that help recycle biomass. The soil in this region is very fertile and so it houses most of Uraliwa's farms.
The shrublands region is a semi-arid steppe that contains several species of cactus and small herbs. The shores of the Niku'an River house the region's very few trees and large animals. Hapuri Lake is located to the southwest of the region and its surrounding areas are where most of the Hap'ti in this region
The lush mountains region is divided in two sections, a high-altitude fields subregion to the south and lush forests subregion to the north surrounding Liyapuri Lake. A river flows from the lake from north to south, although it has no unique name as it is considered a part of the Niku'an river. This region has the highest concentration of Liyap'ti in Uraliwa.
The shores are mostly populated by Liyap'ti stranded away from the mountains.
There are also several islets to the northeast of Uraliwa which are also considered as part of the main island. The two largest islets are called Chaliwa and Kupiliwa and are covered in dense lush forests. Saplings are occasionally collected from their shores, but most of their territory is unexplored due to strange phenomena that happen at night.
Landmarks
- Niku'an Mountains: Located at the center of the island. Contain springs that feed nutrient-rich water into the Niku'an River. There are chambers buried deep inside containing artifacts of an ancient civilization which caused Umbrages to appear on the island..
- Hapuri Lake and Liyapuri Lake: Located at the shrublands and lush mountains respective. Legends say two water-filled stars descended from the First Circle and brought water to these regions to help its past inhabitants survive.
- The Hundred Knives: Located at the shrublands. Several rock formations resembling sharp blades pointed at the Niku'an Mountains. Believed to be the result of a moon-channeling Hap'ti gone mad.
Ecosystem
This section contains WIP content!
Fauna
Uraliwa island features several species of birds, mammals, reptiles and insects. Some of the them include:
- Reaperbirds: large flightless birds who eat anything and everything they can fight with their sharp talons and dense bodies.
- Sproutbeasts (Cha'tu): large burrowing mammals whose bodies are covered in a hard carapace. They have been domesticated by the Hap'ti.
- Spiralcats: two species of felines with identical fur patterns, one large and one small, that live on either side of the Niku'an River. It is believed that the small variant evolved those patterns because predators mistook them for infants of the larger variant and left them alone.
- The Watchers: a symbiotic relationship between a species of large deer and birds that spend their lives perched on their horns. In exchange for letting their young nest on its fur, the birds will fly above it and alert it of nearby danger.
One of the most unique species in Uraliwa is called the Purifier. It is a strange aquatic organism that inhabits the Niku'an River and consumes hard-shelled mollusks whole due to their powerful stomach acid. It is mostly blind and uses their whiskers to feel for hard objects, so it will also swallow rocks and debris and excrete them as clay.
Flora
The flora to the east of the mountain range is mostly composed of grasses and small herbs with sparse trees along the Niku'an river. The riverbanks contain a plant called Droopseed which drops its tiny fruits into the river to be consumed by fish. There are hollow cacti in the semi-arid steppe that serve as nests for insects and birds.
The high-altitude fields subregion has a unique species of cactus called Blood Bowl. Its spines are sensitive to touch and extend forward with surprising force if touched, injuring many large animals and outright killing smaller ones. It absorbs blood from the surrounding soil and converts it into a sweet nectar which attracts more animals and is prized by the Liyap'ti of the mountains.
Climate
Uraliwa possesses a temperate climate and four seasons. The rainy season lasts about half of the year and it can feature intense lightning storms in spring. The dry season often causes natural wildfires which are essential for recycling biomass. Temperatures in winter can get below freezing, not enough for snow but enough for hail to form.
Natural Resources
Vegetable
Main article: Crops on Uraliwa.
Uraliwa's various grasses have been domesticated, hybridized and bred for a variety of purposes, from fibrous food sources to textiles. Other food sources include legumes, tubers, fruits and honey. Wood is scarce and so saplings are collected from the islets. Bamboo can be found in the lush forests and makes for a very useful material.
Mineral
Copper can be found everywhere in the island, with large deposits buried under hills in the grasslands region. Tin can be found east of the mountain range but is more common to the west. Large gold and silver deposits can be found around the Hapuri and Liyapuri lake respectively. Gemstones can also be found throughout the whole island.