From: sweatshop
Date: 2002-11-08 02:51:02
This is everything I have written so far in regards to the Nemen Region Desc task I took. Please post any comments, complaints, requests, thoughts, corrections, revisions, or suggestions you might have.
Nemen Region Desc v. 0.7:
1. Description
2. Climate
2.1 Harinatra
2.2 Macreador
2.3 Variation by Region
3. Geography
3.1 Western Jungle
3.2 Eastern Prairie and Lowlands
3.3 Northern Mountains and Highlands
4. Wildlife
4.1 Fauna
4.2Flora
5. History
1. Overview
The island of Nemen has a central-western location on the world and lies between the Sea of Tears and the Quiet Sea. It is the largest island of a chain that stretches between the continents of Voran and Minartan from the Zumal peninsula in the southwest to the shores of Terennir in the northeast. The island is about 22.5 x 20 km in dimension - about 450 square kilometers. It lies at the northern edge of the tropical latitudes, and thus has high precipitation but is not entirely jungle. On the island, there are three main geographical regions: the jungles to the west, the prairie/plains region in the southeast, and the highlands/mountains to the northeast.
2. Climate
The island of Nemen has only two seasons, the wet and dry seasons, known in the tongue as Harinatra (wet), from Siratodon to Hejii, and Macreador (dry), from Gwedd to Mireadien. These seasons are caused by the series of tropical storms that arise at the eastern end of the world every Mireadien and travel west for about two weeks months, reaching Nemen in the beginning of Siratodon.
2.1 Harinatra
Harinatra begins as these monsoons reach Nemen. It can be roughly divided into two halves. In the first half, the flora of the island begins its recovery from the relatively dormant previous months. During this time, the deluge from the heavens comes in an almost constant stream (10-cm over one day) and becomes increasingly stronger. Thick fog covers much of the landscape until the afternoon. Deciduous trees begin forming the first buds and countless annual wildflowers and other plants send their first shoots up after half a year of dormancy. Temperatures begin to rise, reaching 30-40 degrees Celsius. As life begins anew, rivers overflow their banks, not only bringing rich silt from the highlands to the fertile valleys of eastern Nemen but also wreaking havoc upon any settlements within this rather broad floodplain (on average 10 km in either direction from the two rivers). The tropical storms also bring rather strong winds, ranging from 50 to 100 km/h (but usually staying under 70 km/h).
As the temperature and rains reach their pinnacle (up to 25 cm per day), the second half begins. During this part of the season, most plants begin to flower across prairie and rainforest alike. Rainfall gradually begins to decrease and floodwaters recede slightly, although they will remain in much of the flood plains until mid-Macreador. Farmers plant most crops during this time, adhering to the old adage, "Once heaven's tears yield, head to the field!" However, not only plants reproduce at this time; mating season for most animals begins with the first sign of the rain slackening. Winds also abate slightly, ranging usually between 25 and 75 km/h. As the season of Harinatra draws to a close, most deciduous trees are in full foliage and rain slows to a mere 5 cm per day, or levels at the beginning of the season. When the last monsoon has left its mark on the island, the fog lifts and the dry season, or Macreador begins.
2.2 Macreador
In the month of Gwedd, Nemen's climate begins to become considerably drier and cooler. However, because it is a tropical island, the longest truly rainless periods are usually less than a week and air humidity remains near 90%. Likewise, "cooler" is a relative term, and temperatures, while considerably dropping from their peak of 40 degrees, never fall below the low 20s. During this time, known as Macreador, the proverbial, annual cycle of life draws to a close. Like Harinatra, the most extreme weather occurs near the middle of this season, during the month of and the entire season has two parts, divided by that extreme. During the first half of Macreador, the seeds or fruits of most plants develop and many animals bear their young. Rain falls at a rate of approximately 15 cm/week. Winds are far milder than the stormy previous months, generally staying under 20-km/h. Temperatures drop along with rainfall, from 30 to 20-25 mid-season. As the first half ends, fruits ripen across the island.
In the second half of Macreador, from Adrush to Mireadien, seeds are finally dispersed and crops are ready for harvest. At first, rainfall falls to its annual low, an average of 5 cm/week. When the first hints of the monsoons begin to arrive, precipitation and temperatures rise. Wind speed also increases, with breezes of over 25 km/h becoming more frequent. Finally, the monsoons do arrive, and where Macreador ends, Harinatra begins anew.
2.3 Variation by Region
While these descriptions of the two seasons of Nemen are generally applicable to the entire island, there are naturally slight deviations between different physical regions. Most of the prairie and rainforest regions have similar climate, because of their proximity and because much of the plains was at one time jungle but has been deforested, which is described in more detail in the geography section. The peaks of Gordhalen and Durmien do not experience much flooding, and because of their dense, rocky soil, most of the water washes down onto the plains below. They also experience more wind, about 120% of the lower regions during Harinatra and up to 150% of the lower altitude land during Macreador.
3. Geography
Nemen can be divided into three geographical regions: the western jungle, the eastern prairies and lowlands, and the northern mountains and highlands. While the climate of these areas is similar, the plant and animal life varies greatly.
Map of Nemen
3.1 Western Jungle
Almost the entire western half of Nemen is covered in rainforest. Here, giant trees provide year-round shade and animals are abundant in number and variety. In the deepest part of the jungle, a shrine of unknown origin sits among the tall trees and dense vines. (Possibly shrine to Shinael or other nature-oriented god?) A few km south is Mt. Durmien, a tree covered highland that is little more than a hill. At the fork of the Kadmoin River, where the Ayos River breaks off and flows south, an enormous boulder, 100 (h) x 200 (l) x 100 (w) meters in size. This rock, a remainder from ancient, tumultuous times, causes this fork in the Kadmoin. It is spoken of as a magical place, completely devoid of vegetation a common roost for the majestic Cymar raptor. This region is the wildest and least populous area of Nemen and is ideal for many an adventure for the brave of spirit. In the deepest part of the jungle, an ancient shrine to Namhas was built by Moon Elves who populated the Nemen island chain 6 millennia ago. This Shrine of Balance is still a location of powerful magic today.
3.2 Eastern Prairie
The eastern prairie is a region of tall grasses and fertile soil, ideal for farming and other agricultural pursuits. At one time covered in dense forest like its neighboring jungle, over the centuries, deforestation and only recently the cataclysm has turned it into an almost treeless landscape that is prone to erosion. Nemen's two rivers, the Kadmoin and Ayos, roughly outline this region and two major ruins lie in its boundaries.
3.2.1 Mareet
To the far east, the ancient city of Mareet, once the capital of the Elvish Neuínel colony. It now lies derelict with the crumbling outer walls and rubble giving barely a glimpse of its former grandeur. Tales of great treasure buried beneath the rubble abound, and this would be an excellent location for lower level quests.
3.2.2 Port of Qurat
At the mouth of the Ayos River, in southern Nemen, lies the Port of Qurat, a once bustling trade center under the Elves, who named it Chirath. It was completely ruined after 6 millennia of neglect but the Pajonn settlers have in the years since the cataclysm managed to make it habitable again, building wooden huts in cleared areas of rubble.
3.3 Northern Highlands
The third major geographical region of Nemen covers most of northern Nemen. These mountains are in stark contrast to the forests and plains below. Although the precipitation rate is similar, the weather is considerably colder and vegetation is much more sparse (low grasses and shrubs). It has two main peaks: Mt. Gordhalen (400 m) and Mt. Tutollen (325 m).
3.3.1 Gordhalen Cave
Gordhalen Cave is an ancient limestone cave that stretches for 7 km into the bowels of Mt. Gordhalen and is said to contain rare ores and minerals.
3.3.2 Northern Lighthouse
At the northern tip of this region and the entire island, an ancient Elvish lighthouse towers above the landscape. It was used to guide ships around the hazardous rocks off the shore but since the Elves left Nemen.
4. Wildlife
These are the animals and plants of Nemen to date.
4.1 Fauna
Cymar - Nemen's largest bird
Dodalo - Small, powerful reptilian predator
Elitsch - herbivorous freshwater fish
Fonaeta - deerlike grazer
Timial Cat - woodland predator
Wicirard - stealthy predator of the night
4.2 Flora
Arinia Vine - common jungle vine
Estlin Tree - star shaped jungle tree
Fitho Reed - freshwater reed
Hazra Grass - weed-like, hardy grass
Himisu Tree - Nemen's most common jungle tree
Miran Vine - poisonous jungle vine
Oled Fungi - rare poisonous mushroom
Salma weed - marsh/pond grass
Tegaca Tree - tall rainforest tree
5. History
Timeline:
*2294: First Moon Elf ships arrive on Neuínel (Nemen) shores; colonization begins
*2307: Moon Elves place a giant boulder on the Chanuin (Kadmoin) River, the Boulder of Harath (called Garaht in the vulgar tongue), diverting water towards their coastal settlement, Chirath (Qurat).
*2311: Moon Elves begin to build a new city, which eventually becomes the capital of the Neuínel colony, Marith (Mareet).
*2311-2393: The colony of Neuínel expands rapidly, soon encompassing the entire Nemen chain (Loribak, Nemen, Gugon, and Anutmi). In Tinaehl, the Moon Elvish tongue, these are Leuribach, Neuínel, Huohon, and Anuthena.
*2313-2317: Construction of a lighthouse in northern Nemen to guide trade ships from eastern Thalamon past the treacherous rocks off the northern coast. It stands over 90 meters tall and can be seen over 20 km away.
*2315: A shrine to the only Moon Elvish god, Namhas, is constructed in the densest part of the western Neuíel jungle. It is modeled after the Temple of Nightlight in the High Realm and is a place of the highest and strongest magic.
*2400-2900: Golden Age of Neuínel; Neuínel becomes one of the richest colonies in the Moon Elvish empire.
*2913: Unrest in High Realm, soldiers of Neuínel colony are called back to Sol'Daran as a precaution. Neuínel colony begins its decline.
*2942: War between Moon and Dark Elves breaks out. Inhabitants of Neuínel colony flee to the City of Nightlight for safety, leaving behind magnificent cities and landmarks across the Nemen island chain.
*2942 - 8999: Nemen is devoid of sentient habitation. The elements take their toll on the cities and landmarks of the Moon Elves, turning the once magnificent cities into rubble and ruins.
*9000: The cataclysm; ruins are damaged even further.
*9000: In the midst of the cataclysm, the Hilosyph Ljlav calls for a mass evacuation by boat to Terennir, the peninsula in western Thalamon. About 30 km before they reach their target, a massive storm capsizes all of the boats. An estimated 50,000 people die, but about 100 Bronn slaves managed to swim to shore, where they built a simple settlement in the midst of the ruins of the Elvish city Chirath. They name it Qurat.
*9025: When the game starts, 25 years after the cataclysm, the Pajonn, as they call themselves, have developed a simple society and occupy approximately 4 square kilometers surrounding Qurat.
