"Something we realized when determining the logistics of resupplying the colony and bringing back the ore is that the one wind that occassionally affects the place does not operate on the same schedule as the winds of our home. Exploration of the skies has shown us that places with four relatively equal seasons like Breharan are very rare. The one wind of Ustwol affects it like clockwork every every four hundred seventeen cycles which is approximately four and a half seasons."
Isolated by Distance and Time
Ustwol was the furthest colony established until the founding of
Line's Edge. If the reports of
explorers hadn't indicated the mining potential of the island, a colony would have never been established. Even with the reports, it almost did not happen, and the conditions have limited the population since Ustwol was established in 20EX.
Even more isolating than its distance from
Breharan, Ustwol is not accessible by
skyship for much of the year. The island is very dry because it is located at the only known place in the skies that are untouched by winds - at least for most of a year. Even when its one wind blows, it comes from the lineward side of the island so ships must pass the island, catch the wind, and return to it.
The Heart of Iron
The outer edges of the island are barren rock surrounding a large depression filled with sand. The outer stone holds no particular value but beneath the sand is the largest deposit of iron ore ever discovered on the skies. This would be no issue at all if sand was the only barrier between
Grara and the metal. However, due to the lack of wind and local resources, the miners must be supplied with food, water, and all other required supplies.
Even more prohibative than the requirement to move massive amounts of liquid and non-perishables in a brief period of time approximately every year, is the ability to find people willing to work at a location they know they will be unable to leave for four-and-a-half seasons.
Stub Article
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Old Article
This article was written in the past and does not meet my current standards for any number of article quality, layout, or content.
In-Progress Article
This article is being worked on, perhaps not at this very moment, but it is being worked on.
Fleeting Beauty
In 65EX an unusual thing happened on Ustwol as the wind brought with it rainclouds. The miners initially rejoiced in the rain before they panicked as their homes and tools began to sink and became caked in mud. For several cycles they stayed dry as best they could. Then something completely unexpected occured and little flowers grew from the sand. So many flowers that the basin was covered in fields of red and white and purple.
When the wind faded after nineteen cycles - as it always does - the flowers shriveled and disappeared into the sands, spreading their hardy seeds in anticipation of the next rain perhaps fifty years away.
"There is something unnerving about that place. When everyone puts down their tools to rest it becomes quiet. Not the quiet we are used to where the wind gentle brushes against the branches but one even absent that."
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