Taumata

History

In 3 DE field research teams and ATCV 12 "Umami Mommy" mapped out a region surrounded by semi active volcanoes. In 26 DE these volcanoes exploded, covering a region of thousands of kilometres in smoke and ash. After the eruptions, research parties to the area confirmed that the volcanoes were now dormant. In 40 DE the area was selected as the site of Deseret's next town. From 41 DE to 47 DE transportation infrastructure was developed linking the region to previous towns, with the first settlers arriving in 50 DE. Unlike previous towns, Taumata was notable for being settled by only 2nd and 3rd generation Deseretis.

Agriculture

The train ride into Taumata is one of breathtaking beauty. On each side of the elevated tracks one sees kilometre after kilometre of wide open fields growing a wide variety of ingredients. My favorite time to arrive is early in the morning when mist lays heavy on the fields, tinted orange and red by the rising sun.

— Marianne Irwin, reporter for the magazine "Gastronomy Today"

Soil

Volcanic soil is fertile because it has just been erupted out onto the surface. It is fresh, undiluted by years of weather, and loaded with nutrients that are present in Deseret's crust. When rain falls on volcanic soil it helps to dissolves the rocks and ash left over from the eruption, making the nutrients in them available to plants.

Food Crops

The nutrients in the volcanic soil around Taumata make it particularly good for developing delicious food. The Department of Culinary Arts and Agriculture moved their headquarters to Taumata, taking advantage of the native terroir to develop high quality ingredients. While there are numerous greenhouses distributed evenly through the city, most crops are grown out in the open air. At any given time a visitor can see:

• Tomatoes
• Maize
• Sorghum
• Potatoes
• Peas
• Melons
• Chocolate
• Avocados

Medicinal Crops

Less famous than the food it grows and exports world-wide, Taumata also grows a range of medicinal plants. These include, coffee, coca, and marijuana, among others. These plants were chosen for the wide range of medications they can create as well as their innate hardiness. The Department of Medicine oversees these fields and is in charge of rehabilitating those who may become addicted to the substances they can make.

Architecture

Taumata is known for its heavy use of Gurneyist Architecture.

Type

City

Inhabitant Demonym

Taumatans

Ruling/Owning Rank

Desereti Mayor

Of all the crops Taumata is known for, none have captured the hearts of Deseretis world wide quite like its mangoes. Mango trees are a major part of the local agriculture but can also be found distributed evenly through the city. Every year during harvest season these trees can produce up to 300-500 mangoes. Long sticks are kept by these trees so that the residents can shake off a piece of fruit at their leisure. In the morning it is not uncommon to street food vendors picking up the mangoes that haven fallen over night, who then wash them and turn into a wide range of treats like mango milkshakes.

Every year Taumata holds their Mango Festival, which can double the population of the town over the course of its duration. The town is decorated in all the colors of the rainbow as food vendors the world over come to make use of the mango harvest. The most popular event of this festival has to be the Splatter Tournament, a paintball tournament with teams from all over Deseret.