Loam

Loam is a private uncharted group of islands owned by the W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P. organization. Due to its hidden existence and otherwise dangerous environment, it is not often visited by the general public. However, extreme challenges and training operations are hosted within its vast, ever-changing territory for all manner of W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P. operatives. Though these exercises are subject to be conducted for a multitude of divisions, Loam's most frequent visitors are Cacti tactical teams.
The island itself is an obstacle on its own. Several volcanic islands have popped up and have been disolved within a matter of years (and, in some cases, months). The region has been known to foster many types of tummultuous weather such as harsh winds, earthquakes, tropical storms, and even volcanic eruptions. Some of its areas are barren and devoid of animal and plantlife, while other spots are teeming with lush vegetation and diverse fauna.
A vast variety of trials, both mental and physical, take place here. This specific location has been chosen strategically by Higher-Ups to increase the chances of nonoptimal weather and other adverse conditions that will ultimately lead the tactical teams to increase their ablility to think on their feet and stay on their toes when it comes to plotting and execution. This phenomena also drives the idea into their minds that not everything will go always go according to plan and nurture a mindset that suspects and expects anything to go awry at any time.
While some special groups and individual W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P. agents are initially trained here, many operatives regularly revisit the island at the request of Higher-Ups. Such a summons may be issued when certain operatives are advised to sharpen their skills, work out issues, or take part in competitions which, though often referred to as 'friendly', can often become quite intense. Most common of said challenges is the Cholla: an event intended for various Cacti tactical teams to improve upon their skills as individuals and as a group. Cacti agents in particular are known across the company to be competitive in nature. This is the way of the role, but the people who tend to be elected into the teams often possess these competitive tendancies even outside of their W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P. assigned duties.

Geography

The island group is relatively large considering, but it is still very hidden. It is thought to be partially natural and partially manmade, meaning that some aspects of it have been intentionally constructed.
In addition to the landscape, the environment unstable and volatile. It is not controlled completely by W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P. but many suspect that, in addition to the natural phenomena that occurs through nature, company employees are hired to interfere with the proceedings of training exercises and competitions such as the Cholla in order to more thoroughly challenge participants.

Ecosystem

The ecosystem is very inconsistent. Most islands of Loam are not exactly teeming with plantlife. In fact, many places resemble a complete desert. These environments are popular locatios for Cacti training and competition because these groups, more especially than any others, need to know how to survive the wild and the middle of nowhere, as some Cacti are deployed into barren lands for military-grade operations.
On the other hand, Loam is also home to a few jungly locales that are thick with dense forest and vegetation. Within these areas, it is imperative to watch your surroundings at all times, listening for dangers and moving swiftly while still remaining stealthy.

Localized Phenomena

Throughout Loam's barren and jungle areas, wildlife can be seen that will not likely be found in any other place on earth. It is suspected that W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P. has bred and filled these lands with engineered species such as GMG Scorpions and even more formiddable creatures.

Climate

The climate can vary between extremely hot and extra cold, but there is never snow or blizzard. Many people are uncertain where exactly on Earth Loam is positioned. For safety purposes, the company often loads operatives into a vehicle without windows for transport. When the crew arrives on the island, it is not exactly known which direction they were taken in to get there.

Fauna & Flora

Within the different islands of Loam, the wildlife is completely varied. One might go for hours in the desert without coming across a plant or animal, while others may be instantly attacked and bombarded with something they didn't even know existed.

Natural Resources

There are believed to be at least a couple of active underwater volcanoes in the surrounding area that often errupt and consequently cause new islands to form.

Commander McCox gives newbies the rundown:
This Loam place. It's no joke. Those Cacti guys train all their lives to get in here and once they get here, they're still training to get better. I don't know if I would survive dropped down on Loam just for a casual walk through the park. There are some horror stories about the creatures people have seen there. It's uncertain whether these creatures actually exist or if they are somehow being hallucinated.
That island is known for playing tricks on you. Mental tricks. Physical tricks. Emotional tricks. But the Cacti are sent there in order to keep up their strength in all those areas. One of the most epic events ever hosted there is the Cholla. Boy, is that a time! They have to face all the islands horrors all while also trying to avoid attacks being thrown at them by other Cacti teams. Insane. But they manage, somehow.
The Cacti are probably the all-around strongest operatives W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P. has. I told you that Machete is one of them, right? Bruce Machete. Yeah. Him. Personally, I think the reason Machete is so butthurt over what Elsewood did is because he has had too much physical, mental, and emotional training under his belt, he's quite frankly embarassed that some guy who's been at the agency for less years than him, who isn't even a Cacti, managed to get over on him. And he didn't even see it coming!
Reminds me of when I was younger, I used to play flag football. I had the ball and I was running home free! The audience was cheering. I thought my teammates had my back. But, then, some big guy who must have slipped through all our defences just tackled me out of nowhere. Hard. The ball flew out of my hand. I swear I flew five feet off the ground. Tumbled into the audience. Yeah. That was not my day. I think that's why the girl I had a crush on didn't say 'yes' when I asked her to the dance. I just knew she was gonna say agree to go with me before that. I had everything all set and planned. I was devestated when she turned me down in front of everybody. I guess that moment was waayy too embarrassing for her, but it resulted in another embarrassing moment for me. All my fellow classmates laughed at me for days.
Ultimately, it wsa for the best.
...well, at least that's what my wife says, anyway. And the wife is always right. Best to think that way and avoid any more embarrassing moments.

Alternative Name(s)

Cacti Island, Training Ground,

Type

Island

Location under

Planet Earth

Owning Organization

W.I.L.L.O.W.I.S.P.