Thunderspear Archipelago
The 130 Karst structures creating the archipelago are only the tip of a pre-Burn natural wonder known for the ancient structures that were dotted around its towering karsts. Previously known as "Apteron Valley," it was a green and lush valley with 350m to 500m high karsts filled with bird nests and thriving with life. Very little life remains here after the Burn, as anything hit by the lightning arcs is almost certainly disintegrated.
Apteron Valley
Before the Burn, Apteron Valley was a sanctuary of biodiversity and ancient civilizations. The karsts were home to rare avian species, many of which were revered by the local inhabitants for their mystical properties. These towering limestone structures, sculpted over millennia by natural forces, also housed ancient temples and monasteries. These edifices, carved directly into the rock, served as places of worship, study, and refuge.
Remnants of these ancient structures still cling to the cliffs, now blackened and partially melted by the intense heat and energy that courses through the region. Ornate carvings and faded murals tell tales of a time when Apteron Valley was a paradise, a stark contrast to its current state. Explorers who brave the perilous journey to Thunderspear Archipelago often report finding artifacts of significant historical and alchemical value, preserved by the unique properties of Electrum.
The Electrum Phenomenon
The Burn transformed Apteron Valley into the Thunderspear Archipelago, an otherworldly landscape defined by its violent electrical activity. The naturally occurring Electrum within the cores of the karsts acts as a powerful conductor, creating a continuous and chaotic display of lightning. These energy arcs, can leap across great distances, forming a deadly web of electricity that illuminates the darkened skies.
This relentless energy has rendered the region almost uninhabitable, but it has also made Thunderspear Archipelago a focal point for alchemists and scientists. The Electrum's ability to store and release energy has opened new avenues in magipunk and biopunk technologies. Researchers are particularly interested in how Electrum interacts with other elements to produce alchemical effects, ranging from healing potions to potent explosives.
Flora and Fauna
Despite the harsh conditions, some forms of life have adapted to the electrified environment. Bioluminescent fungi and hardy mosses cling to the shaded sides of the karsts, thriving in the mineral-rich environment. These resilient plants have developed unique properties, such as the ability to store small amounts of electrical energy, which they use to power their metabolic processes.
A few species of insects and small reptiles, believed to be descendants of pre-Burn inhabitants, have also adapted to survive the electrical onslaught. These creatures have developed insulating exoskeletons and rapid regenerative abilities, making them subjects of great interest to biology researchers looking to harness these traits for human applications.
The Journey to Thunderspear
Reaching Thunderspear Archipelago is an ordeal in itself. The journey from the nearest inhabited island takes nearly ten days, navigating treacherous waters of the Ichor Ocean. The sea, named for its dark, viscous appearance. Travelers must be prepared to face not only the dangers of the ocean but also the unpredictable storms that frequently lash the archipelago.
For those who do make it to Thunderspear, the rewards can be immense. The region is rich in Electrum. However, extracting it is fraught with danger, as even the smallest misstep can result in being struck by the deadly lightning.
The description of what it was like in the pre-Burn era is what really completes this one for me. Knowing what was lost makes this really cool and dangerous area even more intriguing to me.