The Burning Archipelago
A Pirate's Paradise
"A mere stone's throw away from Zamzara's western coastline lies The Burning Archipelago, a small chain of volcanic islands whose closest neighbors are Island of Shaanti to the west and the Bhujaban Coast to the south. During the Primordial Era The Transcendent Emperor drove the contemptuous barbarians from the mainland and into these scattered islands with nothing but rock and salt as their recompense, and this had an unforeseen consequence: Their raids over the next few centuries were so insignificant and pathetic that their presence off the coast was tolerated simply because the alternative was not worth the effort, and this left the Zamzian Empire unprepared for the calamity of the Elemental Wars..."
- The Chronicles of Zamzara, Vol. 2
Geography
The Burning Archipelago is a chain of islands that is roughly 60 by 40 miles in area and features three active volcanoes from which the archipelago's name is derived, located at the the western edge of Zamzara. Across its 12 islands, there are marshes to the west, desert to the south, and a smattering of forest on the main island, where the largest volcano resides. Like much of the Zamzaran coastline, the violent tides caused by Solga & Lunala have rendered the vast majority of the steep coast unusable, dangerous, and beautiful at low tides.
Fauna & Flora
Like the rest of Zamzara, whatever native animal life here was supplanted by monsters after The Kalyugi. However, the islands and the surrounding area are even more plagued by sea serpents than most parts of the ocean, making naval travel especially difficult. Due to the heat and humidity, much the plant life here is very diverse and strange, ranging from thin, 200 foot tall trees to spiky shrubs that look out of this world. Many of the rare plants that are native to this region are renowned for their magical and medicinal properties.
Natural Resources
The volcanoes that give the archipelago its name are very mineral-rich, and the waters around the islands are bountiful and full of life, even if said life is incredibly hostile. Some of the plants which are only native to the Burning Archipelago have especially potent restorative properties and attract botanists from all over Zamzara. What wood grows on these islands is not very high-quality or in great quantity, but they suffice when making small homes or ships. Perhaps the most valuable aspect of the islands are how remote they are - the Burning Archipelago was never conquered by the Zamzian Empire until 839 AC.
Comments