Swirling Mist Isle - Geography

The Beach on Swirling Mist Isle showing Hidden Mist Isle in the distance.

Overview

The island drifts with the other isles in its cluster in the Cerulean Sea south of the First Isles and in a path past the Summer Isles to a location a little beyond them, to the south. The island is surrounded in the most part by coral reefs and rocks except for the small entrance into Tranquility Harbour, which is also the mouth of the River Tranquil. Entrance into the Harbour requires good sailing or swimming skills to avoid the rocks and reefs. The main equine inhabitants are MerPonies.

Update: During the last Annual Beach Party, when the storm and waves which emanated from the Hades Isles struck the exposed coast of Swirling Mist Isle, the Harbour entrance into Tranquility Harbour was blocked by coral and other debris. Thus currently the harbour is a lake. Dwelling in the lake as well as in the underwater passages that stretch far below the island itself is an ancient creature called a Titan, awakened by the magic of Kei-Ahi, whose name is Silzith.

At the far end of Tranquility Lake/Harbour one finds docks and the colourful, large town of Coral Haven. This is the main town for trading with the rest of Azuyan and the main docking point for ships. However since the advent of the huge waves, and the blocking of the harbour, the town is having to re-think its trading and shipping options. Currently there are plans to create docks at a natural inlet a little way east of Coral Haven, just North of the town of Ceruville. Much work needs to be done to achieve this and the inhabitants of the isle are busily engaged in activities to this end.

Just to the North of the town the land slopes up to the Hundred Caves Mountains, where many caves are located, as the name suggests. The entire northern edge of the isle is bordered by these caves. Some of them are quite extensive and lead to hideouts underground, others remain as yet unexplored. The mountains are not especially high (elevation 5,400 ft), but are quite difficult to climb and are frequently shrouded in mist, due to the humid air which rises from the lower part of the isle and cools as it does so, thereby making clouds of moisture which hang over the low mountains. Thus it is easy to lose ones orientation. The more accessible caves are inhabited by MerPonies who enjoy the damp of the area and the presence of water in some of the caves.

West of Coral Haven you will find the small village of Shell Sands. This is located close by the beach and is where shells are harvested, and shell and coral jewellery are made. MerPonies who work in these industries tend to live nearby. This beach is where the bitten off tentacle of a giant squid was found. It is also the location of the Annual Summer Beach Party which is an important event for the locals trade-wise and attracts ponies from all over the Swirling Mist Isles as well as from distant parts of Azuyan.

Update: Since the storm and waves hit at the last Annual Beach party, the village of Shell Sands was destroyed and is currently being rebuilt by the locals, with help from the Ocean Legionnaires from Hidden Mist Isle. Some of the coral has been uprooted, although not all has been destroyed and it is estimated that over a period of 10 years it will have regenerated to replace most of the damage evident now.

The Temple of the Golden MerPony is also situated near Shell Sands, built into a cliff face, and mercifully was spared any damage from the storm and waves. The Head Druid, Veronica, is in charge of providing the homeless locals with shelter until their habitations can be rebuilt.

Further northwest and inland, situated by a large freshwater lake, is the village of Azurestede.This town has a freshwater fishing tradition, and is also the home of the Seer MerPonies.

To the east of Coral Haven is an area of forest known as the Misty Woods. In particular herbs are found there and used in potion-making. The main village here is Ceruville, and is inhabited by MerPonies who specialise in Herblore and potion making.

Climate

Tropical mainly, except for the higher mountain areas which are more temperate in climate as you ascend. Temperatures are warm to hot throughout the year. Rainfall is concentrated in the Spring and Autumn seasons, with occasional hurricanes during the Summer/Autumn period possible, but this event usually only happens once per 7-8 years or so. Winters are warm and dry.

Vegetation

The main plants to be found along the shore and inland are:

• Palms and coconut palms.
• Fig, Aloe and Horseradish trees.
• Bottle brush.
• Evergreen pear.

Many naturally-occurring fruits grow that can be consumed by the inhabitants of the Isles. Rainforest type vegetation is found at the foot of the Hundred Caves Mountains, which thins out as one ascends to more open vegetation with fewer and smaller trees. Many ferns and mosses abound in and around the caves.

The South East

The south-eastern part of Swirling Mist Isle has two main areas of population, the main one being Coral Haven, the other being the much smaller village of Ceruville.

The Misty Woods are somewhat of an anomaly, being at odds with all the other vegetation on the Island. Herbs and other medicinal plants can be found growing there. The micro climate here is caused by magic put in place by the Magician ponies of Ceruville who specialise in growing herbs and medicinal plants. The micro climate is to protect the crops from any storms or climate change that may occur.

The Misty Woods