Template:Breadcrumb Shards > Acrolon > Mercatia > Dustmere

Overview

Dustmere (Commontongue ˈdʌstmɪr for dry lake) is named for its dry terrain. Lore about Dustmere is thorough and accurate. It is highly civilized, well mapped, and studied by scholars and historians. It's only significant mystery is the small island ruins in the west.

History

In the early Shattered Age, this island was known as Thureye (Nortongue ˈθɜrraɪ for dry isle). In the latter half of the Shattered Age, this island became known as Excillis (Imperial ɪkˈsilɪs for wastes).

Populations

Dustmere has a population of 3850, across 1 town and 2 villages. Low quality roads connect northern town and village.

Geography

There is a northern dry, flat area called The Dry Vale (Commontongue). Cracked earth and tough brush cover this stretch of land. Locals refer to winds as "the sigh", as the dust makes a noise like rasping breath.
The Scarpback (Commontongue) is a steep, dry, hilly region to the south of The Dry Vale. It is rich with limestone quarries and some copper mines. Locals say that the hills resemble the bony spines of some massive, buried, ancient beast. The coasts of this region become increasingly cliff-like toward the south.
The Scarpback hills rise steadily southward until they reach a cliff. This cliff is called Thorncliff (Commontongue) or Stanca Spinilor (Dawntongue ˈstɒŋkɔ ˈspinilɔr for thorn rock). The wall of the cliff is lined with tough brambles and thick, woody vines. Local legends say ancient prisoners were forced to climb down the cliff. If they survived, they were pardoned. The base of the cliff is riddled with gem mines.
The lowland at the bottom of the cliff that makes up the southern end of the island is called Hijemochal (Darktongue [1] for dark swamp) or Mireleth Template:Nortongue.
The western coast of Duskmere has a bay called The Bay of Ashes. It is a somber, mist-laden bay with ashen colored sands and stony, cliff-lined beaches. The sands give the waters here a dark hue, with grey foam.
The large islet in the Bay of Ashes is called Raven Isle (Commontongue) or Insula Corbuli (Imperial ˈɪnsəˌlə kɔrˈbuˌli for island of ravens). Home to ancient standing stones as well as Dark Age era ruins.

Economy

The town and villages of the islands must import their produce from Valdessa and Kopakita, but produce enough fish for their local needs. The hills and cliffs have quarries of limestone that satisfy their local building needs, as well as exports to other islands. Their exotic fish attract travelers to their local markets. There are also gem mines in the cliff wall, which are exported to Mercatia City.