Island Places of Note

[Howl]

[Howl]

Darrin Forest - A forest that covers the middle of Howl's Island, circling the central mountains on all sides, and is the largest habitat on Howl's Island. The forest is a mixture of coniferous (trees with needles) and deciduous (trees that lose their leaves in the winter) trees. The trees here aren't packed as closely together as the trees in the Lushor Jungle, allowing sunlight to reach the ground. Lakes and rivers run through the Darrin Forest, including the Demon River, providing homes for aquatic Islanders. There are rumors that Howl's den is in this forest, but it has never been found. The Summoning Stone is also located here.

Deadlands - A small dark land located at the western foot of Infinity Mountain. The sun rarely reaches the area because of the looming mountain and overhanging cliffs that keep the land in almost permanent shadow, and very little grows here. Water is hard to find. The ground is rocky, hard and dry. Although there are some caves, not many Islanders would choose to make their dens here (or even visit). It's considered a place of danger.

Demon River - The longest river on Howl's Island, and rumored to be the source of all fresh water. Many other smaller rivers branch off or join this river as it winds through the southern half of the island. It starts in a spring at the top of Rearin Mountain and continues southward, traveling through the Darrin Forest and the Lushor Jungle until it finally spills into the ocean on the Sadira Beach. This is the river that most aquatic Islanders use to travel through the island.

Eastern Cliffs - On the eastern coast of Howl's Island, the land drops away suddenly to the ocean far below in a series of steep rocky cliffs. Waves crash against the rocks constantly, cutting deeply into the stone and creating a plethora of ledges and caves for winged Islanders to live in. There is some greenery here, bushes and moss with tough roots that can dig into cracks in the stone, vines that grow vertically up the cliffs. Without wings, the cliffs are practically inaccessible.

Infinity Mountain - The highest point on Howl's Island, a tall mountain rising up almost directly in the center of the island. The temperature is much colder than most of the rest of the island, and the mountain is often buffeted by harsh winds on all sides. Some few trees and scrub brush grow here, but most of the habitat is solid rock and hard ground. The peak of the mountain is so cold that it is constantly covered in snow. Islanders who choose to live here have a breathtaking view of the island but must be able to withstand the cold and a challenging life.

Lushor Jungle - A small rainforest-type jungle that covers the southern tip of the island, surrounded by the Sadira Beaches to the south and the Darrin Forest to the north. The Lushor Jungle is a very rich habitat and a great place for Islanders to live, with an abundance of creatures found in all parts of the jungle and water very easily available, collecting in pools on the ground and on broad leaves. The trees here grow very closely together and spread a canopy of leaves and branches in the air above the ground. The canopy is so thick that some creatures live up there in the trees and never come down to the ground. The Demon River turns wide and calm as it passes through the jungle.

Northern Wastes - The Nothern Wastes is the harshest habitat on Howl's Island. The entire northern section of the island is covered in swirling snow and ice all year round. Hardly anything grows here, making it almost impossible for herbivores to find food, and very few prey for predators to hunt. There is shelter to be found, because the wind piles the snow up in hills and valleys, sometimes uncovering caves and ledge. Islanders with thick coats are the best at surviving here.

Rearin Mountain - The second largest mountain on Howl's Island. Like Infinity Mountain, the plant life here is stunted and sparse. The peak is still snow-covered most of the year, but with Infinity to block a lot of the wind, the temperature isn't as cold as on the taller mountain. Demon River begins at the very top of Rearin, bubbling up from an underground spring before spilling down the mountainside on the south. Rearin Mountain also has more caves than Infinity, making it a more popular habitat for Islanders.

Sadira Beaches - Considered the nicest habitat on Howl's Island, the beaches on the southern coast are always a good place for an Islander to relax and be at peace. The sun shines brightly down on the pale golden sands, and the breeze coming off the ocean keeps the heat from becoming oppressive. Food can be found in the tide pools and growing where the sands meet the Jungle in the north. The beaches are a good place for aquatic Islanders and terrestrial Islanders to spend time together.

The Summoning Stone - The Summoning Stone is a very special, sacred place. It is located deep within the Darrin Forest. When two Rune Stones are placed on the Summoning Stone, the magic of the island coalesces and a new Islander is born.

Undersea Coral Forest - Off the coast of the Sadira Beaches is an underwater forest of coral, all shades of pinks and reds and oranges, spreading in a half-circle around the southern tip of the island. A variety of water plants like kelp and seaweeds grow here as well. This undersea forest is teeming with life; many species of fish and crustaceans make it their home. It can be dangerous as well, since the coral is sharp and sea predators live here. Most aquatic Islanders can only stay in saltwater for a limited time, a couple days at most, so the Coral Forest is a place to visit and explore rather than to live permanently. Non-aquatic Islanders cannot come, as it is entirely underwater and not even seen from the air.