Post by Aveilthé on Mar 4, 2010 9:53:35 GMT -6
To see an up-close view of the island of Giaku, please click here. i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll302/aveilthe/GiakuTerra2-2.png
To see an up-close view of the Yonaga Provinces, please click here.
The Geography of Giaku & Yonaga
[/color]Giaku is a vast amorphous-shaped island about 90 miles in length and about 130 miles in width, making it about half the size of Oklahoma. It is large enough for wolves to spread out far and wide, making simple communication difficult. However, special scouts are chosen to spread the news to members of Giaku if such a simple thing like howling is not enough. The island lies to the far north from Shinkou and Akeru with its provinces and the outlands separating them. Giaku is known to being extremely cold during the winter months with clouds being common during all seasons. Giaku uncommonly sees the sun. Otherwise it is a comfortable-enough land to live in. Spring is decent with flowers in Hanagumori blossoming. Summers are warm enough. The fall is beautiful when the leaves turn colors.
In Giaku, to be a member is to be guaranteed protection. But with protection, the wolves must sacrifice a little freedom. Commit any awful atrocities against Giaku, then you may become a slave, the scum of Giaku's society. Or you could be killed. Otherwise Giaku is a fairly peaceful territory, albeit slowly but surely plotting revenge against Shinkou Ookami.
- Beaches
- Kimu Beach: Lies northwest of the Giaku territory.
- Akuma Beach: Lies on the southern borders of Giaku.
- Kimu Beach: Lies northwest of the Giaku territory.
- Keikoku Canyons: A tall and imposing wall of naturally-formed canyons completely surround Giaku, making it an impenetrable fortress. Flying over would be no problem for winged creatures, but for those without would have to scale them with caution. Even doing that would be excruciatingly difficult. Be warned, the canyons are usually occupied by scouting wolves that report any suspicious activity to the leaders of the empire.
- Hakurashi Bridge: If you're smart, you would take the rocky grey land-bridge to enter Giaku instead of having to scale the canyons just to get inside. The bridge, like the canyons, was naturally formed and connects to Shiranui. The bridge itself is half a mile long. When entering Giaku, a broad hole through the Keikoku Canyon is guarded well by wolves that are always suspicious of new arrivals.
- Koukon River: A vast river of perilous, rushing fresh water is rarely calm, so it is easy for smaller wolves to be swept away by it if they're not careful. It is the only water source in Giaku, and it almost completely surrounds it. The river gets calmer as it forms into a small lake next to the Hatsuhi Towers. Freshwater fish dwell in these waters. Unspeakable creatures of legend sleep deep in the lakes' bottom. Take caution and do not wake them.
- Kareno Forest: The only forest in Giaku that nearly covers half of it's landmass. It is an unusual forest as there aren't any other known forests in the world that contains fossilized trees except Kareno. The fossilized trees are few, but are incredibly massive and ancient and are hard as stone and are one of few of Giaku's trademarks. The western part of Kareno possesses thicker and wilder trees while the eastern part harbors fewer and a thinner collection of trees. Firs and redwoods are common here with the occasional maple tree. Kareno can make decent homes here for wolves that wish to make dens next to trees, or even inside them since their trunks are wide and thick, allowing warmth during the harsh wintry seasons.
- Hanagumori Fields: One of the most startling of sights in Giaku. Hanagumori Fields is a broad flat plain with the occasional hill filled with lush grass and a variety of beautiful and colorful wild flowers. It surrounds the Hatsuhi Towers and harbors Koukon River and a lake. Small game and herds of elk are fair. There would be no Hanagumori if it weren't for Vita, a wolf that helped revitalize Giaku. The flowers grow seasonally in the spring and fall. Night here is especially wondrous and peaceful when crickets and other nightly things are heard. Many wolves may find a comfortable home here by making dens near the hills or in open fields.
- Hatsuhi Towers: Another great trademark of Giaku is the awesome Hatsuhi Towers. It is also Giaku's capitol. There are many great spires carved from Koukon that stretch high into the sky. Many of them are ornate and embossed with beautiful pictures of the Etunian gods. These towers are old and were built hundreds of years ago. The tallest tower is home to Giaku's royal family and is well guarded. Inside are many rooms and hallways said to bear great secrecy, meetings, and knowledge of the history of Giaku.
- Wabishii Badlands: A desert filled with nothing but rock and bones. There is a legend that Giaku once harbored many fantastic demon-giants in the days of old, and they were since wiped out and fossilized into the earth. Many bones are hundreds of feet tall and stick out of the earth, making it a playground for some wolves. There are a few mountains here as well and can make for great potential exploration or training grounds.
- Hakugin Sea: A sparkling sea that lies between Akuma Beach and Kuro Island. It is located at the southeastern border of Giaku. Thousands of large edible fish are known to swim the shallow depths of Hakugin, attracting lots of fish-hungry wolves here. Or you can take a swim here without much fear of bigger prey, even swim across to visit Kuro Island.
- Kuro Island: A small island that can be seen from Akuma Beach. It isn't that large but it can make for a comfortable retreat for most wolves that enjoy thick, wild jungles and exotic flora. Be warned, Kuro Island is not well protected but it is still a territory of Giaku. Strange and magical beasts are said to dwell in the jungle.
- Oceans:
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