Qociatz'arxoa Sludgepit
History
Historical Overview
History by Age
Stone Age: Before 1E 0
Copper Age: 1E 1-1E 2200
Bronze Age: 1E 2200-1E 4400
Iron Age: 2E 0-2E 700
Ancient Age: 2E 700-2E 2200
Middle Ages: 3E 0-3E 2050
Early Modern Age: 3E 2050-3E 2600
Industrial Age: 3E 2600-3E 2700
Machine Age: 3E 2700-3E 2800
Atomic Age: 3E 2800-3E 2850
Space Age: 3E 2850-3E 2875
Information Age: 3E 2875-3E 2900
Genetic Age: 3E 2950-3E 3000
Awakening Age: 3E 3000-3E 3415
Twilight Age: 4E 0-4E 500
Geography
Visibly, the sludge pit is a deeply intimidating area to be within. Thick black ooze congregates in a spiral-like formation. The sludge is over 500 degrees in temperature and can melt skin when it is in the same vicinity as it. There are extreme amounts of chemical radiation present within the sludge, and even being within the same vicinity of it can have life-altering effects on the body. The pit takes up approximately 10 meters to 50 meters in diameter. The mass fluctuates between these measurements due to its tendency to collect water during the wet season (which is particularly during summer and autumn months.)
When there is more rain activity, the pit will expand. When there are prolonged periods of time where rain does not fall, the pit will contract itself and will appear as if it is dried out. The sludge takes on a grayish tint and is less toxic during this time as the sludge is diluted in accordance with the water mass it absorbs. During the dry season (which takes place during winter and springtime months,) the sludge pit takes on a darker, more vile appearance. It takes on a horrendous scent, akin to that of rotting corpses and molded berries.
There is a creature living within the sludge that has developed the requirements needed to live within this environment. It is a large reptile that feasts on anything that it comes across. Many of the zuโaan of Turistai city have nicknamed the creature โKazemi.โ The reptile cannot leave the pit itself, and feeds from offerings from the zuโaan along with the minimal amount of plant growth just past the radius of the sludge. It does not drink water and absorbs its water content from the sludge to sustain itself.
Since the sludge is highly corrosive, there is not a large amassment of other organisms that reside anywhere near the sludge. Fortunately, two different plants have come together under these circumstances and work together in harmony to avoid extinction. These select plants are referred to as the naruum blooms and naruum shoots. They grow out of fissures that are left behind after the wet season passes. These fissures are created by the corrosion that the nuclear waste filled sludge leaves behind.
The chemicals within the sludge are thought to suck all nutrients out of the earth below it. As a result, the ground surrounding the pit is a sickly pale brown, closer to white in tone. Rocks are still present within the area but are often dissolved by the pit if they are within the vicinity of the dark muck. Since there is not a large amount of nutrients within the soil, it is difficult for the naruum shoots and blooms to grow to a hefty size. A massive rock barrier around the sludge pit has been crafted to protect zuโaan citizens of Turistai from entering the dangerous area.
A sign also was put up declaring the area as both a religious site and hazard zone.
Plants
In spite of the harsh conditions that are present, these plants have evolved and built up an adaptation to withstand the toxic environment they reside in. They can sustain themselves only with the help of the other and have entered a symbiotic relationship to thrive. There are clusters short, fat bulbous shoots that are referred to as โnaruum shoots.โ Within these stocky shoots, there is a single delicate flower contained and protected within. It is called a โnaruum bloom.โ One cannot survive without the other, and it is essential to their survival that they are not separated.
' Naruum shoots
These are highly compressed spherical bulbs that contain large masses of water. This water is stored efficiently in response to the rarity for rain to fall in Qociatzโarxoa. They root within cracks in the ground during the dry season when the sludge pit shrinks and retreats to its former size. If the naruum bloom is destroyed, the shoot will die as it cannot photosynthesize. On the other hand, the naruum bloom cannot thrive in bright light conditions. It is extremely delicate and cannot fare well in conditions where it is not constantly protected.
Within the naruum shoots, small flowers are present which photosynthesize on its behalf. In exchange, it offers its protection to its singular beloved flower. These bulbs are not edible since they are constantly absorbing various toxins from the air that is emitted by the sludge pit. These bulbs can sense the daylight cycle, and only open at night when it is safest for the naruum blooms to photosynthesize. They are a pale shade of blackish gray, which allows them to blend into the ground and avoid being eaten by Kazumi or plucked by zuโaan.
They can reach up to 60cm in diameter, but often do not grow past 15cm. The lack of ability to photosynthesize contributes to its petite demeanor. Additionally, these plants are often eaten before maturity by Kazumi.
naruum blooms
There is one singular flower contained with every naruum shoot called a naruum bloom. The flora is transparent and is attached to a thick stalk that curls up and compacts itself into a tight spiral when not in use. Once night falls and Kazumi is asleep, the shoots will open and allow for the bloomโs stalk to extend, allowing it to reach higher into the sky to photosynthesize using the light of the moon. If a threat is detected, the stalk will rapidly descend, and the bulb will close around the naruum bloom.
It is regarded as the most essential part of the plant for its overall success. The flower itself is deeply sought out by zuโaan since it has exceptional healing properties when pertaining to temperature relating colds such as frostbite, heatstroke, and pneumonia. Unfortunately, zuโaan no longer can use remedies developed through technological advances due to their oppression from the kinโtoni, meaning this specific plant is even more desired. Luckily, they can thrive within the naruum shoots as they are camouflaged to stay protected.
Animals
There is not a vast quantity of information available about the creature that lives in the sludge pit. This creature has been nicknamed as โGreat Kazemi.โ The creature is described as having no determinable gender and is often referred to as โit.โ There are no other reptilians of its kind in the sludge pit or anywhere around it due to the levels of radiation and toxicity that are present. It is repetitively described as starving, vile and vicious. Since it is unable to feed on anything much in the area, it is always on the brink of starvation, consistently prowling for its next meal.
Black gooey sludge slips in and out of its scales, making it appear as if it is part of the sludge itself. It possesses long jagged claws, several rows of teeth, and two sets of hypnotically white frills that jut out from its left and right shoulders. Its size fluctuates depending on the size of the sludge pit. It is clearly dangerous, and many zuโaan unaware of where they are positioned tend to lose their lives to this beast. Once they enter the pit, they will never return.
Currently, the Zuโaan residents of the area have been able to gather is that there is no other sort of animalia residing within this biome apart from the gargantuan jet-black reptile that lives within its murky depths. The thick gooey substance that it resides in is essential to its survival. It cannot leave the sludge pit for prolonged periods since its scales will dry up and drop off its body causing irreparable damage to its exterior. This concept is evident through the fact that one of its hind limbs is missing.
A Zuโaan member from Turistai city claims to have witnessed the event first-hand whilst trying to escape from it. A select few zuโaan have begun to worship Kazemi and bring it offerings to satiate its constant hunger. Despite being a mortal being, it is worshipped as a God by these individuals and certain rituals are followed to communicate with it. These attempts are made by bringing food offerings, then speaking to it in a calm manner while standing with their feet a slight bit into the pit to show their trust for the being.
If pleased, Kazemi will communicate with its followers in a few tones and words (hungry), (angry), etc. Afterwards, they will scramble to try and fulfil its desires to keep it from unleashing its wrath upon their beloved city. The non-religious zuโaan have created rumors that Kazemi is a very evolved kinโtoni that is simply exploiting the gullible ones in their community. This idea is more commonly accepted by most other zuโaan groups as it is more justifiable. One of the main conceptions for this relates to the singular missing leg it possesses.
These thoughts point out the fact that Gods are supposed to be powerful and able to re heal themselves, yet Kazemi has allowed this injury to render it useless under these mortal conditions.
Historical Timeline of Ages
| Age Name | Dates | Controller |
|---|---|---|
| Stone Age | Before 1E 0 | Unknown |
| Copper Age | 1E 1โ1E 2200 | Unknown |
| Bronze Age | 1E 2200โ1E 4400 | Unknown |
| Iron Age | 2E 0โ2E 700 | Unknown |
| Ancient Age | 2E 700โ2E 2200 | Unknown |
| Middle Age | 3E 0โ3E 2050 | Unknown |
| Early Modern Age | 3E 2050โ3E 2600 | Unknown |
| Industrial Age | 3E 2600โ3E 2700 | Unknown |
| Machine Age | 3E 2700โ3E 2800 | Unknown |
| Atomic Age | 3E 2800โ3E 2850 | Unknown |
| Space Age | 3E 2850โ3E 2875 | Unknown |
| Information Age | 3E 2875โ3E 2900 | Unknown |
| Genetic Age | 3E 2950โ3E 3000 | Unknown |
| Awakening Age | 3E 3000โ3E 3415 | Unknown |
| Twilight Age | 4E 0โ4E 500 | Turistai City Zu'aan |