Ladies, gentlemen, Druugan fae from the sandswept land of Resh, welcome!
Tonight, for your entertainment, we've prepared a sneak peek at the isle of Ekbatan, one of the major locations we've been creating for Sunflowers and the Goddess of Death. In particular, we'll be focusing on Resh, a great desert that covers the western half of the isle!
Here is a little information about the area, taken from lore you can read in-game:
"The isle of Ekbatan sits within the Ribs of the Creator, a part
of Urdin where seasons change little and the land itself roils and quakes.
Ekbatan is rocky and barren, covered in the west by a great
desert known as Resh, and to the east by an active volcano where dreaded wyrms
and clutching phoenixes are known to nest.
So grueling a land breeds hardy men and women, self-sufficient and capable.
Though Ekbatanoi soil does not suffer the growing of grains or vegetables,
its acidity makes it highly suitable for various fruits, and many
make their lives in the sweet-smelling groves of Perudgr trees that dot the
landscape. Others leave the isle behind, in search of steadier climes or loose silver,
becoming sellswords or sailors for the great nations of the western lands."
Our design and storytelling in Resh and Ekbatan draw from ancient Germanic, Nordic, and African Paganism and cultures, merged with a bit of classic fantasy, to create something we hope will be unique and exciting.
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Now, without further ado, let's dive a little deeper into Resh, shall we? :)
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Resh
Covering the western half of the isle of Ekbatan are the lands of Resh, an area of windswept dunes, rocky hills, and forgotten ruins buried underneath the sands. This is the first major zone you'll visit when exploring Ekbatan, and crossing the harsh landscape will be required of Wedelia and her companions on their journey to Hraunholme, the only major settlement on the island.
Much of Resh is barren and inhospitable, with sand and stone reaching out in every direction. Valleys of crumbling stone tear into the soil and dune-covered hills break open the sky.
However, dotted throughout the landscape are various cacti and stout bitterwood trees, and one may even find the occasional oasis by which one can enjoy a much needed respite from Resh's harsh winds and unrelenting heat.
You may meet the local inhabitants of Resh along your journey as well. They are fae known as the Druugan, a race blessed by Aelor, the Charred Prince, god of fire, of home and hearth, and of renewal from ash. Most aren't particularly interested in learning any human language, so you may find them a little difficult to deal with (especially when they snatch away hidden treasure before you can reach it!).
Parts of Resh are battered by unrelenting sandstorms and few but the Druugan ever explore these parts of Resh. Treasure and long-abandoned ruins may be found in such places.
You'll also encounter many dangerous beasts and spirits native to Resh along the way, such as the fierce Jötunn, the mystical Landvættir, and the dreaded (and absolutely adorable) Dunhemoth!
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Our next steps in development for Sunflowers and the Goddess of Death will be to create Hraunholme, the key population center on the isle of Ekbatan, as well as the Carmine Agiary, the chief religious structure of the cult of Aelor and the mausoleum in which the past chieftains of Hraunholme are interred.
That's all we have for this afternoon. Thank you, truly, for your interest in Sunflowers and the Goddess of Death and we hope you enjoyed what we had to share today. Make sure to follow us on Bluesky, Twitter, or Facebook for weekly updates on development progress as well!
As always, we are honored and humbled to have you on this journey with us. Take care and have a wonderful week.
May the soft warmth of spring's gentle sun bring joy and comfort to your travels.
-CW Hendricks