Verastanian Wasteland

= The Verastanian Wasteland. = The Verastanian Wastetland, also known as the Scorching Moon Wasteland, is located in the south-east of Onthukhan, Eldham. The entirety of the desert is located inside Oceanum a state within the Federation of the Southern Stars and Kumura. The area is characterized by its flat terrain. With the only notable mountain reaching 87 metres.

Most common types of soil include Red Sand, Red Sandstone and Coarce Dirt. The Wasteland is surrounded in South and East by the Sea of Fire. No other natural bodies of water exist in the region, however man made aqueducts are present.

History
At the beginning of 2022 the region was fully controlled by Othmyrr. At that time no mayor cities, structures or studies existed in the region. After the collapse of Othmyrr the Wasteland was divided between the People's Republic of Sotrania and Oceanum. While during this period no developments have been made in the Oceanumite part, large plantations of spices were made on the Sotranian side. However as one might expect, creating a farm in a literal wasteland was a mistake and the plantation was abandoned soon after. Following the creation of the farm all plants and animals existed in the peninsula part of the island were expelled. After the June crisis, Sotrania was split between Oceanum and Glanra. With the region soon becoming split between Oceanum and Kumura, with the mountains becoming the border. The region saw the largest amount of development during this time with the construction of Sosuko and expantion of Kythnos into the desert with the creation of the Moonlight Sanctuary. The large urban expansion caused the wasteland and its creatures to move west fully destroying to city of Kronox and destroying several nearby ecosystems. It is currently unknown how the region managed to move.

Flora
The Wastland is a home to several plant species such as: Flor Vermiculi Deserti, the imported Shakumagi Orchid, Oriataun Cacti and the Dark Oak.

Flor Vermiculi Deserti.
Flor Vermiculi Deserti is one of natural plant species present on the wasteland. It is characterized by its distinct blue color and its crimson stem. Around this flower, a large amount of Desertum Rosa Vermis have been spotted. The young bugs live near the flower's fruit, while adults have been seen digging under the plant.

The plant may look like it posses no leafs at all, in reality the blue structure around its fruit are its leafs, with the flowers petals hidden on the internal side of the leafs. The stamens of the flower also are on the internal side of the leaves.

The flowers are commercially used in production of exclusive and exotic furniture's and trinkets. Due to their low upkeep, the plants are commonly bought as house plants. Their low upkeep and needs don't however cause them to become pests due to their very long life cycle. On the contrary, the plants were often used to stop pests due to their large, but slowly growing root network.

In some local cultures the plant symbolizes, durability, strength and luxury. Because of that they were often used by the local aristocrats and monarchs in their coats of arms and palaces. Though more recently the flower has been adopted by strong republican leaders. They cite the flower as a symbol of before mentioned strength and durability as well as a symbol of steady growth and stability.

Fauna
With the desert being such an unforgiving environment, just a single known animal species inhabits the area, the Desertum Rosa Vermis.

Desertum Rosa Vermis.
Desertum Rosa Vermis is a bug species inhabiting the Verastanian Wasteland. The bug itself is quite small, but as an adult it can get as long as 20 cm. The bug's shell is very strong out scientists weren't able to crush it with their shoes even on a stone surface. The young Desertum Rosa Vermis "is very annoying to sleep around", our guild members have learned, that the bug is very loud, likes to sit on human skin and is impossible to kill. Speaking of killing those bugs our members were never able to see one of them die, yet they've seen several getting hatched.

Main sources of the bugs food include Flor Vermiculi Deserti's nectar as well as decomposing remains. They have been also observed trying to melt our scientists equipment with some kind of acid.

Traditionally the bugs shells were used as jewelry, though overtime people stopped wearing them. In some local markets such jewelry is still possible to find, some locals are able to reforge such shells into material resembling precocious cut gemstones.

In local culture, the bug has been associated with disturbance and destruction. The bugs were often painted on shields or engraved into rock formations.

This article has been provided by the Humanist Guild of Oceanum.
Credits: Booper__

Sources: Booper__