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=== Major Planetary Zones | (Twin) Sections of the Habitual Belt | Regions | Geographic Features ===

====== ORLANDA MARSHES ======
{{:asari_region_orlanda_marshes_orlanda_tribe_floating_homes_scenic2d.png?direct&400|}}

  * **Type:** Marshland
  * **Location:** [[habitual_belt|Habitual Belt]], [[equator_sections_east_and_west|Eastern Equatorial Section]], [[asari|Asari Region]], bordering the [[north_midbelt_sections_east_and_west|Northern Midbelt Section]]

===== Overview =====

The Orlanda Marshes are an expansive and ecologically rich wetland spanning approximately 319.6 square kilometers — four times the size of [[lake_arla|Lake Arla]]. Situated at the northern border of the [[asari|Asari Region]] and the [[north_midbelt_sections_east_and_west|Northern Midbelt Section]], these marshlands form a natural transition zone between the Equatorial sections’ tropical climate and the more temperate conditions of the Midbelt.

The Orlanda Marshes are home to the [[the_orlanda|Orlanda Tribe]], a resilient community that has adapted to the challenging swampy terrain. Known for their floating homes and sustainable practices, the Orlanda Tribe thrives by living in harmony with their environment. The marshes are also shrouded in mystery, as strange high-tech artifacts occasionally emerge from its depths, defying explanation by both the Orlanda and the [[the_humans|Exohumans]].

Although similarly named, [[Lake Orlanda|Lake Orlanda]] and the [[orlanda_river|Orlanda River]] are located approximately 30 kilometers south of the marshes and are not directly connected to the Orlanda Marshes.
===== Local Climatic Conditions, Geography and Landscape =====

The Orlanda Marshes span the boundary between the Equatorial [[tropical_forest|Tropical Forest]] and the Northern Midbelt, forming a complex wetland ecosystem that is both ecologically and culturally significant. The terrain is shaped by constant hydrological input and natural vegetation, making the marshes a biodiverse and largely impenetrable landscape.

  * **Hydrology:** Fed by multiple small streams and underground springs, the Orlanda Marshes form a web of shallow pools, vegetation-covered islands, and soft channels. Water levels remain consistent thanks to deep aquifers and minimal seasonal fluctuation.
  * **Topography:** With no fixed shoreline, the marshes transition into forest and grasslands. Floating vegetation, submerged roots, and hidden islands dominate the terrain, creating an ever-shifting boundary between land and water.

==== Weather Patterns: ====

  * Mild atmospheric conditions moderated by water vapor from the marsh
  * Frequent mist and low visibility in early twilight
  * Constant humidity and occasional sudden rainfall
  * High local biodiversity maintained by stable moisture levels

===== Local Flora =====

All known Exohuman data on the flora of the Orlanda Marshes was collected during the [[beta_age|Beta Age]]. Exploration has since been restricted by the [[peace_treaty|Peace Treaty]]. Many species likely remain undocumented.

  * **Ironroot Reeds** – Metallic-fibered reeds used for crafting rafts and tools.
  * **Glowlilies** – Bioluminescent lilies blooming on water surfaces; central to Orlanda ceremonies.
  * **Swamp Vines** – Rope-thick vines draping trees and floating mats; used for net weaving.
  * **Marsh Ferns** – Broad-leaved plants that cover marsh islands.
  * **Skyshade Trees** – Towering trees stabilizing marsh borders with expansive canopies.

===== Local Fauna =====

{{ :orlanda_marshes_illustration_scenic_2d.png?direct&400|}}


Exohuman knowledge of the Orlanda Marshes' fauna remains limited to early Beta Age surveys. Some creatures are only known through tribal accounts.

==== Aquatic Species: ====

  * [[Driftstalk Fish|Driftstalk Fish]] – Camouflaged, schooling fish; staple in the Orlanda diet.
  * [[Bogfang Eels|Bogfang]] – Revered predators hiding under root systems.

==== Amphibians and Reptilian Fauna: ====

  * [[glowfrogs|Glowfrogs]] – Luminescent frogs using back patterns for mating and communication.
  * [[kardar|Kardar]] – Massive, alligator-like apex predator with territorial behavior and spiked tail.
  * [[Murkbind Serpent|Murkbind Serpent]] – Semi-aquatic snake with dark mottled scales, capable of both underwater hunting and ambushing prey from reeds. Often mistaken for a root or vine.

==== Aquatic Invertebrates: ====

  * [[Skyshell Crabs|Skyshell Crabs]] – Semi-aquatic crabs with reflective shells; essential for marsh soil aeration.

==== Birds ====

  * [[bluestrike_heron|Bluestrike Heron]]: A tall bird with striking electric blue plumage that hunts for fish and amphibians along the riverbanks. 
  * [[flutterwing|Flutterwing]] – small, swift bird, recognized for its vibrant blue and gold plumage

==== Insects ====

  *  [[bero_hiki|Bero Hiki]] – Small omnivorous worm with tough, rubber-like skin. Has a mouth at both ends.
  *   [[iri-tenu|Iri-Tenu]] – Small beetle with a color-changing exoskeleton for camouflage. Uses chemical signals to detect threats.
  *  [[lumivai_sari|Lumivai Sari]] – Mimic beetle that imitates the Iri-Tenu to get close before attacking. Hunts using pheromone deception.
  * [[Miregnats|Miregnats]] – Tiny bioluminescent mosquitoes that form glowing clouds during twilight hours; irritating but non-lethal.
  * [[Reedstingers|Reedstingers]] – Large, slow-flying wasp-like insects with painful stings; territorial near nesting zones.
==== Mammals ====

  * [[Croplight Lemur|Croplight Lemur]] – Agile, tree-dwelling mammal that feeds on fruits and glowlily nectar; active during twilight.
  * [[Marshbound Lurker|Marshbound Lurker]] – Ambush predator with water-repellent fur and retractable claws; hides in reed thickets.
  * [[Mudtail Grazer|Mudtail Grazer]] – Herbivorous, long-legged marsh deer with wide hooves for walking across soft ground.
  * [[nokari_mouse|Nokari Mouse]] – Small, fur-insulated rodent.

===== Local Population and Settlement History =====
==== Native Population ====

The [[the_orlanda|Orlanda Tribe]] has lived in the Orlanda Marshes for generations, developing unique architectural and ecological practices. Their floating villages, constructed from raft-connected homes, rise and fall with the water levels. Tribal ceremonies follow the rhythms of nature, especially the bloom cycles of the Glowlilies. Their economy revolves around aquatic harvesting, medicinal craft, and intricate weaving traditions.

==== Exohuman Presence During the Beta Age ====

Although no permanent Exohuman settlements were ever established in the marshes, scientific expeditions were conducted during the Beta Age. These exploratory missions, often led by researchers and funded by the [[free_state_of_settlers|Free State of Settlers]], documented flora, fauna, and atmospheric data. It was during these missions that the first high-tech artifacts were discovered — objects of unclear origin, buried in the mud or hidden beneath floating vegetation.

==== Mysterious High-Tech Artifacts ====

These artifacts continue to confound Exohuman scholars. Their composition and function resist conventional analysis, leading to theories ranging from pre-crash technology to alien origins. The Orlanda Tribe treats them as sacred, believing they are omens or messages from ancestral spirits. Their refusal to allow further Exohuman excavation has preserved the mystery — and tension — surrounding the marshes.

==== Post-War Status (Gamma Age) ====

Since the signing of the [[peace_treaty|Peace Treaty]] following the [[great_war|Great War]], the Orlanda Marshes have been entirely off-limits to Exohumans. No formal expeditions or unofficial ventures have been recorded in the [[the_gamma_age|Gamma Age]]. The Orlanda Tribe remains the sole guardian of the region.

===== Tactical Advice for Dungeon Masters =====

The Orlanda Marshes are a narrative-rich zone of mysticism, ecological wonder, and ancient secrets. Use their dynamic geography and cultural tensions to frame exploratory, diplomatic, or survival-oriented adventures. Tribesfolk, artifacts, and predators coexist in this amphibious wilderness, and the balance between reverence and danger defines every step.

==== Adventure Hooks – Beta Age: ====

  * **"The Bloom Curse" ** – A Free State research team tracking the glow cycle of Glowlilies disappears under mysterious circumstances. Players must navigate the marshes to recover them — or what’s left—while dealing with local fauna and suspicious tribal signs.


==== Adventure Hooks – Gamma Age: ====

  * **"Echoes of the Artifact"** – An [[outlaws|Outlaw]] Exohuman group breaches the marsh in search of forbidden tech. Players are dispatched by the [[native_human_behavior_supervision|Native Supervisor]] to intercept them, but the relic may have its own will.

===== Related Pages and Further Information =====

  * [[habitual_belt|Habitual Belt]]
  * [[north_midbelt_sections_east_and_west|Northern Midbelt Section]]
  * [[asari|Asari Region]]
  * [[tropical_forest|Tropical Forest]]
  * [[lake_orlanda|Lake Orlanda]]
  * [[orlanda_river|Orlanda River]]
  * [[the_orlanda|Orlanda Tribe]]