Side Story 1.8: The Capital Region of Arkanus and Its West-South Great Forests
---
Arkanus
The vast continent of Arkanus sprawls across 210 million square kilometers of Planet Centuury, abundant with every conceivable natural resource. Named after the magnificent empire that once dominated its landscapes, Arkanus stands as a testament to a civilization that reached extraordinary heights.
At the heart of this continent lies the Great Caldera of Arkanus, a massive geological formation spanning 210,000 square kilometers. This caldera marks the location where the empire's magnificent capital city, Arko, once stood in all its glory.
---
The Ancient Capital City of Arko
Arko was once the beating heart of the continent—a nexus of trade, economic prosperity, and unparalleled military might. The city's architecture drew inspiration from the imagery of the High Heavens, earning it the reverent title "the High Heavens City of Centuury" among the continent's diverse inhabitants. In their ambitious pursuit of divine beauty, the mortal craftsmen of Arko sought to mirror the splendor of the celestial kingdom in the terrestrial realm.
---
The Ancient Forests of the Ruined Capital City
Today, the Great Caldera stands isolated from the outside world, encircled by a natural barrier of sixteen forests: four great forests, four minor forests, and eight sub-minor forests. Together with the caldera itself, these woodlands form the Capital Region of Arkanus, encompassing approximately 4 million square kilometers.
Among these verdant sentinels is the Lonelywood Forest, a sub-minor forest located west-southwest of the Great Caldera. Despite its classification as "sub-minor," Lonelywood spans an impressive 100,000 square kilometers. Its position is notable, sandwiched between two larger woodland territories.
To the north of Lonelywood stretches the West Major Forest, known as the Lonely Forest of Shadowfen, commanding 500,000 square kilometers of the Capital Region. To the south lies the South-West Minor Forest, the Forsaken Ashen Glade Forest, covering roughly 250,000 square kilometers.
---
Life Within the Lonelywood Forest
The forest floor of Lonelywood teems with diverse fauna. Fearsome Grimfangs stalk through the underbrush, skittish Skitterpigs forage among fallen leaves, and majestic Peregrine Eagles soar above the canopy. These creatures, among countless others, have established their domains within this ancient woodland.
And nestled approximately 400 kilometers from the west-northwest outer edge of the Lonelywood Forest is the Village of Maya—the sole human settlement within this wild territory. This remote village enclave unknown to the outside world of human civilization stands as a testament to humanity's resilience amid the untamed wilderness.
---
The Legacy of Arkanus
The Capital Region, with its enigmatic caldera and protective ring of forests, preserves the echoes of an empire that once reached for the heavens. While the glittering spires of Arko have long since fallen, the natural grandeur of the region continues to inspire awe in those few humans that were fortunate enough to witness and live in it to this day. They are the tribal people, the Arkons as they called themselves, that were allowed by the Ancient Dragon King to migrate and inhabit the middle of The Great Caldera.
As the forests grow denser and the paths more obscured with each passing century, the mysteries of ancient Arkanus remain protected behind walls of living wood and whispered legends carried on the wind through countless generations.