- The Verge used to be the westernmost oversea territory of the Ōmagato Empire, before it collapsed – thus, its name.
The Verge is a small island to the south of the Watchers' Island. This land is mostly covered by thick forests, mangroves, and swamps, with an occasional hill. The beaches are rocky and feature treacherous, jagged stones that protrude from the water or hide beneath it, as well as sprawling aquatic and semi-aquatic shrubbery. Further into the sea, these rocks are more spread out, but still present, offering dangerous challenges to anyone who wants to traverse these waters. To make matters worse, unexpected currents and thick mists are also a constant concern.
The Ruins of the Kitsune
Local Kitsune live here in their Unseen Village, protected by powerful illusions which are conjured up by Kami spirits. Outside of the Village, occasionally and sporadically, other houses can be barely spotted, sunken into the ground and absolutely covered in greenery.
There is also a winding road, which used to be made of pebbles and marked by stone cairns, but is now mostly lost in the mud, debris and shrubbery. It leads towards a shrine. This building stands on the crossroads with another perpendicular path, and it appears similar to the temple in the Unseen Village, but less imposing, rich or grand. A large cherry tree casts a shadow over the shrine. A big chunk of the tiered roof is missing or rotting away; the stone floor and steps are surrounded by carved boulders, and there is a mossy statue of a warrior in the middle. This shrine, protected by a number of Kami spirits, used to house two relics - the Azusa Musical Bow, and a sword, belonging to the warrior whom the statue depicts. Both have since been returned, but the Kami gifted the bow to Fioria Finastasia.
The Swamps
Other notable residents include aggressive Boggards who are warring with the Kitsune. They used to be led by a trio of Sea Hags disguised as koi-fish Mermaids, but two of them were slain, and the third one, Veshta, formerly known as 'Yuuko', managed to escape, leaving the Boggards in a state of disarray, split into smaller tribes and factions that are prone to in-fighting. They live mostly in the swamps, but can be seen near the beaches as well. Fuaths were also spotted here among the Boggard ranks, though the nature of this cooperation, and its current status, remain unknown.
The Kitsune did not question the Merfolk disguises of the Hags, possibly implying that these fair, aquatic beings might have been present in the seas around the Verge - and potentially, still are. |
Dragon Turtles use the marshes of the Verge as their breeding grounds, where they lay their eggs. This area is currently more of a graveyard, since Boggards are hunting down the newly-hatched Dragon Turtles and harvesting them for all manner of resources - sturdy shells and scales, meat and bones. Remains of other, similar creatures were also spotted here - mainly, remnants of snapping turtles and Graveshells.
The Hags' Lair
Somewhere on the beach, there is a hidden cave that used to be the dwelling of the Sea Hags. Around the entrance, there are curious baubles stuck between rocks, wrapped around driftwood and broken masts, strung up on hanging ropes and ruined nets. In a way, it's beautiful - the Hags have clearly spent a lot of time and energy trying to make this location special and personal while using debris and natural materials. In places, water-shrubbery of all kinds and colours was deliberately planted. This entrance leads into a deep, partially flooded cave.