Historical overview:



Economy:

Much of the money comes to the estate (the family) by work in apothecaries and alchemy labs/shops in the area. The sprawling family has a hand in many jars, so to speak, but it is ultimately their sponsorship from the crown that keeps them quite comfortable. With that, many nobles and those on whom the patrons of wealth shine a knowing smile have come to trust the Arinna families as their first chose in commissioning various projects--because it is so desirable to be a great inventor/thinker in addition to being celebrated for wealth.



The people:

Our founder, Gaeus Arinna, has fathered a diverse but nonetheless unified group of minds--unified in their dogged pursuit of scientific breakthroughs. Even those who are bankers and lawyers, they only become such out of a need in the community. The Arinna family remain a fixture in society today despite their rocky climb to prominence. They are patrons of the arts, despite their less-than-royal income, and have been known to host the most whimsical parties in Zalto. The pressure to keep up with this tradition is a strain on many as the family is replete with the more pensive types. Still, the ancillary families of House Arinna have proven to be a gem amongst the Zalto peerage. A night spent in their hospitality is not wasted.


Maps:

Map



North



East



West



South



Ecology
Sprawling, short trees hold the basin on the old, flattened mountain valley in a state of relative stasis throughout the year, with small bogs forming something of an oasis for travelers (likely the reason for settling in the first place). It has the ability to sustain small herds and is seen as hunting and tourist attraction thanks to its prairie and marsh (during the rainy season) wildlife. Needless to say, the advent of ecological and biological studies have been seen starting here. Its soil is rich in nitrogen and sulfur, despite being shallow. Many amphibians can be found in addition to water fowl. Cranes and herd animals are also frequent visitors. Thanks to its regular seasons, the area enjoys a yearly influx of migratory animals. Most predators are at the mercy of Wyvern sweeps, however...

Colorful fungi arrangement in the wet season, and an assortment of fruit and tubers year-round. This is replaced by an assortment of succulents in the dry season. The region has been called the desert flower of Zalto.