Death Ridge

Death Ridge is the english name for the small, uninhabited, volcanic island in the southern seas on the planet Irfik

The island has featured in a lot of historical legend, and even in some of Irfik's great literature. The epic Durvish poem, Zolanca a ɱalbidalca - IPA: /zolæ:nsæ æ mgælbi:dælsæ/ - (Eng: Journey to Death's Door [Island])

The island is roughly 160km² in surface area [subject to change due to eruptions], it does seem to support plant life, however sparse, and no known biological creatures. There is scientific speculation that bacteria could reside there, as well as small invertebrates such as land shrimp or cockroaches could live underground.

The land of Death Ridge is mainly made up of volcanic rock and marble. Its shape is constantly subject to change due to the volcano erupting.

Death Ridge in Literature

Ilaɱa Fiara's Durvish language epic poem of 1877 (our calendar) 938 (Irfik calendar) spoke of a glorious silver-clad hero called Maɱala, the son of the Mastalis Goddess, Uhurk Godess of Firerain. The poem is still taught in Durvia's schools as part of advanced historical literature, and segments are used in secondary history and Durvish Language classes.

It contains the famous first sentence.

Cal za ɱanéna, manania þetaɱ, cionenia barancoda elerianciɱ

When in fear, stay focused and use your knowledge to overcome.

The poem follows a rather disaster-filled voyage on 'Miolcenar ha miɱlancia' (eng: The ship of dreams) which sees many storms, maelstroms and even a 'Alcaima' a mythological sea monster.

There are more monsters to face once the island has been reached, such as the 'Balabac', a sort of minotaur like creature, a 'Caɱél' a strange creature with two thin legs that end in spikes, a fat, feathered body and a large beak like protrusion on the back of it's head, it's mouthful of razor sharp teeth is on the front of it's head, and it's back-beak is supposedly for defence, and the most terrifying, the 'Caeluria' the two headed fire-breathing tar-belching hell guard.