Coral Crescent

The Atolls of Hope are a group of small islands located a few hundred miles to the South-East of Solar Dale. These islands have peaceful harbors surrounded by raging waters, and ships from the old world often anchor here while waiting for the right weather to make it to the capital. The journey to the capital can take anywhere from a week to a few months, depending on the weather conditions.

Coral Crescent is the smallest of the atolls, and it is probably the most protected from storms. It can only host up to three medium-sized ships and no more than two hundred people, including its permanent residents, who count around thirty men and women and a few pets. The settlement has two inns with beds, one hotel, ship docks, two warehouses, and a few houses reserved for the locals.

The greater part of Coral Crescent is covered with virgin jungles, which traveling biologists appreciate. The flora and fauna of the Atolls of Hope are somewhat similar to those of Pandorah, which gives scientists enough time to get accustomed to what awaits them on the mainland. Additionally, the shallow and coastal waters are clear and calm enough for pearl divers to practice their skills.

The small settlement on the island is powered by tidal generators and one solar collector on the Northern hill. During mild storms, both sources may get temporarily disabled, so the community has to rely on batteries and be very careful about spending too much electricity. But, usually, at least 300 days a year, the weather here is calm and relaxing.

Janice Johnes, also known as Big J, is the unofficial boss of Coral Crescent. She runs the hotel and has the right skills to manage unpredictable island logistics. While she is generally cheerful most of the time, Big J is known for her temper when things go wrong due to somebody's negligence. Captains even jokingly call her the "Storm of the Atolls," not within her earshot.

The reason why Coral Crescent is protected from the most fierce cyclones is still unknown. However, the hypothesis is that rather odd streams around the Atolls of Hope create the right atmospheric pressure that slowly weathers down surrounding storms. Oceanologists have never seen anything similar in the waters of the Old World.

Another peculiar mystery about this place is that navigation systems go crazy a few dozen miles to the South of Coral Crescent. Scientists believe there must be deposits of rare metals on the ocean bottom. However, it could be something much more enjoyable. Due to the anomaly, submarine expeditions are considered unsafe, so only time will tell who is right.