Briersbury

**Briersbury** is a seaside town of the Isle of Chark and is located at the extreme southern portion of the Isle of Chark as well as being the warmest, driest, and sunniest place on the Isle of Chark. It sits about 107 kilometers north of the nearest foreign land, Cagneux.

## Etymology

The region has many nicknames, with the most common being "The Mesaland." Its called so due to its unique geographical features and characteristics. "Mesa" is a Bilavan word that means "table," and it is often used to describe a flat-topped hill or plateau that is surrounded by steep cliffs and slopes. The region is characterized by these types of mesas near the Muckwick Mountains' foothills, which are distinct from the rolling hills and lush valleys of the wetter regions. Additionally, the term "mesa" might also be used to describe the northern part of the region's relatively high elevation compared to surrounding areas, which could contribute to its distinct climate and ecosystem. This makes the region stand out as a unique and special place, earning it the nickname of "mesaland" among those who live in the wetter parts of the Isle over the mountain range.

## Culture

The culture and way of life in Briersbury is different from other parts over the mountains due to the different climate and geography. For example, the people developed a more laid-back and relaxed lifestyle, with a focus on enjoying the outdoors and spending time with family and friends. Traditional crafts and practices such as weaving, pottery, and animal husbandry plays a role in daily life, while food and drink is more focused on locally grown crops and ingredients. In terms of housing, the historic houses in the region might have been built using locally available materials such as adobe, stone, and wood. The houses have been designed to take advantage of the unique climate, with features such as thick walls, courtyards, and shaded arcades to ensure cool and comfortable living spaces. Additionally, the houses have been built using traditional design elements from a variety of different cultures, incorporating elements such as arches, columns, and tile roofs. The cultural influences in the region could come from a variety of different sources, including Jabalan, Peisybakkuan, Lopabtehs, Bilavans, Orabellans, Windsourites, and, of course, Charcians. For example, the people in the region celebrate traditional festivals and holidays unique to Briersbury culture, while also incorporating elements from other cultures that have influenced their way of life.

## History

In Briersbury, the kings and queens in the regions survived the harsh warmer temperatures by constructing their palaces and homes using locally available materials that helped to regulate the temperature. These included adobe bricks made from sun-dried mud that were used to build thick walls to insulate the interior from the heat outside. Additionally, traditional design features such as courtyards, fountains, and shaded arcades were incorporated into the architecture to provide cool and comfortable spaces for living and entertaining. The kings and queens also survived the harsh climate by cultivating crops and plants that are well-suited to the region's unique conditions. Almonds and palms, for example, are both hardy and drought-resistant crops that can thrive in warmer and drier environments. The kings and queens encouraged the cultivation of these crops in the region, which helped to support the local economy and provide a reliable source of food and income. Jabalans and Peisybakkuans were also informed of the unique region, and trade and commerce played a role in fostering friendly relations between the two groups and Briersburyians. The people of Jabala and Peisybaku brought goods such as spices, textiles, and precious metals to trade with the people of the region, while also sharing their knowledge and expertise in areas such as irrigation and water management.
During the Medieval times, the kings and queens employed a large number of workers and laborers to help with tasks such as farming, construction, and domestic work. The region's unique climate and ecosystem has influenced the local culture, with traditional crafts and practices such as weaving, pottery, and animal husbandry playing an important role in daily life. Overall, the medieval way of life in the region was shaped by the challenges and opportunities presented by the unique climate and geography.

## Demographics

Briersbury is 60.3% Charcian, 19.9% Peisybakkuan, 4.5% Jabalan, 2.3% Other Pasian, 4.5% Windsourite, 3.1% Bilavan, 2.7% Orabellan, 1.1% Other Paranian, 1.6% Kutwhean, and 0.2% Unknown. It is, combined, 71.7% Caucasian (About 1 in 1.39 people), 26.7% Pasian (About 1 in 3.74 people), and 1.8% Other Races.

### Large Peisybakkuan and Jabalan Presence

The Jabalans and Peisybakkuans have a large population in the region today due to their historical contributions to the area. They introduced plant species and hot weather methods that helped the region thrive in a harsh environment. Over time, their knowledge and expertise in adapting to the climate and soil of the region has been passed down through migrant generations, leading to a larger population of Jabalans and Peisybakkuan people in the area today. Additionally, the region's unique geography and climate have provided a natural advantage for these groups to thrive and establish a presence.

## Climate and Geography

It is the only portion of the Isle of Chark to have a semi-arid continental climate while most of the Isle of Chark has a humid temperate oceanic climate. The geographic regions of this town are reminiscent of those seen in Kosna, Bilva, parts of the Celestial Islands and southern Lobevia with coastal scrubland and savanna covering most of the area surrounding Briersbury. The area has very low rainfall at about 6 days per year and gets extremely hot during the summer. Cultivated palm trees can commonly be seen in the region due to how warm the climate is. It is the geographic midpoint between the capital of Alexandria and the capital of Cagneux and the closest Isle of Chark city to S. Parania, E. Parania, C. Parania and the continent of Pasia. Plants found naturally in the region are mainly introduced from Bilva, Kosna, the Celestial Islands, and the continent of Pasia; they are the sagebrush, the rosemary, the olive, the fig, and the century plant. The explanation for the sudden change in climate is due to a phenomenon known as a "rain shadow effect." When moist air from the ocean is forced to rise over a mountain range, it cools and releases precipitation on the windward side of the mountains. However, as the air moves over the mountains and descends on the leeward side, it warms and dries out, creating a region of lower precipitation and a different climate. The region of Briersbury is also situated in a valley/low-lying area that is sheltered from the moister ocean and environment by the Muckwick Mountains. This gives the area a microclimate that is distinct from the rest of the country and the neighboring areas. The explanation for the thriving of desert plants in the region is due to the unique soil composition in the area. The soil in the area is high in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which is essential for plant growth. The warm and dry climate in the region also lead to a buildup of these materials in the soil, creating a highly fertile environment for plants found in warmer climates. Additionally, the lack of rainfall in the region leads to less competition from other plant species, allowing introduced warm-weather plants to thrive and establish themselves more easily.

### Biomes

The forests in the region are characterized by a dry and arid climate temperatures that can vary greatly depending on the time of year. The area is located in a mesa type region, which creates unique geological features and contributes to the region's dry climate. Despite the harsh environments, the forests in the region are able to thrive and support a diverse array of species, including coyotes, rabbits, and deer. The forests are primarily made up of quaking and bigtooth aspens, balsam and white poplars, and multiple species of cedars, pines, and willows with some species of *Potentilla*, *Ribes*, *Actaea*, *Amelanchier, Rubus*, and multiple species of *Phalaris*. The forest's all-star bird species include the numerous finches, waxwings, crows, woodpeckers, gulls, sparrows, and magpies that paint the forests' tree canopy. While coyotes, pocket gophers, rabbits, and deer are the most populous animals in the forests of the region, there are also several rarer species that can be found in the area such as the hedgehog, badger, and boar. No squirrels, moles, rats, and foxes are known to commonly roam into the forest.

### Animals

There are a variety of animals present in the area, including lady beetles (Seven-spotted and harlequin), mallards, robins, blackbirds, honeybees, black-headed gulls, cross orbweavers, green shield bugs, brown-lipped snails, house sparrows, white storks, northern coyotes, white-tailed deer, brown hares, red kites, and numerous species of falcons and raptors. Red foxes, despite being exceedingly common over the mountains, are rarer and more scarce in the area due to the region's drier and harsher climate, which do not provide suitable conditions for their survival. In the area, there are only about one fox per square kilometer due to the harsher climate and less suitable habitat. Due to the region's dry climate and forest type, coyotes, rabbits, and deer have adapted to the area more than other parts of the isle and are able to thrive in the available habitat, resulting in a plentiful population of these species in the region.