Fort Ciskin

**Fort Ciskin** is an island located off the coast of the West Central Sector. The island was formerly a colony for DinoHunt Corp. and was later later turned into a hunting reserve on their Western Tour.

## History

Soon after the island's discovery and exploration, Fort Ciskin quickly became a prime target for a colonization attempt. This was because of several features of the island that mitigated risks that made Turan Choks and his crew decide the planet was unfit for colonies. For one, the island had little volcanic activity, the main threat against large colonial growth. Secondly, the island was found to have a natural barrier in the southeast, creating a perfect defense against large alien life. For these reasons, Fort Ciskin was chosen for a colonization attempt.

The initial colony was planned to be constructed cheaply, using only natural resources in the area and built using only human labor. This was initially successful, with a small group of colonizers building a small village on the island. Areas which were not protected by natural barriers were fortified with a Dinosaur Wall, large wooden pillars which blocked entrance to the colony, with only a large gate allowing entrance into it.

However, these defenses would prove to be fruitless. Soon after the colony's founding, a large rampaging *Tyrannosaurus* breached the Dinosaur Wall, causing a large loss of life and the destruction of the colony. Those who survived the incident had no intentions of returning to the ruined colony, and it lied abandoned for years.

Later, the island was considered to become a hunting reserve, due to its sizable dinosaur population and infamous colony. Today, Fort Ciskin is a popular hunting site, due to its relatively challenging terrain and eponymous landmark.

## Environment

As Fort Ciskin is located off the Coast of the West Central Sector, the island possesses a temperate climate. Here, a temperate forest dominates much of the land area of the island, where a low lying fog can sometimes be seen. These forests are made up of mostly pale, wide stumped trees, which grow well in the climate.

Where these forests break, swamps can be found forming in small lakes. In the island's south central area, a particularly large swamp can be seen, forming next to the dropoff of a high cliff. Several other, smaller ponds form swamps. In both cases, they create small obstacles for the hunter, or possible advantages if used correctly.

In the island's north central area, a dry forest surrounded by high cliffs and a large lake can be found. The native plant life is noticeably different in this region of the island, having adapted to live in an area with a rainshadow caused by the high cliffs surrounding it. These cliffs can be extremely useful if climbed, providing a safe vantage point for hunters to fire down on prey. The lake is dotted with islands at its center, providing a similar advantage to hunters that can reach them.

To the north, a small cave connecting to a hidden valley carved into the mountain can be found. The floor of the cave is completely covered, forcing hunters to wade through cold, knee deep water to cross it.

## Structures

In the southeast reaches of the island lies the ruins of one of DHC's first colonization attempts. Fort Ciskin, as its name suggests, was a Fort-Colony designed to give settlers a home and to protect them from the hostile environment of the Dinosaur Planet. This would prove to be unsuccessful, as a large *Tyrannosaurus* destroyed the colony. What remains is a dilapidated group of huts surrounded by a decaying dinosaur wall. The location, though grim, is a popular place for hunters to explore.

To the East, upon a coastal cliff lies a ring of standing stones which surround a strange altar at its center. These stones are believed to have been carved and placed by the Ancients, though their purpose is unknown. The most common theory states the stones are there for some unknown religious purpose, though its meaning was lost with the Ancients. Some less scientifically minded theories believe the stones have put a curse on the island, causing the unfortunate end of the original colony. The stones bear a remarkable resemblance with Stonehenge on Earth, though this is most likely coincidental.

Most unusually, in the northwestern reaches of the map hunters can find a lonely hut. It has long sat abandoned, and its previous occupants are unknown. It is far too permanent of a settlement to have been built by poachers and DHC has denied sponsoring its creation, leaving many to speculate on its creators and purpose. Today, it is used by hunters as a makeshift resting place, where they can reload and take a short break under a roof.

Eastern SwampNorthern CaveNorthwest HutFort GateFort Dinosaur Wall