UNEXPLORED
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Dark Ravine

A Desperate Gambit For Economic Growth

A deriding name given by miners years ago, the Dark Ravine represents Arcea's desperation in economic freefall in the late 5th Turn, known as the Dark Age. However, these days it's also called the Black Ravine, in reference to the currently dubbed 'Black Age of Arcea'.

During the sharp economic downturn of Arcea, relations between Arcea and Illaminamo were falling apart while anti-Illaminian sentiment was at an all-time high. Manufacture conflicts ballooned into real conflicts, leading to a freeze on exports by Illaminamo which, in turn, caused multiple crashes in the Agricultural sector. When businesses shuddered and towns began to shut down, real estate prices crashed, causing upheavals in the Ironworking Guild and Architectural Guild and destroying billions in wealth in other guilds in the span of only three short decades.

During this time, the acting Conduicy (as Olistia was not old enough yet to take Lippi's place) attempted to fast-track mining operations in Northwest Arcea, where Roppi Stones were known to be. The area was dangerous to mine in due to persistent cold conditions and extremely hazardous winters. It was also known that the Roppi Vein extended into Illaminamo's borders, and the ruined relations between the two countries caused constant friction over the mine. Soldiers were lined up, almost nose-to-nose at the border, while miners desperately hammered away at stone in brutal freezing conditions. Ultimately, the yields of the mine didn't help the death spiral Arcea's economy was in and Illaminamo's threats of open warfare forced the acting Conduicy to back off.

Years later, however, Illminamo's government has now collapsed, and now the Dark Ravine is filled again with freezing miners. But this time, in a cruel twist of irony, Illaminian immigrants now mine roppi stones well across the border into their own country. With no army to oppose Arcea, the miners face constant deadly conditions, supplying Olistia's Conduicy with an economic lifeline that's helped keep it afloat as it attempts to turn around the country's fortune.