Gwanji Valley
The Gwanji Valley is region of wilderness located in Northern California. It has a varied climate, ranging from jungles to marshlands, which may be the result of pocket dimensions outside of space and time. Such a notion is purely theoretical, but it would explain the dinosaurs and other strange creatures present there.
Contents
Geography
Originally an isolated valley only reachable by an extensive cave system, the Gwanji Valley now extends over a third of California after the effects of the Big One. Much of the landscape lies below sea level, in a series of layers bordered by large cliffs that protect the interior from flooding. With the exception of Underwood, it is the deepest known region in the world.
The topmost layer, entirely above sea level, is referred to as the surface world. Most of the region's settlements are on this layer. The next 1500ft is the level called the lowlands, with a thicker atmosphere that makes observation from the surface world close to impossible due to unbroken cover of dense mists. The higher oxygen concentration in the atmosphere of the lowlands has allowed the insects native to this layer to grow to sizes that rival those of dinosaurs, which are also native to this layer.
After the lowlands is subterra, where the local flora and fauna have adapted to the low-light environment. Crustaceans and other, more bizarre forms of life dominate this region. Despite their often fearsome appearances, many creatures at this level are lithovores, consuming minerals to survive. At this level the valley extends beneath the ocean through a vast cavern network, reaching as far as the furthest Hollywood Islands.
The final layer, at a depth of greater than 2500ft, is the abyss, which has not been fully documented despite numerous attempts. Despite the name it is not devoid of light, thanks to a combination of magma channels and deposits of reactive luminescent minerals. A number of kaiju have been spotted at this level, and it is suspected there is an underground ocean somewhere within the depths.
History
First discovered in 1920 by director and explorer Cooper Malone, the Gwanji Valley was at first thought to be a "lost world" hidden from the passage of time, allowing prehistoric species to flourish safe from the various extinction events. In the name of science and entertainment, many of the native creatures were imported into Hollywood, and multiple expeditions were made to establish shooting locations. Era of the Lizard (1922), The Lost Expedition (1924), and Journey to the Edge of History (1927) were all filmed at least partially within the Valley. It is suspected that Mightosaurus was native to the Valley and found its way outside by following tracks left by the film industry's many expeditions.
After the Big One, the cave system that led to the Valley collapsed into a sinkhole, either expanding the Valley or bringing it from its native timeline into Hollywood's own. The earthquake also revealed new areas of the Valley that had never been seen before, prompting new expeditions to find suitable shooting locations as "dino-mania" once again gripped Hollywood.
Settlements in the Gwanji Valley
Several permanent outposts have been constructed within the valley, and with their existence almost 50% of expeditions manage to return with an acceptable loss of life.
Challenger Point
- Main article: Challenger Point
A common launching point for expeditions, Challenger Point has grown from a simple riverboat refueling station into a boom town complete with goods and services, even its own post office and town hall.
Lindenbrook Station
- Main article: Lindenbrook Station
The lowermost point ever reached unaided and now a site for scientific and cinematographic research, Lindenbrook Station is a cramped outpost that rotates its personnel on a regular basis to avoid any further madness-derived murder sprees.
