Rift Zone

Africa's Great Rift Valley is a 6,000-mile crack (fissure) in the earth's crust, stretching from Lebanon to Mozambique. One of its most dramatic sections slices through East Africa, dividing Kenya into two segments. Geologists know that the Rift Valley was formed by violent subterranean forces that tore apart the earth's crust. These forces caused huge chunks of the crust to sink between parallel fault lines and force up molten rock in volcanic eruptions. Evidence that this process, called rifting, is still in progress comes from the many active and semi-active volcanoes, located along the Rift. Evidence of volcanic activity along the rift is provided by the presence of numerous boiling hot springs.

Ushirikiano Kisiwa's Rift Zone mimics this great landmark. Though not quite as large as the actual Great Rift Valley, it is akin to the marvel thousands of tourists flock to visit each year. This area is largely 'undiscovered' insofar as the occupants of the island know, because of its mystery it has attracted the Kucha Ekundu who have sought to discover each new nook and cranny in the Rift Zone.

The Aviary

The Aviary is a messengers center where the messages of the island are imported and exported on a daily basis. Primarily dominated by the Makunguru because of its remote location up in the higher points of the Rift Zone, the location is open to visitors of all types. The question is, however, can you make the climb? It's well know that the Makunguru can go where most other breeds of the Ahadi cannot, this place is no exception to the rule.

The Aviary itself is an area made up of great rock formations, some of which mimic trees and perches for the Messengers to rest on after long flights to and from other Axis of the Ahadi. Though in a remote location, the calls of the local ravens can be heard well into the island's confines. The news of the Ahadi is exported from here, though it is also the location where you will find news from the raven's mouth, so to speak.

The Aviary is the closest point to the mainland of Africa, only about 35 miles. For the Corax entering and exiting the realm, they travel through the Umbra since there is no physical counterpart to the islands that are the gateway in the northeast. Like anyone who visits the island, only those Corax who have undergone the Ushirikiano la Kanuni Kaida (Ritual of Cooperation) can visit.

Painted Crater

This portion of the Rift Zone has only recently been named the Painted Crater because of its recent occupants: the Kucha Ekundu. The crater, itself, goes several feet down to meet with Lake Victoria in the center. Here, several of the Kucha Ekundu come to learn sacred, rites, rituals and gifts. Many of the Kucha Ekundu have been asked why they chose this portion of the island in which to conduct their rituals. The only answer received was that it was a secluded, unclaimed territory that held harsh elements in which to teach the Cubs survival.

Several rock formations, of course, line the walls of the Painted Crater. Most importantly, many of the Kucha Ekundu and their kinfolk have taken up residency in packs along the crater's massive walls. They are always close to water, and though they must leave to do their hunting, it's an area of great importance to them. They often share the area with feral Silent Striders seeking some rest from their afternoon training and traveling, but all occupants of Ushirikiano Kisiwa are welcome.

Glyph Caverns

The Glyph Caverns are called such because of the mysterious elements surrounding this very cave. Those who have come to it claim that it is a place of immeasurable power and prestige. Some Garou claim that it holds the lock and key to their ancestors, while Bastet and Mokole speculate that rather than being a key to ancestors, it is a key to other realms. Though the mysteries behind the Glyph Caverns have not been solved, it is a marvel of the island that is never without a guard or two. Most often it is Races Against Dawn the Twilight, Swara of mystic abilities.

The Caverns are located at the mouth of the Rift Zone and while they are called 'caverns' it is not so. Only a few steps into this cave and you'll be eye-to-eye with what is spoken most about this cave. On the wall behind the Races-Against-Dawn, the Swara Guardian, are carefully and meticulously carved glyphs that appear mysteriously and glow with colors corresponding to purposes that are unknown. Some of the Island's occupants have completed tasks and the glyphs will stop glowing, while others will only further agitate the glyphs. The most mysterious thing about these glyphs is simple: No one put them there. They appeared on their own when the Island was discovered and they continued to unravel great mysteries about the Island, itself.

A few glyphs that have gotten the attention of the island inhabitants have been a giant tree, which led to the discovery of the Great Baobab as the Grave of Hallowed Heroes. The recovery of the wyrm-animated Grondr from Kilimanjaro was preceded by a Boar glyph, as well. A recent glyph has been a bat glyph in which mystical webbing attaches itself seems to be related to bat trouble in the Aviary and in Tanzania.

Some of the Mokole have experienced Mnesis in which they have seen great halls behind the walls of the Cave. Almost as though there was a great hall, much like that of Mashidano Meeting Hall in the lodge, only more ancient and prominent as well as more elaborate. The visions have been scarce.. so scarce and fleeting that the Mokole truly cannot rely on it. Therefore the walls of the Cave have yet to be broken through or down in the interest of keeping this mystical power in perfect condition.

There have been whispers about the lodge of conspiring Breed Members making the Caverns into a Caern, Den Realm, Wallow or such places of power. Unfortunately none of these requests will be granted. One thing is for certain: There is little more known about the cave than what is shown before your very eyes.