Iron Fists Garden

Gairdíní na Iarndóideanna – Iron Fists Garden:

A majestic scene conceals the above-ground portion of the IF castle, namely the Iron Fists Garden. It extends from a point five hundred meters from the base of the An Gunna Mhor - The Big Gun. This massive park is 8km wide and stretches out eastward 20 km in a broad oval shape. The clay-heavy surface was manipulated to elevate a string of pre-planned paths and open the ground for establishing flora. At several locations specific designs were established as believed would be pleasing. 12 km in a 1.5x2 km oval is cut in forty meters deep in the middle. The water flowing in slowly was treated with a mild inoculation of bacteria to maintain a sound ecological balance as the lake water settled. Other smaller, yet essential deep cavities were also made with exacting detail. The end result of this work was phenomenal, creating one of the largest areas of the like universe wide.

A mountain stream flows off Sliabh Dubh south in a path set in the stony clay terrain. The IF call it Abhainn Ri¬ ~ Kings River. The flow of the thin river is steady but slow as it meanders through Gleann Bhais in a slight snaking pattern. It passes through Iron Fists Garden and meets the manmade lake, called Lough Mac Lir then winds onward out the south. Two shallow streams tap off the lake into boggy ponds rich in peat, finely chiseled out each 10 meters deep at center and 25 meters wide. A monument to the Morri¬gan at the north end and another to Briget to the south represent all things Dark and Light that flows from the Shadows. These both are stagnant in terms of movement but vibrant with life of all kinds.

The present framework formed as the old Rooftop Sanctuary came down on the remaining portion of the IF base. These soils made of kelp and water from the Manaan Ocean, horse manure and 100 metric tons of peat moss from Kuat laid down quite naturally as a large part of the building collapsed. The extant flora and fauna transferred quite effortlessly. Among the flora are found alder, ash, oak and pine, the odd asaari tree of Bimmisaari and three sets of seven baffor trees among them. Mature trees too were carefully moved and now replanted. Most Three of the mighty wroshyr trees, the cradle of Wookie civilization stand to the north-east corner. These are still young at but 1/3 of their full height of over a kilometer tall, yet the trees are, as habit fused together, forming a stronger, conjoined tree and present an imposing specimen none the same.

 
Fauna from many a part of the universe infinite thrive among this diverse habitat. Animals that dwell below the surface, on open ground, in trees and in the air can be found. Beasts of prey and those hunted live naturally in a manmade place. One that stands out among these is a massive kind of deer with a tremendous rack that walks the forests untouched. Many a kind of marine life is found too, including the salmon that enjoys following their natural seasonal migration pattern that the river provides.

All but a meter high fence of obsidian rock marks the edge between domestic and feral. Yet both seem to instinctively understand the narrow line that separates wild from tame and neither will cross the divide. The fence only acts to reveal this division to man. Cattle and horse smell the dangers that lay waiting in Iron Fists Garden and avoid entering; the beasts of prey within are kept in check by the Cu Faoil - Wolfhounds that roam outside the garden and even more so the most violent predator in history: humans. Apart from the human animal, only the swine halfway between tame and wild freely crosses this line separating the rest.

An Tiarna’s favorite tree with the pair of Ysalamiri and two offspring still attached is planted at the crossroads in front of the manmade lake. A bench facing the lake is placed in front of them. Other benches of the like can be found across Iron Fists Garden on quite paths established. But this place stands apart from any found across the garden. Here with trees at each side of the crossroads one can sit severed from the force in a strangely tranquil peace. Peace... at the heart of the home of a people madly fond of war.