Ulakiel

Ulakiel is the largest single refuge for the Umandh on Emesh, a volcanic island alienage located off the coast and accessible from Borosevo by flier. It is one of a rare set of antique volcanic outcrops from before Emesh's tectonic death, rising roughly fifty feet above sea level. The island is enclosed by a heated chain-link palisade rising from the green water; on contact the fence heats to temperatures that cook organic matter, preventing the Umandh from swimming away. Stakes hammered into the beach mark water points to track the wildly fluctuating tidal levels caused by Emesh's two moons.

The vilicus Niles Engin has built a keep on the island's worn-down promontory, overlooking the Umandh settlement in their hovels grafted to the base of the basalt rise below. Those hovels are structures of rotting metal panels, salvaged materials, and trash that sprout like fungus from the margin of the sea. The coastline smells of fish and rotting seaweed. Engin administers the island for the Fishers Guild and has recently exported a thousand Umandh from Ulakiel to Triton for House Coward. He is also known to punish Umandh by having them pinned down and chiseled — driving spikes into their bodies.