Alaniveh: An Overview of the Emerald of the World

AH! Mighty Alaniveh; Emerald of the world!

-Quoted from the Prisa Alaniveh, ascribed to St. Juliet Mocalewan in the eve of the Battle of Ioin

Geography

What is generally acknowledged as Alaniveh stretches som 1600 miles in length down the coast of the Wine Sea. Its reach furthest north is the icy calderas and frozen mines of Otska and the fishing communities built up around the dwarf mines near Lake Silverthrone. Even that far north, in the elevations of the mountains the dwarves call Mordain's Spine, there are the ever present jadefir trees that gave the land it's nickname: The Emerald of the World.
Mordain's Spine curves around the multiple valleys and smaller ranges until it plateaus some thousand miles south in the salt flats. Broken crags and windswept deserts make up the eastern edge of Alaniveh, the downs set off by small clumps of juniper and millsage.Furthest south is the Heber Peninsula, with Warrphar the Floating Port spanning the many small islands of Downport Bay. From here ships from all over the Emerald Coast and beyond, silk traders from Kolthe, the Black Pearl of Silhouette Rim, to spice merchants from Mesala.
Multiple major rivers flow from the Spine into the verdant valleys below before spilling into the Wine Sea. Three of the longest, the Vlapier, the Vladeer and the Valauc, are major sources of food and trade for people living in Alaniveh. The Valauc empties into the lake known primarily as Lauc Orlain, for its coastline and central island are dominated by Orlain itself, The Glory of Hasica, the City of Life. Orlain is 400 miles south of Otska, and is the center of the struggling Hasican Empire.
Trade flourishes along the coastline, with its many bays and inlets. Pirates patrol the coast, as well as Imperial watchboats, protecting sailors from both thievery and massive ocean beasts that come near the shore in search of food, or to placate a destructive urge. The major landmarks are towers of the Lamplighters, providing guidance for ships at night, and the stark white cliffs of Esturo, growing out of the water up to a staggering height of 400 feet.
Towers aren't only found along the coast. Originally built as strongholds during the Overthrow, over 40 towers were given to noble families by the Hasican Empress in the aftermath of the war, with more built to appease other grasping would-be royalty. These towers quickly became centers of civilization, occupied by the Tower Dukes. These dukes are the true power in the Empire today, and are engaged in shadow wars with each other to take more land and thus more power. These towers dot the landscape of the Hood, Rilamen, Dorion and Jalascan valleys.

Fauna & Flora

The Jadefir is the primary tree found throughout the northern and western parts of the Emerald Coast. These evergreen trees are sturdy, hard wood, fast growing and well liked by carpenters for its ease of work. Millsage and juniper are found in the hotter climes, there distinctive scents making them popular for cuisine and medicinal use.
Boar, bears and other forest creatures are common in the land, as are Countfish and the massive bronze salmon in the rivers. However, many magical creatures also roam, from singular failed experiments of wizards to the horrific chimerea of the Gods Below, to the mighty dragons in the sky above. You might go your whole life without seen a beastman or dragon, but unless you are very cunning or an amazing warrior, that life will be short.

Natural Resources

Mines are found up along the ranges of the Spine, as well as copper, tin and other ore in the Flats. Jadefir wood is plentiful, and what the Emerald Coast lacks in precious metals it makes up for in spice and jadefir trade. The iron in many parts of Alaniveh is poor, and needs to be worked and folded multiple times to remove impurities. This had led to beautiful Damask patterns being created, and while the iron may be better elsewhere, the smiths of the southern empire are famed throughout the world.

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