Durarin

Durarin is a continent of Alendia and is located in the northeast of the The New World. It is home to the Elves and Drow from Durarin. Durarin is often called "the old continent" because it is assumed that the beginning of the first civilization happened on this continent.

Geography

The borders of Durarin are with a few little exceptions well defined. It contains the central landmass and most of the smaller islands surrounding it. It is bounded by the Silent Ocean on the west and south, and the Dragon Island in the east is seen as its eastern border. The only argument, which can be made is about the largest island of The Mitractulum since the magic and influence of the elves are very present there. However, geographically, this island belongs to The Mitractulum.
Durarin measures about 780.000 square miles and is, therefore, the largest continent of the The New World. The eastern part of Durarin is undermined by a complex cave- and tunnel system called The Underdark.

Climate

Durarin lies mainly in the temperate climate zone. Unlike Ephea, the northern regions of Durarin aren't as cold and only rarely affected by freezing temperatures and snowfall. The reason for this might be the elven magic bound to the continent, which keeps the temperatures bearable for all Elves. The southern regions of Durarin are warmer, slightly subtropic, yet still wet enough to allow the growth of forests.
The eastern region is drier and colder compared to the west. The main reason is the magic of the drow. Since these creatures are very sensitive to sunlight, they cover the sun with clouds or fog, cooling the temperatures and lowering the evaporation rate and therefore rainfall.
The temperatures of the Underdark are slightly chilly but still moderate and stable.

Vegetation

The vegetation of Durarin can be split into two different subgroups. The western area is overgrown by partly magical forests. In this part live many wild forest animals like deer, boars, and even bears. The number of animals is relatively large since the elves care to preserve the forests and their most natural state by very controlled hunting and harvesting. The eastern part of the continent is deforested and very step-like. The area is rather dry, allowing just a few animals to survive and a few plants to grow there. The main reason for the huge deforestation is the Mahlstrom and the corrupting influence of The Decay. Even closer to the Mahlstrom, for example, the eastern coastline of the landmass or the Dragon Island, the area resembles corrupted, infertile wastelands.
In the Underdark, almost no wild animals can be found, especially not mammals or birds. The chilly temperatures and lack of sunlight allow only fungi and lichen to grow. Additionally, many monster-like predators have their lair somewhere in the Underdark.

Demographics and Culture

Population

The current estimated population of Durarin is 62 million, including the sentient creatures living in the Underdark. Despite its huge size, the continent is rather loosely settled.

Ethnic Groups

Durarin contains three major ethnic groups, some of which slightly overlapping. These groups are:

• Elves : Contains every creature of an elven subrace, but the drow. Most present are highelves and woodelves. The group of elves makes out about 2/5 of Durarin's total population. Elves live mainly in the western part of Durarin
• Drow : Contains all creatures living in the society of the drow, including slaves, workers, or immigrants. The Drow hold about 2/3 of the territory of Durarin (Underdark not included). They can be found in eastern Durarin.
• Half-Elves: Contains all half-elves but also remaining creatures that are not included in the two other groups, for example, humans. Since that group is mostly dominated by half-elves it was called after them. The Half-Elves are an integrated part of the elven territory and an important part of the elven society. They live among the elves in western Durarin

Religion

The Pantheon of the Twelve-Gods is the most dominant established religion in Durarin. As the Humans invaded the continent, they brought their culture and religion with them. Before that, many elves were followers of the old pantheon or simply believed in the power of Nature, and The Mother. However, due to the simple structure of the human Pantheon, the elves adopted it. Melandru has a lot of influence among elves, especially woodelves.

Politics

Durarin is split into two dominions: Elven Alliance, and the Matriarchy of the Drow. Both parties are at civil war with each other for almost 15.000 years. This war has been only interrupted by short periods of non-aggressions or ceasefires. Currently, both parties are at peace once again and stabilize their dominion. The Elven Alliance contains six elven factions, the Matriarchy five houses of the Drow.

List of the elven factions

• Casduin
• Lonthrad
• Horumasto
• Esteljhi
• Aendari
• Morthyr

List of the houses of the drow

• House of Duri
• House of Mullala
• House of Sbatjss
• House of Bellarpassa
• House of Tathryn

Particularities

Durarin is infused by both, chaos and nature magic. Both magical sources, namely the Mahlstrom, and the Pale Tree are located in Durarin.

Region: The New World
Area: 930000 sq-miles (Underdark not included)
Population: 62 million
Population density: 80 per sq-mile (or lower)
Religion:

• The Pantheon of the Twelve-Gods (95%)
• Pantheon of the old gods (50%)
• Other (2%)

Countries: 6 elven factions, X factions of the drow
Languages: Elvish, common, undercommon
Largest Cities: WIP

Type

Continent

Included Organizations

• Casduin
• Elven Alliance
• Horumasto
• Lonthrad