Arcadia, Unbound Realms
... the Titan's Eye glares from a raging Storm, engulfing lands of Fire & Ice!
Arcadia is a vast and diverse region, established in the Ice Age and dominated by a colossal glacial shelf, once known as Titanomach. This immense glacier crushed the continent beneath, causing tectonic plates to bulge, dividing the land into zones of extreme temperatures. After years of relentless storms, the snow and dust settled, and vast deserts sprawled from the rain shadows of multiple mountains.
Atop the glacial peak, a perpetual ice storm called the Titan's Eye formed, intensifying the gales. Combined with the glacial winds and a warm volcanic region to the East, severe blizzards thrashed the lands. Dramatic climatic forces created a striking geography, each area shaping Arcadia by the relentless interplay of ice and wind. Despite harsh conditions, settlers found a hidden oasis amidst a tumult of snow and sand.
"If you find yourself in the shadow of Titanomach, seek the green heart of Arcadia, before the Titan sets a wicked eye upon you. In the Arcadiwyld, you'll find cold, freezing death. As we did."
Regional Information
Arcadia is characterized by a vast and diverse arid landscape. One of the largest regions of Mystomythia, this region is harsh and unforgiving, with intense blizzards and hail constantly reshaping the terrain. As the land descends towards the sea, heartland valleys reveal a vast, unspoiled wilderness. Rolling hills, hidden groves, and bubbling thermal springs make this part of Arcadia hospitable, despite the ever-present influence of the glacial Titanomach.
Myth Folk pilgrims seeking the birth place of their Goddess, Vavaya, settled this region and established their largest nation.
Myth Folk pilgrims seeking the birth place of their Goddess, Vavaya, settled this region and established their largest nation.
Arcadia,
Land of Ice & Smoke
With volcanic activity to the North, the cold ocean to the South, and the Titanomach to the West, Arcadia was nestled between great elemental forces all year long. River systems were vital to the early Arcadians' survival.Land of Ice & Smoke
Geography & Regions
Sathacha, Shadow Lands
To enter South-Eastern Arcadia by land, one must cross the Gales of Calamities- a wind blasted region open to the Arcadian Cold Sea.
These gales torment the coastlines, making approach by sea difficult. These are the "Shadow Lands", Sathacha, a realm of icy darkness and shearing winds.
These barren hills and slopes endures persistent storms year-round, with fierce blizzards, hailstorms, and hurricanes. Shaped by relentless winds and the perpetual storms, this region is covered in sharp icy razors and expansive plains of ice. Snowfall from Titanomach blankets the land, creating treacherous conditions with high elevations, slippery ice bridges, and cavernous pitfalls.
Beneath the rain shadow of the giant glacier is Jark's Divide. A great fissure formed, creating an icy schism in the barren land. Quickly filling with water, the River Daphne flows towards the coastal cliffs, remaining turbulent all-year long, with a strong current, rapids, and frozen cascades as they pour into the Heartlands. Swimming within the river is dangerous, as there are many currents which lead into icy caverns below.
Above the chasm, stretching towards glacial and volcanic mountainous regions, there is Vliska's Waste; a barren land of icy sands. It remains cool and dry through most of the year, sprouting sparse Aefalagis Trees amidst the dunes. Closest to the rain shadow, it forms frozen marshes ringed with tall, slender Tundra Bottan poles.
Titanomach, Titan's March
Titanomach is the second-largest glacial shelf of Pathon, dominating the Arcadian region. Its size and bulk fell atop the continent, shattering the tectonic plates beneath and causing massive upheavals for thousands of years. Orichalcum Range makes the border of the West, forming a craggy outcropping.
Atop Titanomach's crest, there is a perpetual storm of ice and hail, referred to in Folk Lore as the "Titan's Eye". Titanomach stands as a formidable barrier, testing the resilience of any who dare to traverse the hostile expanse. Those who ventured beyond the Titanomach were considered exiled or insane.
Smoking Vaults, Moon Cradle
Once comprising four major volcanoes, Smoking Vaults featured three volcanoes, with the fourth thought to have been ejected to become the Second Moon during Titanomach's cataclysmic impact. This region remained inaccessible for millennia, shrouded by turbulent wind and sandstorms repelling all but the most vigilant pilgrims.
The deep crater where this fourth volcano existed eventually covered in ice and snow, becoming a region known as Narrows. Bordering on the sandy Sathacha, the Narrows was carved by tunnels of ice and stone, connecting Arcadia to sub-terrain realms. A sub-region, Cradle of the Moon, connects the Narrows to Smoking Vaults.
The collective regions of Sathacha, Titanomach, and Smoking Vaults forms the Arcadiwyld, "Arcadian Wilds".
Elysia, Threshold of Arcadia
The rolling hills beyond and below the vast Arcadiwyld are known as Elysia.Mithral Grottoes branch from the Narrows, forming a maze of stone. Inside, precious minerals and ore can be found. Shielding this lowland against the harshness of the upper regions, the grottoes run the course of the cliffs before it comes to the Elysian Glades. This area became inhabited by various flora and herbivorous fauna. Cascades and mists pour from the upper plateaus, into the groves and valleys below.
The mouth of the Daphne River forms at the foot of the Titanomach, courses through Jark's Divide, and falls into the Elysian Glades, where its tributaries feed the Arcadian Lake. Along the banks, seeds from various plants embedded in ice flourish around the lake's rim. The glades are marked with nutrient rich plants and lichen. Of these, Icy Lichen is a medicinal variety that can remedy frostbites or numbness.
Arcadian Lake is a thermal spring, maintaining a constant temperature. Steam rises from heated water amidst the frozen terrain. This fog flows through the Arcadian Gardens, a sprawling lowland nestled in the foothills of the Mithral Grottos. The Elysian Glades connects both, as the River Daphne ends at the Arcadian Cold Sea. Polar islets make this barren coastal region the edge of Arcadia's borders.
Biomes & Ecosystem
Regional Climate
The Eastern region of Arcadia is storm-blasted, resulting in frozen tundra divided by a chasm, and the cold desert region of Vliska's Waste. Sparse vegetation grows throughout the Gales of Calamities, while only the sturdiest plants and animals remain in Vliska's Wastes. The arid desert region of Narrows and Cradle of the Moon has more humid conditions.
Below the highland deserts and thunderous volcanoes of the Smoking Vaults, the Mithral Grottoes blocks windfall and carves hills throughout the East. Spring and summer surrounding the grottoes are warmer, but suffers avalanches from melting ice. Within Elysia the land is more forgiving, allowing Life to flourish along the terrace hills.
Surrounding the Titanomach, the cold, unforgiving ice rises high above the land. Climbing the sheer glacial wall leads to icy plateaus where one false move can be fatal. A dark storm mounts the peak of Titanomach, circling the land with its thunderous clouds. Dust storms and blizzards are frequent and unpredictable, appearing suddenly and lasting invariably. Blinding sand and snow create wintry conditions around Sathacha and Titanomach all year long.
Ecosystem Cycles
During the colder seasons, Arcadia sees consistent snowfall and blizzards for most of the year. The River Daphne will freeze at the bottom of Jark's Divide, creating the Frostfalls above the Elysian Glades. These begin to melt in the warmer seasons, when the days lengthen, but the shade of the Titanomach guarantees cool conditions all year long.
When the River Daphne melts and flows, polar islands appear in the shallow tundra coasts. The Elysian region is warm for most of the year, due to geothermal vents beneath the lakes and river. Before the cold seasons return, many creatures emerge to spawn and feed before returning to states of torpor in the cold.
Flora & Fauna
Groves of Bottan
Hardy, frost-resistant plants grow around Arcadia. Of these, Tundra Bottan has a cottony interior within its shoots and are commonly found. This plant is useful for housing, tools, and hull plating. Sheets of paper can also be made from the wood, while the plant's fibers can be made into rope or cloth. While it doesn't make great armor, Bottan weapons made with wooden shafts are flexible.
Bottan Trees size range anywhere between 8 Un to 15 Un tall, with some giant species tripling this amount. Since these plants grow in wet environments, Tundra Bottan is prevalent along the volcanic vents and warmer regions of the Arcadiwyld. Many creatures have adapted to Life amongst Bottan.
Bottan Trees size range anywhere between 8 Un to 15 Un tall, with some giant species tripling this amount. Since these plants grow in wet environments, Tundra Bottan is prevalent along the volcanic vents and warmer regions of the Arcadiwyld. Many creatures have adapted to Life amongst Bottan.
T-Bottan Shoots
Defenders of the Groves
Bottiban in Flight
Living amongst the Bottan groves, Bottiban are creatures that float on the snowy winds, wielding icy spears in their cottony manes. This downy fur resembles bundles of Bottan, providing thick insulation from the cold. Lightweight, they are able to float on the breeze between the trees.
Bottiban are treated with fear and respect, as they are known for impaling their victims from above. They are considered Sylvan spirits of Bottan trees.
Bottiban are treated with fear and respect, as they are known for impaling their victims from above. They are considered Sylvan spirits of Bottan trees.
Icing Silk Lairs
Throughout the stony passages of the Narrows or Grottoes, or the forests of Aefalagis Trees on the outskirts of Arcadiwyld, there are isolated areas where no beast lingers. Marked by silky strands of cold webbing, these lairs belong to blood-sucking predators. Those who brave the lairs may return with Icing Silk- a special type of fabric used in cold-resistant clothing.
Dens such as these appeared throughout the hills and crevices of ice and stone pathways. Travelers had to be cautious or they would become trapped in the webs of choked corridors full of Icing Silk. Many made it an occupation harvesting the sticky silk from the spiders that dominated these spaces.
The Icing Orb Weaver are amongst the first Arachnid species to appear in Pathon, appearing throughout Arcadia.
Dens such as these appeared throughout the hills and crevices of ice and stone pathways. Travelers had to be cautious or they would become trapped in the webs of choked corridors full of Icing Silk. Many made it an occupation harvesting the sticky silk from the spiders that dominated these spaces.
The Icing Orb Weaver are amongst the first Arachnid species to appear in Pathon, appearing throughout Arcadia.
Icing Orb Weaver
Icing Orb Weaver
Local Resources
Arcadian Gardens and Arcadian Wilds are part of a rich ecosystem of primitive trees. These original species grew in the hills near pools and rivers, providing food and shelter to the residents of the Arcadian region.
With clothing, housing, and provisions from the volcanic lands, Arcadia expanded, becoming the final retreat before entering a cold, desolate waste. Titanomach's presence overshadowed quests beyond Arcadia.
Natural Resources
Local Produce
Arcadia is marked as a region of extreme temperatures. Despite this, plants and animals have adapted to the intense cold and heat. Snowberry bushes provide nourishment for many in the Arcadiwyld. Small, purple and blueish berries are used in dyes and have a sweet taste.
Though it wasn't native to the region, Aelf Peppers were brought to Arcadia during a bad drought and became a popular ingredient for warming up a meal. A Deichi Onion is a sturdy plant that grows within these extreme climates and is a popular choice in recipes, if bitter.
Local Products
Arcadia is a region with many different varieties of trees. While the Aefalagis and Tundra Bottan are prominent, Arcadia also has the Arcacao Tree. Resembling a scaly frond, this tree grows near volcanic soil or near hotsprings.This unique plant produces Arcacao- a potent bean that can be used to make a variety of products. Known for promoting energy and wakefullness, Arcacao is a favorite amongst the Folk, and was often used in bartering. This fruit grows directly on the tree and bursts into the water, becoming icy white flowers. The fruit creates rich soil in volcanic areas, promoting micro bacterial colonies and plant growth.
Localized Phenomena
Fury of the Storms
Cradle of the Moon, sub-region of Smoking Vaults, is infamous for its specialized hailstorms, Furiorios, or the "Comet Furies". These storms whip up mineral-laden dust particles into furious storms, posing deadly risks to any caught unprotected from the elements.
One must cover their face from loose particles when venturing through the dust storms created by a Furiorios. Survivors reap rewards in the form of mineral deposits left behind in icy sands, making the Narrows a perilous destination for adventurers and miners alike.
The minerals left behind are collected from the region. Gold, Silver, and uncommonly, Moon Stone can be found after the Furiorios.
One must cover their face from loose particles when venturing through the dust storms created by a Furiorios. Survivors reap rewards in the form of mineral deposits left behind in icy sands, making the Narrows a perilous destination for adventurers and miners alike.
The minerals left behind are collected from the region. Gold, Silver, and uncommonly, Moon Stone can be found after the Furiorios.
Unrelenting Fury
Mythic Heartlands
Arcadia, Cradling Moons
Geography
Biome Type
Arid Deserts (Varied)
Continent:
Mystomythia
Regions:
Regions:
- Elysia
- Sathacha
- Titanomach
- Orichalum Range
- Smoking Vaults
- Mithral Grotto
- Arcadian Cold Sea
Climate:
Cold, Humid
Sub-Regions:
Cold, Humid
Sub-Regions:
- Jark's Divide
- Vliska's Waste
- Cradle of the Moon
- Gales of Calamities
- Moonfell Narrows
- Arcadian Gardens
Major Cities:
- Arcadia
Minor Cities:
- Aesophael
- Domin Vala
Resources
Flora:
- Aefalagis Trees
- Arcacao Trees
- Tundra Bottan
- Blue Algae
- Icy Lichen
- Aelf Pepper
- Icing Cap
- Snow Berry
Fauna:
- Aurora Wyrd
- Shade Wyrd
- Bottiban
- Myricorn
- Rock Ammon
- Cryo Crab
- Icing Orb Weaver
Natural Resources:
- Water
- Salt
- Timber
- Volcanic Coal
- Clay & Marble
- Stone & Iron
- Gemstone
- Icing S-Silk
- Magic Ice
- Copper
- Mithral
- Primal Oil
- Shells & Carapace
- Gold & Silver
- Dusk Stone & Dust
- Tundra Bottan
Comments
Author's Notes
Hell, I'm going to be revisiting ALL the SC Articles; let's just get that straight. I hope you're gaining fulfillment from the work you're doing this Summer Camp!
MYTH X