Velika Island

Awldor    Geography      Planus Continent      Velika Island

We thought it was part of the continent at first. But when it and our ship moved closer to what we knew for sure was Planus we knew that we found a floating island.

— Captain Amaya Quickwind

Velika is the largest known floating of the Planus Continent. It is the largest floating island on record. It is worth noting that the island itself could be more accurately described as a collection of islands rather than as a single landmass. A collection of islands held together by the roots of a great tree. This great tree along with other flora and fauna create a diverse wetland ecosystem.

The Caged Island

As a floating island, Velika drifts about within the confines of the Kalem Sea. Neither the northern nor western channels are wide enough to permit the island to pass through to the oceans. It has been described as the caged island because of this.
The floating island grinds to a halt when encountering shallows and only dislodges itself when the moon is high and a strong current is present. The current of the Kalem sea will change direction depending on the time of year. The exact topographical features of the underwater shallows will change as Velika comes and goes, and long lost treasures can be uncovered or become freshly buried.

We beheld something that ought to have been absurd. A giant willow tree whose roots have grown everywhere on the floating island. It's branches also reached to an incredible height.

— Captain Amaya Quickwind

Giant Swamp Willow Tree

Velika is covered in dense vegetation that makes landings difficult. The most impressive aspect of all the vegetation covering Velika is that most of it arises from one plant. This one plant being an enormous swamp willow tree. No one knows if it is ancient in origin and has survived the The Great Collapse or if it is a mutation spawned due to the raging wild magics of the collapse. The highest point of this willow has only been seen from afar but it is said to pierce the clouds with its narrow leaves dangling through the clouds.
Those who have managed to observe the island closely and to record their findings say that the giant swamp willow is an integral part of the island. This is because Velika may actually be a collection of floating islands held together by the roots of the willow. Should the tree die then the island would probably break apart.
As for how the island could support such a massive tree without sinking... magic?

Floating Wetland

The makeup of Velika has resulted in a diverse wetland ecology. The entire island appears to be permeated by bodies of water of various sorts consistent with the theory that it is a giant collection of small floating islands. This wetland hosts animals such as alligators, tortoises, snakes, and other such manner of creatures. This kind of terrain has precluded an expeditions from safely landing on the island. It should be noted that the entire coast of the island remains uncharted.
While the island floats atop sea water, there is evidence that fresh water resides around and within the floating island. Perhaps willow tree collects fresh rain water which is then deposited around the various interconnected islands to support various kinds of freshwater life?

Alternative Name(s)

Island of the Great Willow

Type

Island, Floating

Location under

Planus Continent

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Common Flora

• An Enourmous Swamp Willow Tree
• Sugar Pine
• Water Lilly
• Cattails
• Sedges

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Common Fauna

• Snapping turtle
• Water Snake
• Tortoise
• Alligator
• Dragonflies
• Stork
• Thundering Beaver

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Typical Magic Fields

• Thunder
• Bubbles
• Aero

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Note(s) from the Archivists

Is it possible that there is an even larger floating island somewhere in the ocean? - Archivist Enna
It depends on whether or not such an island can survive the rough seas intact for any long stretches of time. Large floating islands tend to break up once they're introduced to the whims of the oceans. - Archivist Taenya