Gle'lanèrino
The Glaze.
Of it in this place of red and green grass that finds;
At last tranquility.
Resting under the ocean of leaves;
having left life's complexity.
The Iron Sea, The Glaze wondrous and mystery;
All stay within the grass;
with finality.
Verse from Catha Virogligi's, "Under the Grass Dwells"
The Glaze is deep.
Physically is spans the majority of the easterly south reaches of the realm. And, civilization merely reaches tentative tendrils towards its heart. From the boundaries of the Circled Sea, Nur-ymir, or the Great Ocean, these incursions follow the many meandering rivers that cut through the great flat plains of Gle'lanèrino.
The Glaze is deep.
Because the tall grasses that fill it will grow as high as 2 meters, and once you step into it, all ways look like the same way; grass. Fortunately, the leaders of Virr-La understood the benefits of having trained professionals help navigate the seemingly endless sea of grass and created the Outriggers to fill this need. No one moves through the Glaze without the assistance of an Outrigger. The grass sea shifts and so do the paths through it.
The Glaze is deep.
You can see for tens of kilometres in the Glaze on a good day. Anything over 2 meters tall can been seen, and so ... settlements are low; typically no more then two stories, but what's under the grass is hidden. Every settlement in the Glaze goes deep into the soil beneath the grass. Small towns may have a small foot print in the Under Glaze, but large settlements almost certainly have their majority hidden in this manner. And, its is not unheard of for things to be lost and forgotten in the deep.
View into the Iron Sea by VantoXezWes
Geography
As much as citizens want to say that Gle'lanèrino is flat, it is not. There are dips, sink holes, bluffs, mounds and corpses of trees in the Glaze, and all of this is all mostly hidden by the grasses.
Certainly, the trees can't be hidden. They standout like dark brooding sentinels; solitary in their duty. And, it is true that the Outriggers have named a few of the more permanent corpses to use as way-finding markers. It's not a trick, just simple common sense, but they do have tricks, because the bluffs, the mounds etc. all disappear if you forget where they are. It's the grass afterall. Or, so they say.
There are of course rivers that wind their way through the Glaze.These range in age from fast moving rivers that have cut deep into the Glaze to slow rivers that meander quietly creating large marsh or fen lands depending on the season. Many of the rivers are have their source in the Underglaze. It is a constant effort by the geographers of Virr-La with the aid of the Outriggers to keep accurate maps of the smaller to moderate sized rivers.
The most famous river in the Glaze is the Erid'mus. It is the largest river spanning from the most northern parts of the Glaze, though Virr-La, all the way south to the Reach River. Most of the Glaze's permanent settlements are on this river.
The Glaze requires a particular insanity or adaptability to call home successfully. Human's do well in the Glaze, and so do many other peoples. There is a subtle sense of inclusion within those who choose to call Gle'lanerino home.
Years have shown that it is too easy to be forgotten in the tall grass of the Iron Sea.
Certainly, the trees can't be hidden. They standout like dark brooding sentinels; solitary in their duty. And, it is true that the Outriggers have named a few of the more permanent corpses to use as way-finding markers. It's not a trick, just simple common sense, but they do have tricks, because the bluffs, the mounds etc. all disappear if you forget where they are. It's the grass afterall. Or, so they say.
There are of course rivers that wind their way through the Glaze.These range in age from fast moving rivers that have cut deep into the Glaze to slow rivers that meander quietly creating large marsh or fen lands depending on the season. Many of the rivers are have their source in the Underglaze. It is a constant effort by the geographers of Virr-La with the aid of the Outriggers to keep accurate maps of the smaller to moderate sized rivers.
The most famous river in the Glaze is the Erid'mus. It is the largest river spanning from the most northern parts of the Glaze, though Virr-La, all the way south to the Reach River. Most of the Glaze's permanent settlements are on this river.
The Glaze requires a particular insanity or adaptability to call home successfully. Human's do well in the Glaze, and so do many other peoples. There is a subtle sense of inclusion within those who choose to call Gle'lanerino home.
Years have shown that it is too easy to be forgotten in the tall grass of the Iron Sea.
Fauna & Flora
This is a brief list of the living things in the Glaze that most people know to be wary of:
MorhuTurr (Glaze Cat, Iron Cat, Grass Cat). One of the most feared and sought predators of the Glaze, this giant cat will kill almost anything when full grown. They stand 2m at the shoulder on average and when standing on their hind legs, the four front legs and head rise up above the grass line just before striking downwards onto their prey. One of the few predators that will attempt to kill an adult Glaze Cat, other than hunters, is the Great GyrHawk.
BrynvaYo-Jarhu (Armoured Mole). These strange creatures are roughly the size of large dogs when fully grown, but mostly harmless if left alone. They live in underground burrows and some settlements have 'domesticated' them for harvest. They are common in the Glaze and a food staple of many larger predators.
Koulev Nahur Teldingu (Lighting Snake). So named because it can cast lighting at those that attack it. More specifically when a creature attempts to harm the Koulev a strong static discharge of electricity archs from the snake to harm, stun or kill the attacking animal. Kuolev are not very big as creatures go, but they can be dangerous if stumbled upon due to this unique attack, or if a nest of them are discovered. Biologists speculate that the electricity is built up when the move through the grasses and stored in a specialized organ for discharge.
Fugl'sem ai Anachwal (Great GyrHawk). What can be said about these monsters? Well, they aren't birds for one thing. The poor idiot adventurer that named them realized too late that the creature that was eating him was in reality some strange mammal with wings. These creatures are in no way related to the elegant and beloved GyrHawks of the Circled Sea. Many who have studied them consider them more related to monkeys. Larger, vicious, dirty ... flying monkeys.
There is a lot of grass in Iron Sea. A grass for every occasion some have said.
Zèb kiaikoe (Grass for Love).
This grass is distinctive by is short oval leafs jutting out from its main stalk. Many chemists use the roots of this grass to distill serums that help people fall in love. It is a rare grass due to the fact that any supply of it near a settled area is typically harvested quickly. Some have tried to grow the grass commercially, but no seriously successful venture has survived. Many of the fauna of the Glaze find the Kiaikoe very tasty.
Zèb kigleyma (Grass for Forgetting). This grass is identifiable typically because of the various dead animals that surround it. The grasses poison has the interesting effect of making whatever eats it forget. Forget what they are doing. What is dangerous. Where they were going. It also happens to be very tasty and possibly addictive. Many people burn this grass out when they find it near their homes. Also, if you note, the leafs of the grass are triangular and have a light fuzzy upon them. Possibly to make eating them easier. This grass is illegal to own or possess.
Zèb kifèhressa (Grass for Celebrating). This grass is inedible and horrible to taste, unless boiled in sugared water and reduced. Through this process the grass can be baked, cooked, fried or just eaten for a pleasant and mildly euphoria effect. Many seek this grass for just that said experience. It can be recognized because it has a distinctively sweet smell and its stalk is thick. Many also grow this grass as a crop.
Fauna:
MorhuTurr (Glaze Cat, Iron Cat, Grass Cat). One of the most feared and sought predators of the Glaze, this giant cat will kill almost anything when full grown. They stand 2m at the shoulder on average and when standing on their hind legs, the four front legs and head rise up above the grass line just before striking downwards onto their prey. One of the few predators that will attempt to kill an adult Glaze Cat, other than hunters, is the Great GyrHawk.
BrynvaYo-Jarhu (Armoured Mole). These strange creatures are roughly the size of large dogs when fully grown, but mostly harmless if left alone. They live in underground burrows and some settlements have 'domesticated' them for harvest. They are common in the Glaze and a food staple of many larger predators.
Koulev Nahur Teldingu (Lighting Snake). So named because it can cast lighting at those that attack it. More specifically when a creature attempts to harm the Koulev a strong static discharge of electricity archs from the snake to harm, stun or kill the attacking animal. Kuolev are not very big as creatures go, but they can be dangerous if stumbled upon due to this unique attack, or if a nest of them are discovered. Biologists speculate that the electricity is built up when the move through the grasses and stored in a specialized organ for discharge.
Fugl'sem ai Anachwal (Great GyrHawk). What can be said about these monsters? Well, they aren't birds for one thing. The poor idiot adventurer that named them realized too late that the creature that was eating him was in reality some strange mammal with wings. These creatures are in no way related to the elegant and beloved GyrHawks of the Circled Sea. Many who have studied them consider them more related to monkeys. Larger, vicious, dirty ... flying monkeys.
Flora:
There is a lot of grass in Iron Sea. A grass for every occasion some have said.
Zèb kiaikoe (Grass for Love).
Wild love. by VantoZexWes
Zèb kigleyma (Grass for Forgetting). This grass is identifiable typically because of the various dead animals that surround it. The grasses poison has the interesting effect of making whatever eats it forget. Forget what they are doing. What is dangerous. Where they were going. It also happens to be very tasty and possibly addictive. Many people burn this grass out when they find it near their homes. Also, if you note, the leafs of the grass are triangular and have a light fuzzy upon them. Possibly to make eating them easier. This grass is illegal to own or possess.
A great deal of happiness. by VantoZexWes
Tourism
The Glaze does not have much to offer tourists. There is grass, so if you are inclined to view grass as interesting, then of course you could contract the Outriggers or any number of other groups of people to take you into the Glaze. On the other hand if you like living, then perhaps you should stay in a settlement and enjoy any of the number of festivals that occur in the Glaze due to the rather diverse population and cultures. Consider attending one of these very popular celebrations or ceremonies for example:
Fet'atío Hakari (Feast of Songs) . A culinary competition the likes you've never seen before, unless of course you've before, which is common. Many people return if not yearly, then frequently to Virr-La for this amazing and highly competitive cooking festival. The songs that begin it are extensive, so bring beer and company.
Meavefna Raranga (Mysteries of Weaving). A week long festival celebrating the art of weaving takes place in Virr-la as well. This festival is very famous for the tapestries and amazing items woven from the various grasses of the Glaze. Arts travel for months to collect rare grasses and then present their work and sometimes teach during this festival. Of course there are other things to do at the festival, singing, dancing and in the end shopping.
And of course if danger and adventure are more to your tastes then a visit to one of these locations may be of interest:
Svartar'Te MaSuo (Black Soil Dunes). Hidden by the grass, these low dunes are located some three days ride south of Virr-la. They draw adventure-some types because the black soil, which is actually fine shards of obsidian glass, has a tendency to slay animals, beasts and people who wander though them. Some are shallow and easily traverse-able with proper resistant clothing, but some are deep and will draw you down. Many go looking for people or things lost, and upon occasion rare gems stones can be found. One such gemstone the Eye of Deconon (named after the explorer Miles Deconon) is a cobochan ruby the size of a child's fist with an estimated value of of 43,000 pp.
Many people seek out the Black Soil Dunes.
Fet'atío Hakari (Feast of Songs) . A culinary competition the likes you've never seen before, unless of course you've before, which is common. Many people return if not yearly, then frequently to Virr-La for this amazing and highly competitive cooking festival. The songs that begin it are extensive, so bring beer and company.
Meavefna Raranga (Mysteries of Weaving). A week long festival celebrating the art of weaving takes place in Virr-la as well. This festival is very famous for the tapestries and amazing items woven from the various grasses of the Glaze. Arts travel for months to collect rare grasses and then present their work and sometimes teach during this festival. Of course there are other things to do at the festival, singing, dancing and in the end shopping.
And of course if danger and adventure are more to your tastes then a visit to one of these locations may be of interest:
Svartar'Te MaSuo (Black Soil Dunes). Hidden by the grass, these low dunes are located some three days ride south of Virr-la. They draw adventure-some types because the black soil, which is actually fine shards of obsidian glass, has a tendency to slay animals, beasts and people who wander though them. Some are shallow and easily traverse-able with proper resistant clothing, but some are deep and will draw you down. Many go looking for people or things lost, and upon occasion rare gems stones can be found. One such gemstone the Eye of Deconon (named after the explorer Miles Deconon) is a cobochan ruby the size of a child's fist with an estimated value of of 43,000 pp.
Many people seek out the Black Soil Dunes.
Alternative Name(s)
The Iron Sea
Type
Plain
Included Locations
Included Organizations
Characters in Location
Related Tradition (Primary)
Inhabiting Species
Water by VantoZexWes
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