Shattered Strait

The Shattered Strait connects the Svell Sea with the Dawning Ocean and separates Svellbjargheim from Sari-Ifa. The strait is renown for its many islands and the pirates that they harbour, the most notorious of which was Joseph Barnafader.

Natural Resources

The largest islands of the Shattered Strait are home to small iron deposits, which the locals happily and greedily dig up for whatever they can offer. However to find the real rich iron veins one has to dive into the waters of the strait where it fell down during the Sundering. Diving for iron is both difficult and dangerous, but those who specialise in it are richly rewarded.

History

The Shattered Strait used to be a land bridge which connected Svellbjargheim with Sari-Ifa, back when it was known as Jarnleid. But the Svellbjarg were too strong and the Sari-Ifa, in their desperation to stop the Svellbjarg raids, asked seven powerful magi to banish Svellbjarg down south so they never become as numerous again. They complied, and in an event nowadays simply remembered as the Sundering they violently tore Svellbjarg from Sari-Ifa and pushed it down south. Tearing Jarnleid apart and creating the Shattered Strait.

Tourism

The islands that dot the Shattered Strait are well known for their natural beauty. Warm ocean currents from the Dawning Ocean create a temperate climate at these isle's and permit the growth of thick oak forests and grassy planes on them. These makes the Shattered Strait a popular vacation destination for wealthy merchants and nobles during the summer months.
The Shattered Strait is the quickest way for merchants from Corelia and Oxströnd to reach the lands of Berok and Cainaan. This route is generally preferred as the Zapno Mountains going through the spine of the continent make it hard to reach these lands by sailing around the western side of Sari-Ifa.
All this activity and the steady access to lumber and favourable winds that the islands of the Shattered Strait provide has also made it a haven for piracy. Though these pirates are a nightmare for trade they actually help the locals tremendously as they have strong armed the raiders from eastern Svellbjargheim to leave the islanders alone in exchange for save passage. Most pirates when and if they retire also set up successful businesses in the Shattered Strait, boosting tourism and the general wealth of the islands that have helped them and through that sustaining the piracy business.

Alternative Name(s)

Jarnleid (historicaly)

Type

Strait

Included Locations

• Kernmoat
• Lindcaut

Related Ethnicities

• Shattered Strait Islander