Circin
The province of Circin is a region located in the northwestern part of Cairngorm, characterized by its diverse ecosystems and unique geographic features. It is home to the Ashkin, a group of elves known for their ashen skin and rich cultural heritage. The province is marked by its vast swamps, rocky islands, and a diverse biosphere, making it a unique and strategically important area within Cairngorm.
Geography
Circin Province encompasses a variety of landscapes, including dense swamps, rocky islands, and temperate forests. The province is divided into three primary regions, each with its own distinct environment and major settlement.
Settlements
Tel Mithvan: Known for its expansive swamps and intricate waterways, this area is home to the provincial capital, Tel Mithvan. The swamps are teeming with diverse flora and fauna, making it one of the most biodiverse areas in Cairngorm.
Tel Aruhn: Characterized by its rocky terrain and high salinity, this region is known for its unique salt mines and mangrove forests. Tel Aruhn is the major settlement here, renowned for its alchemical salts.
Tel Vosh: The largest island region in Circin, Tel Vosh is known for its unique biospheres created by the convergence of arctic northern waters and warm southern waters. The area is marked by towering mycelial structures and a rich diversity of plant and fungal species.
Settlements
Tel Mithvan: Known for its expansive swamps and intricate waterways, this area is home to the provincial capital, Tel Mithvan. The swamps are teeming with diverse flora and fauna, making it one of the most biodiverse areas in Cairngorm.
Ecosystem
Circin is renowned for its rich and diverse ecosystems, which are among the most varied in all of Cairngorm. The province’s ecosystems range from dense swamps and mangrove forests to rocky islands and temperate woodlands, each supporting unique forms of life adapted to their specific environments.
Swamps and Marshes: The swamps of Tel Mithvan are home to a vast array of plant and animal species, creating a dense and vibrant biosphere. The waterways, mangroves, and swamp trees provide habitats for insects, reptiles, amphibians, and a variety of aquatic life.
Mangroves: Particularly prevalent in Tel Aruhn, these halophilic trees thrive in the brackish waters that surround the island. The mangroves are crucial for the island’s ecosystem, providing shelter and breeding grounds for the few hardy species capable of thriving in this otherwise hostile environment.
Tel Vosh boasts a range of microclimates and biospheres due to the convergence of arctic and warm waters, resulting in a rich and unique mix of flora and fauna.
Climate
The climate of Circin is as varied as its landscapes, influenced by its geographic location and diverse ecosystems.
Temperate Swamps: Tel Mithvan experiences a humid but temperate climate with high rainfall throughout the year. The constant humidity create ideal conditions for the dense swamp vegetation and diverse wildlife.
Coastal and Island Climates: Tel Aruhn and Tel Vosh have distinct microclimates influenced by their proximity to different bodies of water. Tel Aruhn, with its brackish and saline conditions, tends to have milder temperatures but higher humidity, while Tel Vosh experiences a mix of cold and warm climates due to the convergence of northern and southern waters.
Seasonal Variations: The southern parts of Tel Vosh benefit from the warming effect of the Mar Hebriden, leading to milder winters, whereas the northern parts experience colder temperatures due to the Chuan a Tuath.
Temperate Swamps: Tel Mithvan experiences a humid but temperate climate with high rainfall throughout the year. The constant humidity create ideal conditions for the dense swamp vegetation and diverse wildlife.
Coastal and Island Climates: Tel Aruhn and Tel Vosh have distinct microclimates influenced by their proximity to different bodies of water. Tel Aruhn, with its brackish and saline conditions, tends to have milder temperatures but higher humidity, while Tel Vosh experiences a mix of cold and warm climates due to the convergence of northern and southern waters.
Seasonal Variations: The southern parts of Tel Vosh benefit from the warming effect of the Mar Hebriden, leading to milder winters, whereas the northern parts experience colder temperatures due to the Chuan a Tuath.
Fauna & Flora
Flora
Mangroves and Swamp Trees: Tel Mithvan and Tel Aruhn are dominated by mangroves and swamp trees, which are adapted to the high salinity and waterlogged conditions.
Fungi and Mycelial Growths: Tel Vosh is particularly known for its towering fungal structures and diverse mycelial growths, some of which are cultivated for their magical properties.
Exotic Plants: The varied climates support a range of exotic plants, including those with medicinal, alchemical, and magical uses.
Fauna:
Insects, Reptiles, and Amphibians: The swamps of Tel Mithvan are teeming with insects, reptiles, and amphibians, many of which have been domesticated or selectively bred for specific uses.
Marine Life: The coastal and brackish waters of Tel Aruhn and parts of Tel Vosh support a variety of marine species, including fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.
Mangroves and Swamp Trees: Tel Mithvan and Tel Aruhn are dominated by mangroves and swamp trees, which are adapted to the high salinity and waterlogged conditions.
Fungi and Mycelial Growths: Tel Vosh is particularly known for its towering fungal structures and diverse mycelial growths, some of which are cultivated for their magical properties.
Exotic Plants: The varied climates support a range of exotic plants, including those with medicinal, alchemical, and magical uses.
Fauna:
Insects, Reptiles, and Amphibians: The swamps of Tel Mithvan are teeming with insects, reptiles, and amphibians, many of which have been domesticated or selectively bred for specific uses.
History
Circin has a rich history that is closely tied to the Ashkin’s arrival in Cairngorm. The province has grown from a series of small settlements into a thriving region known for its strategic importance and unique resources. Over the centuries, Circin has developed a complex socio-political landscape, with each major settlement contributing to the province’s overall character and economy.
Alternative Name(s)
The Ash Lands
Type
Region
Included Locations
Related Traditions
Comments