"Ordalos the eternal is older than mortal reckoning. Her streets were ancient before the birth of Volker; they bore witness to the arrival of Vëlen and his children; they predate the legendary voyage of Grým the Bold. By many estimations, she appears to have been crafted by the Gods themselves at the beginning of time, though this is assuredly not the case. Her mysterious "Architects," as her people know them, were most definitely mortal - - though perhaps not in any way that we would find to comfortably fit our current, blinkered definition of the word.
Nevertheless, she endures untouched by time's ravages. Though the civilizations of her denizens fade and vanish at each of the chapters of her habitation, her shining towers and pristine roads remain unweathered and sound as the day they were created.
Her current inhabitants consist of the descendants of one Colony-Ship of the original Rennish Migration Fleet that drifted into and survived the fearsome storm that ever shrouds her from the lustful eyes of the great powers of Westryn. Supplemented over the years by those rare few who have passed it through and elected to remain, they have formed a rather unique culture around intentionally braving what they call the Storm Veil for insights into their patron deity's nature and desires; for to truly know the Storm's Father, one must experience his greatest gift for themselves.
Despite her apparent isolation, Ordalos enjoys a robust trade with the mainland. Ordalosi wine is quite highly coveted, as are rocks harvested from the nearby Gogóri mountains that hold themselves aloft as if by magic. The precious, light-enfused crystals that grow from the mountains' sides like plants also fetch a high price upon the mainland, for they possess many properties beloved of those who practice the enchanter's craft and are quite stunning to look at besides. Those hearty merchants who can ferry such treasures to Westryn at large and live to tell of it do not want for profit -- or, indeed, for adventure."
--R. Corvisher, "Westryn, the Humble Wayfarer's Companion"
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