Skodia

Skodia is an island nation located off the south coast of Venado between the Seagarden and the Axion Ocean. It is the most populous island in the Cathrican Cradle, and the largest by area. Part of the Holy Cathrican Empire until 1022 IR, when it became a free state following the rebellion led by the angel, Delilah Del Rey.

Geography

The Clach-Ghràin Highlands

High, rocky headlands and hill country dominate the northern third of the island, where sheer limestone cliffs tower out of the cerulean waters of the Seagarden. Access to the mountainous interior of this region of the island is available through the hundreds of fjords and natural harborages along the crinkly coastline.

St. Katinka & Farroll Islands

Encompassing the isle of St. Katinka and the dozens of islands which dot the shining St. Farroll Strait, the administrative headquarters of the region is located at Fort Marigot the isle of St. Katinka.
Before the Revolution, an appointed military governor (usually from the Imperial Navy, although not always) administrated the territory. Since, these efforts have been assisted by Baby, the Kraken of Bailymena.

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Bailymena

To say that Skodia's infamous City of Steel and Steam is deeper and more interesting than meets the eye courts hyperbole, because what meets the eye is pretty damn fantastic. Filling the shores of the mountainous fjord which houses it, the city moves and blinks and rattles and hums and smokes and hisses and sighs, all motion and scent and sounds you can feel. But it's true; while the Bailymena Hem keeps its footprint relatively narrow, what you see is only the surface.
Because while anyone can see the heights to which Towertown may soar, and the miraculous rebirth of The Styles, it's not as easy to see how Bailymena delves into deep caverns or dives down into its eponymous bay. It's a city of strata which exists in the Material and in the Dream. It is a most remarkable place, and quite beyond the scope of this paragraph to detail. There's more Bailymena behind that there link, though, if you're interested.

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The Netherglade

For as impressive as the red ridges of Bailymena's highland hem are, by far the most dominant feature of the Isle of Skodia is the Netherglade. Occupying the low-lying areas south of the Hem, the Netherglade collects and filters the bulk of the island's accessibe fresh water. Fresh-water aquaculture produces abundant yields year-round, keeping the island fed. While settlements are few and far between out here, the people who live in them are more diverse than you might expect.
But again, that's way beyond the scope of this intro to cover. If you want to learn more, check out the link!

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Fostershire

Fostershire is a harbour-town at the mouth of the Cottonmouth River on the south end of the Isle of Skodia. From here, the produce of the Netherglade is shipped to points all over the Cathrican Cradle. Accordingly, the population here is diverse and worldly, and was never particularly Imperial in the first place. So, when the Revolution came, it was largely just business as usual. Since, Fostershire has maintained its role as a distribution hub and its client list has remained pretty much intact.

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The Meadows

The Meadows refers to the lush crescent of grassland and flowers which occupy Skodia's northeastern expanse, where the Clach-Ghràin Highlands slope down to meet the Axion Ocean. Skodia's grasslands produce excellent feed for grazing animals and several rare grasses found in few other places on Navia.

Ecosystem

The Netherglade is the dominant biome on the island. It's this big, vast, slow-moving river full of grass and trees which occupies most of the island's surface. Wildlife is abundant, with millions of plant and animal species both magical and mundane calling the area home.

Climate

Skodia has four seasons, although these are largely demarcated by the amount of rain that falls. Steady precipitation is the hallmark of winter. Spring is an explosion of new growth as temperatures climb and life reacts appropriately. Hot, humid summers and warm, rainy autumns are common. While snow is uncommon in the southern latitudes, the highlands experience temperatures around freezing, with heavy snowfall. This 'snow line' ends just south of the Bailymena Hem, meaning that it gets frosty in the north ends of the Netherglade but rarely freezes.

Fauna & Flora

Most of the damage to the island caused by Bailymena is contained within the valley and fjord. Elsewhere, the island teems with abundant flora and fauna, and is home to several intelligent species from Aaracokra to Yuan-Ti.

Natural Resources

Skodia is one of the breadbaskets of the Cathrican Cradle. Most of the Cathrican Cradle's freshwater aquaculture happens in the Netherglade. Bailymena's half-share of the Seagarden gives Skodia en large a formidable grip on the Cradle's food supply.
Skodian steel is unmatched in quality⁽¹⁾, thanks to abundant, high-quality deposits of iron and coal found locally.

1. Dominion Steel and Foundry is the world's foremost producer of that steel, and a staunch supporter of Bailymena's Free Market Economy.

The Red Ridges of the Clach-Grain Highlands

Fort Marigot, St. Katinka

Alternative Name(s)

Green Hell, Faebog

Type

Island

Location under

Cathrican Cradle

Included Locations

• Bailymena
• Netherglade