Southern Islands

The Southern Islands are a group of dozens of islands that formed along the southern and western coasts of Mera. The islands lay anywhere from twenty five to over one hundred and twenty five miles off the coast. The island chain spans a distance of eight hundred and seventy miles long by five hundred miles wide at its widest point.

Geography

Along the coasts, long flat beaches are found. Most with sandy beaches however the more northern islands along the west coast of Mera are composed of pebbles and rocks. Tides were significant among the islands. At low tide, the beaches could be exposed as much as a quarter mile from the waterline. At high tide, the water line could rise up to 10 feet. During storms, the beaches were battered by waves. The coastlines of the islands are dotted with bays and coves, where ships could find a safe harbor from the harsh southern sea. Freshwater streams are common on the islands. Most are shallow, reaching a maximum depth of 3 feet. Most streams are not safe for boats because of rapids. The islands are home to a handful of rivers, which were deeper and calmer, and safe for boats. Ferries and bridges allowed for safe crossing. Southern Islands also contain some rolling grassland that is dotted with small lakes and ponds. These areas provide a safe area used to pasture for cattle and sheep.

Fauna & Flora

The islands are heavily forested in places, and there was no shortage of wood available for construction. At higher altitudes, forests tended to consist of cedar and pine, and in the lower, more humid areas, bamboo and cypress and palm are more common. Further inland, stagnant saltwater marshes can usually be found. These gray and desolate marshes are filled with cypress trees and the odor of sulfur hangs constantly in the air. Traveling in these marshes was hazardous, with about 10% of the terrain being quicksand. Some of the fens and swamps in the Southern Islands rivaled those found in the Grim Mire. These putrid and decaying swamps are filled with stagnant water. The Fens of the Elidon, on the island of Numako, was likely the most dangerous area in all the Southern Isles.

History

The Southern Islands' history was dominated by the lengths that its people would go to so that they could placate Eldergrim, the black dragon that lived on the island of Delinous to the west. They bought their survival with massive annual tributes. The Assembly of Sin will never turn away any potential income and therefore welcomes all comers, whether foreign dignitaries looking for neutral negotiation ground, or wanted criminals on the lam. The Assembly has also gained a reputation for exporting skilled mercenaries. The Meran Navy once attempted to put down the Assembly once and for all but it was very costly for them, as the Meran navy was no match for Assembly's veteran mercenaries and sailors. Archabald Tindercot invested heavily in the Island of Sarta of the Coast of Yohir. starting a ship-building business and some training centers as well as investing in the Red Tide mercenary company, which grew into the most successful such company in the Southern Islands. When Yohir lost too many ships hunting pirates, Tindercot used this leverage and his position to lay claim to the Island and gave himself the honorific of Chancellor. Tindercots wealth did not go unnoticed and while he had a large mercenary army and navy the eyes of his rivals where upon him. Unfortunately, Eldergrim took note of the influx of wealth on Sarta and destroyed two of the Red Tides' best ships when he demanded an increase to his tribute. Tindercot increased his payments to the black dragon, and without the extra coin he began to struggle to gather the bigger tribute that Eldergrim wanted and the Assembly of Sin took advantage of this moment to attack and defeat the Red Tide. Rumor has it that a small number of Duregar dwarves have a secret cave hold on the Island of Numako.

Type

Archipelago

Vehicles Present