Teros Major
Teros Major is the largest island in the Helerin Archipelago, forming the heartland of the nation of Teros. With its varied geography, climate, and long history, Teros Major is a land of stark contrasts, from the desolate Natarrine Sands in the west to the swamps of the Festermere in the north.
Climate
Teros Major has a dry-summer climate, much like the rest of the Helerin Archipelago, with warmer temperatures in the south and east and cooler, more temperate regions to the north and west. The summers are hot, with little rainfall, while winters bring cooler temperatures, though snow is rare except at higher elevations. Prevailing winds sweep from the northeast, especially along coastal regions like the Galdrin Coast, while violent storms may arise from the Sarran Sea or the Sea of Fair Winds.Geography
The geography of Teros Major is dominated by two mountain ranges—the Redpeak Mountains to the southeast and the Clouded Crags to the northeast. These ranges divide the island and form natural barriers, creating distinct regions. To the west lies the arid Natarring Sands and the coastal plains, while the central and northern regions are more temperate, featuring rivers like the Resk, Oln, and Rast, which sustain the agricultural communities. The southern regions, including the Cape of Dust and Midar Hills, are drier and less hospitable, although the more fertile lands north and south of Leviathan Bay and along the valley of the Oln are better able to support habitation. The Festermere in the north is among the island's most dangerous and untamed territories. Between the Crimson Hills and the Wastes, trade routes are vital for connecting the northern and southern regions, despite the hazards posed by bandits and natural dangers.Flora
Teros Major is home to a wide range of plant life, from hardy succulents like Spireleaf and Thornfane in the Natarrine Sands to the towering Silverhorn trees in the Drujin Forest. The island’s diverse ecosystems support a variety of trees, including Fir, Pine, and Sirathin, found at higher elevations in the mountainous regions. In the more arid southern regions, plants like the Malofan shrub, which adds a smoky flavor to local dishes, and the Visselstalk cactus, a source of water in the desert, are essential to survival. River valleys support more verdant life, including Firevine with its bright orange flowers and Orangemantle, which perfumes the landscape with its fragrant clusters.Fauna
Large predators such as the Rhakkor prowl the Wastes and untamed forests, while smaller creatures like the golden fox and desert hare dart across the open plains. In the Festermere, perilous creatures like the Surlokkar and Banda Worm lurk in the shadows, adding to the region's reputation as one of the most dangerous places in Teros Major. These swamps are known for their treacherous, murky waters and the hidden threats that await any traveller venturing too far into the muck. The Plains of Zarroth are home to vast herds of Hrynn, the woolly, sheep-like creatures that graze on the abundant grass, attracting predators like the Tak-tak, a ferocious flightless bird that hunts in packs. The plains are also stalked by the fearsome Dutha, a massive subterranean predator whose underground tunnels stretch far beneath the landscape, waiting to ambush unwary creatures from below. High in the Clouded Crags and Redpeak Mountains, dangerous beasts such as the Stonescale and the intelligent, deadly Linsarr pose constant threats to those who wander into their territories. These creatures, along with the Moggrin packs that dominate the crags, make these highlands perilous, filled with the echoes of eerie cries and the sudden rush of winged hunters. The island’s skies are ruled by majestic birds of prey, such as the Alyrros and Sarnoss, soaring over the mountainous regions in search of prey, while in the depths of the caves beneath the island’s surface, the terrifying Silentmaw hunts with deadly precision, sensing the vibrations of any creature that dares enter its dark realm. Despite the inherent dangers, the fauna of Teros Major plays a crucial role in maintaining the island's natural balance, creating a rich and vibrant ecosystem. For adventurers, scholars, and hunters, the island presents a land teeming with life, full of both potential reward and undeniable risk, making it a place of constant excitement, mystery, and danger.Inhabitants
The people of Teros Major are a resilient and resourceful population, shaped by centuries of political upheaval, warfare, and harsh environmental conditions. The nation of Teros spans Teros Major and Teros Minor and has endured numerous changes in governance, from being a vassal state of Forbin to a series of independent rulers, dynasties, and warlords. Following the War of Salvation and the rise of the sorceress Yarivona, Teros was briefly united but was later defeated by Forbin, which led to its occupation. Today, Teros is ruled by the Peacekeepers of Forbin. While the Peacekeepers hold power in the major towns and cities, vast regions like the Wastes, Crimson Hills, and Natarrine Sands are effectively lawless, dominated by warlords, bandits, and nomadic tribes. Olnath, the capital of Teros, is the seat of Forbin’s rule, but other important towns like Benann, known for its metalworkers and mines, and Natarr, with its sizeable Drile population, continue to thrive despite the occupation. Kerenna lies on the frontier of this occupied land, and the city of Persothan, home to many Bulgiss, retains its independence from Forbin’s direct control. The demographics of Teros Major are diverse, with Humans, Drile, Boma, Kazlaa, and Bulgiss making up the majority of the population. Despite their differences, the people of Teros share a culture of resilience, restraint, and resourcefulness, having adapted to the land's capricious environment and the ever-shifting political landscape.
Type
Island
Location under
Included Locations
- Amur Lefra
- Andrin
- Arnduk Bay
- Benann
- Cape of Dust
- Challan Peninsula
- Clouded Crags
- Crimson Hills
- Drujin Forest
- Festermere
- Galdrin Coast
- Isle of Bones
- Isle of Yrok
- Kerenna
- Lespir
- Leviathan Bay
- Midar Hills
- Natarr
- Natarrine Sands
- Nerin Pass
- Northern Baylands
- Olnath
- Osran Bara
- Pandruna
- Persothan
- Plains of Zarroth
- Rast Lowlands
- Redpeak Mountains
- Reskon
- Southern Baylands
- The Plaguelands
- The Wastes
- Wild Coast
Owning Organization
