The Geography of Istralar

An old soldier will wear his scars with pride and sorrow. His memories flow through each mark on his body, from past tattoos to recent wounds, ever reminding him of what he has become. A world is no different. Istralar, as a planet, has lived through many millennia, and no single being, from mortal to god, has failed to leave their mark upon it.

— Mans Kartovy, President of the Kartovian Exploration Society

This article does not seek to give the specifics of each continent's geography - it will not detail every island, mountain, river or sea. This task is far too arduous for one work alone. Significant elements of geography will be expanded upon in their own articles, or detailed in that of their encompassing location or country. Instead, this will detail the climates and general aspects of each of the four known continents of Istralar, and how those climates have shaped its inhabitants - for instance, many dwarves favour cool climates, and as such feel most at home in Iskaldhal.
If more information is sought, the Kartovian Exploration Society headquarters is currently located in Vaciliano, the Vostene Republic. Our archives are open to all who seek to travel or learn. Further information can also be located in each article's designated category of this encyclopedia, as found at the beginning of the book.

Continents

Valathe, Iskaldhal, Xin Jiyu, Takawaoku, Kudara

Type

Planet

Through the will of nature and the fire of war, Istralar's once-perfect landmass has been torn into five main continents - Iskaldhal, Valathe, Xin Jiyu, Takawaoku, and Kudara. Only Valathe and Xin Jiyu remain connected to one another; the Talmian Mountain Range marks the distinction between them, having been created during their collision in the distant past.

The Western Continent of Valathe

By far the most temperate in climate, rainy summers and cool winters allow Valathe to be characterised by its deciduous and coniferous forests. Whilst areas of taiga and tundra are not uncommon, particularly towards the northern reaches of the continent, the mountain rivers running through each country have created a plentiful amount of arable farmland and thus encouraged a perfect environment for many animal and fey habitats. The naturally-prosperous environment has allowed humans, halflings, orcs and other younger races to flourish - but as with all desirable resources, its lands have long been fought over. Currently, the two largest empires in existence are both located upon Valathe - the Aletheian Empire has claimed a large peninsula and its mountain regions, and the Medimian Empire has claimed the northern tundra.
Throughout history, a large amount of the world's population has been concentrated in Valathe. It has thus suffered the most during the Great Wars of the Divine, and has been the battleground for countless mortal conflicts. Parts of the landscape have been permanently cursed or charred, and Abyss-touched races such as the duergar and drow have spread their taint throughout the Underdark - a series of enormous caves beneath the land. No true catalogue of the tainted areas exists, despite the heavy presence of mortals with the power to do so, due to a combination of fear and politics.

The Northern Continent of Iskaldhal

Life upon Iskaldhal is extremely challenging for its inhabitants. The continent has been a site of titan, giant and dragon activity for millennia, and is the location of the Heartforge of Iskaldhal - a colossal volcanic crater that seems to consume most of the continent's heat. Natural disasters are worryingly common, between earthquakes, avalanches, volcanic eruptions, and horrifying magical storms fuelled by millennia of deific scarring. The leylines of Iskaldhal are reportedly some of the most wild with their magic, and this is reflected on the land and its people.
In between the mountain ranges that litter its surface, Iskaldhal is home to taiga and tundra biomes, with dense alpine forests covering the continent's southern reaches and the cold wasteland of Kylmävikk Desert to the north. The few mortal races that choose to live upon Iskaldhal suffer harsh lifestyles, even in the richer southern civilisations. Hunter-gatherer lifestyles are not uncommon, and war is frequent over the limited resources the land offers.

Civilisation can mostly be found on the southern edges of the continent, though some do brave the northern reaches in underground cities or close-knit cities of stone. Occasionally, settlements such as Fjarsjodan will be formed by powerful entities (such as dragons or warlord titans) to protect their vassals. Wandering tribal groups such as the Vaeltajat and the snow elves can be found in the icy wastes, as can the legendary Witch-Tribes of Iskaldhal - though neither group generally wishes to be found by outsiders.

The Eastern Continent of Xin Jiyu

Whilst Valathe and Iskaldhal are mostly consistent with their climate, Xin Jiyu has to contend with the domineering Talmian Range to its west. Even before disaster threw it off balance, Xin Jiyu's centre was dry desert and grassland. Expansive steppes and temperate mixed forests still stretch over the upper half of the continent, before levelling off into taiga and tundra biomes and alpine forest as the northern edge is reached. The southern side of Xin Jiyu once flowed from desert into savanna and rainforest depending on how far south one was. Mountainous regions marked areas of cooler weather and deciduous forest, and humans flourished. This wild variety was destroyed in the aftermath of the Worldrend - all that remains in the south is the Sunari Wilderness, a near-uninhabitable and seemingly endless desert warped by chaotic magics left behind in the war.
Many elves and gnomes make their homes in the northern forests of Xin Jiyu, and their presence has attracted many fey to the area. Humans are also dominant across the entire continent, living in well-structured cities in the eastern mountains, in nomadic tribes across the steppes, and just about anywhere they can find sources of food and water. Orcs adapt well to the steppe environment, and human-orc wars are not uncommon. The only inhabitants of the Sunari Wilderness are those strong enough to adapt to it and survive its challenges - notably, half-orcs and half-elves find it easy to adapt to its environment, and small communities of their kin have sprung up at the Sunari's outer reaches.

The Southern Continent of Takawaoku

The second-deadliest of Istralar's continents by natural causes alone, Takawaoku is largely a much hotter continent than any other. Vast swathes of its land has long since collapsed into desert; Areshket, Mijhel, and Sareshan survive in their respective wastelands only barely. Other areas nearby survive as chaparral and savannah.
The Sea of Souls provides much-needed life to the continent, creating a belt of green through its centre, and jutting mountains shield the northern rainforests from scorching heat and desert winds. The continent's eastern reaches fall into an immense volcanic wasteland known as Xotlan, yet they are not the most dangerous area of Takawaoku: that honour goes to the god-twisted southwestern reaches of the Starsear.

Many nature-loving races have travelled to the Southern Continent over the years. Years of cross-continental trade have heavily influenced the continent's native cultures, particularly in the nations with strongest trade; however, in more isolated nations, the intricate culture and rituals remain unchanged after centuries of contact with those beyond. Interestingly, the drow and elves of Takawaoku manage some level of coexistence with far less hostility than their races normally bear towards each other - they instead work together against the rest of the continent through the strength of Rhaead.
In general, however, most fauna of Takawaoku is extremely violent towards all other life, driving the continent's inhabitants to a lifestyle of guerrilla warfare within the jungle's depths and intense survival in the desert heat. Only the most temperate areas know relative peace, and even they must content with the lingering spectre of the Starsear.

The Lost Continent of Kudara

Very little is known of Kudara's people or geography - the continent has been shrouded in a mystical barrier since the first War of the Divine. It can be assumed, however, from its location, that the continent is largely tropical in nature. As Iskaldhal is particularly active geologically, it is very likely that Kudara is as well, especially due to the alleged instabilities the land experiences. Rumours of what lies beyond Kudara's barrier whisper of jagged mountains, lush rainforests, inner seas, and - perhaps most incredibly - floating islands. Only the gods - and the native Kudarans - could know for certain.