Stell Islands
Nathan leaned over the rail as the Lady Madeleine pulled into port. The sight of the tall grey cliffs encompassing the harbor made him sigh- he knew that even once they went onto the island proper, there would be no escaping that slate grey rock.
He sensed another presence join him, and as he looked to his left he saw Alyssa mirror his stance as she took in the scenery. She let out a whistle as her scarf trailed behind her, buoyed by the bitter wind.
"So this is Stell, huh?" She asked, taking in the grey cliffs, grey water, and stunted trees growing along the shoreline. "It's hard to believe you came from a place that's so dull, St.Beth" she said with a faint smile.
Nathan's gaze passed over the familiar sight of the harbor, eyes alighting finally on the Seavale Lighthouse perched on top of the eastern cliffs. He knew firsthand just how dreary Stell could be, and if he had his way he wouldn't ever have to see its grey rocky lands ever again. The lighthouse flashed across the horizon and Nathan sighed, remembering what it was that kept drawing him back to this place.
Aron would certainly be glad to see him again.
He sensed another presence join him, and as he looked to his left he saw Alyssa mirror his stance as she took in the scenery. She let out a whistle as her scarf trailed behind her, buoyed by the bitter wind.
"So this is Stell, huh?" She asked, taking in the grey cliffs, grey water, and stunted trees growing along the shoreline. "It's hard to believe you came from a place that's so dull, St.Beth" she said with a faint smile.
Nathan's gaze passed over the familiar sight of the harbor, eyes alighting finally on the Seavale Lighthouse perched on top of the eastern cliffs. He knew firsthand just how dreary Stell could be, and if he had his way he wouldn't ever have to see its grey rocky lands ever again. The lighthouse flashed across the horizon and Nathan sighed, remembering what it was that kept drawing him back to this place.
Aron would certainly be glad to see him again.
Geography
This small chain of five islands is towards the northernmost limits of Morova. All of the islands are similar in that they are composed of grey rock and gravelly soil that is inhospitable for most crops. The plants that can be grown always end up stunted by the winds that blow near constantly over the terrain.
Cliffs adorn the southern edges of the islands, meaning that space to dock is limited. There are few naturally formed harbors on this southern stretch, but most ships come to port around the east or west.
The Keystone Cliffs of Seavale guard one of the only safe harbors along the southern edge of Stell. The port brings a decent amount of trade to its host city, and the Seavale Lighthouse ensures that ships bring their cargo safely to shore.
Cliffs adorn the southern edges of the islands, meaning that space to dock is limited. There are few naturally formed harbors on this southern stretch, but most ships come to port around the east or west.
The Keystone Cliffs of Seavale guard one of the only safe harbors along the southern edge of Stell. The port brings a decent amount of trade to its host city, and the Seavale Lighthouse ensures that ships bring their cargo safely to shore.
Fauna & Flora
Stell is cold, windy, and rocky, which means it is by no means suited to agriculture. There are some plants that thrive here- short grasses, hardy trees, scrubby fruit-bearing bushes, and root vegetables, to name a few. Most plant-based foodstuffs (particularly grains) are imported at a high markup that residents of Stell can't risk not paying.
The wildlife is also fairly limited on land: many small mammals make their homes in the thickets they can find, and birds dominate the southern cliffs. Larger animals like deer and foxes make themselves scarce, mostly staying near the meager forests towards the center of the larger islands. Sheep are one of the few animals that are widely domesticated and bred as livestock in Stell, and they can often be seen picking at whatever clover or grass they can find growing along the rocks.
In stark contrast to the land, the sea around Stell is teeming with life. Fisherman say that in the waters around Stell it is easier to put one's hand in the water and come up with a fish than without. As such, fish forms a large part of the regional diet. In addition, there are many mollusks growing in the rocky shallows, and seals enjoy the relatively safe harbors to the north.
The wildlife is also fairly limited on land: many small mammals make their homes in the thickets they can find, and birds dominate the southern cliffs. Larger animals like deer and foxes make themselves scarce, mostly staying near the meager forests towards the center of the larger islands. Sheep are one of the few animals that are widely domesticated and bred as livestock in Stell, and they can often be seen picking at whatever clover or grass they can find growing along the rocks.
In stark contrast to the land, the sea around Stell is teeming with life. Fisherman say that in the waters around Stell it is easier to put one's hand in the water and come up with a fish than without. As such, fish forms a large part of the regional diet. In addition, there are many mollusks growing in the rocky shallows, and seals enjoy the relatively safe harbors to the north.
Natural Resources
What Stell lacks in agriculture, it almost makes up for in raw materials. The rocks that make up the islands are of good quality, and are mined in large slabs to be turned into ornamental furniture. The stone also contains many veins of crude metals such as iron and copper, some of which are turned into material goods by the craftsmen of Stell. The remainder is sent abroad in its base form, usually only to return to Stell in the form of pickaxes, shovels, stoves, and the like.
Due to the presence of sheep as a primary livestock, Stell has a reasonable export of wool. Though this isn't as significant as what is drawn from the earth, some have begun to realize that while the land may eventually run out of iron or good stone, sheep can be bred continually. This has led to a push to attempt to increase the presence of shepherding on Stell in the hopes to keep the economy independent.
Indeed, Stell has maintained its sovereignty mostly because it has no benefits for a potential conqueror. Its remote north position makes it strategically insignificant, its shores offer little in terms of harbor space or protection, and it has almost no natural resources. However, as these scant resources continue to run dry, the residents of Stell are beginning to wonder if perhaps it would be better to cede their independence and become part of a larger empire.
Due to the presence of sheep as a primary livestock, Stell has a reasonable export of wool. Though this isn't as significant as what is drawn from the earth, some have begun to realize that while the land may eventually run out of iron or good stone, sheep can be bred continually. This has led to a push to attempt to increase the presence of shepherding on Stell in the hopes to keep the economy independent.
Indeed, Stell has maintained its sovereignty mostly because it has no benefits for a potential conqueror. Its remote north position makes it strategically insignificant, its shores offer little in terms of harbor space or protection, and it has almost no natural resources. However, as these scant resources continue to run dry, the residents of Stell are beginning to wonder if perhaps it would be better to cede their independence and become part of a larger empire.
Type
Archipelago
Included Locations
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